Greenland

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-kilometre wide glacier gives birth to hundreds of ice formations, creating an overwhelming sea of icebergs and ice flows. 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.

Brief History

In prehistoric times Greenland was home to several successive Paleo-Eskimo cultures known primarily through archaeological findings. From around 2500 BC to 800 BC, southern and western Greenland was inhabited by the Saqqaq culture. Most findings of Saqqaq period archaeological remains have been around Disko Bay. From 2400 BC to 1300 BC the Independence I culture existed in northern Greenland. It was a part of the Arctic small tool tradition.

To Europeans, Greenland was unknown until the 10th century, when Icelandic Vikings settled on the southwestern coast. This part of Greenland was apparently unpopulated at the time when the Vikings arrived; the direct ancestors of the modern Inuit Greenlanders are not thought to have arrived until around AD 1200 from the northwest. The settlements, such as Brattahlið, thrived for centuries but disappeared some time in the 15th century, perhaps at the onset of the Little Ice Age. The Inuit thrived in the icy world of the Little Ice Age and were the only inhabitants of the island for several centuries.

when contact with Greenland was re-established in the early 18th century, Denmark asserted its sovereignty over the island. In 1721 a joint mercantile and clerical expedition led by Danish-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede was sent to Greenland, not knowing whether a Norse civilization remained there. The expedition can be seen as part of the Danish colonization of the Americas. Greenland was opened up to Danish merchants, and closed to those from other countries.
Eventually, when the union between Denmark and Norway was dissolved in 1814 (Treaty of Kiel), the dependencies of Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands became part of the reorganised "Kingdom of Denmark".

Greenland's connection to Denmark was severed on 9 April 1940, early in World War II, when Denmark was occupied by Germany. Greenland had been a protected and very isolated society until 1940. The Danish government, which governed Greenland as its colony, had been convinced that this society would face exploitation from the outside world or even extinction if the country was opened up. But wartime Greenland developed a sense of self-reliance through self-government and independent communication with the outside world. Only in 1953, Greenland was made an equal part of the Danish Kingdom. Home rule was granted by the Parliament of Denmark in 1979.

A referendum on greater autonomy was approved on 25 November 2008. Internationally, on 21 June 2009, Greenland assumed self-determination with responsibility for self-government of judicial affairs, policing, and natural resources. Also, Greenlanders were recognized as a separate people under unofficial international law. Denmark maintains control of finances, foreign affairs, and defense. It is a step towards full independence from Danish rule. Greenlandic became the sole official language of Greenland at the historic ceremony.

Geography

Regions/Counties

Greenland consists of three counties (amt).

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

Cities and towns

• Nuuk (Danish: Godthåb) - The capital
• Sisimiut
• Ilulissat
• Qaqortoq
• Tasiilaq
• Nanortilaq
• Uummannaq

Sights and Activities

Ilulissat Icefjord

The Ilulissat Icefjord is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of a few glaciers through which the Greenland ice cap reaches the sea. It has assumed great importance, due to increasing concerns around climate change. The ice fjord is located on the west coast of Greenland about 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. The Sermeq Kujalleq is one of the fastest (19 metres per day!) and most active glaciers in the world. The glacier has been studied for more than 250 years and this has helped to develop the understanding of climate change and icecap glaciology. This natural phenomenon is an absolute highlight of Greenland.

Aurora Borealis

The Aurora Borealis is one of nature's most spectacular phenomena. It can be witnessed throughout Greenland on clear nights from the months of September to April.

Hiking

There are many opportunities to go hiking in Greenland, where vast open spaces are in abundance. Several hiking routes exist between towns for those interested in longer trips. There are even possibilities to walk on the ice cap but this requires some skills and good physical condition.

Dog sledding

Dog sledding is a unique activity that visitors can experience in Greenland. It is even possible to get your dog sledding license in the town of Tasiilaq on the east coast of Greenland.

Kayaking

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 dog sledding trip in Ilulissat. Over 100 sleds, 200 participants and 1000 sled dogs take part in this annual event held in April.

Weather

Well, it is no surprise that Greenland is a destination with cold and unpredictable weather conditions. Although temperatures of 20 °C or more have been recorded during the warmer May to August season, you will face much lower temperatures on most days. During winter, temperatures are generally below 0 °C, although the coastal areas might get well above zero on some days. The inland icecap is much much colder and frosts occur at any time of year, with temperatures below -50 °C possible in the central north.

Getting There

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

By Plane

Most international flights arrive in the capital Nuuk. 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.

By Boat

Although totally surrounded by water (or ice!), there are no regular passenger services to and from Greenland. Only expensive cruise tours from Canada and Iceland come here.

Getting Around

By Plane

Getting around Greenland is only possible (that is the longer distances) by plane or helicopter and flights with helicopters are surprisingly affordable. Services reach from Nanortalik in the south to Thule/Qaanaq in the north and Air Greenland and Air Alpha are the main carriers for both plane and helicopter.

By Land

Unless you are on some kind of expedition crossing (parts of) the Greenland Icecap, your options are limited regarding travelling by land. The longest stretch of tarred roads in only 5 kilometers long!

Dogsleds are the common way to get around and these are used along the entire east coast and along the west coast north of the Arctic Circle. It's a great way to do a tour of one or several days which can take you to more inland places to the icecap.

By Boat

Arctic Umiaq Line offers connections along the west coast between Nanortalik and Upernavik. Services go as far north as Uummannaq in summer. Many villages are connected by local boats and they usually have limited space for foreign travellers.

Of course, you can also hop aboard one of the expensive tour boats to ply the waters around Greenland in the summer months.

Red Tape

Many nationalities do not need a visa for Greenland, but your passport needs to be valid for at least three months after your visit. Although technically Greenland is part of Denmark, visas for entering the Schengen-area (including Denmark) do not automatically apply for Greenland.

Money

See also: Money Matters

The official currency of Greenland is the Danish krone (DKK). One krone (plural kroner) is divided into 100 øre.

Banknotes are in denominations of 50 kroner, 100 kroner, 200 kroner, 500 kroner, 1000 kroner.
Coins come in 25 øre, 50 øre, 1 krone, 2 kroner, 5 kroner, 10 kroner, 20 kroner.

As of 29 May 2009, the exchange rates against other major currencies are EUR1 = DKK7.44, GBP1 = DKK8.51, USD1 = DKK5.34.

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

See also: Travel Health

There are no vaccinations legally required to travel to Greenland. Vaccination against tuberculosis is sometimes recommended for stays longer than 3 months.

Safety

See also: Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

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