Greenland
Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 80% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became an integral part of the Danish Realm in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland remains a member of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the EU. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in June 2009. Denmark, however, continues to exercise control over several policy areas on behalf of Greenland, including foreign affairs, security, and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Self-Rule Government.

geography

location

72.0° N, 40. 0° W
Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada

area

2,166,086 sq km

land boundaries

0 km

coastline

44,087 km

climate

arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

terrain

flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast

elevation

1,792 m
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean
0 m
highest point
Gunnbjorn Fjeld
3,694 m

natural resources

  • coal
  • iron ore
  • lead
  • zinc
  • molybdenum
  • diamonds
  • gold
  • platinum
  • niobium
  • tantalite
  • uranium
  • fish
  • seals
  • whales
  • hydropower
  • possible oil
  • possible gas

land use

  • arable land
  • permanent crops
  • permanent pasture
  • forest
  • other

population distribution

settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited

people

population

  • 57,616
  • 206
    global rank

nationality

  • Greenlander(s)
    noun
  • Greenlandic
    adjective

ethnic groups

Greenlandic
89.7 %
Danish
7.8 %
other Nordic
1.1 %
and other
1.4 %

languages

  • Greenlandic
    West Greenlandic or Kalaallisut is the official language
  • Danish
  • English

religions

  • Evangelical Lutheran
  • traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

birth rate

  • 14.1
    per 1,000 population
  • 133
    global rank

death rate

  • 9
    per 1,000 population
  • 62
    global rank

urban population

87.3 %

major urban areas

  • Nuuk
    pop. 18,000

life expectancy

  • 73.4
    total population
  • 145
    global rank
70.7
male
76.3
female

government

country name

    conventional

  • none
    long form
  • Greenland
    short form

    local

  • none
    long form
  • Kalaallit Nunaat
    short form

government type

parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut)

capital

Nuuk (Godthaab)
64.11 N, 51.45 W

independence

national holidays

  • National Day
    June 21 marks the summer solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere

legal system

the laws of Denmark apply where applicable and Greenlandic law applies to other areas

age of suffrage

18

flag description

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white; the design represents the sun reflecting off a field of ice; the colors are the same as those of the Danish flag and symbolize Greenland's links to the Kingdom of Denmark

national colors

  • red
  • white

national anthem

"Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" ("Our Country, Who's Become So Old" also translated as "You Our Ancient Land")

economy

overview

Greenland’s economy depends on exports of shrimp and fish, and on a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government. Fish account for over 90% of its exports, subjecting the economy to price fluctuations. The subsidy from the Danish Government is budgeted to be about $535 million in 2017, more than 50% of government revenues, and 25% of GDP. The economy is expanding after a period of decline. The economy contracted between 2012 and 2014, grew by 1.7% in 2015 and by 7.7%in 2016. The expansion has been driven by larger quotas for shrimp, the predominant Greenlandic export, and also by increased activity in the construction sector, especially in Nuuk, the capital. Private consumption and tourism also are contributing to GDP growth more than in previous years. Tourism in Greenland grew annually around 20% in 2015 and 2016, largely a result of increasing numbers of cruise lines now operating in Greenland's western and southern waters during the peak summer tourism season. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland's economy. During the last decade the Greenland Self Rule Government pursued conservative fiscal and monetary policies, but public pressure has increased for better schools, health care, and retirement systems. The budget was in deficit in 2014 and 2016, but public debt remains low at about 5% of GDP. The government plans a balanced budget for the 2017–20 period. Significant challenges face the island, including low levels of qualified labor, geographic dispersion, lack of industry diversification, the long-term sustainability of the public budget, and a declining population due to emigration. Hydrocarbon exploration has ceased with declining oil prices. The island has potential for natural resource exploitation with rare-earth, uranium, and iron ore mineral projects proposed, but a lack of infrastructure hinders development.

GDP

2,413,000,000 USD
2015

agriculture products

  • sheep
  • cattle
  • reindeer
  • fish
  • shellfish

poverty level

16.2%
2015

budget

  • 1,719,000,000
    revenue (USD)
  • 1,594,000,000
    expenditures (USD)

communications

telephones

    fixed lines

  • 8,060
    total subscriptions
  • 196
    global rank

    mobile cellular

  • 62,537
    total subscriptions
  • 201
    global rank

broadcast media

the Greenland Broadcasting Company provides public radio and TV services throughout the island with a broadcast station and a series of repeaters; a few private local TV and radio stations; Danish public radio rebroadcasts are available (2019)

internet

.gl
country code

    users

  • 40,084
    total
  • 69.48
    % of population
  • 201
    global rank

energy

electricity access

100%
2016

transportation

air transport

    airports

  • 15
    total
  • 10
    paved

military

This entry doesn't have any available military data.