World Atlas: Greenland

Information about Greenland

Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of Greenland. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of Greenland. But let's start with the flag of Greenland here:

Greenland - Overview:

What you should know about Greenland? Let's start with this: Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% 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 of Greenland

Where on the globe is Greenland? The location of this country is Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada. Total area of Greenland is 2,166,086 sq km, of which 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered) is land. So this is very large country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast. The lowest point of Greenland is Atlantic Ocean 0 m, the highest point Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,694 m. And the climate is arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters.

Inhabitants of Greenland

Let's take a look how many people live in Greenland. The number is: 57,713 (July 2017 est.). So not so many people live here. Who lives here? Inuit 88%, Danish and other 12% (2010 est.). What are the languages in Greenland? Greenlandic (East Inuit) (official), Danish (official), English. And the religions: Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs. How old are the people in average? 33.9 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 72.6 years. Where the people live in Greenland? Here: settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited. The major urban areas of Greenland are: NUUK (capital) 17,000 (2014).

Government and Economy of Greenland

The capital of Greenland is Nuuk (Godthaab) and the government type parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut); part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 4 municipalities (kommuner, singular kommune); Kujalleq, Qaasuitsup, Qeqqata, Sermersooq. Regarding the economy of Greenland, important industrial products are fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, zinc, anorthosite and ruby mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards. Important agricultural products are sheep, cow, reindeer, fish. The most important export commodities are fish and fish products 91% (2015 est.) and the most important export partners are Denmark 81.2%, Portugal 8.3% (2016). The most important import commodities are machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products and the most important import partners are Denmark 72.2%, Sweden 9.8% (2016). How rich is Greenland and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $37,600 (2015 est.). This means the living standards are good here. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: 16.2% (2015 est.).

Map of Greenland