Greenland

Quick Facts

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Capital

Nuuk (Godthab)

Population

56,000

Government

Parliamentary Democracy - part of Denmark

Religions

Christianity (Protestant)

Languages

Greenlandic, Danish, English

Calling Code

+299

Nationality

Local name

Kalaallit Nunaat

Introduction

Kulusuk

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Over half of Greenland is above the Arctic Circle and an even higher proportion is covered year-round with ice. It's a cold place. But for travellers who can handle the cold, the island is an absolutely stunning destination. Breathtaking rugged mountains provide a spectacular backdrop to traditional Inuit villages. At Ilulissat, a 5 km wide glacier gives birth to hundreds of ice formations, creating an overwhelming sea of icebergs and icefloes. The views are extraordinary, but in Greenland the most amazing sights may be illusions, thanks to the bizarre concept of Fata Morgana, through which cities in the distance turn out to be nothing more than rocks in the snow. The beautiful lights of aurora borealis are another such quirk unique to Greenland, where dazzling colored curtains are set against the northern skies.

Counties

Greenland consists of three counties (amt).

• West Greenland (Kitaa/Vestgrønland)
• East Greenland (Tunu/Østgrønland)
• North Greenland (Avannaa/Nordgrønland)

Cities and towns

• Nuuk (Godthab) - The capital
• Sisimiut
• Ilulissat
• Qaqortoq
• Tasiilaq
• Nanortilaq
• Uummannaq

Sights and Activities

• Ilulissat Icefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of a few glaciers through which the Greenland ice cap reaches the sea. It has assumed great importance, due to the increasing concerns around climate change.
• The Aurora Borealis is one of nature's most spectacular phenomenas. It can be witnessed throughout Greenland on clear nights from the months of September to April.
• Hiking opportunities abound in Greenland, where vast open spaces are in abundance. Several hiking routes exist between towns for those interested in longer trips.
• Dogsledding is a unique activity that visitors can experience in Greenland. It is even possible to get your dogsledding license in the town of Tasiilaq on the east coast of Greenland.
• Kayaking in Greenland is an exciting possibility for experienced kayakers. The kayak (or qajaq) is an Inuit invention, adding a sense of history to paddling the Arctic waters.

Events and Festivals

• The National Day of Greenland is held on the 21st of June each year - the lightest day of the year - as a celebration of Greenland's traditions and cultural heritage. People often dress in national costumes to mark the occasion.
• The Arctic Circle Race is one of the world’s toughest cross-country skiing races, held in Sisimiut every year.
• The Nuuk Snow Festival allows sculptors four days to create fantastic constructions from snow. Teams from Greenland and the around the world take part in this festival held in February, when snow is plentiful.
• The World Ice Golf Championship is a unique golf tournament held in March near the town of Uummannaq in Northern Greenland. Surrounded by glaciers and enormous icebergs, golfers pit their skills against each other on the 9-hole course. Red golf balls are used in order to be able to see them.
• The Arctic Palerfik is a 3 day dogsledding trip in Ilulissat. Over 100 sleds, 200 participants and 1000 sled dogs take part in this annual event held in April.

Getting there

Getting to Greenland with regular transport is limited to taking a flight and these can be expensive.

Plane

Most international flights arrive in the capital Nuuk (Godthab). International connections with the national airline Air Greenland are limited and include Baltimore in the United States and Copenhagen. From Copenhagen there are also flights to Kangerlussuaq in the west of Greenland with SAS.
Connections to and from Iceland are with Air Iceland and apart from the capital include Narsarsuaq in the south, and Constable Point and Kulusuk in the east of Greenland.
Atlantic Airways has flights between Narsarsuaq and the Faroe Islands.