Overview of Greenland
The world''s largest island located in the Arctic Circle, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark with a population of just over 50,000, most living along the coast.
Profile
Over 80% of the island is covered by ice sheet, with a coastline carved by fjords extending 39,000 km. Indigenous Inuit have lived here since ancient times, with Viking settlers arriving in the 10th century. Home rule was established in 1979, with powers significantly expanded through the 2009 Self-Government Act. The main industries are shrimp and halibut fishing and processing, with recent attention on tourism and mineral resource exploration. As the frontline of global warming, it is a research subject, and independence aspirations and international strategic value attract diplomatic interest.
- Official name
- Greenland
- Common name
- Greenland
- Numeric code
- 304
- Alpha-3 code
- GRL
- Alpha-2 code
- GL
- Population
- Approximately 56,000 (2023)
- Population density
- Approximately 0.03
- Primary languages
- Greenlandic, Danish
- Major religions
- Lutheran Protestantism, Traditional Inuit beliefs
- National anthem
- Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit (You Our Ancient Land)
- Calling code
- +299
- Internet TLD
- .gl
History
Following indigenous Inuit culture, Vikings named and settled the land. It became a Danish colony in modern times, expanding autonomy since 1979.
Paleo-Eskimos arrived from Siberia around 4,000 years ago. In the 10th century, Norse led by Erik the Red named it the ''green land'' and settled, but disappeared by the 15th century. Denmark colonized from the 18th century onward, making it a county of Denmark in 1953. Home rule was introduced in 1979, and the 2009 Self-Government Act transferred many areas except judiciary and police to the autonomous government. It left the EU in 1985. As a resource and strategic point, the US and China show interest, while residents continue debating full independence.
Geography & climate
Ice-covered land with central ice sheet and peripheral mountains and fjords, low undulation. Coastal areas dotted with archipelagos and icebergs, interior hiding sub-sea-level basins.
Polar tundra and ice cap climate
- Area
- North America / 2166086 km²
- Capital
- Nuuk
- Largest city
- Nuuk
- Coastal status
- Yes
Politics
Government: Parliamentary democratic autonomous government (autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark)
Economy
Currency: Danish Krone (DKK)
GDP (nominal): Approximately 3.3 billion USD (2022)
GDP (PPP): Approximately 3 billion International dollars (2022)
Language & timezone
Primary languages: Greenlandic, Danish
Time zone: West Greenland Time (UTC-3), East Greenland Time (UTC-1), Pituffik/Thule Time (UTC-4)
Culture & customs
Ethnic groups
Kalaallit (Inuit), Danes, Kalaallit-Danish mixed, Other Nordics, Minority Asians
Life expectancy
Approximately 72 years
Literacy rate
Nearly 100%
National sports
Soccer, Handball, Dog sledding, Kayak competition, Cross-country skiing, Ice hockey
Flag
Emblem
