Vestribyggð

Vestribyggð is one of the three historical settlements established by Norse explorers in Greenland. Located on the western coast, it was the most populous and influential of the Greenlandic settlements. The Eastern Settlement, known as Eystribyggð, was located further south and east, and the smaller Settlement, or "Norðrsetur" in the north, was a seasonal hunting ground. Vestribyggð was founded by Erik the Red around 985 CE and grew to include approximately 100 farms and a population estimated to be in the thousands. Its economy was primarily based on farming, raising livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats, and hunting seals and other marine mammals. Archaeological evidence indicates the presence of churches, including a cathedral at Garðar, which served as the episcopal see for Greenland. The settlement flourished for several centuries but gradually declined and was eventually abandoned by the 15th century. The reasons for its demise are still debated among historians but likely include a combination of factors such as climate change, resource depletion, a breakdown in trade with Europe, and possibly conflict. The remnants of Vestribyggð, including ruins of farms and churches, are now a UNESCO World Heritage site.