Discover Fascinating Greenland Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Greenland.
Greenland
Background
๐ Welcome to Greenland, the world's largest island! Did you know that about 80% of this stunning land is covered in ice? That's a lot of frosty fun! โ๏ธ<br> The Vikings were the first brave souls to reach Greenland way back in the 10th century, sailing all the way from Iceland! ๐ดโโ ๏ธ And if you thought that was cool, get this: Danish colonization didn't start until the 18th century. Fast forward to 1953, and Greenland officially became part of the Danish Realm. That's a whole lot of history wrapped up in ice! ๐ฅถ
Percentage of land that is ice-covered
80%
Century of Viking arrival
10th century
Start of Danish colonization
18th century
Year Greenland became part of Danish Realm
1953
Distribution of Greenland's Land Cover
Exports - commodities
๐ Greenland has a range of export commodities that are very important to its economy! In 2022, the exports primarily consisted of:
- Fish ๐
- Shellfish ๐ฆช
- Processed Crustaceans ๐ฆ
- Precious Stones ๐
- Animal Products ๐
These exports showcase the natural resources that Greenland has to offer!
Export Commodities in 2022
Fish, Shellfish, Processed Crustaceans, Precious Stones, Animal Products
Exports - partners
๐ Let's take a peek at where Greenland sends its goodies! In 2022, Denmark was the star of the show, receiving a whopping 49% of Greenland's exports! ๐ Following closely was China, making up 24% of the exports. The UK, Japan, and Taiwan also got their share with 6%, 5%, and 3% respectively. Isn't it neat to see how trade connects different countries? ๐โจ
Total Exports Percentage to Denmark
49%
Total Exports Percentage to China
24%
Total Exports Percentage to UK
6%
Total Exports Percentage to Japan
5%
Total Exports Percentage to Taiwan
3%
Exports Partners for Greenland (2022)
Capital
๐ The capital city of Greenland is Nuuk! It's the largest city in the country and serves as the cultural, economic, and political center of Greenland. Nuuk is rich in history and boasts stunning views of the surrounding fjords and mountains. ๐๏ธ
Capital City
Nuuk
Imports - commodities
๐ Greenland imports a variety of essential commodities! In 2022, here are the key items that made their way into this stunning land of ice and snow:
- Refined Petroleum: Fuel for transportation and energy.
- Aircraft: For connecting Greenland with the world! โ๏ธ
- Garments: Stylish clothes to keep warm in chilly temperatures! ๐งฅ
- Construction Vehicles: Helping to build and develop the infrastructure! ๐ง
- Plastic Products: From packaging to household items, these are everywhere! ๐
These imports help keep the economy moving and ensure that people have what they need to thrive!
Imported commodities in 2022
5 types
Climate
Greenland has a climate that ranges from arctic to subarctic. ๐จ๏ธ This means it enjoys cool summers and cold winters. ๐ฌ๏ธ Imagine enjoying a refreshing summer that's never too hot and winter temperatures that really make you feel the chill! ๐ฅถ
Executive branch
๐ฌ๐ฑ Greenland's Executive Branch ๐ฌ๐ฑ
Greenland's executive branch is quite interesting, featuring both a chief of state and a head of government! ๐๏ธ
๐ Chief of State
- King: FREDERIK X of Denmark
- Since: 14 January 2024
- Represented by: High Commissioner Julie Praest WILCHE
- Since: May 2022
๐จโ๐ผ Head of Government
- Premier: Mute B. EGEDE
- Since: 23 April 2021
Isn't it fascinating how leadership transitions happen? Keep an eye on how these leaders will shape the future of Greenland! ๐
Date of Chief of State assumption
14 January 2024
Date of High Commissioner's representation start
May 2022
Date of Head of Government assumption
23 April 2021
Legislative branch
In Greenland, the legislative branch is quite unique! ๐๏ธ It consists of a unicameral Parliament with a total of 31 seats. This means all legislative decisions come from one house, making the process more straightforward and focused! ๐
Total seats in Parliament
31
Natural resources
๐ Natural Resources in Greenland
Greenland is rich in various natural resources that are essential for different industries. Hereโs a look at some of the key resources found in this captivating island!
๐๏ธ Resource List:
- Coal: A fossil fuel used primarily for electricity generation.
- Iron Ore: A vital mineral for producing steel.
- Lead: Used in batteries and radiation protection.
- Zinc: Important for galvanizing steel and making alloys.
- Molybdenum: Enhances steel strength and toughness.
- Diamonds: Precious stones that hold significant economic value.
- Gold: A well-known precious metal used for jewelry and investment.
- Platinum: Another precious metal used in jewelry and in industrial applications.
- Niobium: Used to make steel stronger and improve its properties.
- Tantalite: A mineral used in electronic devices.
- Uranium: Essential for nuclear energy production.
- Fish: A critical resource for local diets and economies.
- Seals and Whales: Marine resources historically significant for food and culture.
- Hydropower: Renewable energy source harnessed from water.
- Possible Oil and Gas: Potentially valuable resources for energy production in the future.
Greenland's wealth of natural resources not only supports local communities but also holds great potential for economic development! ๐
Total types of natural resources
14
Types of precious metals
4
Marine resources
3
Minerals used in industrial applications
7
Possible future energy resources
2
Economic overview
๐ Greenland's Economy: An Overview
Did you know that Greenland has a large self-governing economy? That's right! ๐ It operates under Danish territory and enjoys preferential access to the European Union market, helping boost its economy even further.
Greenland is considered a high-income economy, but it still relies on Danish financial support for many aspects of life, including the whaling and sealing industries. ๐โจ Despite these challenges, there is growing tourism in the region, which adds a nice boost to the local economy!
However, the economy has its challenges too! It's hydropower-fueled but might be considered environmentally fragile. ๐ฑ Let's hope they find a balance between development and protecting the environment!
Greenland's unique blend of self-governance and dependency makes it a fascinating place to study economically!
Economic Type
Self-governing Danish territorial economy
Market Access
Preferential access to the EU
Income Level
High-income economy
Financial Dependency
Dependent on Danish financial support
Key Industries
Whaling and sealing
Tourism Trend
Growing tourism
Energy Source
Hydropower
Environmental Status
Environmentally fragile
Government type
๐ In Greenland, the government is a parliamentary democracy! This means that the people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. ๐ณ๏ธ The Parliament of Greenland, known as the Inatsisart, plays a key role in shaping the country's laws and policies. It's a system that gives the power to the people and ensures that their voices are heard! ๐ฃ
Ethnic groups
In the beautiful land of Greenland, the people represent a rich tapestry of cultures! ๐ Let's take a look at the different ethnic groups that make up the population:
- Greenlandic: 88.1% ๐ฌ๐ฑ
- Danish: 7.1% ๐ฉ๐ฐ
- Filipino: 1.6% ๐ต๐ญ
- Other Nordic peoples: 0.9% ๐ธ๐ช๐ง
- Other: 2.3% ๐ญ
Isn't it fascinating to see how many different groups contribute to the unique identity of Greenland? Each group brings its own traditions and stories! ๐
Total Population Percentage of Greenlandic Ethnic Group
88.1%
Total Population Percentage of Danish Ethnic Group
7.1%
Total Population Percentage of Filipino Ethnic Group
1.6%
Total Population Percentage of Other Nordic Peoples
0.9%
Total Population Percentage of Other Ethnic Groups
2.3%
Distribution of Ethnic Groups in Greenland
Religions
In Greenland, the most prominent religion is Evangelical Lutheran. ๐ This religion plays a significant role in the lives of many Greenlanders. Besides this, some communities also practice traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs, adding a rich tapestry of cultural heritage to the country's religious landscape. Together, these religions show the blend of modern faith and ancient traditions in this beautiful part of the world. ๐โจ
Main Religion
Evangelical Lutheran
Other Beliefs
Traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs
Languages
๐ In Greenland, people speak three main languages: Greenlandic, Danish, and English. ๐ฌ๐ฑ Each language adds to the vibrant culture and community of this beautiful country! ๐ Let's explore these languages and what they mean to the people of Greenland.
Major Languages Spoken
Greenlandic, Danish, English
Imports - partners
๐ When it comes to imports, Greenland has some close partners! Hereโs how the pie breaks down for the year 2022:
- Denmark: 56% ๐
- Sweden: 22% ๐ธ๐ช
- France: 10% ๐ซ๐ท
- Iceland: 3% ๐ฎ๐ธ
- Canada: 3% ๐
This means that over half of Greenland's imports come from Denmark alone! Isnโt that interesting? ๐ค
Percentage of Imports from Denmark
56%
Percentage of Imports from Sweden
22%
Percentage of Imports from France
10%
Percentage of Imports from Iceland
3%
Percentage of Imports from Canada
3%
Greenland's Import Partners (2022)
Population
๐ The total population of Greenland is 57,751 people! That's a small but vibrant community living in an extraordinary place filled with ice, natural wonders, and a rich culture. ๐ฅถโ๏ธ Can you imagine being part of such a unique and remote population? Each person contributes to the beautiful tapestry of Greenland's life!
Total Population
57,751
Area
๐ Greenland's Area is truly vast! It covers a whopping 2,166,086 sq km. That's the total area and also its land area. Imagine how much space that is! It's like having lots and lots of playgrounds! ๐ณ
Total Area
2,166,086 sq km
Land Area
2,166,086 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐๐ฐ Let's dive into the Real GDP of Greenland, adjusted for purchasing power parity! This means it's taking into account how much money really buys you in Greenland compared to other countries. Hereโs how it looked for the last few years:
- In 2021, the Real GDP was $3.857 billion.
- In 2020, it was $3.808 billion.
- And in 2019, it was $3.801 billion.
You can see that the GDP has been climbing up a bit! ๐
Real GDP in 2021
$3.857 billion
Real GDP in 2020
$3.808 billion
Real GDP in 2019
$3.801 billion
Real GDP of Greenland (PPP) Over Time
Real GDP per capita
๐ Did you know about Greenland's economy? ๐ Let's dive into some fun facts about its Real GDP per capita! In 2021, the Real GDP per capita reached $68,100! That's an increase from $67,600 in 2020. And back in 2019, it was also $67,600. This data shows how Greenland's economy has been steadily growing! ๐ฐ
Here's a quick glance at the GDP per capita over the last few years:
Real GDP per Capita in 2021
68,100 USD
Real GDP per Capita in 2020
67,600 USD
Real GDP per Capita in 2019
67,600 USD
Real GDP per Capita in Greenland (2019-2021)
Imports
๐ Greenland's imports have seen some interesting changes over the years! Let's take a closer look at the numbers. ๐
In 2021, Greenland imported a whopping $1.609 billion worth of goods! ๐๏ธ That's quite an increase from $1.441 billion in 2020, but lower than the $1.533 billion recorded in 2019.
These figures show the ebb and flow of Greenland's international trade, which is important for its economy. Keep watching these numbers, they tell a story of growth and changes in trade! ๐
Total Imports in 2021
$1.609 billion
Total Imports in 2020
$1.441 billion
Total Imports in 2019
$1.533 billion
Imports of Greenland Over Time
Exports
๐ข Exports from Greenland
Greenland's exports play an important role in its economy! Let's look at how much Greenland exported over the last few years:
- In 2019, Greenland exported $1.23 billion!
- By 2020, this number dropped a bit to $1.108 billion.
- In 2021, it bounced back to $1.147 billion.
This gives us some interesting insights into how Greenland's exports have changed over time! ๐
Hereโs a simple breakdown of the export numbers from 2019 to 2021. ๐
Total exports in 2019
$1.23 billion
Total exports in 2020
$1.108 billion
Total exports in 2021
$1.147 billion
Greenland Exports Over Time
Population growth rate
๐ Did you know that Greenland's population growth rate is currently at -0.05%? This means that the population is slightly decreasing! ๐ It's interesting to see how some places in the world grow, while others, like Greenland, are experiencing a decline in their population. Keep an eye on this data to watch how it changes in the future! ๐
Current Population Growth Rate
-0.05%