Greenland is among the largest areas globally, yet, very little is known to the rest of the world. Many people are still unsure about the gorgeous Arctic country.
There is plenty more in Greenland beyond the glaciers and ice. The nation is a complex mix of tradition and the past that will be revealed when you arrive.
We’re going to dispel the Facts About Greenland and assist you in gaining more understanding of what the nation and its inhabitants are about.
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Facts About Greenland
The World’s Most Large Island
Let’s get started with the fundamentals. Greenland is the largest island globally in terms of area – but it is not an actual continent. Its total surface Greenland comprises 2.16 million square kilometers (836,330 sq miles) and includes several of the other islands offshore.
Nearly 80 percent of Greenland’s land comprises an Icecap. The ice-free area might be in the minority. However, it’s equal to Sweden. With 56,480 people living there (2017 estimate), it is among the smallest nations in the world.
Greenland Was Green
Since the majority of the area of Greenland is covered with snow, ice, glaciers, and glaciers, the Arctic country generally appears white. What is the reason it got the name “Greenland” in the first place when it’s green? The name came by referring to Erik the Red, the Icelandic criminal the Icelandic government banished to an island.
He named it “Greenland,” hoping to draw new settlers. However, according to researchers, Greenland was quite green over 2.5 million years ago. A new study shows that the dirt of the past was frozen cryogenically over millions of years under two miles of glacier.
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Autonomous nation
Greenland can be described as an autonomous state in the Kingdom of Denmark. While Greenland is a geographical portion of the North American continent, it has been culturally and politically linked to Europe for a few millennia. From 1721 onwards, Denmark established colonies in Greenland.
However, the country became an integral part of Denmark by 1953. In 1979, Denmark allowed Home Rule for Greenland in 2009, and then in 2009, expanded Self Rule was inaugurated, transferring more decision-making powers and responsibilities over to Greenland’s Greenlandic Government. The new structure will mean that Greenland can slowly assume more responsibility from Denmark when it is at the right time to do so.
4500 Years of Histories
According to historians, the first human beings were believed to arrive in Greenland the 2500 years before our time. The group of people who migrated disbanded and were followed by various other groups that we’re able to migrate to North America. In the early 10th century, the Norsemen of Iceland were settling in the uninhabited south of Greenland However.
They vanished in the latter half of the 15th century. It is believed that the Inuit came to Greenland in Asia during the 13th century, and their bloodline has remained intact until today. A majority of Greenlanders from Inuit are direct descendants of the Inuit and still practice many of the ancient practices.
“Humans have been residing in Greenland longer than 4500 years.”
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Inuit Culture
Today, most of Greenland’s population is Inuit (predominantly Kalaallit) or mixed Danish and Inuit. The remaining 12 percent are of European origin, predominantly Danish. In reality, Greenlanders do not like being known as ‘Eskimos.’
Their proper term is Inuit, also known as Kalaallit, meaning “Greenlander” in the indigenous Inuit dialect Kalaallisut. Inuits strongly influence Inuit Greenlanders. Inuit Greenlanders from other global areas, including Canada and Alaska, share some commonalities in their language.
A Multilingual Nation
The majority of people of Greenland are bilingual, speaking Greenlandic (mainly Kalaallisut) and Danish. Both languages have been utilized in public life since the beginning of the home rule system in 1979. Nowadays, children can learn both languages and English in the classroom.
In the meantime, they learn English. Greenlandic language is a fascinating language with a long-standing history and is closely connected to the Inuit languages of Canada like Inuktitut. ” Kayak” and “igloo” are Greenlandic words directly adopted from other languages.
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No roads
Despite having a land area of 2.16 million square kilometers, there are no road or railway lines connecting settlements. There are roads in town. However, they are cut off in the outskirts of the towns. Travel between towns can be accomplished by boat, plane or helicopter, the snowmobile, and the dogsled. Boats are the most used mode of transport, and you’ll see locals exploring the fjords each summer.
Whaling and Fishing
The fishing industry is a major business in Greenland. Greenland imports almost everything except fish, seafood, and the other species that are hunted in Greenland, like seals and whales.
Each administrative region has an allocated amount of whales and seals and fish allocated to it, which ensures no overfishing. Certain species, like the blue whale, are protected and therefore cannot be caught. Whale or seal meat is permitted as they are only consumed locally.
A Vibrant Capital City
Around one-quarter of Greenland’s inhabitants are located in its capital town of Nuuk. Fun and vibrant, Nuuk is the largest and most cosmopolitan city on the island. It is home to a wide array of hip cafes, museums, and trendy boutiques in its tiny dimensions. To learn more about the country, check out the National Museum of Greenland, The Katuaq Cultural House, and the Nuuk’s Art Museum. Surrounded by a backdrop of mountains, the city is situated near the entrance to the huge fiord system, providing an easy day trip into the inlets and the natural surroundings.
Midnight Sun
Each year, the sun does not go down until July 25 and remains visible all day and night. It is known as the midnight sun. The late-night sun, also known as the midnight sun, is an amazing natural phenomenon that everybody should see at least once during their lives. June 21 is the longest day of the entire year, the solstice of summer, and an official holiday for Greenland. Locals take a break in the sun or take a picnic in the wilderness.
