East Greenland

East Greenland
Name	East Greenland
Native name	Tunu
Subdivision type	Constituent country
Subdivision name	Greenland
Seat type	Largest town
Seat	Ittoqqortoormiit

East Greenland. It is the remote, sparsely populated coastal region of Greenland facing the North Atlantic Ocean and the Greenland Sea. Encompassing the area from the Arctic Circle northward to the Northeast Greenland National Park, it is characterized by deep fjords, high mountains, and vast inland ice. The region, known in Greenlandic as Tunu (the backside), is administratively part of the Avannaata and Sermersooq municipalities.

Geography

The geography is dominated by the immense Greenland ice sheet which terminates in spectacular glaciers like Kangerlussuaq Glacier and Helheim Glacier that calve into the sea. The coastline is deeply indented by complex fjord systems such as the Scoresby Sound, the world's largest fjord system, and Kangerlussuaq Fjord. Major geographical features include the Wandel Sea to the northeast, the Blosseville Coast to the southeast, and islands like Traill Island and Geographical Society Island. The terrain consists of the high Arctic Cordillera mountain range, with peaks like Gunnbjørn Fjeld, and stark tundra plateaus.

Climate

The climate is a severe polar climate, classified largely as tundra under the Köppen climate classification. It is influenced by the cold East Greenland Current, which transports sea ice southward along the coast, creating a longer ice-bound period than in West Greenland. Winters are extremely cold and dark, while summers are short and cool, with average temperatures in Ittoqqortoormiit rarely exceeding 5°C in July. The region experiences polar night and midnight sun, and is within the auroral zone.

History

The area has been episodically inhabited by Paleo-Eskimo cultures, including the Independence I culture and later the Thule culture, ancestors of the modern Inuit. European exploration intensified in the 19th century with expeditions led by William Scoresby, Carl Koldewey, and Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld. The settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit was established in 1925 by Ejnar Mikkelsen to strengthen Danish sovereignty. During the Cold War, the region gained strategic importance, with the United States maintaining a secret ice station known as Camp Century. Archaeological sites like those at Dødemandsbugten provide evidence of early Norse exploration.

Flora and fauna

The terrestrial flora is limited to hardy Arctic vegetation such as mosses, lichens, and dwarf shrubs like Arctic willow. The region supports iconic Arctic fauna, including large populations of muskoxen and Arctic hare. The coastal waters and sea ice are critical habitats for polar bears, walruses, and several pinniped species like the hooded seal. The fjords are important for marine mammals like narwhals and beluga whales, while bird cliffs host colonies of little auks, northern fulmars, and black-legged kittiwakes.

Population and settlements

The population is very small, predominantly Inuit, and concentrated in a few isolated settlements. The main town is Ittoqqortoormiit in Scoresby Sound, with other notable outposts including the research station at Daneborg and the former settlement of Sydkap. The vast Northeast Greenland National Park, the world's largest national park, has no permanent residents. Life in these communities is heavily dependent on subsistence hunting of marine mammals and is connected to the outside world primarily by occasional ship visits and helicopter flights.

Economy

The economy is largely non-industrial and based on subsistence activities, with hunting and fishing being central. There is limited commercial fishing for Greenland halibut and Arctic char. Public sector employment, including administration and services provided by the Government of Greenland, is a significant source of income. Tourism, focused on adventure travel and expedition cruises operated by companies like Quark Expeditions, provides seasonal revenue. Scientific research, supported by institutions like the University of Copenhagen and the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, also contributes to the local economy.

Category:Regions of Greenland