Kujalleq

Kujalleq is the southernmost municipality of Greenland, located on the southern coast along the North Atlantic. The name Kujalleq means “south” in Greenlandic, reflecting its geographic position. It forms part of the country’s self-governing territory within the Danish Realm. The municipal seat and largest town is Qaqortoq, and the region includes several coastal settlements along a rugged fjord-filled coastline.

Kujalleq was established in 2009 during Greenland’s municipal reform, created by consolidating several southern municipalities to form a single administrative unit. The area is characterized by a temperate coastal climate relative to the high Arctic, with long winters and short, cool summers. The landscape features deep fjords, steep mountains, and small harbor towns connected mainly by sea routes and air transport.

Economy in Kujalleq is primarily based on fishing and fish processing, with tourism playing an expanding role. Visitors are drawn to scenic fjords, hiking in remote valleys, and Norse archaeological sites. One of the region’s notable cultural landmarks is the Hvalsey Church ruins near Qaqortoq, one of the best-preserved Norse sites in Greenland. Towns such as Qaqortoq and Nanortalik offer museums, traditional Greenlandic culture, and colorful houses.

Infrastructure includes air access via Narsarsuaq Airport, which serves the southern region, and coastal transport by boat. The population is spread across several settlements, with Qaqortoq and Nanortalik among the more populous. Kujalleq maintains a regional identity tied to southern Greenland’s history, maritime economy, and Arctic landscape.