Moriusaq
Encyclopedia
Moriusaq is a moribund settlement which in 2009 had only 2 remaining inhabitants. It is located in the Qaasuitsup
municipality in northern Greenland
, approximately 42 km (26.1 mi) to the northwest of the Thule Air Base
, and 83 km (51.6 mi) to the southwest of Qaanaaq
. Hunting and fishing resources in the area are plentiful, particularly fish, narwhals, seal, and polar bears.
, where the infrastructure is better and services are thus more readily available, making it the destination of choice despite the social problems prevalent in the town.
In the 2009 census, the population of Moriusaq was 5, which dropped from 21 according to the 2005 census. Two of the remaining villagers were already permanently living in Qaanaaq although they are listed as inhabitants of Moriusaq.
Further, a case of self-defense
in 2009 decreased the remaining population, effectively leaving the settlement with only 2 inhabitants in 2010. The settlement is very likely to be closed in the future.
Qaasuitsup
Qaasuitsup is a new municipality in Greenland, operational from 1 January 2009. As of January 2010 its population is 17,749. The administrative center of the municipality is in Ilulissat...
municipality in northern Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
, approximately 42 km (26.1 mi) to the northwest of the Thule Air Base
Thule Air Base
Thule Air Base or Thule Air Base/Pituffik Airport , is the United States Air Force's northernmost base, located north of the Arctic Circle and from the North Pole on the northwest side of the island of Greenland. It is approximately east of the North Magnetic Pole.-Overview:Thule Air Base is the...
, and 83 km (51.6 mi) to the southwest of Qaanaaq
Qaanaaq
Qaanaaq is the main town in the northern part of the Qaasuitsup municipality in northwestern Greenland. It is one of the northernmost towns in the world. The inhabitants of Qaanaaq speak the West Greenlandic language and many also speak Inuktun. The town has a population of 626 as of 2010...
. Hunting and fishing resources in the area are plentiful, particularly fish, narwhals, seal, and polar bears.
Facilities
Moriusaq used to offer its inhabitants direct TV and radio broadcasting, Internet access, private telephones, and a small power station for electricity, costing tax payers 2 million DKK (US$330.000) annually, but due to the small population, a moratorium on these services is imminent. Moriusaq had a small store, and the so called "recreation building" housed a school, a church, and even a small library, but all services are suspended at present. In 2007, the school closed, and the last teacher left for Qaanaaq because there were no school-aged children living in the settlement.Population decline
Moriusaq was established in 1963, and it reached a population peak in 1980, when the census reported 80 inhabitants, but it quickly dropped to 39 in 1998. In the last several years, nearly all families have moved away, particularly to QaanaaqQaanaaq
Qaanaaq is the main town in the northern part of the Qaasuitsup municipality in northwestern Greenland. It is one of the northernmost towns in the world. The inhabitants of Qaanaaq speak the West Greenlandic language and many also speak Inuktun. The town has a population of 626 as of 2010...
, where the infrastructure is better and services are thus more readily available, making it the destination of choice despite the social problems prevalent in the town.
In the 2009 census, the population of Moriusaq was 5, which dropped from 21 according to the 2005 census. Two of the remaining villagers were already permanently living in Qaanaaq although they are listed as inhabitants of Moriusaq.
Further, a case of self-defense
Self-defense
Self-defense, self-defence or private defense is a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many...
in 2009 decreased the remaining population, effectively leaving the settlement with only 2 inhabitants in 2010. The settlement is very likely to be closed in the future.