| Ilulissat Jacobshavn | ||
 | ||
| State | Greenland | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Western Greenland | |
| Altitude | 2,010 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 11.25 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 4.533 (2007 estimate / census) | |
| Prefix tel | 299 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 3952 | |
| Time zone | UTC-3 | |
Position
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Ilulissat (Jacobshavn) is a city of the Greenland.
To know
Ilulissat is the third largest city in the Western Greenland. Known for its views over a frozen fjord, this city is also known for having as many sled dogs as there are inhabitants, in fact the city is home to nearly 3,500 sled dogs.
It is located at the end of the Ilulissat fjord and, in 2004, was declared by UNESCO World Heritage.
When to go
Ilulissat enjoys a polar oceanic climate. Winter is more severe than Nuuk (the capital of Greenland), while the summer is a bit softer. The climate is dry with little rainfall.
Background
Excavations in the valley have shown that the site had been inhabited for thousands of years and was once the most populous area in Greenland. The region was an important hunting area. The modern city was built by missionaries in 1741 under the name of Jakobshavn (founder Jakob Severin) and based its prosperity on the hunting of whales and the production of oil extracted from them. The famous Danish Arctic explorer and anthropologist Knud Rasmussen was born here.
Ilulissat is the word Greenlandic of "Iceberg". Thanks to its exceptional location on the Disko Bay, the city has become Greenland's number one tourist destination.
How to orient yourself
It is possible to get around the city on foot without any problems. A taxi can be used for the airport.
Ilulissat: full screen map.How to get
By plane
Ilulissat Airport.
How to get around
What see
The waters surrounding the city are filled with icebergs.
Iceberg
- Ilulissat fjord. 35km from the city is the end of a large glacier, the most active in the world that constantly supplies giant icebergs in ocean-moving fjords. The depth of the fjord is 500 meters. Most of the icebergs (8/9) are underwater, you will see a lot of icebergs between 20 and 30 meters high. The fjord can be reached on foot, by boat (see helicopter). This will take you a 1 2km walk to see the movement of the icebergs in the fjord. 3-4 boat trips are organized.
Museums
- Ilulissat Museum.
- Ilulissat Art Museum.
Events and parties
- Arctic Midnight Orienteering. In summer, an orienteering competition that takes place under the midnight Sun.
What to do
Activities
- Dog sledding. The "Lyngmarks Disko Island" glacier is the only place in Greenland where travelers can go dog sledding in the summer. The best way to organize it is through the Ilulissat tourist office.
- Hiking. There are great trails around Ilulissat. Travelers can walk through the mountains and around the lake in the valley of the archaeological site - the first traces of humans in Greenland were discovered 4,500 years ago.
- Boat and kayak.
Shopping
- Glacier Shop, ☎ 299 943337, @[email protected].
- Sanaluttarfik, ☎ 299 944007.
How to have fun
Where to eat
- 1 Restaurant Ulo, Mitarfimmut Aqq. B1128, ☎ 299 944153. Restaurant overlooking Disko Bay.
Where stay
Moderate prices
- 1 [link not working]Ilulissat Youth Hostel (c / o World of Greenland), Marralinnguaq 49, ☎ 299 943377, @[email protected]. Youth hostel. Sleeping bags are accepted.
Average prices
- [link not working]Cab-Inn hotels, Fredericiap Aqqutaa 5, ☎ 299 942242, 299 543610, @[email protected]. It has 10 double rooms.
High prices
- 2 Arctic hotels, Mitarfimmut Aqq. B1128, ☎ 299 944153, @[email protected].
Safety
In the summer of 2007, a polar bear had arrived a few kilometers north of the city. This was an important event because for the first time in 20 years a polar bear was seen in the area. In fact, many of the locals decided the bear was a threat. As a result, the hapless bear was killed.
How to keep in touch
Around
- Oqaatsut
- Kangaatsiaq
- Qeqertarsuaq
- Qasigiannguit
- Aasiaat, the other "big" city of Disco Bay.
