Greenland
(Greenlandic Kalaallit Nunaat)
World's largest island, lying between the North Atlantic and
Arctic Oceans east of North America
Area:
2,175,600 sq km/840,000 sq mi
Capital:
Godthaab (Greenlandic Nuuk) on the W coast
Features:
The whole of the interior is covered by a vast ice sheet (the remnant
of the last glaciation, part of the N polar icecap); the island
has an important role strategically and in civil aviation, and
shares military responsibilities with the USA; there are lead
and cryolite deposits, and offshore oil is being explored
Economy:
Fishing and fish-processing
Population:
(1993) 55,100; Inuit (Ammassalik Eskimoan), Danish, and other European
Language:
Greenlandic (Ammassalik Eskimoan)
History:
Greenland was discovered in about 982 by Eric the Red, who founded
colonies on the W coast soon after Inuit from the North American
Arctic had made their way to Greenland. Christianity was introduced
to the Vikings in about 1000. In 1261 the Viking colonies accepted
Norwegian sovereignty, but early in the 15th century all communication
with Europe ceased, and by the 16th century the colonies had died
out, but the Inuit had moved on to the east coast. It became a
Danish colony in the 18th century, and following a referendum
in 1979 was granted full internal self- government in 1981.
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