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| Greenland Information |
Population: 57,600 Dialing Code: +299 Languages: Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Internet TLD: .gl Located: Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada Area: 2,166,086 sq km Residents with HIV: 100 Literacy: 100% Comparative Size: slightly more than three times the size of Texas Nationality Noun: Greenlander(s) Nationality Adjective: Greenlandic |
Surrounded by glaciers, Greenland is the world’s largest island that is not a continent in its own right. An aerial view of its southeast coast gives an impression of a barren landscape made up of only ice-caps, but as on a trek to southern Greenland, one would be pleasantly surprised to see fjords and mountains dominate the landscape.
Home to the Vikings who reached the island in the 18th century, Greenlanders are direct ancestors of the modern Inuit (Eskimos) tribe, which comprise 80 percent of its population. Most Greenlanders are non-European and to an extent tribal in their nomadic existence. Some of them still go ice-fishing and participate in the annual dog-sled races.
In the town of Qaqortoq, backpackers are charmed by its mix of red, green, yellow and blue salt-box houses that lend a colorful feel to its white surroundings, making Greenland one of the world's great adventure destinations. An experience with kayaks on dramatic fjords located in the Scoresby Sund in eastern Greenland is a must, as well as fishing trout in remote waters of the coasts of Nanortalik Mountain.
It goes without saying that the Greenlandic nature provides magnificent hiking experiences in an almost untouched landscape and unspoiled scenery. In most areas of the country travelers do not need to walk very far before one can enjoy the deafening silence and the sight of wide open spaces. Greenland is therefore a very popular country for people who love to enjoy the great outdoors.
Equally awe-inspiring is the view of the dancing northern light of the Aurora Borealis. From early autumn the night sky is illuminated by the northern lights’ green glow, creating an almost spiritual sensation. Mountaineers from all over the globe trek thousands of miles just to experience a natural phenomenon that can never be found in any part of the world.