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Other settlements Another settlement to be mentioned is Ataa. Situated on the eastern coast of Arveprinsens Ejland, it was abandoned by the residents some time in 1960. A few ramshackle houses are still left in Ataa. On the western coast of the same island is Appat/Ritenbenk. As mentioned above, Saqqaq was moved to Appat/Ritenbenk in 1781. In the late 1930's Appat had more residents than even Ilulissat. During the second world war problems developed with personnel and navigation capacity, which eventually lead to the closure of Appat settlement. The former residence of the colony manager (including a shop) and minister's residence are now protected buildings and are used as summer camps by the local school system.
Ilimanaq/Claushavn is the third largest with 82 residents. The Greenlandic name means "The place of expectations". The Danish name seems to refer to a Dutch whaler, captain Klacs (Klaus) Pieterz Torp, who was whale hunting in Disko Bay in the years from 1719 to 1732. Ilimanaq is one of the oldest settlements in Greenland, founded at the same time as Ilulissat, e.g. around 1741. Ilimanaq is situated south of the Ice fiord approx. 30 km from Ilulissat.
Oqaatsut/Rodebay is the smallest settlement in the municipality with 49 residents. It is situated 15 km north of Ilulissat. The Greenlandic name means "The cormorants", referring to the many cormorant breeding cliffs in the area. The name Rodebay goes back to the whaling period when the Dutch named the place Rodebay, using the Dutch words "Roo Bai' meaning "The bay that has red water coming from the blood of the whales".
Qeqertaq (which means "Island") is the second largest with 146 residents, It is situated approx. 90 km north of Ilulissat on the southern coast of an island in Tasiusaq bay. In 1830 it was a winter settlement only, not becoming a permanent settlement until around 1845.
Saqqaq (which means "The sunny side") is the largest of the settlements with 174 residents. It is situated approx. 100 km north of Ilulissat on the southern coast of Nuussuaq peninsula overlooking Vaigat. Saqqaq is known for its archeological findings from a period around 900 B.C., but the settlement Saqqaq was not founded until 1755 when it was called Ritenbenk and as such it was moved to Arveprinsens EjIand.
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