North America :: GREENLAND

- ## Introduction :: GREENLAND

- Background:
  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 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 :: GREENLAND

- Location:
  Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
  Geographic coordinates:
  72 00 N, 40 00 W
  Map references:
  Arctic Region
  Area:
  total: 2,166,086 sq km
  land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered)
  country comparison to the world: 12
  Area - comparative:
  slightly more than three times the size of Texas
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  44,087 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 3 nm
  exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
  continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
  Climate:
  arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
  Terrain:
  flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,700 m
  Natural resources:
  coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 0.6%
  arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0.6%
  forest: 0%
  other: 99.4% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  Natural hazards:
  continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island
  Environment - current issues:
  protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting
  Geography - note:
  dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap

- ## People and Society :: GREENLAND

- Nationality:
  noun: Greenlander(s)
  adjective: Greenlandic
  Ethnic groups:
  Inuit 88%, Danish and other 12% (2010 est.)
  Languages:
  Greenlandic (East Inuit) (official), Danish (official), English
  Religions:
  Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs
  Population:
  57,733 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 21.35% (male 6,263/female 6,064)
  15-24 years: 16.2% (male 4,736/female 4,615)
  25-54 years: 42.03% (male 12,751/female 11,516)
  55-64 years: 11.87% (male 3,858/female 2,996)
  65 years and over: 8.55% (male 2,640/female 2,294) (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 33.6 years
  male: 34.9 years
  female: 32.3 years (2014 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 190
  Birth rate:
  14.48 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Death rate:
  8.49 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Net migration rate:
  -5.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 86.4% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 0.74% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  NUUK (capital) 17,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 1.29 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 1.15 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 9.23 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 10.54 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 7.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 72.1 years
  male: 69.41 years
  female: 74.92 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Total fertility rate:
  2.03 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 116
  Physicians density:
  1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
  Hospital bed density:
  5.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA

- ## Government :: GREENLAND

- Country name:
  conventional long form: none
  conventional short form: Greenland
  local long form: none
  local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat
  Dependency status:
  part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979
  Government type:
  parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy
  Capital:
  name: Nuuk (Godthab)
  geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 45 W
  time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
  note: Greenland has four time zones
  Administrative divisions:
  4 municipalities (kommuner, singular kommune); Kujalleq, Qaasuitsup, Qeqqata, Sermersooq
  note: the North and East Greenland National Park (Avannaarsuani Tunumilu Nuna Allanngutsaaliugaq) and the Thule Air Base in Pituffik (in northwest Greenland) are two unincorporated areas; the national park's 972,000 sq km - about 46% of the island - make it the largest national park in the world and also the most northerly
  Independence:
  none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland)
  National holiday:
  June 21 (longest day)
  Constitution:
  previous 1953 (Greenland established as a constituency in the Danish constitution), 1979 (Greenland Home Rule Act); latest 21 June 2009 (Greenland Self-Government Act) (2009)
  Legal system:
  the laws of Denmark apply
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Mikaela ENGELL (since April 2011)
  head of government: Prime Minister Kim KIELSEN (since 30 September 2014)
  cabinet: Home Rule Government elected by the Parliament (Landsting) on the basis of the strength of parties
  elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister indirectly elected by Parliament
  election results: Kim KIELSEN elected prime minister; Parliament vote - Kim KIELSEN (S) 34.3%, Sara OLSVIG (IA) 33.2%, Anda ULDUM (D) 11.8%, other 20.7%
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (Landsting) (31 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
  note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 15 September 2011 (next to be held by September 2015); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1
  elections: last held on 28 November 2014 (next to be held by 2018)
  election results: percent of vote by party - S 34.3%, IA 33.2%, A 6.5%, PI 11.6%; D 11.8%; other 2.1%; seats by party - S 11, IA 11, A 2, PI 3, D 4 (2013)
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): High Court of Greenland (consists of the presiding professional judge and 2 lay assessors); note - appeals beyond the High Court of Greenland can be heard by the Supreme Court (in Copenhagen)
  judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the monarch upon the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Council, a 6-member independent body of judges and lawyers; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 70
  subordinate courts: Court of Greenland; 18 district or magistrates' courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  Democrats Party (Demokraatit) or D [Jens B. FREDERIKSEN]
  Forward Party (Siumut) or S [Aleqa HAMMOND]
  Inuit Community (Inuit Ataqatigiit) or IA [Kuupik KLEIST]
  Inuit Party (Partii Inuit) or PI [Nikku OLSEN]
  Solidarity Party (Atassut) or A [Gerhardt PETERSEN]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  other: conservationists; environmentalists
  International organization participation:
  Arctic Council, ICC, NC, NIB, UPU
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
  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 symbol(s):
  polar bear; national colors: red, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" ("Our Country, Who's Become So Old" also translated as "You Our Ancient Land")
  lyrics/music: Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN
  note: adopted 1916; the government also recognizes "Nuna asiilasooq" as a secondary anthem

- ## Economy :: GREENLAND

- Economy - overview:
  The economy remains critically dependent on exports of shrimp and fish, income from resource exploration and extraction, and on a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government. The subsidy was budgeted to be about $651 million in 2012, approximately 56% of government revenues that year.
  The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in Greenland's economy. Greenland's real GDP contracted about 1% in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown, but is estimated to have grown marginally in 2010-14.
  During the last decade the Greenland Home Rule Government (GHRG) pursued conservative fiscal and monetary policies, but public pressure has increased for better schools, health care and retirement systems.
  The Greenlandic economy has benefited from increasing catches and exports of shrimp, Greenland halibut and, more recently, crabs. Due to Greenland's continued dependence on exports of fish - which accounted for 89% of exports in 2010 - the economy remains very sensitive to external demand.
  The relative ease with which Greenland has weathered the economic crisis is due to increased hydrocarbon and mineral exploration and extraction activities, a high level of construction activity in the Nuuk area and the increasing price of fish and shrimp. International consortia are increasingly active in exploring for hydrocarbon resources off Greenland's western coast, and international studies indicate the potential for oil and gas fields in northern and northeastern Greenland. In May 2007, a US aluminum producer concluded a memorandum of understanding with the Greenland Home Rule Government to build an aluminum smelter and a power generation facility, which takes advantage of Greenland's abundant hydropower potential. Within the area of mining, olivine sand continues to be produced and gold production has resumed in south Greenland, while rare-earth and iron ore mineral projects have been proposed or planned elsewhere on the island.
  Tourism also offers another avenue of economic growth for Greenland, with increasing numbers of cruise lines now operating in Greenland's western and southern waters during the peak summer tourism season.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $2.133 billion (2011 est.)
  $2.071 billion (2010 est.)
  $1.974 billion (2009 est.)
  note: data are in 2011 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 192
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $2.16 billion (2011 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  3% (2011 est.)
  4.9% (2010 est.)
  -2.7% (2009 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 104
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $38,400 (2008 est.)
  $36,600 (2007 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 41
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 13.9%
  industry: 19.2%
  services: 67% (2012 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  sheep, cow, reindeer, fish
  Industries:
  fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards
  Industrial production growth rate:
  NA%
  Labor force:
  26,990 (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 13.9%
  industry: 19.2%
  services: 67% (2012 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  9.4% (2013 est.)
  4.2% (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Population below poverty line:
  9.2% (2007 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $1.72 billion
  expenditures: $1.68 billion (2010)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  79.6% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  1.9% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 15
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  1.8% (2012 est.)
  2.8% (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 91
  Exports:
  $384.3 million (2010)
  $358 million (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Exports - commodities:
  fish and fish products 89%, metals 10% (2008 est.)
  Exports - partners:
  Denmark 61.3%, Japan 11.6%, China 9.3% (2013)
  Imports:
  $814.2 million (2010)
  $726 million (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Imports - commodities:
  machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products
  Imports - partners:
  Denmark 65.8%, Sweden 19.5% (2013)
  Debt - external:
  $36.4 million (2010)
  $58 million (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Exchange rates:
  Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
  5.587 (2011)
  5.3687 (2011)
  5.79 (2012 est.)
  5.3687 (2011 est.)
  5.6241 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: GREENLAND

- Electricity - production:
  320 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 171
  Electricity - consumption:
  314 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 146
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  106,000 kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  100% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 15
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 98
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 120
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 193
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  3,980 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  920 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 108
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  5,164 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 138
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 106
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  604,900 Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 178

- ## Communications :: GREENLAND

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 17,200
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 60,800
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 105 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables, and microwave radio relay; totally digital since 1995
  domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite
  international: country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2000)
  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 (2007)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 5, FM 14, shortwave 0 (2008)
  Television broadcast stations:
  1 (plus some local low-power stations, and 3 American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) stations (1997)
  Internet country code:
  .gl
  Internet users:
  total: 40,100
  percent of population: 69.5% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192

- ## Transportation :: GREENLAND

- Airports:
  15 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 10
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 1
  under 914 m: 6 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 5
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 2
  under 914 m:
  2 (2013)
  Roadways:
  note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by air (2012)
  Merchant marine:
  registered in other countries: 1 (Denmark 1) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 156
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Sisimiut

- ## Military :: GREENLAND

- Military branches:
  no regular military forces
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 15,280 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 10,765
  females age 16-49: 11,399 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 488
  female: 478 (2010 est.)
  Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of Denmark

- ## Transnational Issues :: GREENLAND

- Disputes - international:
  managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland; Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission