Editing Narsarsuaq

{{Infobox settlement
|name                   = Narsarsuaq
|other_name             =
|image_skyline          = Narsarsuaq-tunulliarfik.jpg
|imagesize              = 300px
|image_caption          = Narsarsuaq and [[Tunulliarfik Fjord]]
|image_shield           = 
|shield_size            =
|pushpin_map            = Greenland
|pushpin_label_position =
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location within Greenland
|pushpin_mapsize        = 300
| subdivision_type        = State
| subdivision_name        = {{Flag|Kingdom of Denmark}}
| subdivision_type1       = [[Countries of the Kingdom of Denmark|Constituent country]]
| subdivision_name1       = {{Flag|Greenland}}
| subdivision_type2       = [[Administrative divisions of Greenland|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name2       = [[File:Kujalleq-coat-of-arms.svg|22px]] [[Kujalleq]]
| subdivision_type3       = 
| subdivision_name3       = 
|government_footnotes   = <ref>[http://kujalleq.gl/dansk/by/10-10.htm Kujalleq Municipality] {{in lang|da}}</ref>
|leader_title           = Mayor
|leader_name            = Kiista P. Isaksen
|established_title      =
|established_date       = 
|population_as_of       = 2020
|population_total       = 123
| timezone1          = [[Western Greenland Time]]
| utc_offset1        = −02:00
| timezone1_DST      = [[Western Greenland Summer Time]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = −01:00
|coordinates            = {{coord|61|08|45|N|45|26|05|W|region:GL|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type       = Postal code
|postal_code            = 3923
|website                = 
}}

'''Narsarsuaq''' (lit. ''Great Plain'';<ref name=TI>''Facts and History of Narsarsuaq'', Narsarsuad Tourist Information</ref> old spelling: ''Narssarssuaq'') is a settlement in the [[Kujalleq]] municipality in southern [[Greenland]]. It had 123 inhabitants in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title= Population by Localities|url = http://bank.stat.gl/pxweb/en/Greenland/Greenland__BE__BE01__BE0120/BEXST4.PX/?rxid=a1551b20-d1d5-4bcf-a80c-de114c001595|publisher = Statistical Greenland}}</ref> There is a thriving [[tourism]] industry in and around Narsarsuaq, whose attractions include a great diversity of wildlife, gemstones, tours to [[glacier]]s, and an airfield museum.

==History==
[[File:Narsarsuap-kuua.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Narsarsuaq valley (Flower valley), seen from Mellemlandet]]
Narsarsuaq is located within the [[Eastern Settlement]] of the [[Norse colonization of the Americas|Greenlandic Norse]]; the [[Brattahlíð]] farm of [[Erik the Red]] established in 985 was located on the opposite bank of [[Tunulliarfik Fjord]], where the modern settlement of [[Qassiarsuk]] is situated.<ref name=TI/>

In 1941 the [[United States]] built an [[air base]] at Narsarsuaq code-named [[Bluie West One]] (BW1). (''[[Bluie]]'' was the Allied military code name for Greenland.) Thousands of planes used BW1 as a stepping stone on their way from the aircraft factories in North America to the battlegrounds of Europe. A 600-bed hospital was built in order to deal with casualties from the [[Normandy landings]].<ref name=TI/> After the end of the war, BW1 continued to be developed, and was a major hospital site during the [[Korean War]], with the military hospital expanded to 1,000 beds.<ref name=TI/> However,  it was rendered surplus by the advent of [[mid-air refueling]] and the construction of the larger [[Thule Air Base]] in northern Greenland. In 1951, it was agreed that Denmark and the United States would jointly oversee the airbase. Although it closed in 1958, it was reopened the following year by the Danish government after the loss of the vessel ''[[Hans Hedtoft (ship)|Hans Hedtoft]]'' and all crew south off [[Cape Farewell, Greenland|Cape Farewell]].<ref>{{cite web
| author = Dan Ford
| title = Remembering Bluie West One
| url = http://www.warbirdforum.com/bluie.htm
| publisher = WarbirdForum.com
| access-date = May 9, 2011
}}</ref> The hospital was destroyed by a fire in 1972, although the ruins remain.

== Transport ==
[[Narsarsuaq Airport]] serves as the principal airfield in southwestern Greenland, with seasonal international flights from [[Iceland]] operated by [[Icelandair]]. It has also commuter helicopter flights from communities of southern Greenland operated by Air Greenland. Small planes crossing the Atlantic sometimes replicate the North Atlantic Ferry Route, stopping at Narsarsuaq Airport and other World War II airfields, including [[CFB Goose Bay|Goose Bay, Newfoundland]] in [[Canada]] and [[Reykjavík]] in Iceland.

Narsarsuaq has a sea port where passenger boats and cruise ships can moor.<ref>[https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/12331455 Narsarsuaq phot by Søren Møller]</ref> It is located {{convert|2.4|km|mi}} south of the terminal building, so bus transfers are arranged.

A {{convert|26|km|mi}} [[gravel road]] is maintained between [[Qassiarsuk]] and Narsarsuaq around the fjord. It has two river crossings without bridges but [[off-road vehicle]]s ford them, although a direct boat across the fjord is also used.<ref>[http://distancebetween.info/narsarsuaq/qassiarsuk/road_map Road distance]</ref> There is also a regular boat service to [[Qaqortoq]], {{convert|85|km|mi nmi}}, which takes almost 4 hours.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://diskoline.gl/en | title=Disko Line }}</ref>

== Population ==
The population of the settlement is strictly tied to the traffic dynamics at the local airport.<ref name="statbank">{{cite web
 |title       = Statistics Greenland
 |language    = da
 |url         = http://bank2.stat.gl/
 |publisher   = Statistics Greenland
 |access-date  = May 9, 2011
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110812052835/http://bank2.stat.gl/
 |archive-date = August 12, 2011
}}</ref>

{{wide image|Narsarsuaq-population-dynamics.png|1000px|alt=Narsarsuaq population dynamics|Narsarsuaq population dynamics in the last two decades. ''Source: Statistics Greenland''<ref name="statbank"/>}}

==Climate==
Narsarsuaq experiences boundary [[subarctic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfc''), which with a 1.1&nbsp;°C (1.98&nbsp;°F) margin escapes being classified as [[polar climate]] that is typical for the rest of Greenland. Despite its rather chilly temperatures, Narsarsuaq is one of the few places in Greenland with abundant naturally growing trees. This is due to several factors. Its geographical position is extremely sheltered from harsh subpolar winds by multiple layers of tall mountains to the west, and there is a heavy oceanic influence that results in a rather stable and steady amount of precipitation year-round. The oceanic influence can be observed in the occasional [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] storms that often pound the region (resulting in a fairly wet climate) and a moderate amount of precipitation per year (which could also be considered quite high by Greenlandic standards). 
Due to the fair climatic conditions, Narsarsuaq is the site of Greenland's only botanical garden, the "Greenlandic Arboretum".

{{Weather box
|location = Narsarsuaq, Greenland (1991–2020, extremes 1941–present)
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
| Jan record high C = 14.2
| Feb record high C = 15.3
| Mar record high C = 16.5
| Apr record high C = 19.1
| May record high C = 24.8
| Jun record high C = 25.2
| Jul record high C = 24.1
| Aug record high C = 23.6
| Sep record high C = 22.4
| Oct record high C = 18.7
| Nov record high C = 18.4
| Dec record high C = 15.9
|year record high C = 25.2
| Jan high C = -2.1
| Feb high C = -2.6
| Mar high C = -0.7
| Apr high C = 4.9
| May high C = 10.0
| Jun high C = 14.0
| Jul high C = 15.7
| Aug high C = 14.1
| Sep high C = 9.9
| Oct high C = 5.1
| Nov high C = 0.4
| Dec high C = -1.6
|year high C = 
| Jan mean C = -6.1
| Feb mean C = -6.5
| Mar mean C = -4.7
| Apr mean C = 1.3
| May mean C = 5.9
| Jun mean C = 9.6
| Jul mean C = 11.1
| Aug mean C = 9.8
| Sep mean C = 6.1
| Oct mean C = 1.5
| Nov mean C = -3.3
| Dec mean C = -5.5
|year mean C = 
| Jan low C = -10.5
| Feb low C = -11.1
| Mar low C = -9.1
| Apr low C = -2.6
| May low C = 1.6
| Jun low C = 5.1
| Jul low C = 6.7
| Aug low C = 5.8
| Sep low C = 2.3
| Oct low C = -2.0
| Nov low C = -7.3
| Dec low C = -9.8
|year low C = 
| Jan record low C = -39.7
| Feb record low C = -33.7
| Mar record low C = -31.9
| Apr record low C = -23.1
| May record low C = -16.7
| Jun record low C = -2.9
| Jul record low C = 0.1
| Aug record low C = -0.1
| Sep record low C = -5.7
| Oct record low C = -17.8
| Nov record low C = -26.1
| Dec record low C = -35.9
|year record low C = -39.7
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 40.0
| Feb precipitation mm = 52.3
| Mar precipitation mm = 37.1
| Apr precipitation mm = 44.7
| May precipitation mm = 32.8
| Jun precipitation mm = 44.8
| Jul precipitation mm = 49.8
| Aug precipitation mm = 66.3
| Sep precipitation mm = 80.2
| Oct precipitation mm = 56.7
| Nov precipitation mm = 68.2
| Dec precipitation mm = 39.5
|year precipitation mm = 
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 10.0
| Feb precipitation days = 8.2
| Mar precipitation days = 9.5
| Apr precipitation days = 10.4
| May precipitation days = 8.8
| Jun precipitation days = 11.1
| Jul precipitation days = 12.5
| Aug precipitation days = 10.6
| Sep precipitation days = 11.2
| Oct precipitation days = 9.8
| Nov precipitation days = 9.6
| Dec precipitation days = 10.1
|year precipitation days = 122.0
| Jan snow days = 9.3
| Feb snow days = 7.6
| Mar snow days = 8.6
| Apr snow days = 7.6
| May snow days = 2.7
| Jun snow days = 0.5
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.1
| Sep snow days = 1.3
| Oct snow days = 5.5
| Nov snow days = 7.6
| Dec snow days = 8.9
|year snow days = 59.8
| Jan humidity = 65
| Feb humidity = 64
| Mar humidity = 66
| Apr humidity = 65
| May humidity = 65
| Jun humidity = 69
| Jul humidity = 74
| Aug humidity = 72
| Sep humidity = 69
| Oct humidity = 67
| Nov humidity = 66
| Dec humidity = 65
|year humidity = 67
| Jan sun = 26
| Feb sun = 65
| Mar sun = 137
| Apr sun = 168
| May sun = 177
| Jun sun = 182
| Jul sun = 192
| Aug sun = 156
| Sep sun = 136
| Oct sun = 94
| Nov sun = 44
| Dec sun = 18
|year sun = 1431
|source 1 = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]] (precipitation days and snowy days 1961–1990 and sunshine 1980–1999)<ref name = DMI9120>{{Cite web|title=Klimanormaler Grønland|url=http://www.dmi.dk/vejrarkiv/normaler-gronland/|website=DMI|language=da|access-date=2023-02-28}}</ref><ref name = DMI1>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190210040507/https://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/Rapporter/TR/2019/DMIRep18-19.pdf
| archive-date = 10 February 2019
| url = https://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/Rapporter/TR/2019/DMIRep18-19.pdf
| title = DMI Report 18–19: Climatological Standard Normals 1981–2010 Denmark, The Faroe Islands and Greenland Based on Data Published in DMI Reports 18–08, 18–04 and 18–05
| publisher = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]]
| access-date = 10 October 2019}}</ref><ref name = DMI2>{{cite web
| url = http://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/Rapporter/TR/2000/tr00-18.pdf
| title = The Observed Climate of Greenland, 1958–99 with Climatological Standard Normals, 1961–90
| publisher = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]]
| access-date = 10 October 2019}}</ref>
| source 2 = Météo Climat (records),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=74|title=Station Narsarsuaq|publisher=Météo Climat|language=fr|access-date=10 October 2019}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[NOAA]] (humidity 1961–1990)<ref name = noaa>{{cite web
| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/GL/04270.TXT
| title = Narsarsuaq Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201031070949/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_VI/GL/04270.TXT
| archive-date = 2020-10-31
| url-status = dead
| access-date = 13 October 2019}}</ref>
}}

== Greenlandic Arboretum ==
{{anchor|Arboretum Groenlandicum}}
[[File:Narsarsuaq-arboretum-groenlandicum.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Arboretum Groenlandicum]]
[[File:Narsarsuaq-arboretum-groenlandicum-spruce.jpg|thumb|100px|right|Trees of Greenland]]
On the lower slopes of the Mellemlandet ridge, close to Narsarsuaq Airport, there is a unique 'botanical garden of the Arctic', called the '''Greenlandic Arboretum'''.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://ign.ku.dk/english/about/arboreta/arboretum-greenland/history/
| title = History of the Greenlandic Arboretum
| date = 18 October 2013
| publisher = Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, [[University of Copenhagen]]
| access-date = 31 August 2016}}</ref><ref>Location {{coord|61|9|29|N|45|25|10|W}}</ref> The goal is to establish a live collection of trees and bushes native to both the arctic and the alpine tree-lines of the entire Northern Hemisphere.

Founded in 1988, it encompasses 15 hectares and it shelters 110 plant species, mostly varieties of boreal [[taiga]] trees, such as [[Larix sibirica|Siberian larch]], [[lodgepole pine]], [[Picea glauca|white spruce]], [[Picea sitchensis|Sitka spruce]],<ref>{{cite web| url = http://ign.ku.dk/english/about/arboreta/arboretum-greenland/
| title = The Greenlandic Arboretum in Narsarsuaq
| date = 2 August 2013
| publisher = Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, [[University of Copenhagen]]
| access-date = 31 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://ign.ku.dk/english/about/arboreta/arboretum-greenland/forest-plantations/
| title = The Forest Plantations in The Greenlandic Arboretum
| date = 18 October 2013
| publisher = Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, [[University of Copenhagen]]
| access-date = 31 August 2016}}</ref> and various bushes. Many individual trees are tagged or otherwise marked. The plantation currently has more than 50,000 trees of various provenances.

{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{Commons category|Narsarsuaq}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Settlements in Greenland}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Populated places in Greenland]]
[[Category:Kujalleq]]