2015 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 became an integral part of the Danish Realm 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 when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in June 2009. Denmark, however, continues to exercise control over several policy areas on behalf of Greenland, including foreign affairs, security, and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Self-Rule Government.

Area

land

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

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

arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0.6%

agricultural land

0.6%

forest

0%

other

99.4% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Arctic Region

Maritime claims

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

0-14 years

21.35% (male 6,263/female 6,064)

15-24 years

16.2% (male 4,736/female 4,615)

25-54 years

42.03% (male 12,751/female 11,516)

55-64 years

11.87% (male 3,858/female 2,996)

65 years and over

8.55% (male 2,640/female 2,294) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

14.48 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Death rate

8.49 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Ethnic groups

Inuit 88%, Danish and other 12% (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

5.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

female

7.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

10.54 deaths/1,000 live births

total

9.23 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

74.92 years (2015 est.)

male

69.41 years

total population

72.1 years

Major urban areas - population

NUUK (capital) 17,000 (2014)

Median age

female

32.5 years (2015 est.)

male

34.9 years

total

33.7 years

Nationality

adjective

Greenlandic

noun

Greenlander(s)

Net migration rate

-5.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Physicians density

1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

57,733 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

0% (2015 est.)

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.11 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.29 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.15 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.1 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.03 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.74% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

86.4% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

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

note

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

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)

note

Greenland has four time zones

time difference

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

Citizenship

see Denmark

Constitution

previous 1953 (Greenland established as a constituency in the Danish constitution), 1979 (Greenland Home Rule Act); latest 21 June 2009 (Greenland Self-Government Act) (2015)

Country name

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Greenland

local long form

none

local short form

Kalaallit Nunaat

note

named by Norwegian adventurer Erik THORVALDSSON (Erik the Red) in 985 in order to entice settlers to the island

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

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 Mikaela ENGELL (since April 2011)

election results

Kim KIELSEN elected prime minister; Parliament vote - Kim KIELSEN (S) 34.3%, Sara OLSVIG (IA) 33.2%, Anda ULDUM (D) 11.8%, other 20.7%

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister indirectly elected by Parliament

head of government

Prime Minister Kim KIELSEN (since 30 September 2014)

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, ICC, NC, NIB, UPU

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

High Court of Greenland (consists of the presiding professional judge and 2 lay assessors); note - appeals beyond the High Court of Greenland can be heard by the Supreme Court (in Copenhagen)

judge selection and term of office

judges appointed by the monarch upon the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Council, a 6-member independent body of judges and lawyers; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 70

subordinate courts

Court of Greenland; 18 district or magistrates' courts

Legal system

the laws of Denmark apply

Legislative branch

description

unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (Landsting) (31 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - S 34.6%, IA 33.5%, D 11.9%, PN 11.7%, A 6.6%, other 1.7%; seats by party - S 11, IA 11, D 4, PN 3, A 2 (2013)

elections

last held on 28 November 2014 (next to be held by 2018)

note

two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 15 September 2011 (next to be held by September 2015); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1

National anthem

lyrics/music

Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN

name

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

note

adopted 1916; the government also recognizes "Nuna asiilasooq" as a secondary anthem

National holiday

June 21 (longest day)

National symbol(s)

polar bear; national colors: red, white

Political parties and leaders

Democrats Party (Demokraatit) or D [Jens B. FREDERIKSEN]

Forward Party (Siumut) or S [Aleqa HAMMOND]

Inuit Community (Inuit Ataqatigiit) or IA [Kuupik KLEIST]

Inuit Party (Partii Inuit) or PI [Nikku OLSEN]

Partii Naleraq or PN [Hans ENOKSEN]

Solidarity Party (Atassut) or A [Gerhardt PETERSEN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

other

conservationists; environmentalists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sheep, cow, reindeer, fish

Budget

expenditures

$1.68 billion (2010)

revenues

$1.72 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.9% of GDP (2010)

Debt - external

$36.4 million (2010)

$58 million (2009)

Economy - overview

The economy remains critically dependent on exports of shrimp and fish, income from resource exploration and extraction, and on a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government. The subsidy was budgeted to be about $651 million in 2012, approximately 56% of government revenues that year.

The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in Greenland's economy. Greenland's real GDP contracted about 1% in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown, but is estimated to have grown marginally in 2010-14.

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 accounted for 89% of exports in 2010 - the economy remains very sensitive to external demand.

The relative ease with which Greenland has weathered the economic crisis is due to increased hydrocarbon and mineral exploration and extraction activities, a high level of construction activity in the Nuuk area and the increasing price of fish and shrimp. 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, while rare-earth and iron ore mineral projects have been proposed or planned elsewhere on the island.

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.

Exchange rates

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -

5.6125 (2011)

5.3687 (2011)

5.79 (2012 est.)

5.3687 (2011 est.)

5.6241 (2010 est.)

Exports

$384.3 million (2010)

$358 million (2009)

Exports - commodities

fish and fish products 89%, metals 10% (2008 est.)

Exports - partners

Denmark 60.7%, Japan 10.4%, China 8.4% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

13.9%

industry

19.2%

services

67% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$38,400 (2008 est.)

$36,600 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2011 est.)

4.9% (2010 est.)

-2.7% (2009 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.16 billion (2011 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.133 billion (2011 est.)

$2.071 billion (2010 est.)

$1.974 billion (2009 est.)

note

data are in 2011 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$814.2 million (2010)

$726 million (2009)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products

Imports - partners

Denmark 60.4%, Sweden 16.9%, Iceland 10.6% (2014)

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)

1.8% (2012 est.)

2.8% (2011 est.)

Labor force

26,990 (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

13.9%

industry

19.2%

services

67% (2012 est.)

Population below poverty line

9.2% (2007 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

79.6% of GDP (2010)

Unemployment rate

9.4% (2013 est.)

4.2% (2010 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

604,900 Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)

Electricity - consumption

292 million kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

106,000 kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

314 million kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

7,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

6,971 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Broadcast media

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

Internet country code

.gl

Internet users

percent of population

69.5% (2014 est.)

total

40,100

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM 14, shortwave 0 (2008)

Telephone system

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 - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

30 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

17,200

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

105 (2014 est.)

total

60,800

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus some local low-power stations, and 3 American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) stations (1997)

Airports

15 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

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 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

5

Merchant marine

registered in other countries

1 (Denmark 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Sisimiut

Roadways

note

although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by air (2012)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49

15,280 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

11,399 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

10,765

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

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