Greenland Maps

Greenland is a country that also serves as the world’s largest island. Located between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, the country is one of the most sparsely populated in the world, with a total population of 56,421. Around a third of the total population lives in the capital and largest city of Nuuk, followed by Sisimiut. A great majority of the population lives on the southwest coast where conditions are warmer than the north. Greenland is home to the world’s largest national park, located in the northeastern part of Greenland. The park is adamantly called Northeast Greenland National Park.

The climate of Greenland is known to be cold, with average temperatures ranging from -5.1 to 9.9°C (which is 22.8 to 49.8°F). The total area of Greenland is 2,166,086 square kilometers (836,330 square miles), and the Greenland Ice Sheet covers around 81% of it. The lowest temperature ever recorded within Greenland was recorded near the summit of the ice sheet, and measured -69.6°C (that’s -93.3°F). This temperature is also the lowest temperature ever recorded in the Northern Hemisphere. Unfortunately, climate change has started to show signs in Greenland. For example, scientists located at a Swiss Camp recorded the temperatures between the years of 1991 and 2004. The winter climate was shown to have raised a total of 6°C (or 11°F) during these years. In August 2021, rain was recorded to have fallen on Greenland’s ice cap for the first time in history, which many scientists attribute towards climate change.

The waters surrounding Greenland are known to be very rich with numerous different species. In fact, in 2009, it was recorded that there were well over 269 species of fish from 80 different families found in the water. Some important species of fish are cod, salmon, and flounder. Other fish found in the rivers of Greenland are salmon and Arctic char. Some commonly found mammals in Greenland are polar bears, musk oxen, reindeer, arctic foxes, snow hares, ermines, and lemmings. Seals and whales are also typically found in the waters surrounding Greenland.

When it comes to the economy of Greenland, it is highly dependent on fishing. In fact, fishing accounts for well over 90% of the country’s exports. Both the shrimp and fish industry are the largest money makers in the country. Greenland is also a country that has an abundance of natural resources. The most common minerals found and used in Greenland are ruby, iron, uranium, aluminum, nickel, platinum, tungsten, titanium, and copper. In recent years, tourism has been able to make a mark on Greenland’s economy. It is estimated that in 2019, Greenland made $67 million USD.

With a population of 56,421, around 89% of these inhabitants are Greenlandic natives, such as the Inuits. This makes Greenland the only country in the Americas where indigenous people of the land make up a majority of the population. The remaining tenth of the population that is not Inuit are Danish, with a majority of them being born in Denmark and immigrating.