Greenland

Broadcast media

the Greenland Broadcasting Company provides public radio and television services throughout the island with a broadcast station and a series of repeaters; a few private local television and radio stations broadcast; Danish public radio rebroadcasts are available (2007)

Internet country code

.gl

Internet hosts

15,668 (2010) country comparison to the world: 116

Internet users

36,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 178

Telephone system

general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digital since 1995 domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite international: country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2000)

Telephones - main lines in use

22,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 189

Telephones - mobile cellular

53,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 195

Agriculture - products

forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish

Debt - external

$58 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 187 $25 million (1999)

Economy - overview

The economy remains critically dependent on exports of shrimp and fish and on a substantial subsidy - about $650 million in 2009 - from the Danish Government, which supplies nearly 60% of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in Greenland's economy. Greenland's GDP contracted about 2% in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown. Budget surpluses turned to deficits beginning in 2007 and unemployment has risen. During the last decade the Greenland Home Rule Government (GHRG) pursued conservative fiscal and monetary policies, but public pressure has increased for better schools, health care and retirement systems. The Greenlandic economy has benefited from increasing catches and exports of shrimp, Greenland halibut and, more recently, crabs. Due to Greenland's continued dependence on exports of fish - which account for 82% of exports - the economy remains very sensitive to foreign developments. International consortia are increasingly active in exploring for hydrocarbon resources off Greenland's western coast, and international studies indicate the potential for oil and gas fields in northern and northeastern Greenland. In May 2007 a US aluminum producer concluded a memorandum of understanding with the Greenland Home Rule Government to build an aluminum smelter and a power generation facility, which takes advantage of Greenland's abundant hydropower potential. Within the area of mining, olivine sand continues to be produced and gold production has resumed in south Greenland. Tourism also offers another avenue of economic growth for Greenland, with increasing numbers of cruise lines now operating in Greenland's western and southern waters during the peak summer tourism season.

Electricity - consumption

285.6 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008)

Electricity - production

310.3 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Exchange rates

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.774 (2009), 5.0236 (2008), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006)

Exports

$485 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 167 $428 million (2007)

Exports - commodities

fish and fish products 72%, metals 10% (2008)

Exports - partners

Denmark 61.13%, Japan 13.69%, China 6.15%, Sweden 5.21% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.03 billion (2008)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.03 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 4.9% industry: 31.9% services: 63.2% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$35,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

GDP - real growth rate

1.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 4% (2007 est.) 2.6% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$867 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 174 $669 million (2007)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products

Imports - partners

Denmark 74.93%, Sweden 11.73%, Norway 2.29% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 1% (2005 est.)

Labor force

28,240 (January 2009) country comparison to the world: 205

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 4.9% industry: 31.9% services: 63.2% (2007 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 179

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 73

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 171

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 107

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Oil - consumption

4,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Oil - exports

1,183 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 121

Oil - imports

5,172 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Oil - production

NA bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

NA bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

9.2% (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 7.3% (2006 est.)

Area

total: 2,166,086 sq km country comparison to the world: 13 land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered)

Area - comparative

slightly more than three times the size of Texas

Climate

arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Coastline

44,087 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,700 m

Environment - current issues

protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting

Geographic coordinates

72 00 N, 40 00 W

Geography - note

dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Location

Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada

Map references

North America

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

Natural hazards

continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island

Natural resources

coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Terrain

flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast

Administrative divisions

4 municipalities (kommuner, singular kommune); Kujalleq, Qaasuitsup, Qeqqata, Sermersooq note: the North and East Greenland National Park (Avannaarsuani Tunumilu Nuna Allanngutsaaliugaq) and the Thule Air Base in Pituffik (in northwest Greenland) are two unincorporated areas; the national park's 972,000 sq km - about 46% of the island - make it the largest national park in the world and also the most northerly

Capital

name: Nuuk (Godthab) geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 45 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: Greenland is divided into four time zones

Constitution

(November 2008) Act on Greenland Self Government

Country name

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Greenland local long form: none local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat

Dependency status

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Soeren Hald MOELLER (since April 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Kuupik KLEIST (since 12 June 2009) cabinet: Home Rule Government elected by the Parliament (Landsting) on the basis of the strength of parties (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister elected by parliament (usually the leader of the majority party) election results: Kuupik KLEIST elected prime minister

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white; the design represents the sun reflecting off a field of ice; the colors are the same as those of the Danish flag and symbolize Greenland's links to the Kingdom of Denmark

Government type

parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy

Independence

none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland)

International organization participation

Arctic Council, NC, NIB, UPU

Judicial branch

High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen)

Legal system

the laws of Denmark where applicable apply

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Landsting (31 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 2 June 2009 (next to be held by 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - Inuit Ataqatigiit 43.7%, Siumut 26.5%, Demokratiit 12.7%, Atassut 10.9%; Kattusseqatigiit 3.8%, other 2.4%; seats by party - IA 14, Siumut 9, Demokraatiit 4, Atassut 3, Kattusseqatigiit 1 note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 13 November 2007 (next to be held by November 2011); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1

National anthem

name: "Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" ("Our Country, Who's Become So Old" also translated as "You Our Ancient Land") lyrics/music: Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN note: adopted 1916; the government also recognizes "Nuna asiilasooq" as a secondary anthem

National holiday

June 21 (longest day)

Political parties and leaders

Atassut Party (Solidarity) [Gerhardt PETERSEN] (a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark); Demokratiit [Jens B. FREDERIKSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood) [Kuupik KLEIST] (a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule); Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List) [Anthon FREDERIKSEN] (an independent right-of-center party with no official platform); Siumut (Forward Party) [Alega HAMMOND] (a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark)

Political pressure groups and leaders

other: conservationists; environmentalists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland was made an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs in June 2009. Denmark, however, continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs, security, and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Home Rule Government.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 15,474 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 10,833 females age 16-49: 11,439 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 511 female: 484 (2010 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Military branches

no regular military forces

Age structure

0-14 years: 23% (male 6,727/female 6,533) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 21,696/female 18,669) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 2,000/female 1,975) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

14.68 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Death rate

8.05 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Inuit 89%, Danish and other 11% (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

100 (1999) country comparison to the world: 164

Infant mortality rate

total: 10.26 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 151 male: 11.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages

Greenlandic (East Inuit) (official), Danish, English

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 70.67 years country comparison to the world: 141 male: 68.05 years female: 73.43 years (2010 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2001 est.)

Median age

total: 33.5 years male: 34.9 years female: 31.9 years (2010 est.)

Nationality

noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic

Net migration rate

-5.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Population

57,637 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Population growth rate

0.064% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.053 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.16 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Urbanization

urban population: 84% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Disputes - international

managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland

Airports

15 (2010) country comparison to the world: 145

Airports - with paved runways

total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 6 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2010)

Merchant marine

total: 1 country comparison to the world: 159 by type: passenger 1 (2010)

Ports and terminals

Sisimiut

Roadways

note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport takes place either by sea or air (2005)