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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

.gl

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

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

Internet users [time series]

36,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 177

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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 - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

21,800 (2010) country comparison to the world: 187

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

57,300 (2010) country comparison to the world: 197

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.47 billion expenditures: $1.51 billion (2007)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-2% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 75

Debt - external [time series]

$58 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 191 $25 million (1999)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 [time series]

288.6 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

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

Exchange rates [time series]

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.624 (2010) 5.361 (2009) 5.4797 (2007) 5.9468 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$485 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 169 $428 million (2007)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Denmark 63.7%, Japan 12.1%, China 8.5% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.03 billion (2008)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$1.989 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186 $2.03 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

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

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$36,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $35,900 (2007 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

-2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 1.5% (2008 est.) 4% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$867 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 176 $669 million (2007)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Denmark 59.5%, Sweden 20.8%, UK 6.6% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

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) [time series]

9.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 1% (2005 est.)

Labor force [time series]

28,240 (January 2009) country comparison to the world: 204

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Oil - consumption [time series]

4,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Oil - exports [time series]

1,050 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Oil - imports [time series]

4,976 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Population below poverty line [time series]

9.2% (2007 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

72.4% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 4

Unemployment rate [time series]

6.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 7.3% (2006 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 2,166,086 sq km country comparison to the world: 12 land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered)

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly more than three times the size of Texas

Climate [time series]

arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Coastline [time series]

44,087 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

72 00 N, 40 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

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 [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

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

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

North America

Maritime claims [time series]

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 [time series]

continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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 [time series]

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 [time series]

(November 2008) Act on Greenland Self Government

Country name [time series]

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

Dependency status [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Executive branch [time series]

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 (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

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 [time series]

Arctic Council, NC, NIB, UPU

Judicial branch [time series]

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 [time series]

the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (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 - IA 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(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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 [time series]

June 21 (longest day)

National symbol(s) [time series]

polar bear

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Atassut Party (Solidarity) [Gerhardt PETERSEN] (a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark); Demokratiit [Jens B. FREDERIKSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Inuit Community) [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 parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

other: conservationists; environmentalists

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 15,280 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 10,765 females age 16-49: 11,399 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 488 female: 478 (2010 est.)

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 22.3% (male 6,514/female 6,330) 15-64 years: 70.2% (male 21,599/female 18,861) 65 years and over: 7.6% (male 2,269/female 2,097) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

14.6 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Death rate [time series]

8.12 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

100 (1999) country comparison to the world: 161

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 10.05 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 148 male: 11.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 70.96 years country comparison to the world: 141 male: 68.33 years female: 73.74 years (2011 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

NUUK (capital) 15,000 (2009)

Median age [time series]

total: 33.6 years male: 35 years female: 32.1 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic

Net migration rate [time series]

-5.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Population [time series]

57,670 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Population growth rate [time series]

0.05% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Religions [time series]

Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.051 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 (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.13 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 84% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland; Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission

Transportation

Airports [time series]

15 (2010) country comparison to the world: 148

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 country comparison to the world: 155 by type: passenger 1 (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Sisimiut

Roadways [time series]

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)