Introduction

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 was made an integral part of Denmark 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 in June 2009. Denmark, however, continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs, security, and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Home Rule Government.
`

Geography

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: |  |
`North America`
Area: |  |
`total: 2,166,086 sq km country comparison to the world: 13 land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered)`
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: |  |
`arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)`
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

Population: |  |
`57,670 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 204`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 22.3% (male 6,514/female 6,330) 15-64 years: 70.2% (male 21,599/female 18,861) 65 years and over: 7.6% (male 2,269/female 2,097) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 33.6 years male: 35 years female: 32.1 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`0.05% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 189`
Birth rate: |  |
`14.6 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 140`
Death rate: |  |
`8.12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 99`
Net migration rate: |  |
`-5.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 198`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 84% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`NUUK (capital) 15,000 (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.051 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 10.05 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 148 male: 11.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 70.96 years country comparison to the world: 141 male: 68.33 years female: 73.74 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`2.13 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 115`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`NA`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`100 (1999) country comparison to the world: 163`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`NA`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`Inuit 89%, Danish and other 11% (2009)`
Religions: |  |
`Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs`
Languages: |  |
`Greenlandic (East Inuit) (official), Danish (official), English`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2001 est.)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`NA`
Education expenditures: |  |
`NA`

Government

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 is divided into 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: |  |
`(November 2008) Act on Greenland Self Government`
Legal system: |  |
`the laws of Denmark, where applicable, 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 Soeren Hald MOELLER (since April 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Kuupik KLEIST (since 12 June 2009)
cabinet: Home Rule Government elected by the Parliament (Landsting) on the basis of the strength of parties
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister elected by parliament (usually the leader of the majority party)
election results: Kuupik KLEIST elected prime minister
`

Legislative branch: |  |

`
unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (Landsting) (31 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 2 June 2009 (next to be held by 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - IA 43.7%, Siumut 26.5%, Demokratiit 12.7%, Atassut 10.9%; Kattusseqatigiit 3.8%, other 2.4%; seats by party - IA 14, Siumut 9, Demokraatiit 4, Atassut 3, Kattusseqatigiit 1
note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 13 November 2007 (next to be held by November 2011); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen)`
Political parties and leaders: |  |

`
Atassut Party (Solidarity) [Gerhardt PETERSEN] (a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark); Demokratiit [Jens B. FREDERIKSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Inuit Community) [Kuupik KLEIST] (a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule); Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List) [Anthon FREDERIKSEN] (an independent right-of-center party with no official platform); Siumut (Forward Party) [Alega HAMMOND] (a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark)
`

Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`other: conservationists; environmentalists`
International organization participation: |  |
`Arctic Council, 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 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

Economy - overview: |  |

`
The economy remains critically dependent on exports of shrimp and fish and on a substantial subsidy - about $650 million in 2009 - from the Danish Government, which supplies nearly 60% of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in Greenland's economy. Greenland's GDP contracted about 2% in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown. Budget surpluses turned to deficits beginning in 2007 and unemployment has risen. 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 account for 82% of exports - the economy remains very sensitive to foreign developments. 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. 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): |  |
`$1.989 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 $2.03 billion (2008 est.)`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$2.03 billion (2008)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`-2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 207 1.5% (2008 est.) 4% (2007 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$36,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $35,900 (2007 est.)`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 4.9% industry: 31.9% services: 63.2% (2007 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`28,240 (January 2009) country comparison to the world: 205`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 4.9% industry: 31.9% services: 63.2% (2007 est.)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`6.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 7.3% (2006 est.)`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`9.2% (2007 est.)`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $1.47 billion expenditures: $1.51 billion (2007)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`9.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 1% (2005 est.)`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, 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%`
Electricity - production: |  |
`310.3 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`285.6 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008)`
Oil - production: |  |
`0 bbl/day country comparison to the world: 180`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`4,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170`
Oil - exports: |  |
`1,183 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 120`
Oil - imports: |  |
`5,172 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 133`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 178`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 104`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 193`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141`
Exports: |  |
`$485 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 168 $428 million (2007)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`fish and fish products 72%, metals 10% (2008)`
Exports - partners: |  |
`Denmark 61.13%, Japan 13.69%, China 6.15%, Sweden 5.21% (2009)`
Imports: |  |
`$867 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 176 $669 million (2007)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products`
Imports - partners: |  |
`Denmark 74.93%, Sweden 11.73%, Norway 2.29% (2009)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$58 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 187 $25 million (1999)`
Exchange rates: |  |
`Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.624 (2010) 5.361 (2009) 5.4797 (2007) 5.9468 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`22,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 190`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`53,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 195`
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 television services throughout the island with a broadcast station and a series of repeaters; a few private local television and radio stations broadcast; Danish public radio rebroadcasts are available (2007)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.gl`
Internet hosts: |  |
`15,668 (2010) country comparison to the world: 116`
Internet users: |  |
`36,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 177`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`15 (2010) 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 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport takes place either by sea or air (2005)`
Merchant marine: |  |
`total: 1 country comparison to the world: 154 by type: passenger 1 (2010)`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Sisimiut`

Military

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

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`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011