Who owns Greenland and what is its status?

Denmark, to whom belongs Greenland, owns this huge island for several centuries. Until 1536, he was part of Norway. After Greenland got to Denmark, almost nothing has changed here for many generations. In 1979, the islanders received broad autonomy from the government in Copenhagen.

History of the island

At first glance it might seem that the huge northern island is an independent state, but it is not so. So who owns Greenland? Formally, it is part of the Danish kingdom, but it has its own authorities, which manage the island much more efficiently than the distant European autonomy.

From time immemorial, these unsuitable lands for life were interested only in brave navigators and scientists. The island of Greenland was discovered by Vikings, who first visited here in the early Middle Ages. European colonies appeared much later. In the XVIII century, the Danish authorities began the construction of seaside towns, where mainly lived fishermen and hunters. This order has been preserved for several centuries.

During the Second World War, the territory of Denmark was occupied by the troops of Nazi Germany. When the US joined the allies, the Americans began building bases on the free island, they helped in the fight against the Wehrmacht. Already after the onset of peace, the authorities of the States and Denmark signed several documents stipulating the organization of the defense of the island. These arrangements were updated after Copenhagen decided to join NATO in 1949.

Relations with Denmark

The colonial policy of European states is a thing of the past, when in the second half of the 20th century the greater part of the colonies proclaimed independence (in Africa and on other continents). Denmark, to whom Greenland belongs, also did not escape these transformations. Greenland was too large and sparsely populated so that the indigenous people could create their own effective state. Therefore, it was decided to coordinate the autonomy, which suited both sides. The capital of Greenland, Nuuk several times held referenda, on which the population of the island expressed its opinion concerning the future of the country.

Autonomy

Recent changes in the legal status occurred in 2009. The expanded autonomy provided for a lot of new things. For example, the Greenlandic language became official on the island. Local authorities received new powers. Now they are responsible for the courts and the police.

The small population of the island (56 thousand people) received full control over natural resources. Many of them are deep in the Arctic. Their development is a matter of the future. They are oil, gas, gold and diamonds, which Greenland owns. Denmark has retained control over foreign policy, as well as printing money. The official currency remains the crown.

Denmark, to whom Greenland belongs, often makes it clear that it will not oppose, if autonomy wants complete independence. In this case, the island can become an independent Eskimo state.

Life in Greenland

Danes did a lot to ensure that Greenland acquired all the infrastructure necessary for life. Missionaries and colonists founded several cities, which are now the administrative centers of the communes of the island. The capital city of Nuuk was built in the 18th century. Since then, its population has never exceeded 20,000 permanent residents.

The city is the only university on the island. There are also many churches left by Protestant missionaries. In Nuuk, as in other Greenland cities, the extraction of crabs as well as halibut is developed. Sea delicacies are sold around the world, including in Denmark.

Greenland is also an exotic place that tourists like to visit. In Nuuk there is a museum dedicated to the history of the island. However, many guests who come here buy tickets in order to admire the secluded nature of the harsh Arctic region with its unusual panoramas and beauties. On the southern coast of Greenland, the climate is mild enough for these latitudes due to the warm sea current. But even here in summer the temperature does not exceed ten degrees above zero.