Narsaq
Town in Greenland
title: "Narsaq" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["populated-places-in-greenland", "populated-places-established-in-1830", "1830-establishments-in-greenland"] description: "Town in Greenland" topic_path: "general/populated-places-in-greenland" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narsaq" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Town in Greenland ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Narsaq |
| other_name | Nordprøven |
| image_skyline | Narsaq-from-Qaaqarsuaq.jpg |
| imagesize | 300px |
| image_caption | Narsaq skyline from Qaqqarsuaq mountain |
| pushpin_map | Greenland Southern |
| pushpin_map_caption | Location within southern Greenland |
| pushpin_mapsize | 300 |
| subdivision_type | State |
| subdivision_name | Kingdom of Denmark |
| subdivision_type1 | Constituent country |
| subdivision_name1 | Greenland |
| subdivision_type2 | Municipality |
| subdivision_name2 | [[File:Kujalleq-coat-of-arms.svg |
| established_title | Founded |
| established_date | 1830 |
| population_as_of | 2025 |
| population_total | 1242 |
| timezone1 | Western Greenland Time |
| utc_offset1 | −02:00 |
| timezone1_DST | Western Greenland Summer Time |
| utc_offset1_DST | −01:00 |
| coordinates | |
| postal_code_type | Postal code |
| postal_code | 3921 |
| website | narsaq.gl |
| :: |
|name = Narsaq |other_name = Nordprøven |image_skyline = Narsaq-from-Qaaqarsuaq.jpg |imagesize = 300px |image_caption = Narsaq skyline from Qaqqarsuaq mountain |image_shield = |shield_size = |pushpin_map = Greenland Southern |pushpin_label_position = |pushpin_map_caption = Location within southern Greenland |pushpin_mapsize = 300 | subdivision_type = State | subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark | subdivision_type1 = Constituent country | subdivision_name1 = Greenland | subdivision_type2 = Municipality | subdivision_name2 = [[File:Kujalleq-coat-of-arms.svg|22px]] Kujalleq | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = |government_footnotes = |leader_title = |leader_name = |established_title = Founded |established_date = 1830 |population_as_of = 2025 |population_total = 1242 | timezone1 = Western Greenland Time | utc_offset1 = −02:00 | timezone1_DST = Western Greenland Summer Time | utc_offset1_DST = −01:00 |coordinates = |postal_code_type = Postal code |postal_code = 3921 |website = narsaq.gl ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/Narsaq_vue_aérienne.jpg" caption="Aerial view of Narsaq and Narsaq Sound, April 2018"] ::
Narsaq (Greenlandic, ; Danish), formerly Nordprøven (Danish, ), is a town in Kujalleq, Greenland, Kingdom of Denmark on the shores of Tunulliarfik Fjord.
History
People have lived in the area for thousands of years, but not continuously. Remains of the Norse settlement can be found in the area. The church ruins of Dyrnæs can be found on the north-western outskirts of the town. The Landnám homestead, Landnamsgaarden, can be found immediately to the west of the town.{{cite web |title = Landnamsgaarden - Special Homepage |url = http://www.narsaq-museum.org/landnamsgaard/default.htm |publisher = Narsaq Museum |access-date = May 9, 2011 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111009134627/http://www.narsaq-museum.org/landnamsgaard/default.htm |archive-date = October 9, 2011
Present day Narsaq was founded as Nordprøven ("North Prøven") in 1830, distinguishing it from Sydprøven ("South Prøven", modern Alluitsup Paa) established the same year. The initial settlement was founded as a trading colony of Qaqortoq, then named Julianehaab.
A trading center was established here due to the natural deep water harbor which could accommodate ocean faring vessels. Initially local seal hunters traded blubber and seal skin for continental goods, such as coffee, sugar, bread and buckwheat.
Until approximately 1900 seal hunting formed the main economy for Narsaq. In the early 1900s seal hunting began to fail, and the main basis for the economy gradually shifted to fishing. The city's historical fishing village is from 1914. The main house of the historical village today houses the power company in the city.
Simiutak at the Skovfjord mouth near Narsaq was a HF/DF radio range finding station called Bluie West Three during World War II. The station commenced operations in January 1942, and was permanently staffed until the end of the war.
The population also increased during this period, from 25 in 1870, to 162 in 1919, and to 300 in 1930. However the settlement did not experience significant population growth until 1953, when its first prawn and fishing factory of Royal Greenland was established. The factory was subsequently closed in 2010.
In 1959 the population exceeded 600, and Narsaq achieved town status. With 1,346 inhabitants as of 2020, it is the ninth-largest town in Greenland. Several hundred people live in the surrounding community.
The town is notable for the 1990 Narsaq massacre, a mass shooting where seven people were killed and one was wounded. The shooting was the worst in Greenland's history.
Until 31 December 2008, the town was the administrative center of Narsaq Municipality in the Kitaa amt. In addition to the town, the municipality consisted of the Qassiarsuk, Igaliku and Narsarsuaq settlements, as well as several sheep and reindeer farms. On 1 January 2009, Narsaq became part of Kujalleq municipality, when the county of Kitaa, as well as the municipalities of Narsaq, Qaqortoq, and Nanortalik ceased to exist as administrative entities.
Economy
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Narsaq_Houses.jpg" caption="Colorful houses of Narsaq"] ::
Fishing
Fishing is the mainstay of the local economy. Local fjords are full of marine life, including whales, salmon, and seals.
Sheep farming
Farming is possible on the plains to the north of the town, with several actively maintained arable fields. Of the 53 registered sheep farms in Greenland, 31 are located in the Narsaq area. The farms produce meat for domestic consumption, and the Narsaq slaughterhouse Neqi A/S, a wholly owned subsidiary of KNI, is the only slaughterhouse in the country. The sheep farming area of Tasiusaq is located in former Norse area.
Tourism
The third major part of the economy is tourism. South Greenland has experienced a decline in tourist revenue in recent years, but tourism still supports a significant percentage of the viable workforce. Popular activities include hiking, fishing, collecting rare minerals and taking boat trips to the ice cap.{{cite web | title = Narsaq - History, nature, and culture | url = http://www.greenland.com/en/explore-greenland/sydgroenland/narsaq.aspx | access-date = May 8, 2011 | publisher = The Official Tourism Office of Greenland
Services and infrastructure
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/03/Narsaq_Church.jpg" caption="Church in Narsaq"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Narsaq_Hospital_2021.jpg" caption="Narsaq Hospital"] ::
Today Narsaq has a town hall, two supermarkets, a church, a police station, a firestation, a primary school, several educational facilities, an internet café, a hospital, and several small shops. Greenland's first brewery, Greenland Brewhouse, was established in Narsaq in 2004.
The town hospital is housed in a two-storey building and has 14 beds. The town health services also include a dental clinic.{{cite web |title = Kommunerne |url = http://www.kanukoka.gl/media/1053_399.pdf |access-date = May 8, 2011 |publisher = Kalaallit Nunaanni Kommuneqaarfiit Kattufiat (KANUKOKA) |language = da |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110724135351/http://www.kanukoka.gl/media/1053_399.pdf |archive-date = July 24, 2011
Narsaq Church was designed by local carpenter Pavia Høegh in 1927. The church was refurbished and expanded in 1981.
The only Food Science College in the country is located in Narsaq.{{cite web |author = Kalistat Lund |title = Smagen af Sydgrønland |url = http://www.mamartut.gl/english/inuili.htm |publisher = Business and Labor Committee, Kommune Kujalleq |access-date = May 9, 2011 |language = da |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120323174832/http://www.mamartut.gl/english/inuili.htm |archive-date = March 23, 2012 | title = Levnedsmiddelskolen INUILI | url = http://inuili.com | publisher = INUILI College of Food Sciences and Knowledge Center | access-date = May 9, 2011 |language=da}}
Electricity in the town is provided by the government-owned company Nukissiorfiit. Since 2007, Narsaq gets its electricity from the 7.2 MW Qorlortorsuaq Dam by way of a 70 km 70 kV transmission line, also connecting Qaqortoq. Narsaq is also connected by fibre-optic cable to Qaqortoq (which is connected onwards by the Greenland Connect submarine cable) via the same transmission line.
Transport
Air
Main article: Narsaq Heliport
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Narsaq-heliport-terminal.jpg" caption="[[Air Greenland]] provides air connections to Qaqortoq and Narsarsuaq"] ::
Narsaq Heliport operates year-round, linking Narsaq with Qaqortoq and the large Narsarsuaq Airport, which offers onward connections with the rest of Greenland and Europe.{{cite web |title=Air Greenland, Departures and Arrivals |url=http://airgreenland.com/ankomster__afgange/ |publisher=Air Greenland |format=PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309004005/http://airgreenland.com/ankomster__afgange/ |archive-date=2010-03-09
Sea
The harbor of Narsaq is a natural coastal harbor with steep depth. Narsaq is a port of call for the Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ship in the summer season.{{cite web |title=Arctic Umiaq Line, Timetable 2009 |url=http://www.aul.gl/images/stories/pdf/fartplan%2009.pdf |publisher=Arctic Umiaq Line
Land
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/narsaqJanuary.jpg" caption="Narsaq in January"] ::
There is a road leading into the valley a few kilometres towards the former mine at Kvanefjeld. In the area around Qassiarsuk, further inland from Narsaq, a very simple road network suitable for all-terrain vehicles, totalling around 80 km (50 mi) exists connecting a handful of sheep farms. Narsaq is not connected to this road network, but some investigations have proposed a 40 km extension. Separately, a road and ferry connection from Narsaq to Qaqortoq has been proposed, with a tunnel being another option. During winter dog sled routes are important transport links to the surrounding area.
Population
With 1,346 inhabitants , Narsaq is the second-largest town in the Kujalleq municipality. The population has decreased 25% relative to the 1990 levels, and has been decreasing over the last several years. Most towns and settlements in southern Greenland exhibit negative growth patterns over the last two decades, with many settlements rapidly depopulating.
Colors= id:lightgrey value:gray(0.9) id:darkgrey value:gray(0.8) ImageSize = width:1334 height:210 PlotArea = height:150 left:50 bottom:50 right:50 AlignBars = justify DateFormat = x.y Period = from:0 till:2000 TimeAxis = orientation:vertical AlignBars = justify ScaleMajor = gridcolor:darkgrey increment:500 start:0 ScaleMinor = gridcolor:lightgrey increment:100 start:0 PlotData= color:yellowgreen width:38 mark:(line,white) align:center
bar:1991 from:start till:1830 text:"1,830" bar:1992 from:start till:1742 text:"1,742" bar:1993 from:start till:1740 text:"1,740" bar:1994 from:start till:1753 text:"1,753" bar:1995 from:start till:1781 text:"1,781" bar:1996 from:start till:1737 text:"1,737" bar:1997 from:start till:1709 text:"1,709" bar:1998 from:start till:1725 text:"1,725" bar:1999 from:start till:1702 text:"1,702" bar:2000 from:start till:1708 text:"1,708" bar:2001 from:start till:1728 text:"1,728" bar:2002 from:start till:1693 text:"1,693" bar:2003 from:start till:1699 text:"1,699" bar:2004 from:start till:1705 text:"1,705" bar:2005 from:start till:1764 text:"1,764" bar:2006 from:start till:1723 text:"1,723" bar:2007 from:start till:1691 text:"1,691" bar:2008 from:start till:1668 text:"1,668" bar:2009 from:start till:1627 text:"1,627" bar:2010 from:start till:1604 text:"1,604" bar:2011 from:start till:1598 text:"1,598" bar:2012 from:start till:1581 text:"1,581" bar:2013 from:start till:1503 text:"1,503" bar:2014 from:start till:1514 text:"1,514" bar:2015 from:start till:1528 text:"1,528" bar:2016 from:start till:1492 text:"1,492" bar:2017 from:start till:1397 text:"1,397" bar:2018 from:start till:1365 text:"1,365" bar:2019 from:start till:1374 text:"1,374"
Climate
Main article: Climate of Greenland
Narsaq experiences a wet tundra climate (Köppen: ET) moderated by the Gulf Stream; with quite cool summers and long, very cold winters. |location = Narsaq Heliport () (19 m AMSL) (1991-2021 data) |metric first = Yes |single line = Yes |width = auto |Jan record high C = 14.0 |Feb record high C = 14.7 |Mar record high C = 13.2 |Apr record high C = 16.2 |May record high C = 24.3 |Jun record high C = 20.6 |Jul record high C = 23.4 |Aug record high C = 21.7 |Sep record high C = 22.1 |Oct record high C = 16.8 |Nov record high C = 13.8 |Dec record high C = 13.4 |year record high C = 24.3 |Jan high C = -0.6 |Feb high C = -0.4 |Mar high C = 0.8 |Apr high C = 4.8 |May high C = 8.5 |Jun high C = 11.8 |Jul high C = 13.3 |Aug high C = 12.8 |Sep high C = 9.5 |Oct high C = 5.0 |Nov high C = 1.2 |Dec high C = -0.5 |year high C = 5.5 |Jan mean C = -4.0 |Feb mean C = -4.1 |Mar mean C = -3.3 |Apr mean C = 1.0 |May mean C = 4.4 |Jun mean C = 7.5 |Jul mean C = 8.9 |Aug mean C = 8.4 |Sep mean C = 5.4 |Oct mean C = 1.5 |Nov mean C = -2.0 |Dec mean C = -3.4 |year mean C = 1.7 |Jan low C = -7.5 |Feb low C = -7.6 |Mar low C = -7.1 |Apr low C = -2.5 |May low C = 0.5 |Jun low C = 3.5 |Jul low C = 5.0 |Aug low C = 4.8 |Sep low C = 2.0 |Oct low C = -1.6 |Nov low C = -5.1 |Dec low C = -6.6 |year low C = -1.8 |Jan record low C = -18.1 |Feb record low C = -21.0 |Mar record low C = -20.9 |Apr record low C = -14.2 |May record low C = -8.7 |Jun record low C = -1.8 |Jul record low C = 0.7 |Aug record low C = 0.0 |Sep record low C = -3.4 |Oct record low C = -10.1 |Nov record low C = -19.3 |Dec record low C = -19.4 |year record low C = -21.0 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 92 |Feb precipitation mm = 92 |Mar precipitation mm = 75 |Apr precipitation mm = 85 |May precipitation mm = 74 |Jun precipitation mm = 93 |Jul precipitation mm = 96 |Aug precipitation mm = 126 |Sep precipitation mm = 144 |Oct precipitation mm = 101 |Nov precipitation mm = 123 |Dec precipitation mm = 85 |year precipitation mm = 1186 |unit precipitation days = 1 mm |Jan precipitation days = 8 |Feb precipitation days = 8 |Mar precipitation days = 7 |Apr precipitation days = 8 |May precipitation days = 8 |Jun precipitation days = 9 |Jul precipitation days = 8 |Aug precipitation days = 9 |Sep precipitation days = 9 |Oct precipitation days = 7 |Nov precipitation days = 8 |Dec precipitation days = 8 |year precipitation days = 98 |Jan humidity = 65.2 |Feb humidity = 65.0 |Mar humidity = 65.3 |Apr humidity = 67.7 |May humidity = 69.6 |Jun humidity = 76.5 |Jul humidity = 80.6 |Aug humidity = 82.2 |Sep humidity = 77.8 |Oct humidity = 73.6 |Nov humidity = 71.5 |Dec humidity = 66.6 |year humidity = 71.8 |source 1 = Danish Meteorological Institute (2009-2020 temperature & humidity){{cite web |last = Cappelen |first = J |last2 = Drost Jensen |first2 = C |last3 = Laursen |first3 = Ellen Vaarby |last4 = Stannius |first4 = Lotte Sligting |last5 = Thomsen |first5 = Rikke Sjølin |editor-last = Hansen |editor-first = Ane |editor2-last = Rasmussen |editor2-first = Leif |editor3-last = Scharling |editor3-first = Mikael |date = December 20, 2021 |title = Climatological Standard Normals 1991-2020 – Greenland |url = https://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/Rapporter/2021/DMI_report_21_12_Greenland.pdf |publisher = Danish Meteorological Institute |access-date = August 10, 2025}} |source 2 = Climate-Data.org (1991-2021 precipitation){{cite web |last = Cappelen |first = J |last2 = Drost Jensen |first2 = C |last3 = Laursen |first3 = Ellen Vaarby |last4 = Stannius |first4 = Lotte Sligting |last5 = Thomsen |first5 = Rikke Sjølin |editor-last = Hansen |editor-first = Ane |editor2-last = Rasmussen |editor2-first = Leif |editor3-last = Scharling |editor3-first = Mikael |title = NARSAQ CLIMATE (Greenland) |url = https://en.climate-data.org/north-america/greenland/narsaq/narsaq-717438/ |website = Climate-Data.org |access-date = August 10, 2025}}
Twin towns
Narsaq is twinned with:
Notes
References
References
- "Population by Localities". Statistical Greenland.
- O'Carroll, Etain. (2005). "Greenland and the Arctic". Lonely Planet.
- (2 July 2010). "Vrede over fabrikslukning i Narsaq". [[Sermitsiaq (newspaper).
- "Arctic Sunrise, Greenpeace USA". Greenpeace USA.
- "QORLORTORSUAQ – Hydroelectric Project". Verkis.
- Redaktionen. (2021-08-02). "Narsaq får Fibernet".
- "Road Construction in Greenland – the Greenlandic Case".
- Hansen, Nukappiaaluk. (2018-04-18). "S-forslag: Etabler vej mellem Narsaq og Qaqortoq".
- [[Statistics Greenland]], [http://bank.stat.gl/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=BEEST4&path=../Database/Greenland/Population/Population%20in%20Greenland/&lang=1 Population in localities]
- Beck, Hylke E. (October 23, 2023). "High-resolution (1 km) Köppen-Geiger maps for 1901–2099 based on constrained CMIP6 projections". [[Nature (journal).
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