Qeqertarsuaq

Qeqertarsuaq, meaning "the large island" in Greenlandic, is a town on Disko Island in western Greenland. It is also known by its historic Danish name Godhavn. Since the 2018 municipal reform, Qeqertarsuaq has been part of the Qeqertalik Municipality, and it is one of the island’s largest settlements. The population is about 1,000 residents, primarily Inuit, with Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) as the dominant language and Danish widely understood.

The town lies at the southern end of Disko Bay and is set against a rugged coastal landscape featuring rocky shores and low hills. It is connected to the wider region by sea and by a small airstrip or heliport, with regular transport links to nearby towns such as Ilulissat and Aasiaat. The surrounding waters are part of a productive Arctic marine environment that supports fishing and wildlife.

Qeqertarsuaq has its origins in the Danish colonial era as a whaling station and trading post. In the contemporary period, fishing and fish processing form the backbone of the local economy, complemented by public services and small-scale tourism. The community preserves Greenlandic traditions, including language and local culture, and is home to a church and a small museum that reflect its history and Arctic setting.