2016 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 remains a member of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the EU. 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

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

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

1,792 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,700 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point

Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,700 m

mean elevation

1,792 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 sheet after that of Antarctica

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

0.6% arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0.6% 0% 99.4% (2011 est.)

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

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

Population - distribution

settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited

Terrain

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

Age structure

21.26% (male 6,237/female 6,034) 15.81% (male 4,612/female 4,514) 41.6% (male 12,597/female 11,416) 12.43% (male 4,001/female 3,177) 8.9% (male 2,754/female 2,386) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

21.26% (male 6,237/female 6,034)

15-24 years

15.81% (male 4,612/female 4,514)

25-54 years

41.6% (male 12,597/female 11,416)

55-64 years

12.43% (male 4,001/female 3,177)

65 years and over

8.9% (male 2,754/female 2,386) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

14.4 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Death rate

8.6 deaths/1,000 population (2016 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.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

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

9 deaths/1,000 live births 10.3 deaths/1,000 live births 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

10.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

72.4 years 69.7 years 75.2 years (2016 est.)

female

75.2 years (2016 est.)

male

69.7 years

total population

72.4 years

Major urban areas - population

NUUK (capital) 17,000 (2014)

Median age

33.8 years 35 years 32.6 years (2016 est.)

female

32.6 years (2016 est.)

male

35 years

total

33.8 years

Nationality

Greenlander(s) Greenlandic

adjective

Greenlandic

noun

Greenlander(s)

Net migration rate

-6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Physicians density

1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

57,728 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited

Population growth rate

-0.02% (2016 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.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1.26 male(s)/female 1.15 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.02 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.26 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 (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.01 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Urbanization

86.4% of total population (2015) 0.74% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

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 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 - makes it the largest national park in the world and also the most northerly

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 - makes it the largest national park in the world and also the most northerly

Capital

Nuuk (Godthaab) 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 has 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 (Godthaab)

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) (2016)

Country name

none Greenland none Kalaallit Nunaat named by Norwegian adventurer Erik THORVALDSSON (Erik the Red) in 985 in order to entice settlers to the island

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); note - the US embassy in Copenhagen has an office devoted to Greenland

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark): note - Greenland has an office in the Danish Embassy to the US; it also has offices in the Danish consulates of Chicago and New York

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

note - Greenland has an office in the Danish Embassy to the US; it also has offices in the Danish consulates of Chicago and New York

Executive branch

Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Mikaela ENGELL (since April 2011) Premier Kim KIELSEN (since 30 September 2014) 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; premier indirectly elected by Parliament Kim KIELSEN elected premier; Parliament vote - Kim KIELSEN (S) 34.3%, Sara OLSVIG (IA) 33.2%, Anda ULDUM (D) 11.8%, other 20.7%

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 premier; 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; premier indirectly elected by Parliament

head of government

Premier 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 (Parliament of Greenland); part of the Kingdom of Denmark

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

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) 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 Court of Greenland; 18 district or magistrates' courts

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 where applicable and Greenlandic law applies to other areas

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (Landsting) (31 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 18 June 2015 (next to be held by June 2019); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1 last held on 28 November 2014 (next to be held by 2018) 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)

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 18 June 2015 (next to be held by June 2019); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1

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")

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

polar bear; national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

Democrats Party or D (Demokraatit) [Randi VESTERGAARD] Forward Party or S (Siumut) [Kim KIELSEN] Inuit Community or IA (Inuit Ataqatigiit) [Sara OLSVIG] Inuit Party or PI (Partii Inuit) [Nikku OLSEN] Partii Naleraq or PN [Hans ENOKSEN] Solidarity Party or A (Atassut) [Knud KRISTIANSEN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

conservationists; environmentalists; those wanting independence

other

conservationists; environmentalists; those wanting independence

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sheep, cow, reindeer, fish

Budget

$1.72 billion $1.68 billion (2010)

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 $535 million in 2015, 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 5% from 2012 to 2014. Real growth is projected for 2015 and 2016 due to increasing world prices for fish and shellfish, public construction activities, and to a small degree from increased revenues from small-scale mining. During the last decade the Greenland Home Rule Government pursued conservative fiscal and monetary policies, but public pressure has increased for better schools, health care, and retirement systems. The public budget exhibited a deficit of 2% of GDP in 2014, but public debt remains low at about 5% of GDP. The Greenlandic economy has benefited from increasing catches and exports of shrimp, Greenland halibut and, more recently, mackerel. Due to Greenland's continued dependence on exports of fish - which accounted for 91% of exports in 2015 - the economy remains very sensitive to external demand and price fluctuations. The Greenlandic economy is expected to expand in 2016, but significant challenges face the island. High unemployment, structural challenges stemming from low levels of qualified labor, geographic dispersion, an undiversified economy, the long-term sustainability of the public budget, and a declining population due to emigration. Catches in fisheries have been declining in recent years and a reversal in prices will quickly lead to vulnerabilities. Hydrocarbon exploration has ceased with declining oil prices and currently only three mines are under development. The island has potential for natural resource exploitation with rare-earth, uranium, and iron ore mineral projects proposed. Tourism 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 - 6.7236 (2015 est.) 5.6183 (2014 est.) 5.3687 (2013 est.) 5.79 (2012 est.) 5.3687 (2011 est.)

Exports

$384.3 million (2010) $358 million (2009)

Exports - commodities

fish and fish products 91% (2015 est.)

Exports - partners

Denmark 51.6%, China 11.1%, Japan 9.1%, Russia 7.2% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

13.9% 19.2% 67% (2012 est.)

agriculture

13.9%

industry

19.2%

services

67% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$37,900 (2008 est.) $38,100 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

0.9% (2014 est.) -0.5% (2013 est.) 1.5% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.16 billion (2011 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.173 billion (2014 est.) $2.154 billion (2013 est.) $2.165 billion (2012 est.) data are in 2011 US dollars

note

data are in 2011 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

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 67.1%, Sweden 14.1%, Iceland 5.1% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, zinc, anorthosite and ruby 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

13.9% 19.2% 67% (2012 est.)

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

600,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

300 million kWh (2014 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

96,000 kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

300 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

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 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

4,633 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 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 (2015)

Internet country code

.gl

Internet users

39,000 67.6% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

67.6% (July 2015 est.)

total

39,000

Telephone system

adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables, and microwave radio relay; totally digital since 1995 microwave radio relay and satellite; the fundamental telecommunications infrastructure consists of a digital radio link from Nanortalik in south Greenland to Uummannaq in north Greenland; satellites cover north and east Greenland for domestic and foreign telecommunications; a marine cable connects south and west Greenland to the rest of the world, extending from Nuuk and Qaqortoq to Canada and Iceland country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2015)

domestic

microwave radio relay and satellite; the fundamental telecommunications infrastructure consists of a digital radio link from Nanortalik in south Greenland to Uummannaq in north Greenland; satellites cover north and east Greenland for domestic and foreign telecommunications; a marine cable connects south and west Greenland to the rest of the world, extending from Nuuk and Qaqortoq to Canada and Iceland

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)) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

16,000 28 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

28 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

16,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

61,000 106 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

106 (July 2015 est.)

total

61,000

Airports

15 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

6 (2013)

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

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

OY-H (2016)

Merchant marine

1 (Denmark 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

1 (Denmark 1) (2010)

National air transport system

1 (registered in Denmark) 8 (registered in Denmark) (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

8 (registered in Denmark) (2015)

number of registered air carriers

1 (registered in Denmark)

Ports and terminals

Sisimiut

major seaport(s)

Sisimiut

Roadways

although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by air (2015)

note

although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by air (2015)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Military branches

no regular military forces; the Government of Denmark has responsibility for defense; as such the Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command is responsible for territorial defense of Greenland (2016)

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