Greenland, a massive island located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, is often shrouded in mystery and overshadowed by its geographical neighbor, Iceland. However, this vast land is full of surprises that extend far beyond its icy landscapes. Here are twelve fascinating facts about Greenland that might catch you off guard.
1. **World’s Largest Island**
Though commonly mistaken as part of North America, Greenland is geographically situated in North America but politically and culturally associated with Europe. It is the world’s largest non-continental island, covering an area of over 2.16 million square kilometers.
2. **It’s Mostly Ice**
Approximately 80% of Greenland’s surface is covered by an ice cap known as the Greenland Ice Sheet. This ice sheet is so vast that it’s the second largest body of ice in the world after the Antarctic Ice Sheet.
3. **Sparse Population**
Despite its size, Greenland has one of the lowest population densities in the world. The population hovers around just 56,000 people, most of whom are Inuit descendants from the first inhabitants from over 4,500 years ago.
4. **Sunlight Variations Are Extreme**
Due to its location close to the Arctic Circle, Greenland experiences extreme variations in daylight. From perpetual daylight during the summer months to complete darkness in winter at higher latitudes.
5. **Greenland Isn’t Very Green**
The name ‘Greenland’ might be a bit misleading as more than three-quarters of Greenland is covered with ice year-round. It was named by Norse settlers in hopes of attracting more settlers with a pleasant sounding name.
6. **Rich Wildlife**
Despite its icy landscapes, Greenland supports a robust variety of wildlife including polar bears, whales, sea eagles and seals – making it a top destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
7. **A Self-Governing Country**
While technically still part of the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland has been self-governing since 1979 and gained further autonomy in governance after a referendum in 2009.
8. **Only One International Airport**
Kangerlussuaq Airport is currently Greenland’s main gateway to the world which serves international flights predominantly from Denmark and Iceland.
9. **Unique Language Landscape**
The official language is Kalaallisut or West Greenlandic and it belongs to the Eskaleut family of languages which are vastly different from European languages including Danish which is also widely understood.
10. **No Roads Between Towns**
One surprising fact about traveling in Greenland: there are no roads connecting different towns or villages due to extreme terrain and weather conditions; transportation across areas occurs via planes, helicopters or boats.
11. **Impactful Art Scene**
Greenland has a vibrant art scene mainly focused on traditional Inuit crafts such as carving soapstone or tusks but also includes contemporary painting and sculpture influenced by global themes intertwined with local narratives.
12. **Climate Change Front Lines**
Greenland’s geographical position makes it particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts; it’s often used as a base for scientific research into global warming where melting ice sheets are frequently studied for global sea level implications.
Intriguingly remote yet vibrant with culture and natural beauty – each fact about Greenland adds layers to its enigmatic allure inviting adventurers and academics alike to explore its mysteries further.