Greenland
Greenland is the world's largest island, situated between the Arctic Ocean to the north, the North Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and the Davis Strait and Baffin Bay to the west. It is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, although it has its own government and is not a part of the European Union.
Geography
- Size: Covering an area of 2,166,086 square kilometers, it is the largest island in the world, not counting Australia which is considered a continent.
- Ice Cap: Approximately 80% of Greenland is covered by the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the second largest ice body in the world after Antarctic Ice Sheet.
- Climate: Greenland has an Arctic climate with harsh winters and relatively cool summers, influenced significantly by the ice cap and the surrounding sea.
- Landscapes: Beyond the ice cap, Greenland features rugged coastlines, fjords, mountains, and some areas of green vegetation in the southern parts.
History
- Early Settlement: The earliest known inhabitants were the Saqqaq culture, followed by the Dorset culture, and then the Thule culture which are ancestors of the modern Inuit.
- Norse Settlement: Erik the Red established the first Norse settlements around 986 AD, which lasted until around 1450 when they mysteriously disappeared.
- Colonial Era: After the Norse, Greenland was uninhabited by Europeans until the 16th century when Denmark-Norway reasserted its claim. Danish colonization began in 1721 with the arrival of Hans Egede.
- Modern Era: Greenland was granted home rule by Denmark in 1979, and in 2009, it achieved self-rule, which allowed it more autonomy in managing its resources and internal affairs.
Culture
- Indigenous Peoples: The majority of Greenland's population is of Inuit descent, and their culture, language, and traditions are prominent.
- Language: Greenlandic, an Eskimo-Aleut language, is the official language, though Danish is also widely spoken.
- Art and Music: Greenlandic art includes carvings, traditional costumes, and music with instruments like the kattaq (a type of drum).
Economy
- Fishing: The economy is primarily based on fishing, with shrimp and Greenland halibut being major exports.
- Mining: There are potential mining operations for minerals like zinc, lead, and rare earth elements.
- Tourism: Tourism is growing, especially for those interested in natural beauty, the ice cap, and Inuit culture.
Politics
- Government: Greenland has its own parliament, called the Inatsisartut, and a government that handles many internal affairs, although foreign policy and defense are managed by Denmark.
Environment
- Climate Change: Greenland is at the forefront of climate change studies due to the melting of its ice cap, which has implications for global sea level rise.
- Conservation: Efforts are in place to conserve its unique ecosystems, with several national parks established.
Sources:
Related Topics