Greenland History Politics Geography Economy Demographics

Greenland was one of the Norwegian Crown colonies until 1814, when it became part of Denmark. Greenland became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It was granted home rule (hjemmestyre) by the FolketingThe Folketing or Folketinget is the name of the national parliament of Denmark. It literally means the People's Ting. History From 1849 to 1953 the Folketing was one of the houses in the bicameral parliament known as the Rigsdag the other house was known (Danish parliament) on May 1May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). There are 244 days remaining. Events 305 Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. 1328 Wars of Scottish Independence end: Treaty of Edinburgh-North, 1979Events January-February January 1 Sino-American relations: United States and the People's Republic of China establish diplomatic relations January 4 State of Ohio agrees to pay $675,000 to families of dead and injured in Kent State University shootings.. The law went into effect the following year. The Queen of Denmark, Margrethe IIHer Majesty Queen Margrethe II (Margrethe Alexandrine THorhildur Ingrid), styled HM The Queen (born April 16, 1940), is the Queen regnant and head of state of Denmark. Denmark She was born at Amalienborg Palace, Copenhagen, to Frederick IX and Princess In, remains as Greenland's Head of stateA head of state or chief of state is the chief public representative of a nation-state, federation or commonwealth, whose role generally includes personifying the continuity and legitimacy of the state and exercising powers, functions and duties granted t.

1 History

Main article: History of Greenland

It is unknown when the native inhabitants of Greenland arrived, or why they decided to settle such a desolate place. Icelandic settlers found the land uninhabited when they arrived ca. AD 1000. They established three settlements near the very south-western tip of the island, where they thrived for the next few centuries.

The name Greenland comes from those Scandinavian settlers. In the Norse sagas, it is said that Eiríkur Rauði (Erik the Red) was exiled from Iceland for murder. He, along with his family and slaves, set out in longships to find the land that was rumoured to be to the north-west. After settling there, he named the land Greenland in order to attract more people to settle there. This proved successful, and the settlements seemed to be getting relatively well along with the new coming Inuit, and a Christian Bishop was sent. In 1386, Greenland became part of the Kalmar Union and later of the double monarchy of Denmark-Norway.

After almost five hundred years, the settlements simply vanished, probably due to famine during the 15th century in the Little Ice Age, when climatic conditions deteriorated. Bones from this late period were found to be in a condition consistent with malnutrition.

Denmark retained possession of the moribund colony at the Treaty of Kiel in 1815.

Norway claimed the territory in the 1920s, but the claim was rejected by the League of Nations, the main reason being unlawful occupation by Norwegian colonists.

Greenland was also called Gruntland ("Ground-land") on early maps. Whether Green is an erraneous transcription of Grunt ("Ground"), which refers to shallow bays, or vice versa, is not known.

2 Politics

Main article: Politics of Greenland

Greenland's unicameral parliament is called Landsting. It has 31 seats and members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms. Two representatives are also elected to the Danish Parliament, the Folketing. The government has pledged to hold a referendum on full independence in 2005.

Administratively, the country is parted in three districts, which together include 18 municipalities. The districts are: Avannaarsua (Northern Greenland), with one municipality; Tunu (East Greenland) with two municipalities; and Kitaa (West Greenland) with 15 municipalities. One military district, Pituffik, is not included among the municipalities.

3 Geography

Main article: Geography of Greenland

The extreme north of Greenland is not covered by an ice cap (indicated as pale blue in the map to the right), because the air there is too dry to produce snow, which is essential in the production and maintenance of an ice cap.

If the Greenland ice cap were to completely melt away, Greenland would most likely be an archipelago instead of an island- continent (like Australia).

4 Economy

Main article: Economy of Greenland

Greenland suffered negative economic growth in the early 1990s, but since 1993 the economy has improved. The Greenland Home Rule Government (GHRG) has pursued a tight fiscal policy since the late 1980s which has helped create surpluses in the public budget and low inflation. Since 1990, Greenland has registered a foreign trade deficit following the closure of the last remaining lead and zinc mine in 1990. Greenland today is critically dependent on fishing and fish exports; the shrimp fishery is by far the largest income earner. Despite resumption of several interesting hydrocarbon and minerals exploration activities, it will take several years before production can materialize. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in Greenland's economy. About half the government revenues come from grants from the Danish Government, an important supplement of GDP.

5 Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Greenland

6 Culture

Main article: Culture of Greenland

7 Miscellaneous topics

8 See also

9 References

CIA World Factbook 2000

10 External links

Greenland Homerule - Official site
Greenland - CIA World Factbook

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