Greenland

Greenland

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: 12 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 and Society

Nationality

noun: Greenlander(s)
adjective:Greenlandic

Ethnic groups

Inuit 89%, Danish and other 11% (2009)

Languages

Greenlandic (East Inuit) (official), Danish (official), English

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

Population

57,670 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205

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: 188

Birth rate

14.6 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139

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: 113

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

100 (1999)
country comparison to the world: 162

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Education expenditures

NA

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

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 the World 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 symbol(s)

polar bear

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: 206 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: 204

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: 65 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)

Taxes and other revenues

72.4% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 4

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 75

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.4% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198 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: 167

Electricity – consumption

288.6 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177

Oil – consumption

4,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

Oil – exports

1,050 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118

Oil – imports

4,976 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143

Exports

$485 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 169 $428 million (2007)

Exports – commodities

fish and fish products 72%, metals 10% (2008)

Exports – partners

Denmark 63.7%, Japan 12.1%, China 8.5% (2010)

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 59.5%, Sweden 20.8%, UK 6.6% (2010)

Debt – external

$58 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 191 $25 million (1999)

Exchange rates

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
5.624 (2010)
5.361 (2009)
5.4797 (2007)
5.9468 (2006)

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: 155 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