Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, located in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean, between North America and Europe. It is the world's largest island and is known for its rugged landscape, glaciers, icebergs, and Northern Lights.

Greenland has a population of around 56,000 people, with the majority being of Inuit or Danish descent. The official language is Greenlandic, but Danish is also widely spoken.

The economy of Greenland is heavily dependent on fishing, with the fishing industry accounting for over 90% of the country's exports. Other important industries include tourism and mining, with Greenland being rich in natural resources such as diamonds, gold, and rare earth minerals.

Greenland has a semi-autonomous government and is largely self-governed, although Denmark is responsible for foreign affairs, defense, and monetary policy. In 2021, Greenlanders voted in favor of increasing self-governance and the possibility of eventually becoming an independent country.

Greenland is also home to a unique ecosystem, with many species of Arctic flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. It is also home to the world's second-largest ice sheet, which is rapidly melting due to climate change, posing a threat to the island's unique environment and the world at large.

Telephone Code
299

Local Emergency Phone
112

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Currency (Code)
Danish kroner (DKK)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E, F, K

Major Languages
Greenlandic (West Greenlandic or Kalaallisut is the official language), Danish, English

Major Religions
Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

Potable Water
Yes

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Ilulissat Icefjord & Jakobshavn Glacier; Ilulissat Museum; Nuuk Art Museum; Kangerdlugssup Glacier; Qagortoq

Major Sports
Soccer, track and field, handball, skiing

Cultural Practices
The national dish of Greenland is 'suaasat,' a traditional Greenlandic soup often made from seal, whale, reindeer, or seabirds and seasoned with salt and pepper, or bay leaf. The soup often includes onions and potatoes and is thickened with rice or barley. While eating in Greenland, it is customary to keep one's hands visible even when resting. So wrists are often laid on the table.

Tipping Guidelines
All prices include tips and gratuity, but you may round up for good service.

Souvenirs
Bone, antler, or soapstone carvings; gemstones including tugtupite; bead and pendant necklaces; beauty products; leather goods; local berry, meat, and fish items

Traditional Cuisine
Suaasat — a soup made from seal, whale, reindeer, or seabirds, often including onions and potatoes, and seasoned with salt and pepper or bay leaf; the soup is often thickened with rice or by soaking barley in the water overnight

Geography
Area
total: 2,166,086 sq km
land: 2,166,086 sq km

Climate
arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Natural resources
coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

People and Society
Population
57,777 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Greenlandic 89.1%, Danish 7.5%, other Nordic peoples 0.9%, and other 2.5% (2022 est.)

Languages
Greenlandic (West Greenlandic or Kalaallisut is the official language), Danish, English

Religions
Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

Population growth rate
-0.04% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut)

Capital
name: Nuuk (Godthaab)

Economy
Economic overview
large self-governing Danish territorial economy; preferential EU market access; high-income economy; dependent on Danish financial support, even for whaling and sealing industries; growing tourism; hydropower-fueled but environmentally fragile economy

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2.413 billion (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$41,800 (2015 est.)

Agricultural products
sheep, cattle, reindeer, fish, shellfish

Industries
fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut), anorthosite and ruby mining, handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards

Exports
$407.1 million (2015 est.)

Exports - partners
Denmark 55%, China 22%, Japan 6% (2019)

Exports - commodities
fish, crustaceans, fishing ships (2019)

Imports
$783.5 million (2015 est.)

Imports - partners
Denmark 51%, Spain 23%, Sweden 12%, Iceland 7% (2019)

Imports - commodities
fishing ships, refined petroleum, construction vehicles, crustaceans, delivery trucks (2019)