Greenland

Quick Facts

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Capital

Nuuk (Godthab)

Population

56,000

Government

Parliamentary Democracy - part of Denmark

Religions

Christianity (Protestant)

Languages

Greenlandic, Danish, English

Calling Code

+299

Nationality

Local name

Kalaallit Nunaat

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Introduction

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Over half of Greenland is above the Arctic Circle and an even higher proportion is covered year-round with ice. It's a cold place. But for travellers who can handle the cold, the island is an absolutely stunning destination. Breathtaking rugged mountains provide a spectacular backdrop to traditional Inuit villages. At Ilulissat, a 5 km wide glacier gives birth to hundreds of ice formations, creating an overwhelming sea of icebergs and ice flows. The views are extraordinary, but in Greenland the most amazing sights may be illusions, thanks to the bizarre concept of Fata Morgana, through which cities in the distance turn out to be nothing more than rocks in the snow. The beautiful lights of Aurora Borealis are another such quirk unique to Greenland, where dazzling colored curtains are set against the northern skies.

Brief History

Geography

Regions/Counties

Greenland consists of three counties (amt).

• West Greenland (Kitaa/Vestgrønland)
• East Greenland (Tunu/Østgrønland)
• North Greenland (Avannaa/Nordgrønland)

Cities and towns

• Nuuk (Godthab) - The capital
• Sisimiut
• Ilulissat
• Qaqortoq
• Tasiilaq
• Nanortilaq
• Uummannaq

Sights and Activities

Ilulissat Icefjord

The Ilulissat Icefjord is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of a few glaciers through which the Greenland ice cap reaches the sea. It has assumed great importance, due to increasing concerns around climate change. The ice fjord is located on the west coast of Greenland about 250 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The Sermeq Kujalleq is one of the fastest (19 meters per day!) and most active glaciers in the world. The glacier has been studied for more than 250 years and this has helped to develop the understanding of climate change and icecap glaciology. This natural phenomenon is an absolute highlight of Greenland.

Aurora Borealis

The Aurora Borealis is one of nature's most spectacular phenomena. It can be witnessed throughout Greenland on clear nights from the months of September to April.

Hiking

There are many opportunities to go hiking in Greenland, where vast open spaces are in abundance. Several hiking routes exist between towns for those interested in longer trips. There are even possibilities to walk on the ice cap but this requires some skills and good physical condition.

Dog sledding

Dog sledding is a unique activity that visitors can experience in Greenland. It is even possible to get your dog sledding license in the town of Tasiilaq on the east coast of Greenland.

Kayaking

Kayaking in Greenland is an exciting possibility for experienced kayakers. The kayak (or qajaq) is an Inuit invention, adding a sense of history to paddling the Arctic waters.

Events and Festivals

• The National Day of Greenland is held on the 21st of June each year - the lightest day of the year - as a celebration of Greenland's traditions and cultural heritage. People often dress in national costumes to mark the occasion.
• The Arctic Circle Race is one of the world’s toughest cross-country skiing races, held in Sisimiut every year.
• The Nuuk Snow Festival allows sculptors four days to create fantastic constructions from snow. Teams from Greenland and the around the world take part in this festival held in February, when snow is plentiful.
• The World Ice Golf Championship is a unique golf tournament held in March near the town of Uummannaq in Northern Greenland. Surrounded by glaciers and enormous icebergs, golfers pit their skills against each other on the 9-hole course. Red golf balls are used in order to be able to see them.
• The Arctic Palerfik is a 3 day dog sledding trip in Ilulissat. Over 100 sleds, 200 participants and 1000 sled dogs take part in this annual event held in April.

Weather

Well, it is no surprise that Greenland is a destination with cold and unpredictable weather conditions. Although temperatures of 20º C or more have been recorded during the warmer May to August season, you will face much lower temperatures on most days. During winter, temperatures are generally below zero, although the coastal areas might get well above zero on some days. The inland icecap is much much colder and frosts occur at any time of year, with temperatures below -50º C possible in the central north.

Getting there

Getting to Greenland with regular transport is limited to taking a flight and these can be expensive.

Plane

Most international flights arrive in the capital Nuuk (Godthab). International connections with the national airline Air Greenland are limited and include Baltimore in the United States and Copenhagen. From Copenhagen there are also flights to Kangerlussuaq in the west of Greenland with SAS.

Connections to and from Iceland are with Air Iceland and apart from the capital include Narsarsuaq in the south, and Constable Point and Kulusuk in the east of Greenland. Atlantic Airways has flights between Narsarsuaq and the Faroe Islands.

By Boat

Although totally surrounded by water (or ice!), there are no regular passenger services to and from Greenland. Only expensive cruise tours from Canada and Iceland come here.

Getting Around

By Plane

Getting around Greenland is only possible (that is the longer distances) by plane or helicopter and flights with helicopters are surprisingly affordable. Services reach from Nanortalik in the south to Thule/Qaanaq in the north and Air Greenland and Air Alpha are the main carriers for both plane and helicopter.

By Land

Unless you are on some kind of expedition crossing (parts of) the Greenland Icecap, your options are limited regarding travelling by land. The longest stretch of tarred roads in only 5 kilometers long!

Dogsleds are the common way to get around and these are used along the entire east coast and along the west coast north of the Arctic Circle. It's a great way to do a tour of one or several days which can take you to more inland places to the icecap.

By Boat

Arctic Umiaq Line offers connections along the west coast between Nanortalik and Upernavik. Services go as far north as Uummannaq in summer. Many villages are connected by local boats and they usually have limited space for foreign travellers.

Of course, you can also hop aboard one of the expensive tour boats to ply the waters around Greenland in the summer months.

Red Tape

Many nationalities do not need a visa for Greenland, but your passport needs to be valid for at least three months after your visit. Although technically Greenland is part of Denmark, visas for entering the Schengen-area (including Denmark) do not automatically apply for Greenland.

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