Discover Fascinating Greenland Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Greenland.

Greenland

Background

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿดโ€โ˜ ๏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! ๐Ÿฅถ

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

๐ŸŒ Greenland has a range of export commodities that are very important to its economy! In 2022, the exports primarily consisted of:

  • Fish ๐ŸŸ
  • Shellfish ๐Ÿฆช
  • Processed Crustaceans ๐Ÿฆ
  • Precious Stones ๐Ÿ’Ž
  • Animal Products ๐Ÿ„

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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐ŸŽ‰ 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? ๐Ÿ“ˆโœจ

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

๐ŸŒ 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. ๐Ÿž๏ธ

Capital City

Nuuk

Imports - commodities

๐ŸŒ 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! โœˆ๏ธ
  • Garments: Stylish clothes to keep warm in chilly temperatures! ๐Ÿงฅ
  • Construction Vehicles: Helping to build and develop the infrastructure! ๐Ÿšง
  • Plastic Products: From packaging to household items, these are everywhere! ๐Ÿ 

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. ๐ŸŒจ๏ธ This means it enjoys cool summers and cold winters. ๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ Imagine enjoying a refreshing summer that's never too hot and winter temperatures that really make you feel the chill! ๐Ÿฅถ

Executive branch

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ฑ Greenland's Executive Branch ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ฑ

Greenland's executive branch is quite interesting, featuring both a chief of state and a head of government! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

๐Ÿ“… Chief of State

  • King: FREDERIK X of Denmark
  • Since: 14 January 2024
  • Represented by: High Commissioner Julie Praest WILCHE
  • Since: May 2022

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ’ผ 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! ๐ŸŒ

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! ๐Ÿ›๏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! ๐ŸŒŸ

Total seats in Parliament

31

Natural resources

๐ŸŒ Natural Resources in Greenland

Greenland is rich in various natural resources that are essential for different industries. Hereโ€™s a look at some of the key resources found in this captivating island!

๐Ÿ”๏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! ๐ŸŒŸ

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

๐ŸŒ Greenland's Economy: An Overview
Did you know that Greenland has a large self-governing economy? That's right! ๐ŸŒŸ 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. ๐Ÿ‹โœจ 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. ๐ŸŒฑ 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

๐ŸŒ In Greenland, the government is a parliamentary democracy! This means that the people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. ๐Ÿ—ณ๏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! ๐Ÿ“ฃ

Ethnic groups

In the beautiful land of Greenland, the people represent a rich tapestry of cultures! ๐ŸŒ Let's take a look at the different ethnic groups that make up the population:

  • Greenlandic: 88.1% ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ฑ
  • Danish: 7.1% ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฐ
  • Filipino: 1.6% ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ
  • Other Nordic peoples: 0.9% ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ช๐ŸงŠ
  • Other: 2.3% ๐ŸŽญ

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! ๐ŸŽ‰

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. ๐ŸŒŸ 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. ๐ŸŒโœจ

Main Religion

Evangelical Lutheran

Other Beliefs

Traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

Languages

๐ŸŒ In Greenland, people speak three main languages: Greenlandic, Danish, and English. ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ฑ Each language adds to the vibrant culture and community of this beautiful country! ๐ŸŒŠ Let's explore these languages and what they mean to the people of Greenland.

Major Languages Spoken

Greenlandic, Danish, English

Imports - partners

๐ŸŒ When it comes to imports, Greenland has some close partners! Hereโ€™s how the pie breaks down for the year 2022:

  • Denmark: 56% ๐Ÿž
  • Sweden: 22% ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ช
  • France: 10% ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท
  • Iceland: 3% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ
  • Canada: 3% ๐Ÿ

This means that over half of Greenland's imports come from Denmark alone! Isnโ€™t that interesting? ๐Ÿค“

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

๐ŸŒ 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. ๐Ÿฅถโ„๏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

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐ŸŒณ

Total Area

2,166,086 sq km

Land Area

2,166,086 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ฐ 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. Hereโ€™s 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! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

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

๐ŸŒ Did you know about Greenland's economy? ๐Ÿ“ˆ 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! ๐Ÿ’ฐ

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

๐ŸŒ Greenland's imports have seen some interesting changes over the years! Let's take a closer look at the numbers. ๐Ÿ“ˆ

In 2021, Greenland imported a whopping $1.609 billion worth of goods! ๐Ÿ›๏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! ๐Ÿ“Š

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

๐Ÿšข 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! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Hereโ€™s a simple breakdown of the export numbers from 2019 to 2021. ๐Ÿ“Š

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

๐ŸŒ Did you know that Greenland's population growth rate is currently at -0.05%? This means that the population is slightly decreasing! ๐Ÿ“‰ 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! ๐Ÿ“Š

Current Population Growth Rate

-0.05%