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Communications

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 [time series]

total: 40,100 | percent of population: 69.5% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 192

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 5, FM 14, shortwave 0 (2008)

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 [time series]

total subscriptions: 17,200 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 60,800 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 105 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 200

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (plus some local low-power stations, and 3 American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) stations (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

sheep, cow, 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: 20

Debt - external [time series]

$36.4 million (2010) | $58 million (2009) | country comparison to the world: 196

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 was budgeted to be about $651 million in 2012, approximately 56% of government revenues that 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 marginally in 2010-14. | 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 external demand. | 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. 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 - | 5.6125 (2011) | 5.3687 (2011) | 5.79 (2012 est.) | 5.3687 (2011 est.) | 5.6241 (2010 est.)

Exports [time series]

$384.3 million (2010) | $358 million (2009) | country comparison to the world: 178

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Denmark 60.7%, Japan 10.4%, China 8.4% (2014)

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.) | $2.071 billion (2010 est.) | $1.974 billion (2009 est.) | note: data are in 2011 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 193

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

agriculture: 13.9% | industry: 19.2% | services: 67% (2012 est.)

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

$38,400 (2008 est.) | $36,600 (2007 est.) | country comparison to the world: 43

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

3% (2011 est.) | 4.9% (2010 est.) | -2.7% (2009 est.) | country comparison to the world: 111

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$814.2 million (2010) | $726 million (2009) | country comparison to the world: 186

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Denmark 60.4%, Sweden 16.9%, Iceland 10.6% (2014)

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]

1.8% (2012 est.) | 2.8% (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92

Labor force [time series]

26,990 (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 13.9% | industry: 19.2% | services: 67% (2012 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: 2

Unemployment rate [time series]

9.4% (2013 est.) | 4.2% (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108

Energy

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

604,900 Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 177

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 131

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 198

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 142

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140

Electricity - consumption [time series]

292 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 180

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 145

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 12

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 176

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 179

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

106,000 kW (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 174

Electricity - production [time series]

314 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 175

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 149

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 203

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 195

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

7,000 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 160

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 182

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

6,971 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 189

Geography

Area [time series]

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

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]

agricultural land: 0.6% | arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0.6% | forest: 0% | other: 99.4% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Arctic Region

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 has four time zones

Citizenship [time series]

see Denmark

Constitution [time series]

previous 1953 (Greenland established as a constituency in the Danish constitution), 1979 (Greenland Home Rule Act); latest 21 June 2009 (Greenland Self-Government Act) (2015)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Greenland | local long form: none | local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat | note: named by Norwegian adventurer Erik THORVALDSSON (Erik the Red) in 985 in order to entice settlers to the island

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 Kim KIELSEN (since 30 September 2014) | cabinet: Home Rule Government elected by the Parliament (Landsting) on the basis of the strength of parties | elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister indirectly elected by Parliament | election results: Kim KIELSEN elected prime minister; Parliament vote - Kim KIELSEN (S) 34.3%, Sara OLSVIG (IA) 33.2%, Anda ULDUM (D) 11.8%, other 20.7%

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, ICC, NC, NIB, UPU

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): High Court of Greenland (consists of the presiding professional judge and 2 lay assessors); note - appeals beyond the High Court of Greenland can be heard by the Supreme Court (in Copenhagen) | judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the monarch upon the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Council, a 6-member independent body of judges and lawyers; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 70 | subordinate courts: Court of Greenland; 18 district or magistrates' courts

Legal system [time series]

the laws of Denmark apply

Legislative branch [time series]

description: unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (Landsting) (31 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) | 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 | elections: last held on 28 November 2014 (next to be held by 2018) | election results: percent of vote by party - S 34.6%, IA 33.5%, D 11.9%, PN 11.7%, A 6.6%, other 1.7%; seats by party - S 11, IA 11, D 4, PN 3, A 2 (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; national colors: red, white

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

Democrats Party (Demokraatit) or D [Jens B. FREDERIKSEN] | Forward Party (Siumut) or S [Aleqa HAMMOND] | Inuit Community (Inuit Ataqatigiit) or IA [Kuupik KLEIST] | Inuit Party (Partii Inuit) or PI [Nikku OLSEN] | Partii Naleraq or PN [Hans ENOKSEN] | Solidarity Party (Atassut) or A [Gerhardt PETERSEN]

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 became an integral part of the Danish Realm 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 over several policy areas on behalf of Greenland, including foreign affairs, security, and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Self-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: 21.35% (male 6,263/female 6,064) | 15-24 years: 16.2% (male 4,736/female 4,615) | 25-54 years: 42.03% (male 12,751/female 11,516) | 55-64 years: 11.87% (male 3,858/female 2,996) | 65 years and over: 8.55% (male 2,640/female 2,294) (2015 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

14.48 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Death rate [time series]

8.49 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 77

Drinking water source [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

Inuit 88%, Danish and other 12% (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

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

Hospital bed density [time series]

5.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 9.23 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 10.54 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 7.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 72.1 years | male: 69.41 years | female: 74.92 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144

Major urban areas - population [time series]

NUUK (capital) 17,000 (2014)

Median age [time series]

total: 33.7 years | male: 34.9 years | female: 32.5 years (2015 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Greenlander(s) | adjective: Greenlandic

Net migration rate [time series]

-5.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 198

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population [time series]

57,733 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206

Population growth rate [time series]

0% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 196

Religions [time series]

Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

Sanitation facility access [time series]

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.03 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 86.4% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 0.74% 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 (2013) | 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 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 5 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 | 914 to 1,523 m: 2 | 2 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

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

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Sisimiut

Roadways [time series]

note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by air (2012)