Broadcast media [time series]

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

Internet country code [time series]

.gl

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

15,645 (2012) country comparison to the world: 123

Internet users [time series]

36,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 179

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]

19,900 (2011) country comparison to the world: 190

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

58,700 (2011) country comparison to the world: 199

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.72 billion expenditures: $1.68 billion (2010)

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

1.9% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 23

Debt - external [time series]

$36.4 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 194 $58 million (2009)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The economy remains critically dependent on exports of shrimp and fish, income from resource exploration and extraction, and on a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government. The subsidy is budgeted to be about $650 million in 2012, approximately 56% of government revenues in 2012 for the year. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in Greenland's economy. Greenland's real GDP contracted about 1% in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown, but is estimated to have grown 2% in 2010 and 3% in 2011. The relative ease with which Greenland has weathered the economic crisis is due to increased hydrocarbon and mineral exploration and extraction activities, a high level of construction activity in the Nuuk area and the increasing price of fish and shrimp. 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 accounted for 89% of exports in 2010 - 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, while rare-earth and iron ore mineral projects have been proposed or planned elsewhere on the island. 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.

Exchange rates [time series]

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.847 (2011) 5.6241 (2011) 5.6241 (2010) 5.361 (2009) 5.0236 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$384.3 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 176 $358 million (2009)

Exports - commodities [time series]

fish and fish products 89%, metals 10% (2008)

Exports - partners [time series]

Denmark 63.3%, Japan 12%, China 6.4% (2011)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.16 billion (2011 est.)

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

$2.133 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 192 $2.071 billion (2010 est.) $2.03 billion (2009 est.)

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

agriculture: 4% industry: 29% services: 67% (2009 est.)

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

$37,400 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $36,600 (2007 est.)

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

3% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 2% (2010 est.) -1.2% (2009 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$814.2 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 181 $726 million (2009)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Denmark 58.1%, Sweden 19.7%, UK 10.3% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.8% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 1.7% (2010 est.)

Labor force [time series]

33,670 (2010) country comparison to the world: 204

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 4% industry: 29% services: 67% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

9.2% (2007 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

79.6% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 3

Unemployment rate [time series]

4.9% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 4.2% (2010 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

555,600 Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

Electricity - consumption [time series]

239.4 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

137,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Electricity - production [time series]

276.6 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

3,897 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

1,034 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

5,376 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

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]

NA

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

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]

(June 2009) 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 Mikaela ENGELL (since April 2011) 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 Eggartuussisuuneqarfia (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 2013) election results: percent of vote by party - Inuit Community 43.7%, Forward Party 26.5%, Democratic Party 12.7%, Solidarity Party 10.9%; Candidate List 3.8%, other 2.4%; seats by party - Inuit Community 14, Forward Party 9, Democratic Party 4, Solidarity Party 3, Candidate List 1 note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 15 September 2011 (next to be held by September 2015); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1 (2013)

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]

Candidate List (Kattusseqatigiit) [Anthon FREDERIKSEN]; Democratic Party (Demokraatit) [Jens B. FREDERIKSEN]; Forward Party (Siumut) [Aleqa HAMMOND]; Inuit Community (Inuit Ataqatigiit) or IA [Kuupik KLEIST]; Solidarity Party (Atassut) [Gerhardt PETERSEN]

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

conservationists; environmentalists

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

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 when the Act on Greenland Self Government was signed into law 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 [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

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21.9% (male 6,420/ female 6,229) 15-64 years: 70.2% (male 21,559/ female 18,949) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 2,376/ female 2,162) (2012 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

14.58 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Death rate [time series]

8.22 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

NA

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

NA

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

100 (1999) country comparison to the world: 162

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 9.83 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 146 male: 11.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 71.25 years country comparison to the world: 141 male: 68.6 years female: 74.04 years (2012 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: 33.7 years male: 35 years female: 32.2 years (2012 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic

Net migration rate [time series]

-5.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Population [time series]

57,695 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 205

Population growth rate [time series]

0.038% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Religions [time series]

Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.1 male(s)/female total population: 1.11 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.11 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Urbanization [time series]

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

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

Airports [time series]

15 (2012) country comparison to the world: 147

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 (2012)

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 (2012)

Merchant marine [time series]

registered in other countries: 1 (Denmark 1) (2010) country comparison to the world: 156

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)