2011 Edition

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.

Area

2,166,086 sq km 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered)

total

2,166,086 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than three times the size of Texas

Climate

arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Coastline

44,087 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,700 m

highest point

Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,700 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting

Geographic coordinates

72 00 N, 40 00 W

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

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

0% 0% 100% (2005)

arable land

0%

other

100% (2005)

permanent crops

0%

Location

Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada

Map references

North America

Maritime claims

3 nm 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

continental shelf

200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

territorial sea

3 nm

Natural hazards

continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island

Natural resources

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

Terrain

flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast

Age structure

22.3% (male 6,514/female 6,330) 70.2% (male 21,599/female 18,861) 7.6% (male 2,269/female 2,097) (2011 est.)

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.)

Birth rate

14.6 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Death rate

8.12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

100 (1999)

Infant mortality rate

10.05 deaths/1,000 live births 11.47 deaths/1,000 live births 8.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

8.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

10.05 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

70.96 years 68.33 years 73.74 years (2011 est.)

female

73.74 years (2011 est.)

total population

70.96 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 100% 100% 100% (2001 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

100% (2001 est.)

male

100%

total population

100%

Major cities - population

NUUK (capital) 15,000 (2009)

Median age

33.6 years 35 years 32.1 years (2011 est.)

female

32.1 years (2011 est.)

male

35 years

total

33.6 years

Nationality

Greenlander(s) Greenlandic

adjective

Greenlandic

noun

Greenlander(s)

Net migration rate

-5.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Population

57,670 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.05% (2011 est.)

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

NA

Sex ratio

1.051 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.15 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.15 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.05 male(s)/female

at birth

1.051 male(s)/female

total population

1.12 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.13 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

84% of total population (2010) 0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

84% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

4 municipalities (kommuner, singular kommune); Kujalleq, Qaasuitsup, Qeqqata, Sermersooq 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

Capital

Nuuk (Godthab) 64 11 N, 51 45 W UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Greenland is divided into four time zones

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

64 11 N, 51 45 W

name

Nuuk (Godthab)

time difference

UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

(November 2008) Act on Greenland Self Government

Country name

none Greenland none Kalaallit Nunaat

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Executive branch

Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Soeren Hald MOELLER (since April 2005) Prime Minister Kuupik KLEIST (since 12 June 2009) Home Rule Government elected by the Parliament (Landsting) on the basis of the strength of parties the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister elected by parliament (usually the leader of the majority party) Kuupik KLEIST elected prime minister

cabinet

Home Rule Government elected by the Parliament (Landsting) on the basis of the strength of parties

chief of state

Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Soeren Hald MOELLER (since April 2005)

election results

Kuupik KLEIST elected prime minister

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister elected by parliament (usually the leader of the majority party)

head of government

Prime Minister Kuupik KLEIST (since 12 June 2009)

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy

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)

International organization participation

Arctic Council, NC, NIB, UPU

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)

Legal system

the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply

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) last held on 2 June 2009 (next to be held by 2014) 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 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

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

elections

last held on 2 June 2009 (next to be held by 2014)

National anthem

"Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" ("Our Country, Who's Become So Old" also translated as "You Our Ancient Land") Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN adopted 1916; the government also recognizes "Nuna asiilasooq" as a secondary anthem

lyrics/music

Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN

name

"Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" ("Our Country, Who's Become So Old" also translated as "You Our Ancient Land")

National holiday

June 21 (longest day)

National symbol(s)

polar bear

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

conservationists; environmentalists

other

conservationists; environmentalists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish

Budget

$1.47 billion $1.51 billion (2007)

expenditures

$1.51 billion (2007)

revenues

$1.47 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2% of GDP (2007)

Debt - external

$58 million (2009) $25 million (1999)

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.

Electricity - consumption

288.6 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

310.3 million kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

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

Exports

$485 million (2008) $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)

GDP - composition by sector

4.9% 31.9% 63.2% (2007 est.)

agriculture

4.9%

industry

31.9%

services

63.2% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$36,500 (2008 est.) $35,900 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

-2% (2009 est.) 1.5% (2008 est.) 4% (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.03 billion (2008)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.989 billion (2009 est.) $2.03 billion (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$867 million (2008) $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)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.4% (2008 est.) 1% (2005 est.)

Labor force

28,240 (January 2009)

Labor force - by occupation

4.9% 31.9% 63.2% (2007 est.)

agriculture

4.9%

industry

31.9%

services

63.2% (2007 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

4,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

1,050 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

4,976 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

9.2% (2007 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

72.4% of GDP (2007)

Unemployment rate

6.8% (2007 est.) 7.3% (2006 est.)

Broadcast media

the Greenland Broadcasting Company provides public radio and television services throughout the island with a broadcast station and a series of repeaters; a few private local television and radio stations broadcast; Danish public radio rebroadcasts are available (2007)

Internet country code

.gl

Internet hosts

15,668 (2010)

Internet users

36,000 (2009)

Telephone system

adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digital since 1995 microwave radio relay and satellite country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2000)

domestic

microwave radio relay and satellite

general assessment

adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digital since 1995

international

country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2000)

Telephones - main lines in use

21,800 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

57,300 (2010)

Airports

15 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

6 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

10

under 914 m

6 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

5

under 914 m

2 (2010)

Merchant marine

passenger 1 (2010)

total

1

Ports and terminals

Sisimiut

Roadways

although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport takes place either by sea or air (2005)

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)

Manpower available for military service

15,280 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

15,280 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

10,765 11,399 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

11,399 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

10,765

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

478 (2010 est.)

female

478 (2010 est.)

male

488

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Military branches

no regular military forces

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