Greenland area, climate, population, cities, flag

On our planet there are many different countries, differing in language, culture and other characteristics. But quite a few of them are located on the islands, and are either separate countries or wide autonomies. The area of Greenland allows us to consider it the largest isolated state to date, located on the largest island of our planet. But this is not the only circumstance that stimulates tourists.

Basic information

Where is Greenland? Its banks are washed by two oceans: the Arctic and the Atlantic.

The island is located close to the Eurasian continent. Theoretically, Greenland is an integral part of Denmark, but in fact - it's a large autonomy, which has fairly wide rights in the field of self-government. The main information is as follows:

1. The total area of Greenland is 2 166 086 square meters. Km, but out of all this "wealth" only 340 thousand km are suitable for living, since there is no ice on them.
2. The island has 57 thousand inhabitants, of which 90% are Innuites, the "titular" nation, whose representatives have lived here since time immemorial. Therefore, the population of Greenland is fairly homogeneous.
3. The capital is located in the city with an unusual name for the European Nuuk.
4. Official language since 2009 is Greenlandic, before it was supplemented by Danish.
5. The flag of Greenland is a red and white circle on the same background. The color scheme repeats the symbolism of Denmark.
6. The only official currency is the Danish krone.

If you want to call someone in Greenland, then the phone code is (+299).

When it was opened?

But when this amazing island, in its weather hospitality capable of competing with the Antarctic, was first discovered?

The first known mention dates back to 875. Icelander Gunbjørn discovered the island. It is interesting that he only described his discovery, but did not leave any exact maps and other instructions, since he did not go ashore. Then very few people knew where Greenland was, and this discovery did not arouse much interest. Times then were restless, the Vikings gradually conquered new territories ...

Only in 982 on the shore of this amazing land for the first time came down another Icelander, Eric Rowdy. It was he who gave the name to the island. Thus, the active development of this area began.

Colonization of the island

In 983 the first Icelandic colonies were founded, which lasted until the middle of the 15th century! True, it is fair to add that the climate in those days was, oddly enough, softer. Therefore Greenland was called a "green country" not by chance, because the summer lasted longer, and the air temperature was higher.

So there were a lot of people wishing to "move to permanent residence". Four centuries (from the 13th and the 17th), this land belonged to Norway, but later passed under the Danish jurisdiction. In 1814, the Danes finally dissolve the union (something like a treaty of unity) with the Norwegians, and become the sole owners of the island. In 1953, Greenland was officially granted the status of "Part of the territory of the Danish kingdom", but the inhabitants of the "green country" themselves do not really agree with this.

The history of colonization of the island by the Vikings is also interesting and mysterious. From 983 to the middle of the 12th century, they were very active, organizing many of their settlements. But then suddenly something happened, soon the settlements came to desolation, and the Vikings withdrew from these shores. What happened?

Until recently, hypotheses have been put forward very much, down to the most absurd. But a few years ago, the veil of secrecy was revealed to climatologists. As mentioned earlier, from the 10th to the 11th century AD, the climate on the island was much softer, the warmer period lasted longer, and here and there on the coasts, according to ancient manuscripts, even wheat ripened. Then there was a sharp cooling, because of which the Vikings preferred to leave.

The political management of this unrecognized country is exercised by the parliament and the prime minister. In addition, the population of Greenland has the right to choose two representatives who voice the interests of the islanders in the Danish parliament.

Official acquisition of independence

The referendum held on November 25, 2008 secured independence for this territory. The fact is that the island's population supported numerous and significant changes in the legislation. In particular, it was then that Greenland became the only language, and the judicial and executive authorities acquired complete independence. Today, we can rightly assume that the flag of Greenland flies over an independent country. However, independence has brought and negative consequences - Denmark has ceased to subsidize the economy of the island more than $ 600 million annually.

Officially all the provisions of the referendum came into force in mid-2009, and since then the entire area of Greenland is in fact a full and relatively autonomous state. It is noteworthy that relations with the European Union do not develop with local residents.

Formally, the island still continues to be a part of Denmark, but it does not enter the EU. Since its inception, the islanders have sharply opposed the prospect of becoming part of a united Europe. This is explained simply: most likely, Greenland in this way defends the independence of its own fish resources, which, otherwise, could immediately claim both Norway and Denmark. The political situation in these parts is quite complicated, and in some aspects even tense.

Economy and tourism

The current Greenland economy is based on fishing. Of course, there is hope for the extraction of minerals, since there are deposits of polymetallic ores on the territory of the island . That's just tourism, which is very hoped for by some supporters of complete independence of this territory, is poorly developed. The main reason - a hard climate, and the cost of the tour is not very enthusiastic among tourists. So Greenland - a young country, but hardened by difficulties.

Air traffic and other transport

In a place with a complex name Kangerlussuaak is the largest airport in this area, based in the region of the US Air Force base during the Cold War. Despite the apparent modesty, the size of the airport is quite possible to take even international flights.

In addition, you can get to the island, using the services of ferries from the cruise company Hurtigruten. The cities in Greenland itself are also interconnected by a branched ferry network. If you need speed, you should use the services of a small air carrier Air Greenland, which owns several aircraft and a couple of dozens of transport helicopters.

Roads for cars on a huge island - nothing at all, about 150 kilometers (and even those in cities). In general, Greenland is not an automobile country. In total, there are about three thousand cars registered, mainly off-road vehicles and off-road vehicles.

Big cities

Nuuk (in the distant past the city was called Gotkhob) - the capital of Greenland, which was founded in 1728 by the Danish missionaries. This is the largest city of the island in which the local government meets. Residents of this amazing place joke that here is also the summer residence of Santa Claus. Given the location where Greenland is on the map, this statement is a piece of truth.

Ilullissat (formerly known as Yakobshavn) is located on the shores of the bay with the incendiary name Disko. But this place is harsh, since clean water can rarely be seen because of the abundance of icebergs. By the way, in these parts there are born not less than 1/10 of all icebergs that can be seen in the coastal waters of Greenland. Perhaps, this city is almost the only one having the opportunity to brag about the regular influx of tourists.

This is due to the unreal beauty of local icy mountains, which attract viewers from all over the world. Many tourists just because of this and found out where Greenland is on the map.

Kangerlussuaq is based near the glacier of the same name. It is here that the largest airport in Greenland is located. Literally in the city, you can constantly see whole herds of deer. Also on the streets are often seen polar hares and foxes. If you drive just 25 kilometers to the side, you can see the beautiful glacier Russell.

Kakorotok (the old name of the city sounds like Julianehlob) was founded in 1775. More recently, near the city limits, archeologists stumbled upon the remains of a Viking settlement with a church that dates back to the beginning of the tenth century. In the town of Unartok you can swim in hot thermal springs, and also admire the exhibition of sculptures from the local stone.

Umanak is one of the most unique settlements in the local snow-capped regions. He lies far beyond the Arctic Circle, but here the maximum number of bright days. From May to August, the sun does not set in these places at all, and therefore tourists have a lot of free time, which can be spent on a thorough survey of the surroundings. In a small town there is a wonderful museum, where many artifacts about life in Greenland are collected.

sights

It is easy to guess that almost all local attractions have a natural origin. For example, only here you can estimate the size and grandeur of icebergs, one of which caused the death of the legendary Titanic. In general, Greenland is covered by ice by about 80%, and its thickness reaches three kilometers. Given that the area of Greenland in the square. Km is 2 166 086, it is not difficult to understand what a cyclopean amount of frozen snow is here!

Scientists have calculated that if only local ice melt (not to mention Antarctica) melt, then the level of the World Ocean will grow by at least seven meters. And, it seems that everything goes to this. But due to warming scientists regularly manage to make unexpected discoveries: in 2005, researchers were able to find a new piece of land, which was called "Heated Island." It is located a couple of hundred kilometers from the coast of Greenland. Scientists suggest that over the past 20-30 years, the ice bridge, which connected it with the island, just melted.

In the easternmost part of Greenland is Mount Gunnbjorn. Its peak is piled above the island for more than 3.5 kilometers. And this is just the part that goes beyond the age-old ice layer! Nearby is the world's longest fjord, the Scoresby-Sound. This strait bites into the land at once 350 kilometers!

Glacier Sermeq Kujaleq. Perhaps, only for the sake of it you can visit the "green country". In 2004, UNESCO officially included this "ice" in the list of World Heritage properties. But why such honor? Given that the area of Greenland in the square. Km is quite large, with 80% of this - ice, not much attention to a single glacier? It turned out that no, because it is really unique.

Its area is more than three thousand square kilometers, and annually more than 40 thousand cubic meters of ice break away into the waters of Disko Bay. The glacier itself is like a grandiose river of pure ice that creeps over the surface of Greenland at a speed of about 40 centimeters per day. When the extremity of ice formation reaches Disco, the ice of Greenland is broken off from it.

Climate in Greenland

The climate here is severe - the Arctic and the marine subarctic. In the center of the island it is replaced by the Arctic continental. Complexities are added by cyclones, because of which the weather can change almost instantly. Here the temperature constantly "jumps", and the winds change direction several times per hour. Since the ice in these parts occupies an area larger than the whole of Great Britain, its exorbitant heaviness causes subsidence of the crust, so that the central parts of the island are 360 meters below (!) The surface of the sea. Therefore, Greenland, whose climate is severe and unstable, prefers strong-spirited and hardy people.

Weather characteristics

Winter is characterized by constant cyclones and precipitation of a large amount of precipitation. However, the temperature is quite acceptable: in December, it rarely drops to -8 ° C. In January, on the coast - from -7 ° C. Another situation at the southern extremity, where the temperature is constantly fixed in the winter is -36 ° C. In February, the weather does not spoil at all, reaching -47 ° C (the absolute minimum is -70 ° C). Simply put, in some regions of Mars it is much warmer!

It is best to visit these regions from May to June. If you really want winter, but the temperature below -50 degrees does not appeal, the trip can be scheduled for mid-April. In the spring it's just wonderful: there are no frosts as such, and a northern tan is guaranteed. The air temperature seldom drops below -10 ° C. What tourists will enjoy the largest island - Greenland - in the summer?

Also snow, which in June is not rare here. In summer the weather here is completely unpredictable. Winds are frequent, reaching speeds of 60-70 m / s. The best time to visit the island is from the middle of July to the beginning of September. The days are getting longer, and the tundra turns into an incredibly beautiful place: millions of flowers bloom here, delicious berries appear.

After all, for what period do we plan the "discovery" of Greenland? The answer is obvious: everything depends on the weather preferences of tourists.