Prins Christian Sund

Prins Christian Sund

Prins Christian Sund is a waterway in southern Greenland. Situated near the southernmost tip of Greenland, it separates the mainland from Sammisoq and other islands in the Cape Farewell archipelago. The name was given to honor the prince, later to become King, Christian VIII of Denmark. The Labrador Sea is connected to the Irminger Sea by the Prince Christian Sound. The sound is about 100 km long and it is narrow, sometimes as little as 500 meters wide. Only one settlement exists along the sound, Aappilattoq. Most of the long fjord system is surrounded by steep mountains that generally reach over 1,200 meters, with one reaching 2,220 meters. Numerous glaciers flow directly into its waters, where they calve icebergs. Ice formation is often limited by strong tidal currents. The fjord has many branches, including Kangerluk in the north, Ikeq Fjord in the south, and Ilua Fjord, Ikerasaq Fjord, Utoqqarmiut Fjord and Torsukattak Fjord in the west. At the eastern entrance to the strait is a weather station built by the US during World War II and known as Bluie East One. The weather station is now operated by the International Civil Aviation Organization in cooperation with Tele Greenland. The scenery of the Prince Christian Sound attracts cruise ships to the area in the summer, but the ships have to travel slowly because of the icebergs.