Eqalugaarsuit

Eqalugaarsuit (old spelling: Eqalugârssuit) is a settlement in the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland, located southeast of Qaqortoq and northwest of Alluitsup Paa.^[2] It had a population of 49 in 2020.^[3]

Eqalugaarsuit
Eqalugaarsuit Location within Greenland
Coordinates: 60°37′20″N 45°54′35″W / 60.62222°N 45.90972°W / 60.62222; -45.90972
State	Kingdom of Denmark
Constituent country	Greenland
Municipality	Kujalleq
Government
• Mayor	Lars Boassen^[1]
Population  (2020)
• Total	49
Time zone	UTC-03
Postal code	3920 Qaqortoq

Until January 2009, the settlement — along Qassimiut and Saarloq, as well as 13 sheep farms — belonged to the Qaqortoq municipality. On 1 January 2009 the settlement became part of the Kujalleq municipality, and the Narsaq, Qaqortoq, and Nanortalik municipalities ceased to exist. The settlements are presently governed by a joint settlement council.^[1]

Economy

The main occupations in Eqalugaarsuit are hunting and fishing. There are currently plans of introducing muskox to the surrounding area, as a source of food and traditional hide, called qiviut, and as a tourist attraction.^{[needs update]}

Infrastructure

The settlement has two general stores, operated by KNI. There is also a church, a service house, and a home for the elderly. The settlement has its own school--Daanialiup atuarfia^[4]— with approximately 30 pupils. The school consists of three classrooms, a kitchen, and an office.^[5] The settlement has its own soccer field.

There are no cars in the settlement. The only form of motorized transportation is by tractors or 4-wheel-drive buggies. The settlement has a heliport. The harbour has a wharf, a port, and a separate fishing dock.

Population

Most towns and settlements in southern Greenland exhibit negative growth patterns over the last two decades, with many settlements rapidly depopulating. The population of Eqalugaarsuit has decreased nearly a third relative to the 1990 levels, and over 12 percent relative to the 2000 levels.^[6]

 

Eqalugaarsuit population growth dynamics in the last two decades. Source: Statistics Greenland^[6]

References

1. (in Danish). Kujalleq Municipality. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
2. O'Carroll, Etain; Mark Elliott (2005). Greenland and the Arctic (2nd ed.). Oakland, Calif.: Lonely Planet. ISBN 1-74059-095-3.
3. . Statistical Greenland. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
4. (in Danish). Vores Klasse. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
5. Ilinniartitsisoq Report 2008
6. (in Danish). Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011.