Qasigiannguit

Qasigiannguit is a town in the Qeqertalik municipality of western Greenland. It lies on the western coast of the island of Disko (Kujalleq), about 36 kilometres south of the weather station Narsaq. The settlement sits on a narrow coastal strip above a large fjord that opens into the Davis Strait. The surrounding area is characterized by tundra and glacial landscapes, with the active Narsarsuaq Fjord to the north and the Qaidimiq Qayit glacier to the east.

The name Qasigiannguit derives from the Greenlandic word meaning “the place of many seals.” The town's earliest recorded inhabitants date back to pre‑Columbian times, but it was formally established in the early 20th century when the Danish explorer Hans Henrik Christian Therkildson founded a small hunting post. In 1974 it was granted town status. The population has fluctuated over the decades and, according to the 2020 census, number approximately 650 residents, making it one of the smaller communities in Greenland.

The local economy is predominantly based on fishing, principally shrimp and cod, supplemented by small-scale hunting and a growing ecotourism sector that attracts visitors to the nearby seals and bird colonies. The town hosts a community centre, a school, and a health clinic, providing the basic services required for its residents. Public transport to Ilulissat and other towns is available by boat during summer months, while winter travel relies on charter flights and ice conditions.

Qasigiannguit is part of the larger cultural region of Greenlandic Inuit, with the majority of its inhabitants speaking Greenlandic as their first language and also conversant in Danish. The town participates in regional initiatives aimed at sustainable development and climate resilience, reflecting the unique challenges faced by Greenland's coastal communities.