Greenland Overview
Remote Greenland is the world's biggest island, and the sea that surrounds it is either permanently frozen or chilled by the mainly cold currents. In the center of the country, ice can be up to 3km (2 miles) thick. It is no wonder that most of its population huddles around the ice-free coastal region. Indeed, the name 'Greenland' is itself a bit of a misnomer.
Unique, rugged nature
Those wondering why anyone would want to inhabit such unforgiving terrain are ignorant of the beautiful sights that Greenland grants. The arctic nights in the winter concoct a wondrous continuous
twilight and, in the far north of the country, complete darkness, coupled with the spectacular Northern Lights.
A cruising paradise
The profusion of snow creates the perfect conditions for activities such as dog sledging and tour cruises, which interweave in and out of Greenland's dazzling array of fjords, mountains, islands and icebergs. The wildlife does not disappoint, either: there are abundant opportunities to view creatures such as whales, seals and birds.
History
By the 10th century, the first European settlements of Greenland had been established. The colonists accepted Norwegian sovereignty until the marginal lifestyle of the settlements finally led to their collapse in the 16th century. The territory was then unoccupied by Europeans until Denmark took possession of it in the early 18th century. It became an integral part of the Danish realm in 1953. A referendum in 1979 approved internal autonomy within the Kingdom of Denmark. In 2008 Greenland voted to become a separate country within the Kingdom of Denmark (Self-Rule Act), which will be effective from mid 2009.
Geography
Greenland is the world's biggest island. The surrounding seas are either permanently frozen or chilled by cold currents.
The inland area is covered with ice, stretching 2,500km (1,500 miles) north-south and 1,000km (600 miles) east-west. In the center, the ice can be up to 3km (2 miles) thick.
The ice-free coastal region, which is sometimes as wide as 200km (120 miles), covers a total of 410,449 sq km (158,475 sq miles), and is where all of the population is to be found. This region is intersected by deep fjords which connect the inland ice area with the sea.
Unique, rugged nature
Those wondering why anyone would want to inhabit such unforgiving terrain are ignorant of the beautiful sights that Greenland grants. The arctic nights in the winter concoct a wondrous continuous
A cruising paradise
The profusion of snow creates the perfect conditions for activities such as dog sledging and tour cruises, which interweave in and out of Greenland's dazzling array of fjords, mountains, islands and icebergs. The wildlife does not disappoint, either: there are abundant opportunities to view creatures such as whales, seals and birds.
History
By the 10th century, the first European settlements of Greenland had been established. The colonists accepted Norwegian sovereignty until the marginal lifestyle of the settlements finally led to their collapse in the 16th century. The territory was then unoccupied by Europeans until Denmark took possession of it in the early 18th century. It became an integral part of the Danish realm in 1953. A referendum in 1979 approved internal autonomy within the Kingdom of Denmark. In 2008 Greenland voted to become a separate country within the Kingdom of Denmark (Self-Rule Act), which will be effective from mid 2009.
Geography
Greenland is the world's biggest island. The surrounding seas are either permanently frozen or chilled by cold currents.
The inland area is covered with ice, stretching 2,500km (1,500 miles) north-south and 1,000km (600 miles) east-west. In the center, the ice can be up to 3km (2 miles) thick.
The ice-free coastal region, which is sometimes as wide as 200km (120 miles), covers a total of 410,449 sq km (158,475 sq miles), and is where all of the population is to be found. This region is intersected by deep fjords which connect the inland ice area with the sea.
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