Greenland Travel Guide
Total Area:2,166,086 sq km Land Borders: islands
Population:56,361
Life Expectancy: 70 years HIV % Total Poulation:n/a
Ethnic Groups: Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12%
Languages:Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English
Prime Minister: Hans ENOKSEN GDP - Per Capita: $20,000
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 over stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament. The law went into effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs.