Visit East Greenland

Visit East Greenland

East Greenland is one of the most isolated habitations in the world. Along the more than 20.000 kilometres of coastline you’ll only encounter two towns and 5 small settlements, inhabited by no more than 3,500 people. There is a natural reason for this very sparse settlement: East Greenland is situated between the polar sea ice and the Greenlandic Icecap, and is only accessible with supply ships 6 months a year. An awesome wilderness of more than 1,457,000 km².  including the world´s largest national park.

Coming to Ammassalik (Now Sermersooq East) you enter the very heart of East Greenland’s exceptional beauty, and one of the most beautiful and unspoiled arctic areas in the world. The awesome landscape has no parallel in the entire arctic. A mosaic of steep, dramatic mountains, countless lakes, streams and rivers, waterfalls, glaciers and green valleys. Ammassalik radiates a purity, which has overwhelmed and fascinated visitors throughout time.

The remoteness and isolation of Ammassalik ( Tasiilaq ) have always defined our district as one of the outposts of civilization. Well, it actually still is. Of course much has changed over the passed 100 years, and today we're part of the world community (Sermersooq East); but like always nature is having the final word.

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Tasiilaq East Greenland Denmark

Outside the city of Tasiilaq and the five settlements you'll only find very few signs of people living here, though the Inuit have been here for centuries. Due to the climate and landscape there is no infrastructure outside Tasiilaq and the settlements. In the wintertime the local transportation is by helicopter, skidoos and dogsleds. In the summertime it's by speedboats and helicopter.

Being just south of the Polar Circle, you’ll find the climate in Ammassalik surprisingly comfortable. Summers are generally warm and dry. Winters are relatively mild with lots of snow. Summer days are long with just a few hours of dusk. Winter days are short, and the perfect time for experiencing the Northern Lights.

Tasiilaq belongs to one of the most isolated settlements in the world. Towards the west the inland ice rises up to 2,500 metres, and towards the east in the Denmark straits lies the big ice from the North Pole preventing any sailing for approx. 7 months of the year.

uniqueness:
The East Greenlanders’ uniqueness from the rest of the country is clearly reflected in the language and culture of the region. The language of East Greenland is substantially different from that of West Greenland both in its pronunciation and its vocabulary.

Dogsleds in the far north-east is different from the south at by being longer because they can pass through cracks and fissures in the ice. The slide is also only bound and not nailed together, thereby giving it a flexibility that enables it to climb uneven terrain. A true off-road.

dogsled is the national vehicle

10-12 hp (dogs forces) is the most common "engine size", enough to shoot a considerable speed on the fast surface.

North Greenland has been the starting point for countless historic sledding trips - from Knud Rasmussen to the Danish Crown Prince. And no visitor to the north of Greenland snow should miss out on the experience of following in the sled track of celebrities at full speed across the ice by a team of baying dogs.

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Strong culturel roots
During a period of only 110 years the East Greenlandic Inuit have faced many changes, going from a life in total isolation to being a part of the rest of the world. Satellite TV, Internet, fast food and fashion trends are having a visible influence on life here – like anywhere else. Isn’t this going to destroy the East Greenlandic Inuit culture? We think not. The cultural roots are deep and strong. In few places, if any, has mankind endured more hardship, a more hostile environment and a fiercer competition from nature simply to survive. The nature of East Greenland has created one of the most specialised hunting cultures in the world, the Ammassalik culture, which in many ways differs from the rest of Greenland. Much has changed, and a lot of modern amenities have become part of the daily life in Ammassalik. However, in many ways nature still determines living conditions. The knowledge and the proper use of old hunting methods are still the foundation for the survival of many families. A hunter can have all the modern equipment at his disposal, but if he doesn’t understand the nature he’ll come home empty handed at the end of the day all the same.

Tasiilaq East Greenland Denmark

Fishing and Hunting
The main occupations in the outlying settlements - are seal hunting and fishing. The kind of industrial fisheries familiar on the west coast have not yet been established here. Old traditions associated with the division of the catch are still observed in East Greenland. For example, the skin of the polar bear is given to the person who first sighted the animal rather than the hunter who actually killed it, who will get the scull, some ribs and one of the hind legs. 

"Capelin" or solder is 11-20 cm long fish in the salmon family

The game in Ammassalik is mainly seals, minke whale, narwhal and polar bear. Once a year, in springtime, huge amounts of capelin, a salmon-type fish, called AMMASSAT in Greenlandic, come close to the coast to spawn and are easily caught. The district owes its name to the Ammassat. ( "Capelin" or solder is 11-20 cm long fish in the salmon family, which is frequently included in traditional Greenlandic food) 

Sailing and Camping
Not everybody is a full time hunter.  Actually, quite far from it, especially in the town of Tasiilaq. However, hunting and fishing is a lifestyle around here, and almost every household has a boat. In the summertime the weekends and holidays are spent at the good fishing and hunting areas in the fjords of Ammassalik district. These weekend and summer camps are the true strongholds of the Inuit culture, as they represent the traditional way of life. It’s very important to have a good catch, but equal to this is the importance of being together with friends and family in the nature.

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