QEQERTARSUAQ

formerly Disko Island, Disko also spelled Disco, island in Davis Strait off western Greenland, northwest of Qeqertarsuup (Disko) Bay and southwest of Vaigat Strait. It is 80 miles (130 km) long, 2075 miles (32120 km) wide, and 3,312 square miles (8,578 square km) in area and has a maximum elevation of 6,296 feet (1,919 m). There are coal and iron deposits, and some lignite is mined around Qullissat in the northeast. Qeqertarsuaq (Danish: Godhavn), the largest settlement, was established in 1773. The island was first explored by Erik the Red about 984. Pop. (1982) 1,047.