Fun Facts: Greenland

Greenland is an absolutely fascinating and beautiful country and I think it’s deserving of a separate post with some fun facts:

• It is situated in the Arctic and is still in the Ice Age.
• It is the world’s largest island, geographically part of North America, but geopolitically part of Europe.
• Part of Greenland is only 25kms from Canada and when it’s iced over you can walk between the two countries.
• It’s more than 3 times the size of France and covers 2.2 million square metres.
• The highest point is as high as the French Alps.
• There are no towns, settlements or animals in the centre of the island.
• Most settlements are in the south of the island because it’s surrounded by open water, which means they are never cut off due to ice.
• There are only 160kms of paved road in the entire country.
• There are 3 time zones.
• It has the midnight sun and winter darkness.
• Most families own 2 or 3 boats and fishing is a way of life.
• It is home to 6 species of seals and 12 species of whales.
• The church is very important in Greenland and almost all citizens are Protestant/Lutheran.
• The population is only 56,452 and it has only 18 towns and 60 settlements.
• The languages are Greenlandic, Danish and English.
• Greenlandic is a polysynthetic language.
• It has been a Danish colony since 1721 and has practiced self-rule since 2009.
• The largest minority are Filippinos.
• Hospitals, pharmacies, dentists and general practitioners are all free.
• Greenland has 7 parties that share 31 seats in throughout the country.
• Greenland has 2 representatives in the Danish parliament.
• The key industries are fishing (90%), tourism and mining and its key trade partner is the EU, mainly Denmark and Sweden.
• 70% of the country’s power comes from Hydro.
• The country has immense natural resources: zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, gold, platinum, uranium, marble, nickel and rubies.
• Summer activities are hiking, fishing and hunting. Winter activities are skiing, snowshoeing and the Northern Lights.