{{short description|Capital and largest city of Greenland}} {{For|the album by Thomas Köner|Nuuk (album){{!}}''Nuuk'' (album)}}{{Distinguish|Nuke}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Use British English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Nuuk | native_name = | image_skyline = {{multiple image | total_width = 280 | border = infobox | perrow = 1/2 | caption_align = center | image1 = Nuuk, Greenland skyline aerial view.jpg | caption1 = Aerial view of Nuuk | image2 = Cathedrale Nuuk 2023 (cropped).jpg | caption2 = Nuuk Cathedral | image3 = Nuuk and Katuaq - Visit Greenland.jpg | caption3 = Downtown around Katuaq }} | image_caption = | image_flag = Flag of Nuuk.svg | image_shield = 50px | type = Capital city | shield_size = | pushpin_map = Greenland#North America#Arctic | pushpin_relief = yes | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_caption = Location within Greenland | pushpin_mapsize = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 13 | mapframe-point = none | subdivision_type = Sovereign state | subdivision_name = {{Flag|Kingdom of Denmark|size=25px}} | subdivision_type1 = Autonomous Territory | subdivision_name1 = {{Flag|Greenland}} | subdivision_type2 = Municipality | subdivision_name2 = Sermersooq | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | coordinates = {{coord|64|10|36|N|51|44|10|W|region:GL|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = | established_title = Founded | established_date = 29 August 1728 | established_title2 = Incorporated | established_date2 = 1728 | founder = | seat_type = | seat = | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_total_sq_mi = 18.8 | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 5 | population_footnotes = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_density_sq_mi = auto | population_as_of = 2026 | population_total = 20,298 (Largest in Greenland) | population_note = {{efn|{{clarify span|text=City and metropolitan population is co-extensive, the entire Metro area belongs to Nuuk City|date=August 2022}}}} | population_demonym = Nuummioq | timezone1 = WGT | utc_offset1 = −02:00 | timezone1_DST = WGST | utc_offset1_DST = −01:00 | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 3900, 3905 | area_code_type = | area_code = | iso_code = | website = [https://visitnuuk.com/ Visit Nuuk] | footnotes = }}
'''Nuuk''' ({{IPA|kl|nuːk|pronunciation|Nuuk.ogg}}; {{langx|da|Godthåb}})<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ro.dsn.dk/?type=keyword&soegeord=Nuuk&soeg_i=headword |title=DSN }}</ref> is the capital and most populous city of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. It is the seat of the {{lang|kl|Sermersooq|italic=no}} municipality and the government of Greenland and is the territory's largest cultural and economic center. In January 2025, it had a population of 20,113<ref name="bank.stat.gl">{{Cite web |title=Population January 1st by residence type and time |url=https://bank.stat.gl/pxweb/en/Greenland/Greenland__BE__BE01__BE0120/BEXSTA.px/table/tableViewLayout1/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=StatBank |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>—more than a third of the territory's population—making it one of the smallest capital cities in the world by population.
The city was founded in 1728 by the Danish-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede when he relocated from the earlier Hope Colony ({{lang|da|Haabets Koloni}}), where he had arrived in 1721; the governor Claus Paarss was part of the relocation. The new colony was placed at the Inuit settlement of Nûk and named {{lang|da|Godthaab}} ('good hope'). {{lang|kl|Nuuk}} is the Greenlandic word for 'cape' and is commonly found in Greenlandic place names.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}} It is so named because of its position at the end of the Nuup Kangerlua fjord on the Labrador Sea's eastern shore. Its latitude, at 64°11' N, makes it the world's northernmost capital, a few kilometres farther north than Reykjavík. When home rule was established in 1979, the authorization of place names was transferred to Greenlandic authorities, who preferred Greenlandic names to Danish ones. The name {{lang|da|Godthåb}} mostly went out of use over the next two decades.{{TOC limit|3}}
== History ==
=== Early settlement === The site has a long history of habitation. The area around Nuuk was first occupied by the ancient, pre-Inuit, Paleo-Eskimo people of the Saqqaq culture as far back as 2200 BCE, when they lived in the area around the now abandoned settlement of Qoornoq.<ref name="NT">{{cite web |url=http://www.nuuk-tourism.gl/database.asp?lang=eng&num=247 |title=Human history |publisher=Nuuk Tourism |access-date=12 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615005035/http://www.nuuk-tourism.gl/database.asp?lang=eng&num=247 |archive-date=15 June 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> For a long time, it was occupied by the Dorset culture{{Failed verification|date=January 2025}} around the former settlement of Kangeq, but they disappeared from the Nuuk district before 1000 AD. The Nuuk area was then inhabited by Norse settlers from around 1000 until the disappearance of the settlement for uncertain reasons during the 15th century.<ref name="EB">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/422941/Nuuk |title=Nuuk |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=12 July 2010 |archive-date=28 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228152756/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/422941/Nuuk |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Egede nuuk.JPG|thumb|left|The statue of Hans Egede in Nuuk]]
=== Founding and early colonial period === The city proper was founded as the fort of '''Godt-Haab''' in 1728 by the royal governor Claus Paarss, when he relocated the missionary and merchant Hans Egede's earlier Hope Colony ({{lang|da|Haabets Koloni}}) from Kangeq Island to the mainland.
At that time, Greenland was formally still a Norwegian colony under the united Danish-Norwegian Crown, but the colony had not had any contact for over three centuries. Paarss's colonists were mutinous soldiers, convicts, and prostitutes; within the first year, most died of scurvy and other ailments.
In 1733 and 1734, a smallpox epidemic killed most of the native population as well as Egede's wife.<ref name="Wurm">{{cite book |last1=Wurm |first1=Stephen A. |last2=Mühlhäusler |first2=Peter |last3=Tyron |first3=Darrell T. |title=Atlas of Languages of Intercultural Communication in the Pacific, Asia, and the Americas, International Council for Philosophy and Humanistic Studies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=glU0vte5gSkC&q=1733+smallpox+nuuk&pg=PA1051 |series=Volume 2, Part 1 Volume 13 of Trends in Linguistics |year=1996 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-013417-9 |page=1051}}</ref> Hans Egede returned to Denmark in 1736 after 15 years in Greenland, leaving his son Poul to continue his work.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.world66.com/northamerica/greenland/nuuk |title=Nuuk travel guide |access-date=24 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412061523/http://www.world66.com/northamerica/greenland/nuuk |archive-date=12 April 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Godthaab became the seat of government for the Danish colony of South Greenland,<ref>{{cite book |title=Scandinavian Review |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6_s5AQAAIAAJ |year=1921 |publisher=American-Scandinavian Foundation. |page=681}}</ref> while Godhavn (modern Qeqertarsuaq) was the capital of North Greenland until 1940, when the administration was unified in Godthaab.<ref name="Lemkin2008">{{cite book |last=Lemkin |first=Raphael |title=Axis Rule in Occupied Europe |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y0in2wOY-W0C&pg=PA167 |date=1 June 2008 |publisher=The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. |isbn=978-1-58477-901-8 |page=167}}</ref>
=== Missionary settlements === In 1733, Moravian missionaries received permission to begin a mission on the island; in 1747, there were enough converts to prompt the construction of the Moravian Brethren Mission House and the formal establishment of the mission as '''New Herrnhut''' ({{langx|da|Nye-Hernhut}}).
This became the nucleus of present-day Nuuk as many Greenlanders from the southeastern coast left their territory to live at the mission station. From this base, further missions were established at Lichtenfels (1748), Lichtenau (1774), Friedrichsthal (1824), Umanak (1861), and Idlorpait (1864),<ref>Lüdecke, Cornelia. "[http://www.meteohistory.org/2005historyofmeteorology2/09luedecke.pdf East Meets West: Meteorological observations of the Moravians in Greenland and Labrador since the 18th century] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181730/http://www.meteohistory.org/2005historyofmeteorology2/09luedecke.pdf |date=3 March 2016 }}". ''History of Meteorology'' 2 (2005). Retrieved 27 April 2012.</ref> before they were discontinued in 1900 and folded into the Lutheran Church of Denmark.<ref>Wittman, P. "[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06777b.htm Greenland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517104134/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06777b.htm |date=17 May 2016 }}". ''The Catholic Encyclopedia''. Robert Appleton Co. (New York), 1909. Retrieved 28 April 2012.</ref>
thumb|left|Nuuk ({{langx|da|Godthåb}}), {{circa|1878}}
=== Cultural and political developments === In 1853, Hinrich Johannes Rink came to Greenland and was surprised at how local Greenlandic culture and identity had been suppressed under Danish influence.
In response, in 1861, he started the ''Atuagagdliutit'', Greenland's first newspaper, with a native Greenlander as editor. This newspaper based in Nuuk later became an important token of Greenlandic identity.
=== World War II and postwar changes === During World War II, there was a reawakening of Greenlandic national identity. The use of written Greenlandic grew, and a council was assembled under Eske Brun's leadership in Nuuk. In 1940, an American and a Canadian Consulate were established in Nuuk.
Under new regulations in 1950, two councils amalgamated into one. This Countryside Council was abolished on 1 May 1979, when the Greenland Home Rule government renamed the city of Godthåb to Nuuk.
The city boomed during the 1950s when Denmark began to modernize Greenland. Nuuk is populated today by both Inuit and Danes, as is Greenland as a whole. Over a third of Greenland's population lives in the Nuuk Greater Metropolitan area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/greenland/|title=CIA World Factbook – Greenland|date=2 March 2022|access-date=24 January 2021|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109162939/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/greenland/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
According to a 2016 article in ''The Guardian'' examining indigenous influences on cities worldwide:<ref name="daley16">{{cite news |last1=Daley |first1=Paul |title=Which is the world's most indigenous city? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/jun/29/which-worlds-most-indigenous-city |access-date=29 June 2016 |work=The Guardian | date=29 June 2016}}</ref> {{blockquote|One city ... stands out. Nuuk ... has probably the highest percentage of aboriginal people of any city: almost 90% of Greenland's population of 58,000 is Inuit, and at least eight in 10 live in urban settlements. Nuuk also celebrates Inuit culture and history to an extent that is unprecedented in many cities with higher total aboriginal populations. By proportion and by cultural authority and impact, it may well be tiny Nuuk that is the most indigenous city in the world.<ref name="daley16" />}}
== Geography == {{multiple image | align = left | image1 = Godthaabsfjord.jpg | width1 = 200 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Nuuk, Greenland skyline at night under the northern lights (Quintin Soloviev).png | width2 = 200 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = Left: Satellite view. Right: Nuuk in winter. }}
thumb|right|Map of Nuuk
Nuuk is located around {{Coord|64|10|N|51|44|W}},<ref name="kommune_information">[http://www.kanukoka.gl/data/10801/Kommuneoplysninger.pdf Municipality information]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616062531/http://www.kanukoka.gl/data/10801/Kommuneoplysninger.pdf |date=16 June 2007 }} ''De grønlandske kommuners Landsforening'', KANUKOKA</ref> at the mouth of the Nuup Kangerlua fjord (formerly Baal's River<ref>Nicoll, James. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=rGUDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA242 An Historical and Descriptive Account of Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands]''. Oliver & Boyd, 1840.</ref>), {{cvt|10|km|mi}} from the shores of the Labrador Sea on Greenland's southwestern coast and about {{cvt|240|km|mi}} south of the Arctic Circle. The fjord flows to the northwest, then turns southwest at {{coord|64|43|N|50|37|W}}, splitting into three arms in its lower run, with three big islands between the arms: Sermitsiaq Island, Qeqertarsuaq Island, and Qoornuup Qeqertarsua.<ref name="lp">{{cite book |last=O'Carroll |first=Etain |title=Greenland and the Arctic |publisher=Lonely Planet |pages=154 |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-74059-095-2}}</ref> The fjord widens into a bay dotted with skerries near its mouth, opening into Labrador Sea at approximately {{coord|64|03|N|51|58|W}}. Sermitsiaq mountain, reaching a height of {{cvt|1210|m}}, {{cvt|20|km}} to the northeast, can be seen from almost everywhere in Nuuk. The nationwide newspaper ''Sermitsiaq'' takes its name from the mountain. Closer to the town are the peaks of Store Malene, {{cvt|790|m}}, and Lille Malene, {{cvt|420|m}}.<ref name="dsd" /> The magnetic declination at Nuuk is extreme.<ref name="magnetic_variation">On 11 October 2015, the magnetic declination between the North Pole and Nuuk was "27° 49' W ± 0° 33' changing by 0° 22' E per year", calculated with NOAA's [https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/calculators/magcalc.shtml Magnetic Field Calculators], National Geophysical Data Center.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.magnetic-declination.com/Greenland/Nuuk/938297.html |title=Magnetic declination in Nuuk, Greenland |publisher=Magnetic Declination |access-date=22 December 2015 |archive-date=23 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223042049/http://www.magnetic-declination.com/Greenland/Nuuk/938297.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{wide image|StoreMaleneView.jpg|850px|alt=View from the mountain Ukkusissaq|View from the mountain Ukkusissaq, which means "soap stone" (in Danish it is called Store Malene.)}} {{wide image|Nuuk Panorama image.jpg|850px|alt=Panorama of Nuuk|Panorama of Nuuk}}
===Climate=== thumb|right|Climate chart of Nuuk Nuuk has a maritime-influenced tundra climate (Köppen ET) with long, cold, snowy winters and short, cold summers. Although the winters are very cold, they are still milder than those in other tundra climates at similar latitudes, such as Alaska or parts of Eastern Siberia. Instead, peak winter is similar to identical latitudes in the Nordic countries. On 21 December, the shortest day and longest night of the year, the sun rises at 11:22 am and sets at 3:28 pm. On 21 June, the longest day and shortest night of the year, the sun sets at 1:03 am and rises at 3:53 am, producing constant civil twilight. Nuuk occasionally has mild temperatures year-round, with each month having recorded {{convert|13|C|F}} or warmer, although only June, July, August, and September have recorded what could be considered hot weather (defined as {{convert|22.5|C|F}} or higher). The monthly averages range from {{convert|-9|C|F}} to {{convert|7|C|F}}, whereas all-time extremes range from {{convert|-32.5|C|F}} on 14 January 1984 to {{convert|26.3|C|F}} on 6 July 2008. The record wind in Nuuk is 68 km/h.
The average monthly temperature ({{convert|7.4|°C|1}} in July) is colder than what is considered the limit for trees ({{convert|10|°C|0}} during the warmest month). There are a few planted trees,<ref>e.g [https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/8059956 Gult] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217053815/https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/8059956 |date=17 December 2013 }} by Henrik Greve Thorsen</ref> which do not sustain well.
{{Weather box |location = Nuuk (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1866–present) |metric first = Y |single line = Y |width = auto |Jan record high C = 15.3 |Feb record high C = 13.0 |Mar record high C = 15.2 |Apr record high C = 16.9 |May record high C = 18.3 |Jun record high C = 23.8 |Jul record high C = 26.3 |Aug record high C = 25.1 |Sep record high C = 23.8 |Oct record high C = 19.9 |Nov record high C = 15.8 |Dec record high C = 13.3 |year record high C = 26.3 |Jan high C = -5.0 |Feb high C = -6.0 |Mar high C = −5.1 |Apr high C = −0.7 |May high C = 3.9 |Jun high C = 8.4 |Jul high C = 11.1 |Aug high C = 10.2 |Sep high C = 6.5 |Oct high C = 2.3 |Nov high C = −1.1 |Dec high C = −3.2 |year high C = 1.8 |Jan mean C = -7.5 |Feb mean C = -8.6 |Mar mean C = -7.7 |Apr mean C = -3.0 |May mean C = 1.2 |Jun mean C = 5.0 |Jul mean C = 7.4 |Aug mean C = 7.0 |Sep mean C = 4.0 |Oct mean C = 0.2 |Nov mean C = -3.3 |Dec mean C = -5.5 |year mean C = -0.9 |Jan low C = −9.7 |Feb low C = −10.9 |Mar low C = -10.0 |Apr low C = −5.2 |May low C = −1.2 |Jun low C = 2.0 |Jul low C = 4.4 |Aug low C = 4.5 |Sep low C = 2.0 |Oct low C = −1.8 |Nov low C = −5.3 |Dec low C = −7.7 |year low C = −3.3 |Jan record low C = -32.5 |Feb record low C = -29.6 |Mar record low C = -27.5 |Apr record low C = -30.0 |May record low C = -19.0 |Jun record low C = -10.3 |Jul record low C = -6.6 |Aug record low C = -4.7 |Sep record low C = -8.2 |Oct record low C = -16.6 |Nov record low C = -24.4 |Dec record low C = -25.2 |year record low C = -32.5 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 67.1 |Feb precipitation mm = 51.1 |Mar precipitation mm = 58.9 |Apr precipitation mm = 53.3 |May precipitation mm = 57.4 |Jun precipitation mm = 61.7 |Jul precipitation mm = 69.3 |Aug precipitation mm = 90.8 |Sep precipitation mm = 104.6 |Oct precipitation mm = 80.5 |Nov precipitation mm = 79.0 |Dec precipitation mm = 74.5 |year precipitation mm = 852.6 |snow colour = green |unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm |Jan precipitation days = 13.8 |Feb precipitation days = 12.7 |Mar precipitation days = 15.1 |Apr precipitation days = 13.2 |May precipitation days = 13.0 |Jun precipitation days = 10.5 |Jul precipitation days = 12.5 |Aug precipitation days = 12.5 |Sep precipitation days = 14.1 |Oct precipitation days = 13.5 |Nov precipitation days = 14.3 |Dec precipitation days = 14.4 |year precipitation days = 159.6 |Jan snow days = 13.6 |Feb snow days = 12.1 |Mar snow days = 14.5 |Apr snow days = 11.4 |May snow days = 9.4 |Jun snow days = 2.8 |Jul snow days = 0.1 |Aug snow days = 0.2 |Sep snow days = 4.3 |Oct snow days = 9.8 |Nov snow days = 12.7 |Dec snow days = 13.8 |year snow days = 104.7 |Jan humidity = 73.8 |Feb humidity = 74.7 |Mar humidity = 74.3 |Apr humidity = 78.3 |May humidity = 81.1 |Jun humidity = 85.0 |Jul humidity = 85.3 |Aug humidity = 86.7 |Sep humidity = 82.3 |Oct humidity = 76.7 |Nov humidity = 73.3 |Dec humidity = 73.4 |year humidity = 78.7 |humidity colour = green |Jan sun = 15.5 |Feb sun = 65.0 |Mar sun = 148.8 |Apr sun = 180.0 |May sun = 189.1 |Jun sun = 204.0 |Jul sun = 195.3 |Aug sun = 164.3 |Sep sun = 141.0 |Oct sun = 80.6 |Nov sun = 30.0 |Dec sun = 6.2 |year sun = |Jand sun = 0.5 |Febd sun = 2.3 |Mard sun = 4.8 |Aprd sun = 6.0 |Mayd sun = 6.1 |Jund sun = 6.8 |Juld sun = 6.3 |Augd sun = 5.3 |Sepd sun = 4.7 |Octd sun = 2.6 |Novd sun = 1.0 |Decd sun = 0.2 |yeard sun = 3.9 |source 1 = Danish Meteorological Institute<ref>{{Cite web |title = Klimanormaler Grønland |url = http://www.dmi.dk/vejrarkiv/normaler-gronland/ |website = DMI |language = da |access-date = 2021-11-26 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240217055709/https://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/Rapporter/TR/2000/tr00-18.pdf |archive-date = 2024-02-17}}</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 = 31 October 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240217055709/https://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/Rapporter/TR/2000/tr00-18.pdf |archive-date = 2024-02-17}}</ref> |source 2 = Meteo Climat (record highs and lows),<ref name = meteoclimat> {{cite web |url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=149 |title = Station Nuuk |publisher = Météo Climat |language = fr |access-date = 10 February 2019}}</ref> Deutscher Wetterdienst (sun 1980–1990),<ref name = DWD> {{cite web |url = https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_042500_kt.pdf |title = Klimatafel von Godthaab (Nuuk) / Grönland (zu Dänemark) |work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world |publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst |language = de |access-date = 16 December 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240217055430/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_042500_kt.pdf |archive-date = 2024-02-17}}</ref> NOAA (humidity 1991-2020)<ref name=NOAA>{{cite web |url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/DenmarkGreenland/CSV/Nuuk_04250.csv |title = Nuuk Climate Normals 1991-2020 |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |accessdate = August 11, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240217055546/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/1.1/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/DenmarkGreenland/CSV/Nuuk_04250.csv |archive-date = 2024-02-17}}</ref> }}
== Demographics == {{Historical populations|1980|9077|1990|12217|2000|13445|2010|15469|2020|18326|footnote=Source: Statistics Greenland<ref name="bank.stat.gl"/>}}With 19,872 inhabitants as of January 2024,<ref name="bank.stat.gl"/> Nuuk is by far Greenland's largest town. Its population has doubled since 1977, increased by over a third since 1990, and risen by almost 21% since 2000. In addition to those born in Greenland, data from 2015 showed 3,826 were born outside the country.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|date=2021|title=Greenland in Figures 2021|url=https://stat.gl/publ/en/GF/2021/pdf/Greenland%20in%20Figures%202021.pdf|access-date=29 May 2021|archive-date=15 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115152235/https://stat.gl/publ/en/GF/2021/pdf/Greenland%20in%20Figures%202021.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Attracted by good employment opportunities with high wages, Danes have continued to settle in the town. Today, Nuuk has the highest proportion of Danes of any town in Greenland.<ref name="auto"/> Half of Greenland's immigrants live in Nuuk, which also has a quarter of the country's native population.<ref name="dsd">{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://denstoredanske.dk/Geografi_og_historie/Gr%C3%B8nland/Gr%C3%B8nlandske_kommuner/Nuuk_Kommune |title=Nuuk Kommune |encyclopedia=Den Store Danske |access-date=21 December 2015 |language=da |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222132634/http://denstoredanske.dk/Geografi_og_historie/Gr%C3%B8nland/Gr%C3%B8nlandske_kommuner/Nuuk_Kommune |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Government == As the capital of Greenland, Nuuk is its administrative center, containing all important government buildings and institutions. The public sector bodies are also the town's largest employer.<ref name="dsd" />
As of January 2026, Nuuk's mayor is Avaaraq Olsen.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Greenland mayor issues warning after US flag stunt|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3341745/greenland-mayor-issues-warning-after-us-flag-stunt|website=South China Morning Post|date=2026-01-30|access-date=2026-01-29|language=en}}</ref>
Greenland's self-government parliament, the Inatsisartut, sits in Nuuk. It has 31 seats and its members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.inatsisartut.gl/members-of-inatsisartut.aspx |title=Members of Inatsisartut |publisher=Inatsisartut |access-date=21 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125444/http://en.inatsisartut.gl/members-of-inatsisartut.aspx |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> All of Greenland's major political parties have their headquarters in Nuuk, including the Inuit Ataqatigiit, Siumut, Democrats, Atassut, Association of Candidates, and the Women's Party.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stat.gl/publ/en/SA/201001/contents/Political%20Parties.htm |title=Political parties in Greenland |publisher=Statistics Greenland |access-date=21 December 2015 |archive-date=1 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001090821/http://www.stat.gl/publ/en/SA/201001/contents/Political%20Parties.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== KANUKOKA === {{Main|KANUKOKA}}
KANUKOKA ({{langx|kl|Kalaallit Nunaanni Kommunit Kattuffiat}}) was based in Nuuk. It was an association of Greenland's municipalities, led by Enok Sandgreen.<ref name="reform">{{cite news |url=http://sermitsiaq.gl/leder/article118782.ece |title=Sermitsiaq mener: Hvem ka'? Kanukoka! |work=Sermitsiaq | date=20 May 2010 |language=da |access-date=9 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523042614/http://sermitsiaq.gl/leder/article118782.ece |archive-date=23 May 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Its aim was to facilitate cooperation among all five municipalities of Greenland: Avannaata, Kujalleq, Qeqertalik, Qeqqata, and Sermersooq. But Sermersooq and Qeqertalik both withdrew and KANUKOKA dissolved on 31 July 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://knr.gl/kl/nutaarsiassat/kanukoka-juulip-31-ani-atorunnaartussanngortoq |title=KANUKOKA juulip 31-ani atorunnaartussanngortoq |publisher=Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa |access-date=20 February 2018 |archive-date=20 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220151924/https://knr.gl/kl/nutaarsiassat/kanukoka-juulip-31-ani-atorunnaartussanngortoq |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=KANUKOKA har drejet nøglen helt om |url=https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/kanukoka-har-drejet-n%C3%B8glen-helt-om |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=KNR |language=da |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407221552/https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/kanukoka-har-drejet-n%C3%B8glen-helt-om |url-status=live }}</ref> The organisation ran the municipal elections every four years, with the last election taking place in 2016. All municipal authorities in Greenland were members of the organisation until its dissolution.<ref name="about">{{cite web |url=http://www.kanukoka.gl/da/om_kanukoka/fakta_om_kanukoka/hvad_er_kanukoka |publisher=KANUKOKA, Official Website |language=da |title=Hvad er KANUKOKA? |access-date=9 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721034806/http://www.kanukoka.gl/da/om_kanukoka/fakta_om_kanukoka/hvad_er_kanukoka |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> The association was overseen by Maliina Abelsen, the Minister for Social Affairs in the Government of Greenland.<ref name="reform" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.nanoq.gl/emner/government/departments/ministry_of_social_affairs/minister.aspx |publisher=Government of Greenland |title=Minister for Social Affairs |access-date=9 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728092340/http://uk.nanoq.gl/emner/government/departments/ministry_of_social_affairs/minister.aspx |archive-date=28 July 2011}}</ref>
== Economy == [[File:Port of Nuuk (SIKUKI - Nuuk Harbour AS).jpg|thumb|The Port of Nuuk]] [[File:Air Greenland headquarters, Nuuk (Quintin Soloviev).png|thumb|Air Greenland headquarters in Nuuk]] Although only a small town, Nuuk has developed trade, business, shipping and other industries. It began as a small fishing settlement with a harbor, but as the economy developed rapidly during the 1970s and 1980s, Nuuk's fishing industry declined.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cXLAeyDeaUMC&pg=PA118 |first1=Michael |last1=Jones |first2=Kenneth |last2=Olwig |title=Nordic landscapes: region and belonging on the northern edge of Europe |publisher=University of Minnesota Press | year=2008 |page=118|isbn=9780816639144 }}</ref> Nuuk is nevertheless still home to almost half of Greenland's fishing fleet. The local Royal Greenland processing plant absorbs landed seafood amounting to over DKK 50 million (US$7 million) per annum, mainly (80%) shrimp, but also cod, lumpfish and halibut.<ref name="dsd" /> Seafood, including seal, is also sold in abundance in Nuuk's fish markets, the largest being Kalaaliaraq Market. Minerals including zinc and gold have contributed to Nuuk's economic development.<ref name="Barkham 2016">{{cite news |last=Barkham |first=Patrick |title=Greenland: the country set to cash in on climate change |newspaper=The Guardian |date=23 December 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/23/climate-change-in-greenland-adaptation-we-simply-refuse-to-be-victimised |access-date=12 December 2018}}</ref>
Like much of Greenland, Nuuk heavily depends on Danish investment and relies on Denmark for block funding.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hwi0s3I5jLEC&pg=PA164 |title=World of Information Regional Review: Europe |publisher=Kogan Page Publishers |year=2003 |page=164 |isbn=978-0-7494-4067-1}}</ref>
=== Energy === All of Greenland's electricity is supplied by the government-owned company Nukissiorfiit, which has a monopoly on it.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nukissiorfiit.gl/nukissiorfiit/oqaluttuarisaaneq/?lang=da |title=Historie |publisher=Nukissiorfiit |access-date=21 December 2015 |language=da |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727075726/http://www.nukissiorfiit.gl/nukissiorfiit/oqaluttuarisaaneq/?lang=da |archive-date=27 July 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Since 1993, Nuuk has received its electric power mainly from Buksefjord hydroelectric power plant by way of a 132 kV powerline crossing Ameralik fjord over a distance of {{cvt|5376|m}}, the world's longest free span.<ref name="North of 56">{{cite web |date=20 August 2013 |title=Greenland hydro capacity increases with new plant |url=http://northof56.com/energy/article/greenland-hydro-capacity-increases-with-new-plant |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222162641/http://northof56.com/energy/article/greenland-hydro-capacity-increases-with-new-plant |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=21 December 2015 |publisher=North of 56}}</ref><ref name="Arctic Business Network">{{cite web |date=19 February 2014 |title=Buksefjorden: Grønlands første vandkraftværk satte verdensrekord |url=http://arcticbusinessnetwork.blogspot.lu/2014/02/buksefjorden.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222105007/http://arcticbusinessnetwork.blogspot.lu/2014/02/buksefjorden.html |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=21 December 2015 |publisher=Arctic Business Network |language=da}}</ref>
=== Education === [[File:Ilisimatusarfik-university-of-greenland.jpg|thumb|University of Greenland]] Nuuk has several educational institutions of higher learning. The University of Greenland (Ilisimatusarfik), Greenland's only university, is in Nuuk. It was founded in 1987 and expanded in 2007 with the new building, ''Ilimmarfik'', housing departments of journalism, management and economics, language, literature and media, cultural and social history, theology and religion, and social work. Nuuk is also home to the Department of Learning (Ilinniarfissuaq), Greenland's oldest educational facility, in the old colonial part of Nuuk (''Nuutoqaq'': Old Nuuk). Other notable educational institutions include the Department of Nursing and Health Science, Nuuk Technical College, and the Iron & Metal School.
=== Healthcare === thumb|Queen Ingrid's Health Center Nuuk is served by Queen Ingrid's Health Center, the regional health center for Region Sermersooq. It has an emergency room and a central clinic with several general practitioners. Nuuk also has Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Greenland's central hospital.
=== Tourism === The Nuuk Tourist Office was built in 1992 to house the headquarters of the new National Tourist Board of Greenland.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x7v0M2mZHpMC&q=Nuuk+Tourist+Office&pg=PA1458 |title=Europa World Year, Book 1 |publisher=Taylor & Francis Group |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-85743-254-1 |page=1458}}</ref>
=== Shopping === Nuuk's shops offer local art and craftwork. In 2012, Greenland's first shopping center, Nuuk Center ''(NC)'', opened. The center has Greenland's first underground parking. Several supermarkets exist, such as Nuuk Center, Pisiffik, Brugseni, and Spar.
== Transportation == thumb|250x250px|Nuuk Airport terminal, opened in 2024. [[File:Royal Arctic Line container ship in Nuuk, Greenland.jpg|thumb|A Royal Arctic Line container ship in Nuuk]]
=== Airport === {{Main|Nuuk Airport}}
Nuuk has an international airport {{cvt|4|km|mi}} northeast of the town center. Built in 1979, it was extensively rebuilt and expanded in 2024 and is now Air Greenland's international and domestic hub and base of operations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://airgreenland.com/kontakt/ |title=airgreenland.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426004444/http://airgreenland.com/kontakt/ |archive-date=26 April 2010}}</ref> Most traffic to, from, and within Greenland passes through the airport. It is served year-round with direct flights to Copenhagen and Reykjavík-Keflavík as well as almost all airports in Greenland. Seasonal routes are also operated to New York-Newark, Billund, Aalborg, and Iqaluit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nuuk Airport Opens Ahead Of Air Greenland, United, SAS Route Launches |url=https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/nuuk-airport-opens-ahead-air-greenland-united-sas-route-launches |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Aviation Week Network |archive-date=28 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828134252/https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/nuuk-airport-opens-ahead-air-greenland-united-sas-route-launches |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Sea === Nuuk is connected to Denmark by the Royal Arctic Line (in cooperation with Eimskip), which sails container ships from Aalborg via Iceland. They generally bring clothing, flour, medicine, timber, machinery, and non-perishable goods, and return with deep-frozen shrimp and fish. Most sea freight to other destinations in Greenland is trans-shipped in Nuuk via Royal Arctic Line.<ref name="dsf" />
Nuuk is served twice a week by the coastal passenger ferry of the Arctic Umiaq Line, which links the communities of the western coast, for most of the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aul.gl/images/stories/pdf/fartplan%2009.pdf |publisher=Arctic Umiaq Line |title=AUL, Timetable 2009 |access-date=13 July 2010}}{{dead link|date=December 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
=== Roads === [[File:Nuuk Bus Ligne 3 08-23.jpg|thumb|A bus in Nuuk]] As of 2017, there are 80 km of local roads in Nuuk.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grønlands Statistik |url=https://stat.gl/dialog/main.asp?lang=da&version=201608&sc=SA&subthemecode=t2&colcode=T |access-date=2025-08-11 |website=stat.gl}}</ref> No roads connect Nuuk with other parts of Greenland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grønland: Infrastruktur |url=http://europas-lande.dk/dan/Lande/Gr%C3%B8nland/Erhverv%20og%20%C3%B8konomi/Infrastruktur/mellem/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223043720/http://europas-lande.dk/dan/Lande/Gr%C3%B8nland/Erhverv%20og%20%C3%B8konomi/Infrastruktur/mellem/ |archive-date=23 December 2015 |access-date=22 December 2015 |publisher=Europas-Lande.dk |language=da}}</ref> Most buses and cars owned in Greenland operate in Nuuk.<ref>{{cite book |last=O'Carroll |first=Etain |title=Greenland and the Arctic |publisher=Lonely Planet |pages=231 |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-74059-095-2}}</ref> There are three traffic lights, 12 roundabouts, and one road tunnel in Nuuk, the only examples of such in Greenland.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swanson |first=David |date=2025-02-17 |title=What's Arctic Greenland Really Like? Ask a Local Gen Z-er |url=https://discover.silversea.com/destinations/arctic/whats-arctic-greenland-really-like-a-gen-z-er-shares-the-cool-and-the-quirky/ |access-date=2025-08-11 |website=Discover by Silversea |language=en-US |archive-date=7 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250907074355/https://discover.silversea.com/destinations/arctic/whats-arctic-greenland-really-like-a-gen-z-er-shares-the-cool-and-the-quirky/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The city's high street is Aqqusinersuaq.<ref>[http://www.hhe.gl/index.asp?side_id=1 Hotel Hans Egede] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605114935/http://www.hhe.gl/index.asp?side_id=1|date=5 June 2010}}</ref>
Since 1980, the bus service Nuup Bussii provides public transport services in Nuuk.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sermersooq.gl/da/presse/nyheder/2010/juni/busselskab_aendrer_vedtaegter.aspx |publisher=Sermersooq Municipality, Official Website |title=Nuup Bussii udvider bestyrelsen |language=da |access-date=13 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630004055/http://www.sermersooq.gl/da/presse/nyheder/2010/juni/busselskab_aendrer_vedtaegter.aspx |archive-date=30 June 2010}}</ref> Buses link the town center with the airport, the outlying districts and neighborhoods<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sermersooq.gl/da/borger/fysisk_planlaegning/lokalplaner_og_kommuneplantillaeg/lokalplaner_og_kommuneplantillaeg_for_nuuk.aspx |publisher=Sermersooq Municipality, Official Website |title=Lokalplaner og kommuneplantillæg for Nuuk |language=da |access-date=13 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721033017/http://www.sermersooq.gl/da/borger/fysisk_planlaegning/lokalplaner_og_kommuneplantillaeg/lokalplaner_og_kommuneplantillaeg_for_nuuk.aspx |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> of Nuussuaq, Qinngorput, and Qernertunnguit in Quassussuup Tungaa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bus.gl/ |publisher=Nuup Bussii, Official Website |title=Nuup Bussii A/S |access-date=13 July 2010 |archive-date=15 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115151329/http://www.bus.gl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012, the buses transported more than 2 million passengers around the city of Nuuk.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bus.gl/om-nb.html |title=Om NB |publisher=Nuup Bussi |access-date=22 December 2015 |language=da |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504185057/http://www.bus.gl/om-nb.html |archive-date=4 May 2016}}</ref>
== Cityscape == thumb|Tuapannguit low-rise residential buildings in Nuuk thumb|View of Nuuk from the top of Ukkusissat
=== Historical buildings === '''Hans Egede's House'''<br />Hans Egede's House, built in 1721 by the Norwegian missionary Hans Egede, is Greenland's oldest building. Standing close to the harbor among other old houses, it is now used for government receptions.<ref name="dsf">{{cite book |title=De Store Fagbøger. Grønland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K2JYtxDtXEMC&pg=PT37 |year=2004 |publisher=Gyldendal Uddannelse |isbn=978-87-02-02629-0 |pages=37–}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/greenland/nuuk-town-godthab/sights/other/hans-egede-house |title=Hans Egede House |publisher=Lonely Planet |access-date=22 December 2015 |archive-date=23 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223014736/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/greenland/nuuk-town-godthab/sights/other/hans-egede-house |url-status=dead }}</ref>
'''Nuuk Cathedral'''<br />The Church of Our Saviour of the Lutheran diocese of Greenland was built in 1849, and the tower was added in 1884. The red building with a clock tower and steeple is a prominent site on the landscape.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.groenlandinfo.de/index.php?id=3534 |title=Nuuk – Ein Stadtrundgang |publisher=Grönlandinfo.de |access-date=31 December 2015 |language=de |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095712/http://www.groenlandinfo.de/index.php?id=3534 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The church received the status of Nuuk Cathedral in 1994. The first bishop was Kristian Mørk, followed in 1995 by Sofie Petersen, a Greenland native and the second woman in Denmark to become a bishop.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/Greenland/Kitaa/Nuuk-966816/Things_To_Do-Nuuk-TG-C-1.html |title=Nuuk Things to Do |publisher=Virtual Tourist |access-date=31 December 2015 |archive-date=22 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022054900/http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/Greenland/Kitaa/Nuuk-966816/Things_To_Do-Nuuk-TG-C-1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The Herrnhut House was the center of the Moravian mission of New Herrnhut. Other landmarks include the Hans Egede Church and the Statue of Hans Egede.
'''National Museum'''<br />Greenland National Museum is in Nuuk and was one of the first museums established in Greenland, inaugurated in the mid-1960s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.natmus.gl/ |title=Forsiden |access-date=12 July 2010 |archive-date=21 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521050154/http://www.natmus.gl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It has many artifacts and exhibits related to Greenland's archaeology, history, art, and handicrafts, and contains the Qilakitsoq mummies.
'''Modern architecture'''
Examples of modern architecture include the Katuaq cultural center by Schmidt Hammer Lassen (1997), the campus of the University of Greenland by Tegnestuen Nuuk and KHR Arkitekter (2008), the Nuuk Center by KHR Arkitekter (2012), and the Anstalten Correctional Facility by Friis & Moltke and Schmidt Hammer Lassen (2019).
<gallery mode="packed"> File:Nuuk-moravian-brethren-herrnhut-huset-nuup-kangerlua.jpg|Moravian Brethren Mission House File:Katuaq2008.JPG|Katuaq File:Nuuk Center (1) (Kenny McFly).jpg|Nuuk Center </gallery>
=== Cultural === {{Main|Katuaq|Nuuk Art Museum}}
thumb|Nuuk Art Museum Katuaq is a cultural center used for concerts, films, art exhibitions, and conferences. It was designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen and inaugurated on 15 February 1997. Katuaq contains two auditoria, one seating 1,008 people and the other 508. The complex also contains an art school, library, meeting facilities, administrative offices, and a café.
The Nuuk Art Museum is Greenland's only private art and crafts museum.<ref name="Kunst">{{cite web |url=http://www.kunstmuseum.gl/ |title=Velkommen til Nuuk Kunstmuseum – fortids- og nutidskunst |access-date=12 July 2010 |archive-date=23 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223190529/http://www.kunstmuseum.gl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It has a notable collection of local paintings, watercolors, drawings, and graphics, some by Andy Warhol; and figures in soapstone, ivory, and wood, with many items collected by archaeologists.
=== Educational === {{Main|University of Greenland}}
Ilisimatusarfik, also known as the University of Greenland, is in Nuuk and is the national university of Greenland. Most courses are taught in Danish, although a few are in Kalaallisut. {{As of|2007}}, the university had about 150 students (almost all Greenlanders), 14 academic staff, and five administrators.<ref name="statistic">{{cite web |url=http://www.ilisimatusarfik.gl/Home/OmIlisimatusarfik/tabid/60/Default.aspx |title=About the University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928222948/http://www.ilisimatusarfik.gl/Home/OmIlisimatusarfik/tabid/60/Default.aspx |archive-date=28 September 2007}}. "ca. 150 studenter; 14 lærere foruden rektor samt 5 teknisk-administrativt ansatte."</ref> Its library has about 30,000 volumes. The campus of the University of Greenland, hosting Statistics Greenland and the main holdings of the Public and National Library of Greenland,<ref>{{cite web |title=Velkommen til Ilimmarfik |url=http://www.ilimmarfik.gl/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711000826/http://www.ilimmarfik.gl/ |archive-date=11 July 2010 |access-date=11 July 2010 |publisher=University of Greenland, Ilimmarfik}}</ref> is at the district's northern end, near the road to Nuuk Airport.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kontakt |url=http://www.ilisimatusarfik.gl/OmIlisimatusarfik/Kontakt/tabid/61/language/da-DK/Default.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712072746/http://www.ilisimatusarfik.gl/OmIlisimatusarfik/Kontakt/tabid/61/language/da-DK/Default.aspx |archive-date=12 July 2010 |access-date=11 July 2010 |publisher=University of Greenland}}</ref>
The National Library of Greenland in Nuuk is the country's largest reference library. It is devoted to preserving Greenland's cultural heritage and history.<ref name="ica">{{cite web |url=http://www.groenlandica.gl/eng/om_os/index_om_os.html?Mode_ID=0 |publisher=Groenlandica, Greenlandic National Library |title=About Us |access-date=9 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721031237/http://www.groenlandica.gl/eng/om_os/index_om_os.html?Mode_ID=0 |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref> The library holdings are split between the public library in the town center and Ilimmarfik, the campus of the University of Greenland. As of 1 January 2008, there are 83,324 items in the library database at Ilimmarfik.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.groenlandica.gl/eng/materialer/index_materialer.html?Mode_ID=0 |publisher=Groenlandica, Greenlandic National Library |title=Collections |access-date=9 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721031710/http://www.groenlandica.gl/eng/materialer/index_materialer.html?Mode_ID=0 |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref>
== Sports == [[File:Godthabhallen.jpg|thumb|Godthåbhallen exterior]] thumb|Teletårnet, Nuuk Nuuk's sports clubs include Nuuk IL (established in 1934), B-67, and GSS Nuuk. Nuuk Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, used mostly for football games. The stadium has a capacity of 2,000.<ref name="worldstadiums.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldstadiums.com/north_america/countries/greenland.shtml |title=World Stadiums – Stadiums in Greenland |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605135020/http://www.worldstadiums.com/north_america/countries/greenland.shtml |archive-date=5 June 2011}}</ref> The stadium can also be used as an entertainment venue: the Scottish rock band Nazareth performed at the venue.
Nuuk also has the Godthåbhallen, a handball stadium. It is the home of the Greenland men's national handball team and has a capacity of 1,000.<ref name="worldstadiums.com" /> There is a hill for alpine skiing with an altitude difference around 300 meters on the mountain Lille Malene,<ref name="skilift.gl">{{cite web |url=http://www.skilift.gl/ |title=Skiliften Sisorarfiit |access-date=6 May 2013 |archive-date=18 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618090834/http://skilift.gl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with the valley station close to the airport terminal.<ref name="xpda">{{cite web |url=http://xpda.com/flyingtoeurope/ |title=General Aviation Flying to Europe |date=10 May 2010 |access-date=6 May 2013 |author=Webster, Bob |archive-date=11 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811104939/http://www.xpda.com/flyingtoeurope/ |url-status=live }}</ref> There is also the Nuuk golf course, the only arctic golf course in the world.<ref>[http://greenlandtoday.com/golf-in-greenland/?lang=en Nuuk Golf Course] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214070722/http://greenlandtoday.com/golf-in-greenland/?lang=en |date=14 December 2018 }} Greenlandtoday.</ref>
An indoor sports centre, Inussivik, was opened in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |last=netredaktionnetredaktion |date=2010-01-09 |title=Håb om multihal i nord |url=https://www.sermitsiaq.ag/samfund/hab-om-multihal-i-nord/685813 |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=www.sermitsiaq.ag |language=da-DK |archive-date=6 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251006000736/https://www.sermitsiaq.ag/samfund/hab-om-multihal-i-nord/685813 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Notable people == [[File:Múte Bourup Egede May 2021.jpg|140px|thumb|right|Múte Bourup Egede, 2021]] * Johan Carl Christian Petersen (1813–1880), a seaman and interpreter * Hans Lynge (1906–1988), writer, dramatist, painter, politician, printmaker and sculptor * Finn Lynge (1933–2014), politician, Indigenous rights activist and priest; the sole MEP for Greenland, 1979 until 1984 * Agnethe Davidsen (1947–2007), Greenland's first female government minister * Rasmus Lyberth (born 1951), musician and actor * Sofie Petersen (born 1955), a Lutheran bishop & Bishop of Greenland from 1995 to 2020 * {{ill|Minik Thorleif Rosing|da|Minik Rosing|vertical-align=sup}} (born 1957), geologist * Bo Lidegaard (born 1958), historian and journalist * brothers Otto Rosing (born 1967), film director & Lars Rosing (born 1972), actor * Maliina Abelsen (born 1976), Greenland's Minister for Social Affairs * Aaja Chemnitz (born 1977), politician, member of the Danish Folketing * Sara Olsvig (born 1978), politician member of the Danish Folketing, 2011–2014 * Nive Nielsen (born 1979), singer-songwriter and actress * Julie Berthelsen (born 1979), pop singer and songwriter * Bibi Chemnitz (born 1983), fashion designer * Múte Bourup Egede (born 1987), politician, seventh Prime Minister of Greenland
=== Sport === * Nils Nielsen (born 1971), football manager, head coach for the Switzerland women's national football team, 2018–2022 * Jesper Grønkjær (born 1977), footballer, played 400 games and 80 for Denmark * Mads Andersen (born 1995), a Danish chess grandmaster
== International relations == {{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in North America#Greenland|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Greenland}} {{More citations needed section|date=May 2015}}
=== Twin towns and sister cities === Nuuk is twinned with: {{div col|content= * {{flagicon|DEN}} '''Aalborg''', Denmark <small>''(2002–present)''</small><ref name="Aalborg twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.europeprize.net/en/?page_id=5 |title=Aalborg Twin Towns |publisher=Europeprize.net/ |access-date=19 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907145357/http://www.europeprize.net/en/?page_id=5 |archive-date=7 September 2013}}</ref> * {{flagicon|PRC}} '''Changchun''', '''Jilin''', China * {{flagicon|USA}} '''Tiverton, Rhode Island''', United States * {{flagicon|DEN}} '''Lyngby-Taarbæk''', Denmark * {{flagicon|SWE}} '''Huddinge''', Sweden * {{flagicon|ISL}} '''Reykjavík''', Iceland * {{flagicon|ARG}} '''Ushuaia''', Argentina * {{flagicon|PAN}} '''Bocas Town''', Panama * {{flagicon|IDN}} '''Sorong''', Indonesia * {{flagicon|SWE}} '''Stockholm''', Sweden }}
== See also == * Coat of Arms of Nuuk * Sisimiut, the second-largest city in Greenland
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{URL|https://visitgreenland.com/destinations/nuuk/|Nuuk – Greenland's largest city and capital}}. Visitgreenland.com.
{{Sister bar|auto=y}} {{Nuuk}} {{Settlements in Greenland}} {{Danish capital cities}} {{List of North American capitals}} {{Municipal seats of Greenland}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Nuuk Category:Capital cities in North America Category:Cities and towns in Greenland Category:Populated coastal places in Greenland Category:Populated places established in 1728 Category:Populated places in Greenland Category:Port cities and towns in Greenland Category:Capital cities in Europe Category:1728 establishments in North America Category:Road-inaccessible communities of North America Category:Municipal seats of Greenland