Administrative divisions of Greenland
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History
Greenland was divided into two inspectorates in 1782 – North Greenland, with its capital at Godhavn (now called Qeqertarsuaq), and South Greenland, with its capital at Godthaab (now Nuuk). These were directed by inspectors until 1924, then by governors. The two divisions were amalgamated in 1950 and the administration centralized at Godthaab.
Divisions and national park
For statistical and some regulatory purposes the country was divided into three divisions (landsdele) in 1951: West Greenland, North Greenland and East Greenland. The large Northeast Greenland National Park was established in 1974, encompassing the northern part of East Greenland, and amended with the eastern part of North Greenland in 1988.
With the advent of home rule in 1979, the names were Greenlandicized to Kitaa, Tunu, and Avannaa. By 2008, Kitaa had 15 municipalities, Tunu had 2, and Avannaa 1.
Municipalities
In 1908, Greenland was divided into 63 municipalities with elected municipal councils. After the modernization phase started in the 1950s these were consolidated, and by 1979 there were 18 municipalities.
The structural reform on 1 January 2009 created four enlarged municipalities. Of these, Qaasuitsup Kommunia, the largest, was partitioned on 1 January 2018 to form the new municipalities of Avannaata and Qeqertalik.
Kitaa (West Greenland)
Southern part:
- Nanortalik Municipality
- Qaqortoq Municipality
- Narsaq Municipality
- Ivittuut Municipality
- Paamiut Municipality
Central part:
- Nuuk Municipality
- Maniitsoq Municipality
- Sisimiut Municipality
- Kangaatsiaq Municipality
- Aasiaat Municipality
- Qasigiannguit Municipality
- Ilulissat Municipality
- Qeqertarsuaq Municipality
Northern part:
- Uummannaq Municipality
- Upernavik Municipality
Tunu (East Greenland)
- Ammassalik Municipality
- Ittoqqortoormiit Municipality
- Northeast Greenland National Park (southern part) (unincorporated)
Avannaa (North Greenland)
- Qaanaaq Municipality
- Pituffik Space Base (Pituffik) (unincorporated)