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Regional Information - East Greenland
The east coast of Greenland is very sparsely
populated, largely due to the large belt of ice
which covers the area year-round. The first
settlement of the area was just over a hundred
years ago, however, the subsequent isolation of
the people who live there has developed into a
region with a very different language and culture
from the rest of the country. There are only two
towns in the entire region, Tasiilaq, and Ittoqqortoormiit.
2,700 kilometres are devoted to the world's
largest National Park.
The language spoken in east Greenland has
significant vocabulary and pronunciation
differences. The culture is very traditional, and
the handicrafts from the region are of exceptional
quality. Seal hunting in still the main occupation
in the region, and they follow the old traditions
of the hunt.
The older of the two towns, Tasiilaq, is
located just south of the arctic circle, on a
fjord. approximately 900 kilometres north,
Ittoqqortoormiit was built during the 1920's,
after the population of Tasiilaq exploded and the
seal population declined - causing many people to
look elsewhere for work. There are only about 550
people living in Ittoqqortoormiit, and it can be
reached only by helicopter.
The National Park is located far to the north.
Access is granted only to Ittoqqortoormiit
hunters, and a number of people conducting
scientific studies and expeditions. There are a
few manned weather stations and a Danish army
patrol in the Park, but no other human dwellings.
Most of Greenland's flora and fauna can be found
within the park. The east coast is a popular
excursion destination for travellers from Iceland.
There is a hotel and airport in Kulusk, and
it is only eight minutes from Tasiilaq by
helicopter.
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