Introduction
Background
Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 80% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became an integral part of the Danish Realm in 1953.
Geography
Area
total: 2,166,086 sq km
land: 2,166,086 sq km
Climate
arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Natural resources
coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
People and Society
Population
57,777 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Greenlandic 89.1%, Danish 7.5%, other Nordic peoples 0.9%, and other 2.5% (2022 est.)
Languages
Greenlandic (West Greenlandic or Kalaallisut is the official language), Danish, English
Religions
Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs
Population growth rate
-0.04% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut)
Capital
name: Nuuk (Godthaab)
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Mikaela ENGELL (since April 2011)
head of government: Premier Mute B. EGEDE (since 23 April 2021)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (31 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote - by the d'Hondt method - to serve 4-year terms)
Greenland elects 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms
Economy
Economic overview
large self-governing Danish territorial economy; preferential EU market access; high-income economy; dependent on Danish financial support, even for whaling and sealing industries; growing tourism; hydropower-fueled but environmentally fragile economy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2.413 billion (2015 est.)
$2.24 billion (2014 est.)
$2.203 billion (2013 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$41,800 (2015 est.)
$38,800 (2014 est.)
$38,500 (2013 est.)
Agricultural products
sheep, cattle, reindeer, fish, shellfish
Industries
fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut), anorthosite and ruby mining, handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards
Exports
$407.1 million (2015 est.)
$599.7 million (2014 est.)
Exports - partners
Denmark 55%, China 22%, Japan 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities
shrimp, halibut, fish fillets, crabs, cod, mackerel (2021)
Imports
$783.5 million (2015 est.)
$866.1 million (2014 est.)
Imports - partners
Denmark 51%, Spain 23%, Sweden 12%, Iceland 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities
fishing ships, refined petroleum, construction vehicles, crustaceans, delivery trucks (2019)
Exchange rates
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
6.287 (2021 est.)
6.542 (2020 est.)
6.669 (2019 est.)
6.315 (2018 est.)
6.603 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Tuesday, December 19, 2023
