Greenland
From landscapes of round mountains covered in greens, or the sight of giant glaciers at the edge of towns... to an abundance of wildlife and exotic flora and peaceful, untouched nature as far as the eye can see, Greenland is an ever-changing land worth respectfully visiting, but also, protecting. There are ancient traditions still preserved in the small villages, unimaginable spectacles of ice, snow and winter landscapes, as well as high-rise buildings and developed areas full of things to see and do.
Practical information
Government
A colony of the Kingdom of Denmark until 1953, when Denmark amended the Danish Constitution, Greenland is an integral constituency in the Danish Kingdom. Following a voter referendum in 1979, the Danish parliament granted Home Rule to Greenland, thereby allowing Greenland to establish its own parliament.
In a 2008 referendum, Greenland voted yes to pursue autonomy from Denmark. Among other things, this means that Greenland has its own stance on foreign policy issues. Greenland is now moving towards full independence. However, Greenland still receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of 3.5 billion Danish Kroner (approx. $588 million USD).
Geography & Geology
Considered the largest island in the world, from the southern tip at Cape Farewell to the northern-most point at Cape Morris Jesup, Greenland measures 2,700 km (1660 mi), it covers a total of 2,184,700 km2 (843,517 mi2). This is comparable to the length of the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, stretching from the southern tip of Florida to the US-Canada border. At the widest spot, from Disko Bay to Scoresbysund, Greenland is 1,300 km (808 mi) across.
The formation of Greenland was a long process that involved lots of traveling and time. Greenland was a part of Africa until 439 million years ago, when it separated from the continent and moved north. Two million years ago, its closer proximity to the North Pole generated the large amounts of snow that created the inland ice sheet. Even to this day, the island of Greenland is still on the move, progressing westward at a rate of two centimeters each year.
Roughly, 80% of Greenland is covered by ice. The enormous weight of the ice has depressed the middle part of the bedrock surface, pushing it approximately 250 meters (820 ft) below sea level. At its thickest, the Greenland Ice Sheet measures more than 3.3 km (2 mi) in depth.
Civilization & Archeology
Arriving in Greenland 2,400 BC and disappearing around 1,000 BC, the first people to set foot in Greenland were groups of Paleo-Eskimos. Their culture became known as Independence I in recognition of Independence Fjord in northern Greenland, where a Danish archeologist, Count Eigil Knuth, first discovered their archaeological remains in the mid-1900s.'
It took almost another 2,000 years before the ancestors of the current native Inuit population arrived. The Thule people came to Greenland around 1,000 AD, bringing with them technical knowledge and the skills to build useful equipment such as the kayak and dog sled.
Present day Greenland's population is approx. 56,000 with an estimated 17,000 residents living in Nuuk, the capital. The official language is Greenlandic or Kalaallisut and the second language is Danish. Younger generations also speak a third language, typically English.
Language
The language of Greenlanders is known as “Kalaallisut”, which actually means “the Greenlanders language”. It belongs to the Inuit-Aleut family of languages. There are four dialects in Greenland: East Greenlandic, West Greenlandic, South Greenlandic and Thule, but West Greenlandic is considered the official language.
Since Greenland is a territory in the Kingdom of Denmark, Danish is the first foreign language children learn in school. Younger generations have learned to speak English as well, and are comfortable communicating with visitors. German and French are also spoken by some.
Money & Local Currency
As a territory in the Kingdom of Denmark, the currency of Greenland is the Danish Krone (DKK). We recommend exchanging your currency for Danish Kroner prior to your travel.
Most major credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and some local establishments, but it is a good idea to bring a small amount of Danish kroner as well.
Vaccination & Immunizations
At the time of publication, no vaccinations or immunizations are required for travel to the Arctic region. However, we strongly recommend that you are up-to-date on routine vaccinations when planning any type of travel. Ideally 4-6 weeks before departure, speak with your doctor about vaccinations, immunizations and medicines that you may need.
Passport & Visa Requirements
As Greenland is part of the Danish community, entry requirements for Greenland are the same as if you were travelling to Denmark. Remember to bring your passport, as well as all documentation travel documentation. Upon entry and exit, you may be required to provide proof of identity and present a return ticket. Consult your embassy for information specific to your nationality and the current requirements.
Communications
The dominating natural landscapes, impressive mountain views and sights of glaciers and water, as well as the sounds of a remote location away from the rush of big cities, are what bring most travelers to visit Greenland and disconnect, at least temporarily, from the busy modern world.
But rest easy. Communication capabilities such as internet, TV and radio are accessible in Greenland, as well as VHF for air-traffic control. There is currently broadband internet service in the major towns, but even in remote settlements one can use a telephone and internet.
