Savissivik

Coordinates: 76°01′10″N 65°06′50″W / 76.01944°N 65.11389°W / 76.01944; -65.11389
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Savissivik
Havighivik
Savissivik is located in Greenland
Savissivik
Savissivik
Location within Greenland
Coordinates: 76°01′10″N 65°06′50″W / 76.01944°N 65.11389°W / 76.01944; -65.11389
State Kingdom of Denmark
Constituent country Greenland
MunicipalityAvannaata
Population
 (2020)
 • Total55
Time zoneUTC-04
Postal code

Savissivik (West Greenlandic; old spelling: Savigsivik) or Havighivik (Inuktun) (IATA: SVR) is a settlement in the Avannaata municipality in northern Greenland. Located on Meteorite Island, off the northern shores of Melville Bay, the settlement had 55 inhabitants in 2020.[1]

History[edit]

In the Greenlandic language, the name Savissivik means "Place of Meteoric Iron" or "Knives",[2] alluding to the numerous meteorite fragments that have been found in the area dating to about 10,000 years ago.[3] The Cape York meteorite is estimated to have weighed 100 tonnes before it exploded.[3] The iron from the meteorite is believed to have attracted migrating Inuit from Arctic Canada.[3]

Transport[edit]

Air Greenland operates settlement flights to Qaanaaq Airport via Pituffik Space Base.[4] The twice-weekly flights are subsidized by the Government of Greenland. Transfers at the airbase are subject to access restrictions by the Danish Foreign Ministry.[5]

Population[edit]

The population of Savissivik decreased by over 40 percent relative to the 1990 levels, and by 10 percent relative to 2000 levels.[6]

Savissivik population dynamics
Savissivik population growth dynamics in the last two decades. Source: Statistics Greenland[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Population by Localities". Statistical Greenland.
  2. ^ quarkexpeditions.com[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b c "Lured by iron meteorite". Suluk. 4. Air Greenland: 6. 2010.
  4. ^ "Booking system". Air Greenland. Archived from the original on 22 April 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  5. ^ Air Greenland Archived 2010-06-17 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b Statistics Greenland Archived 2011-08-12 at the Wayback Machine