# Nuuk

> capital of Greenland

**Wikidata**: [Q226](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q226)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuuk)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nuuk

## Summary
Nuuk is the capital and largest city of Greenland, serving as the primary administrative, political, and cultural center of the country. Established in 1721, it is located within the Sermersooq municipality at an elevation of 5 meters above sea level. The city is the most populous settlement in Greenland, with a census-recorded population of 18,326 as of early 2020.

## Key Facts
- **Official Status:** Capital of Greenland, Nuuk Municipality, Sermersooq, and the former County of Greenland.
- **Inception:** Founded in 1721.
- **Official Names:** Nuuk (current); Godthåb (used from 1728 to 1996).
- **Population:** 18,326 (2020 census); 17,984 (2019); 6,900 (1967 estimation).
- **Area:** 686.3 square kilometers.
- **Head of Government:** Avaaraq S. Olsen (since May 31, 2022).
- **Official Language:** Greenlandic.
- **Geographic Coordinates:** 64.175° N, -51.733333333333° W.
- **Timezone:** UTC−03:00.
- **Postal Code:** 3900.
- **Local Dialing Codes:** 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36.
- **Administrative Parent:** Sermersooq.
- **Elevation:** 5 meters (unit: metre).

## FAQs

**What are the different names and aliases for Nuuk?**
Nuuk was officially known as Godthåb between 1728 and 1996. It is also referred to by aliases such as Nûk and Nuk, and in Cyrillic scripts as Готхоб, Годтааб, or Годтхааб.

**Who leads the government in Nuuk and what is its administrative role?**
Avaaraq S. Olsen has served as the head of government since May 31, 2022. The city functions as the capital for Greenland, the Sermersooq region, and the Nuuk Municipality.

**How has the population of Nuuk changed over time?**
The city has seen steady growth, rising from 6,900 residents in 1967 to 8,545 in 1977, and eventually reaching 18,326 by January 2020. Census data from the 1980s and 1990s shows a consistent climb from approximately 9,000 to over 13,000 during that period.

**What international partnerships does Nuuk maintain?**
Nuuk is twinned with a vast network of global cities including Copenhagen, Oslo, Reykjavík, Helsinki, Stockholm, and Tórshavn. It also maintains administrative ties with diverse locations such as Changchun (China), Ushuaia (Argentina), and Bocas del Toro (Panama).

## Why It Matters
Nuuk is the central pillar of Greenlandic society, concentrating the nation's governance, economy, and infrastructure within a single urban center. As the largest human settlement in the territory, it facilitates Greenland's international relations through an extensive network of sister-city agreements spanning Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Its transition from the colonial name Godthåb to the native Nuuk reflects the broader cultural and political evolution of the region. Furthermore, it serves as the primary hub for Greenlandic-language administration and media, housing the official government website for the Sermersooq municipality in both Greenlandic and Danish.

## Notable For
- **Largest City:** Holds the record as the most populous settlement in Greenland.
- **Northern Lights:** Renowned for nighttime views of the Aurora Borealis over the city skyline.
- **Sports Infrastructure:** Owner and home of the Nuuk Stadium and the Godthåbhallen.
- **Historical Longevity:** Established in the early 18th century (1721), making it one of the oldest modern settlements in the region.
- **Global Connectivity:** Maintains twinned relationships with 17 different administrative bodies worldwide.

## Body

### Geography and Demographics
Nuuk covers a total area of 686.3 square kilometers. It is situated at a low elevation of 5 meters above sea level at coordinates 64.175° N and -51.733333333333° W. The city's population has been meticulously tracked through census data:
- **Late 1970s:** 8,545 (1977) to 8,827 (1979).
- **1980s:** 9,077 (1980) to 11,957 (1989).
- **1990s:** 12,217 (1990) to 13,169 (1999).
- **2000s:** 13,445 (2000) to 15,105 (2009).
- **2010s:** 15,469 (2010) to 17,796 (2018).
- **Recent:** 18,326 (January 1, 2020).

### Governance and Administration
The city is the seat of government for Greenland and the Sermersooq municipality. Avaaraq S. Olsen assumed the role of Head of Government on May 31, 2022. Historically, the city served as the capital of the County of Greenland and the Nuuk Municipality. Its official website, sermersooq.gl, provides information in both Greenlandic and Danish.

### Infrastructure and Culture
Nuuk is the owner of major public facilities, including the Nuuk Stadium and Godthåbhallen. The official language of the city is Greenlandic. It operates within the UTC−03:00 timezone and uses the postal code 3900. Local telecommunications are supported by dialing codes ranging from 31 to 36.

### International Relations
Nuuk maintains an extensive list of twinned administrative bodies and sister cities:
- **Nordic Capitals:** Copenhagen (joined 2024), Oslo, Reykjavík, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Tórshavn.
- **Other Nordic Entities:** Aalborg, Vantaa, Huddinge Municipality, Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality, and Kongens Lyngby.
- **Global Partners:** Cuxhaven (Germany), Changchun (China), Ushuaia (Argentina), Bocas del Toro (Panama), Sorong (Indonesia), and Amasya (Turkey).

### Technical Identifiers and Database Records
Nuuk is documented across numerous international knowledge bases and authority files:
- **Library Identifiers:** VIAF (124325457), LCCN (n79120638), GND (671310-5), and FAST (1206653).
- **Geospatial IDs:** GeoNames (3421319), OpenStreetMap node (992046822), and Who's on First (101870623).
- **Topic IDs:** Freebase (/m/0d_1m), MusicBrainz (ca30356e-58c7-4a76-baf1-088bd4bdc120), and Britannica (place/Nuuk).
- **Specialized Databases:** RKD Thesaurus (60155), Archinform (15724), and the Cerl Thesaurus (cnl00003655).

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Nuussuaq - DOKsite](http://www.doksite.de/map/?loc=Nuuk)
3. [Source](https://sermersooq.gl/da/2024/10/11/koebenhavn-og-nuuk-indgaar-venskabsbyaftale/)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Statbank Greenland](http://bank.stat.gl/pxweb/en/Greenland/Greenland__BE__BE01__BE0120/BEXST4.PX/?rxid=6ca430db-8cff-4915-aad6-82f4013ce159)
8. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
9. [Source](http://makko.dk/uncategorized/ilulissat-eller-jakobshavn-hvad-hedder-de-groenlandske-byer-egentlig/)
10. GeoNames
11. BBC Things
12. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
13. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)