Paamiut is situated in the southern end of a small estuary called Kuannersooq
- the inlet , and the city name means "they who resides by the mouth". People
have, it seems, lived there since around 1500 bc. It was established in 1742 and
later prospered on trading fur and whale products. It also became known for its
soapstone artists. In the 1950's Paamiut developed a booming [[cod]] industry that lasted
until 1989 when the cod populations crashed. In connection with a development plan
called G60 Paamiut was chosen as to be the place to live for the whole population of the
municipality. Therefore the number of people living there rose a lot during the 50's. The
town has one of the finest churches in Greenland built in 1909 it is made of wood and is
of Norwegian style drafted in Norway. The absorbing local museum is located in the
centre, in original buildings from the previous century ,among these a carpenter
workshop and a salt warehouse. As in the other towns of Westgreenland the sea is free of
ice during the winter , and the occupation of the 2.100 inhabitants of Paamiut ,and the
sole township Arsuk, is naturally fishing. Icebergs, coming adrift along the eastcoast of
Greenland and continuing up along the west coast normally arrives in the autumn
bringing numerous seals marking this season as a great time for the local hunters
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