Disko Bay is a body of
water off of the western coast of
Greenland. Although currently an
Arctic vacation locale, the bay (69 N 52W, which puts it above the Arctic Circle) has been an important piece of real estate for centuries.The area surrounding Disko Bay was first encountered by
Europeans when
Erik the Red started a settlement in 986 C.E. on the more inhabitable western coast of
Greenland. The two settlements, called the Eastern and Western Settlement, were sustenance economies that survived on
animal husbandry. Soon after the Western settlement was established, the
Norsemen traveled up the coast during the summer thaw. It was this exploration that led them to the discovery of Disko Bay. The special interest in this bay was due to its rich sources of
Walruses for
ivory,
seals for their pelts, and
whales for a variety of materials. These products became the main exports and source of income for the Greenlandic settlers who traded with
Iceland, England/Scotland/Ireland/Wales, and mainland
Europe. It is important because without its resources the settlements might not have lasted as long as they did.
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