Ivittuut

Ivittuut / Kitaa

Ivittuut or Ivigtut is a largely abandoned city in southwest Greenland ( Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq ). It lies just off the coast of Arsukfjordes.

Became famous for the small town, especially by the discovery of cryolite ( Ice Stone - Na3AlF6 ) in 1806 In 1865 was begun with the removal of the mineral; . per year were mined up to 40,000 tons. After over 100 years of continuous mining stocks were finally exhausted and the mining was abandoned on 15 December 1987. This was the economic ruin of Ivittuut. Ivittuut was regarded as the world's only mineable locality of cryolite. Nowadays it is produced synthetically.

The importance of the old name Ivigtut is not clarified exactly is suspected the meaning " fertile, grass richer place ." Had Ivittuut 1951-2008 the status of an independent congregation to the next Ivittuut itself nor the settlement belonged Kangilinnguit. The population migrated to the decline of mining, so the population plummeted sharply. So Ivittuut is usually performed today as uninhabited ( around the years 2001, 2004, 2012). In the meantime, live there but some people, such as 2007 11 inhabitants were counted. Because of the population decline an affiliation of the commune to Narsaq already been discussed. Due to the structural reform in 2009 Ivittuut then became part of the newly formed Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq.

Ivittuut is connected to Kangilinnguit by a few kilometers long gravel road. This is the only road in Greenland, which connects two inhabited localities.

Coat of arms

Description: In split into blue and silver shield two Arctic foxes are in confused colors, the top is left turned.