Nuuk

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Nuuk (The Cape in Greenlandic) (Danish: Godthåb, which translates to "Good Hope" in English) is the capital and largest city of the self-governing Danish territory of Kalaallit Nunaat Greenland. The city was founded in 1728 by the Norwegian missionary Hans Egede, and given the name Godthåb. However Hans Egede had arrived at place he called Colony of Hope (in Danish known as Håbets Ø) close to the already existing inuit population living in Kangeq. At this time Greenland was technically a Norwegian colony under the Dano-Norwegian Crown, but the colony had not had any contact with Norway proper for more than two centuries.

However, the site has a long history of different inhabitation first by the ancient Inuit people known as the Saqqaq culture around 2000 B.C. Later by Viking explorers in the 10th century and shortly thereafter, by Inuit peoples. Inuit and Vikings lived together in this area from around 1000 A.D until around 1500 A.D. Today Nuuk--as the rest of Greenland--is populated by Inuit and Danes. It is located at the mouth of the Nuup Kangerlua (or in Danish Godthåbsfjorden) inlet on the west coast of Greenland, about 150 miles (240 km) south of the Arctic Circle, and has a population of 14,501 (as of January 2005). Nuuk is located at approx. 64°10′N 51°43′W.

The city is commonly known as Godthåb in Danish, although since home rule was enacted in 1979, the official name of the city is its Greenlandic name of Nuuk. It is the seat of government for the municipality of Nuuk, which encompasses about 39,000 square miles (100,000 km²) of Greenland.

Image:Nuukair.jpg

Nuuk is home to the University of Greenland (Ilisimatusarfik).

Air Greenland operates air services to Nuuk.

The FC Copenhagen and former VfB Stuttgart, Ajax and Chelsea professional soccer player Jesper Grønkjær was born in Nuuk. The winger is also a regular Danish International, and he is known for his speed and long range shots, many which have led to spectacular and memorable goals.

The current mayor is Agnethe Davidsen.