Greenland – Kalaallit Nunaat – is the world’s largest island, stretched between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans east of Canada. It is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with self-rule institutions and a devolved government led by a prime minister, while the Danish monarch remains head of state. Capital: Nuuk. Population: about 56,800. Official language: Greenlandic, with Danish and English used widely. Currency: Danish krone – DKK. Two thirds of the island lie north of the Arctic Circle, and roughly four fifths are covered by the second largest ice sheet on Earth. There are no roads between towns – movement is by air, sea, and in some regions by helicopter or dogsled.

History
Human presence in Greenland spans more than 4,500 years, arriving in waves from the North American Arctic. Archaeology traces successive Paleo-Inuit cultures – Saqqaq, Independence I and II, Dorset – adapting to severe climate swings and resource cycles long before Europeans knew the island existed. Around the 12th century, Thule culture migrants arrived from the Canadian Arctic; their descendants are today’s Greenlandic Inuit.
In 982, Erik the Red, exiled from Iceland, reached Greenland, later promoting settlement that produced two Norse colonies in the southwest. Norse Greenland adopted Christianity, built farms and churches – the Hvalsey church ruins endure – but dwindled and disappeared by the 15th century, likely due to climate cooling, isolation, trade shifts, and competition with expanding Thule Inuit.
European whalers and explorers reappeared in the 16th-17th centuries. In 1721, Hans Egede’s Dano-Norwegian mission established a lasting colonial presence and a royal trade monopoly, embedding Lutheran Christianity and tightening European control along the west coast. After the 1814 separation of Denmark and Norway, Greenland remained under Denmark. In 1953 its colonial status was ended within the Danish constitution, and in 1979 Home Rule was granted. A 2008 referendum led to expanded Self-Government in 2009, transferring many domestic competencies to Greenland’s own institutions.
World War II transformed Greenland’s strategic role. With Denmark occupied, the 1941 agreement enabled the United States to establish military facilities, including large air bases such as Narsarsuaq. Postwar, Denmark resumed authority, but the island’s modern development accelerated from the 1950s, and U.S. facilities – notably Thule Air Base – remained strategically important through the Cold War. Today, Greenland navigates questions of autonomy, resource development, and Arctic geopolitics while centering Inuit language and culture in public life.

Industry
Greenland’s economy is anchored by fisheries – especially cold-water shrimp and Greenland halibut – and seafood processing. State and private actors include Royal Greenland, Polar Seafood, Royal Arctic Line, KNI retail, the Bank of Greenland, telecom operator Tusass, and Air Greenland. Hydropower supplies much of domestic electricity, supporting a growing push for renewable energy. Tourism is expanding around Ilulissat, Nuuk, and the fjord coasts, with outfitters, coastal ferries, and hotels scaling to demand. Data snapshots of top companies by sales confirm retail, aviation, seafood, and logistics as leading sectors.

Flora and fauna
Tundra vegetation dominates the ice-free fringe – dwarf willows and birch, hardy mosses and lichens, with a rare natural stand of birch and willow in Qinngua Valley. Land mammals include musk ox, reindeer, Arctic hare, Arctic fox, and in the far north the Greenland wolf; polar bears roam primarily in the north and east. Marine life is rich: seals and many whale species – humpback, fin, minke, beluga, narwhal – frequent coastal waters. Conservation lists flag regional threats: for example, the East Greenland narwhal population and several great whales are red-listed; the harbor seal is critically endangered regionally. Endemism exists among plants and invertebrates, though many Arctic species are circumpolar.

Religion and ethnicity
Most residents identify as Lutheran Christians within the Church of Greenland; traditional Inuit beliefs persist culturally alongside small Catholic and other Christian communities and minorities of other faiths or none. Ethnically, Greenland is majority Greenlandic Inuit – about 89.5% – with Danish and other Nordic or global minorities forming the remainder.

Wars and conflicts
There are no modern conventional wars fought by Greenland. During World War II, the island hosted U.S. air and weather bases under the 1941 agreement; the Cold War cemented Thule Air Base’s strategic role. Debates today focus on sovereignty, resource management, and defense arrangements within the Danish realm and the Arctic context, rather than armed conflict.

Standard of living
Greenland’s material living standards are shaped by high costs and remoteness but also extensive public services financed by local revenues and a large annual Danish grant. Governance indicators suggest relatively strong control of corruption compared to global averages. HDI is in the high range, though social outcomes vary by region.

Healthcare
Healthcare is publicly provided, with facilities in towns, five regional hospitals, and the national Queen Ingrid’s Hospital in Nuuk. Services outside towns are limited and often delivered via telemedicine; serious cases are transferred to Nuuk or abroad. Tourists must pay for services and should carry robust medical and evacuation insurance. For emergencies dial 112; the medical hotline at Queen Ingrid’s Hospital is +299 55 99 55. Patient transfers depend on medical need, and capacity is constrained – even the ambulance plane is a single King Air.

Sports
Sport is integral to community life. Football, handball, badminton, skiing, Arctic sports, kayaking, and dog sledding are widespread. Greenland competes in the Arctic Winter Games and Island Games; handball’s national teams are IHF members. Football is growing, with an application to join CONCACAF and domestic championships on artificial pitches.

Holidays
Public holidays include New Year’s Day, Epiphany, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, National Day on June 21, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Second Day of Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. Dates of movable feasts follow the Christian calendar.

Traditions
Greenlandic culture prizes community and hospitality, expressed in the home-based kaffemik – a come-and-go gathering with coffee, cakes, and treats. Dogsledding, kayaking, drum dancing, storytelling, beadwork, and national dress link daily life to Inuit heritage. Respectful greetings, sharing, and sustainability-minded practices in hunting and foraging are valued social norms.

Interesting facts
Greenland is the world’s largest non-continental island, with a coastline so deeply indented that its length rivals Earth-scale distances. The Ilulissat Icefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing one of the planet’s most active tidewater glaciers. There are no intercity roads – boats, planes, and helicopters knit the nation together. The name Greenland traces to Erik the Red’s saga-era branding to attract settlers; science also shows parts of the island were green in the distant past.

Money
Currency: Danish krone – DKK. Cards – Visa and Mastercard especially – are widely accepted in towns, though smaller settlements may prefer cash. ATMs are available in major towns including Nuuk, Ilulissat, Sisimiut, Kangerlussuaq, Qaqortoq, and others. Typical exchange guide: 1 DKK ≈ 0.15 USD – so 1 USD ≈ 6.7 DKK – but always check the current rate. Tipping is not customary – service is usually included – though small rounding can signal appreciation.

Everyday details
Electricity is 230 V, 50 Hz. Plug types C, E, F, and the Danish K are used; travelers from North America need adapters and often voltage-ready chargers. Type K is common, with compatibility notes for grounded plugs. Mobile coverage is best in towns; outside, connectivity is sparse. Smoking rules follow local regulations in public buildings and transport.

Clothing
Dress for rapid weather shifts in layers: moisture-wicking base, warm mid-layer, windproof-waterproof shell, insulated hat and gloves, and sturdy boots. Even in summer, temperatures are cool; midnight sun requires sleep masks while wind and glare call for sunglasses and sunscreen. In winter, add down layers, insulated footwear, and face protection. Traditional occasions feature national dress – often with intricate beadwork – that visitors admire but don’t wear.

Tourism
Plan one region per trip – a week in Disko Bay around Ilulissat to walk boardwalks to Sermermiut, boat among icebergs, and watch humpbacks; or a week in the Capital Region for Nuuk culture, fjord cruises, and backcountry hikes; or South Greenland’s Norse-Inuit farming landscape. Summer – June to September – brings long days for hiking, boating, and whale watching. Winter to spring – October to April – offers auroras, dogsledding, and ice experiences, with weather delays requiring flexible itineraries and insurance. There are no roads between towns – book flights, helicopters, and ferries well in advance.

Types of tourism
Adventure and nature – hiking, kayaking, ice-cap trekking, dog sledding, heli-skiing in season; wildlife watching – whales, musk ox, birds; culture and history – museums, kaffemik, UNESCO landscapes; photography expeditions; small-ship coastal cruising.

Tourist attractions list
– Ilulissat Icefjord – Spectacular calving front and iceberg-filled fjord – UNESCO
– Aasivissuit – Nipisat – Inuit hunting landscape from ice to sea – UNESCO
– Kujataa in South Greenland – Norse and Inuit farming at the ice cap’s edge – UNESCO
– Nuuk National Museum – Mummies, kayaks, and deep time culture in the capital
– Eqi Glacier – Active calving glacier reachable by boat from Disko Bay
– Uunartoq Hot Springs – Soak among icebergs in South Greenland
– Godthåbsfjord near Nuuk – Fjord cruises to waterfalls, ice, and settlements

Non-touristy attractions list
– Qoornoq ruins near Nuuk – Abandoned settlement with turf walls amid fjord vistas
– Arboretum Groenlandicum, Narsarsuaq – An experimental forest that hints at climate shifts
– Camp Century site under the ice – A Cold War relic now entombed and re-emerging in science narratives
– Bluie East Two, Ikateq – Remote WWII airfield remains in East Greenland’s wilderness

Local cuisine
Greenlandic food reflects Arctic reality: suaasat – a hearty soup traditionally of seal or other game – mattak – whale skin and blubber – dried fish and meats – panertut – and pristine seafood like cold-water shrimp and halibut. Musk ox, reindeer, and Arctic char appear in modern kitchens. Alcohol is available with local beers and imports; policies and availability vary by town. Mealtimes are informal; food safety is high, and tap water is excellent. Tipping is not expected.

Why visit
To feel scale and silence – ice walls thundering into a fjord, midnight sun gilding granite, auroras rippling over a frozen sound – and to meet a culture that has made a life at the edge of the ice for millennia. Greenland changes what you think remoteness, resilience, and beauty can mean.

Safety for tourists
Crime affecting visitors is rare; the real risks are environmental. Respect weather advisories, tides, and ice; travel with professional guides for backcountry, glacier, or sea trips; carry proper gear, a charged phone, and tell someone your plan. Polar bears inhabit some regions – never approach wildlife and follow local guidance. Emergency number: 112. The U.S. advisory underscores limited emergency services and the need for insurance and contingency plans.

Tourist infrastructure
Expect small, friendly hotels and guesthouses – from business-class in Nuuk to fjord-view lodges in Ilulissat – plus cafés and a handful of fine-dining rooms featuring New Arctic cuisine. Staff commonly speak Greenlandic and Danish, often English. Capacity is limited in peak months – book early.

Entry rules
Greenland is outside the EU and Schengen. Many nationalities are visa-exempt for short stays, but a Schengen visa does not grant entry to Greenland; those who need visas must apply specifically for Greenland entry. Customs allowances differ from Denmark’s; duty-free limits cover modest quantities of tobacco, alcohol, perfume, and certain foods, with restrictions on plant imports without certificates. Always verify before travel.

Transport
Between towns: Air Greenland Dash-8 flights and helicopters; by sea: the Sarfaq Ittuk coastal ferry April-December and regional boats like Disko Line. Within towns: local buses and taxis in larger communities such as Nuuk, Ilulissat, Sisimiut, and Qaqortoq; walking covers small settlements. There are no roads linking towns. Book transport early, especially in summer.

Car and driving
Driving is town-limited – roads are short, speeds are typically 40 km/h in towns and up to 60 km/h on some Nuuk stretches. Drive on the right, headlights always on, seatbelts required. Winter roads are plowed and sanded but can be icy; cars run on winter tires. There are no intercity roads, and off-road driving is not a thing. Drink-driving penalties are severe; carry a valid license – an IDP is needed if your license is not in Latin script.

Quiet hours
Courtesy quiet hours in residential areas generally start around late evening. In small communities, sound carries – keep music and generators low at night and follow posted local guidance.

Daily budget
Greenland is expensive due to remoteness. A practical guide using averages: around 2,100 DKK per person per day – roughly 327 USD – covers mid-range lodging, meals, local transport, and activities. Budget travelers can spend less with self-catering and hostels; guided packages raise the daily outlay. Flights to Greenland are a major extra cost.

What not to do
Do not fly drones near people, airports, or wildlife – drones are banned over national parks and sensitive reserves, and it is illegal to use drones to film or pursue polar bears. Do not approach calving glaciers, icebergs, or wildlife; do not assume you can drive between towns; and do not underestimate the wind, cold, and distances. Respect private property and community spaces.

Climate
Coastal tundra climate meets the polar ice cap inland. Summers are cool – typically single digits Celsius in many towns – with long daylight or midnight sun in the north. Winters are very cold, especially inland and in the north, with polar night and frequent wind chill. Best time depends on goals: June-September for hiking, boating, and whales; late September-March for auroras and dogsledding, accepting weather disruptions.

Traveler tips
– Book flights, ferries, and lodging early – capacity is limited.
– Pack layers, waterproofs, and eye protection; bring backup power for cameras in the cold.
– Build buffer days for weather; buy evacuation-capable insurance.
– In towns, tap water is superb; outside, treat or boil if uncertain.
– Learn a few Greenlandic words – Aluu for hello, Qujanaq for thanks – and ask before photographing people.