Greenland is the largest island in the world and is
approximately 84% covered in ice. This makes it one of the
harshest areas on earth. Greenland offers impressive glaciers,
mighty icebergs, fascinating northern lights and the unique
culture of the Inuit, embedded in an untouched Arctic landscape.
Geographically, the island belongs to North America, but
politically to Denmark. Since 1979, Greenland has had an
autonomous status, i.e. it is domestically independent (on June
21, 2009, the statute of autonomy was replaced by a right of
self-government), but is represented by Denmark in foreign
policy. Greenland has not been a member of the EU since 1985.
Since June 14, 2022, Greenland has had a land border with Canada
- the small, uninhabited Hans Island was divided between the two
countries after decades of disputes.
The island is
considered a dream country for many people.
"I think the
greatest attraction of travelling is that we retain an unspoiled
childlike quality in the events of the day, an ability to
experience things freshly and originally. Knud Rasmussen
Greenland is part of the Arctic (Greek arktos, the bear), which
takes its name from the constellation of the Great Bear, which
is visible in the night sky in the polar region all year round.
The name Greenland (Greenland) goes back to the Viking Erik
the Red, who reached the island in 982 and named it that way.
The Inuit call the island Kalaallit Nunaat (Land of the People).
The first evidence of settlement dates back to around 2500 BC
and comes from Disko Bay. The first Vikings appeared here around
875 AD and the island was named Gunnbjörnland after the Viking
Gunnbjörn. Christianisation began around 1000 AD when Leif
Eriksson, the son of Erik the Red, returned to Greenland with a
missionary from Norway. He was also the one who discovered North
America, which he called Vinland (Wineland) and with which the
Greenland Vikings maintained trade relations until the 14th
century. From 900 AD, Inuit migrated from the North American
mainland to northern Greenland and settled in the area around
what is now Thule. They are considered the direct ancestors of
today's Inuit. In the 16th century, the Viking era came to an
end and the island was forgotten. In the 17th century, Dutch
whalers brought alcohol, the polka and colorful pearls to
Greenland. In 1721, the Danish-Norwegian pastor Hans Egede began
to evangelize the island's population, followed by
representatives of the German Moravian Brethren in 1733. In the
18th century, the Norwegians used the island as a base for
whaling.
In 1814, Greenland fell to Denmark in the Treaty
of Kiel. However, Norway did not finally give up its claim until
1933. During World War II, Greenland was of strategic importance
for air and sea surveillance of the Atlantic. After World War
II, the bases were further expanded as part of the Cold War. A
huge US air force base was built in Thule. Greenland was a
Danish colony until 1953 and then became a province. Greenland
has been politically autonomous internally since May 1, 1979.
Greenland has not been a member of the EU since January 1, 1985.
On June 21, 2009, Greenland was granted the right of
self-government.
1 South Greenland . Corresponds to the Kujalleq municipality,
includes the towns of Nanortalik, Narsaq and Qaqortoq on the southern
tip of the island. The southwest coast is the most easily accessible
part of the island due to the less extreme temperatures and is jokingly
called "Sineriak Bananeqarfik" (Banana Coast) by the locals.
2 West
Greenland . The region includes the Qeqqata municipality and the towns
of the Sermersooq municipality on the west coast. The capital Nuuk is
also located here.
3 East Greenland . The region is part of the
Sermersooq municipality. Sparsely populated, access to the national
park.
4 North Greenland . The region in the north consists of the
Qaasuitsup municipality in the northwest of the island and the Northeast
Greenland National Park.
Many cities have Danish names in addition to the official Greenlandic
names.
1 Nuuk . (also called Godthåb): The capital of Greenland
offers a mix of modern culture, history and impressive nature with the
National Museum, colorful houses and is the economic and cultural center
of the country.
2 Kangerlussuaq . The small town has an international
airport that is often used as a starting point for trips to Greenland.
3 Nanortalik . Nanortalik is a town in southern Greenland and has a
picturesque location on a fjord.
4 Sisimiut . (also called
Holsteinsborg): Sisimiut is the second largest city in Greenland. The
city has a significant fishing industry and is an important commercial
port and offers excellent outdoor activities such as hiking and dog
sledding as well as an insight into Inuit culture.
5 Narsaq . Narsaq
is located on the Tunulliarfik Fjord. Narsaq is known for its
agriculture and vegetable growing, as well as its minerals,
archaeological sites and scenic surroundings.
6 Tasiilaq (Ammassalik)
. (also called Ammassalik): Tasiilaq is located on the east coast of
Greenland and is the largest town in this region. The settlement is set
in a scenic setting with many mountains and fjords.
7 Qaanaaq .
Qaanaaq is the northernmost town in Greenland and is located in the
Thule region. It is one of the most remote settlements on the island and
has a unique cultural history.
8 Qaqortoq . (also called Julianehåb):
Qaqortoq is one of the largest towns in the southern region. The town
has a rich culture and history and is known for its colorful houses and
the “Stone and Man” art installation integrated into nature.
9
Ilulissat (Ililissat) . (also called Jakobshavn): Ilulissat is known for
its spectacular icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tourism plays an
important role here.
Greenland's attractions include:
Icebergs and glaciers (especially
the Ilulissat Icefjord)
Wildlife: whales, seals, walruses, musk oxen,
reindeer and polar bears.
Midnight sun June to August north of the
Arctic Circle.
A spectacular phenomenon is the Northern Lights:
Aurora Borealis, Greenlandic arsarnerit during the winter months
throughout Greenland.
1 Prince Christian Sound, in South Greenland. A
scenic waterway in southern Greenland, surrounded by rugged mountains,
glaciers and fjords, often traversed by cruise ships.
2 Ilulissat
Icefjord. This UNESCO World Heritage site on the west coast of Greenland
is famous for its impressive icebergs. The views of the huge icebergs
calving from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier and crashing into the fjord are
spectacular.
3 Northeast Greenland National Park (Kalaallit Nunaanni
nuna eqqissisimatitaq) . Covering a large part of northeast Greenland,
this national park is one of the most remote and pristine places on the
island. Here you can experience unique arctic wildlife and stunning
landscapes.
4 Disko Bay (Qeqertarsuup tunua) . A spectacular bay
known for its impressive icebergs and diverse wildlife such as whales.
5 Qinngua Valley . The only valley in Greenland with a natural forest of
dwarf birch and willow.
6 Eqi Glacier . An impressive glacier that
visitors can watch calving up close.
7 Uunartoq Hot Springs. Natural
thermal springs that invite you to bathe in the middle of the Arctic
wilderness.
8 Knud Rasmussen Glacier. An impressive glacier in
northern Greenland, ideal for adventure and expeditions.
Dog sledding tours ; March to April. In the cold season, you can
travel through the snowy wilderness of Greenland on dog sledding and
experience the traditional Inuit method of transport.
Hiking ; early
July-early September. Greenland is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts,
provided you don't expect to see any markings. The stretch between
Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut is one of the classic routes. Greenland
Tourism offers hiking maps at a scale of 1:100,000, so you can ask for
hiking maps in advance: Scanmaps
Arctic Circle Trail
Kayaking:
Greenland is famous for kayaking, a traditional Inuit method of
transport. You can join guided kayak tours or go exploring on your own.
Ice climbing and glacier tours: Experienced mountaineers can try ice
climbing in Greenland's glaciers and mountainous regions. There are also
guided glacier tours for less experienced adventurers.
the Aasivik
summer festival takes place in changing locations
Skiing ; March-May;
largest alpine slope in Nuuk
Once a year, a three-day, 160km
long, internationally renowned ski race is held (ACR).
Fishing -
Greenland offers excellent opportunities for fishing in its rivers and
lakes. Popular fish species are salmon, trout and Arctic char. Fishing
licenses are issued by the local tourist information office.
The
unique Ice Golf World Championship takes place in Uummannaq.
For the
hard-core there is an IronMan in Greenlandic, the Greenland Adventure
Race
Outfitter is an association of independently operating tour
companies. Here you can find a wide variety of offers organized by
Greenlanders, without having to go through a foreign organizer.
Coffee Since the Danes brought coffee to the country, it has
increasingly become the national drink. Important events are celebrated
with coffee and cake. And in some places, tourists are given a
Greenlandic coffee klatch. 99% of Greenlanders are members of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church, so attending church is a given.
Bird and
whale watching. The waters around Greenland are a paradise for whale
watchers. Whales such as humpback whales, blue whales and orcas are
often seen here. There are boat tours where you can observe these
majestic animals.
Adventure tours are particularly popular between
June and August. The midnight sun allows exploration tours around the
clock during this time.
The official language of Greenland is Greenlandic (Kalaallisut),
which belongs to the Eskimo-Aleut language family. Greenlandic is the
most widely spoken language on the island and is spoken by the majority
of the population. However, there are also a significant number of
people who speak Danish, as Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Danish is used as a second official language and is the main language of
communication for official affairs, education and administration.
Greenlandic belongs to the East Inuit language family. Very long
words represent whole sentences in European languages. The letter "q"
(without a following u) and double letters e.g. "aa" are often used.
Airplane
An international airport with connections to Denmark and
Iceland is Narsarsuaq Airport (IATA: UAK). Other airports with
connections to Iceland are Kulusuk (IATA: KUS), Nuuk (IATA: GOH) and
Constaple Point (IATA: CNP) near Ittoqqortoormiit. There are flights to
Denmark in Kangerlussuaq (IATA: SFJ) (Søndre Strømfjord).
A
current overview of all flights to Greenland is available from
flyinfo.gl. Local telephone information is available from Air Greenland:
Tel. (+299) 34 34 34 or Air Iceland: Tel. (+354) 570 3000
Ship
There is no regular ferry connection to Iceland or Canada. However, it
is possible to board a cargo ship and travel to Greenland that way.
Royal Arctic Line. E-mail: info@ral.dk.
Both air and sea traffic
are weather dependent. Advance travel confirmation is therefore
advisable.
In Greenland there are no roads outside of towns, traffic is handled
via airports, heliports and ports. Almost all settlements have a port
and a heliport or airport. Air Greenland, the state airline, offers
regular traffic between almost all Greenlandic towns and Copenhagen. The
hub is Kangerlussuaq.
There is also the Arctic Umiaq Line:
Artic Umiaq Line. Tel.: +299 34 91 91, email: aul@greennet.gl., which
operates regular shipping services on the southwest coast.
In
Disko Bay there is the Disko Line, a local ferry company that operates
regular ferry services.
In winter, travel between settlements
also takes place by dog sled or snowmobile.
Shops for daily needs are called: Pisiffik, Pilersuisoq. The usual
opening hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Inuit art and crafts
Tupilak monsters with human heads and
Greenlandic cuisine is heavily influenced by the island's natural
resources and reflects the Inuit way of life and the conditions of the
Arctic. Here are some typical dishes and ingredients of Greenlandic
cuisine:
Fish and seafood: Fish and seafood play a central role
in the Greenlandic diet. Popular fish species include cod, halibut,
salmon and wolffish. Seafood such as shrimp, mussels and crabs are also
common.
Raw meat and fish: A traditional and important delicacy
is "kiviak", which is made by fermenting small birds (aukelp) in a pit
buried in a sealskin. Another traditional dish is "suaasat", a one-pot
soup usually made from reindeer, sheep or seal meat. Suaasat is the
national dish of Greenland. The soup is served with rice and onions,
with seal meat eaten separately.
Reindeer meat: Reindeer are
farmed in Greenland and their meat is an important source of protein. It
is often grilled or served in stews.
Blueberries and
cloudberries: These berries grow in the wild of Greenland and are a
common ingredient in desserts, jellies and jams.
Potatoes:
Potatoes are grown in Greenland and are an important accompaniment to
many dishes.
Seal meat and fat: Seal meat and fat are traditional
foods and provide important nutrients in the Inuit diet. Seal meat can
be eaten raw or cooked. Another indigenous specialty and source of
vitamins is mattak: whale skin with a thin layer of blubber. Steaks made
from whale meat with onions and potatoes are a delicacy.
Dried
fish: Fish is often dried to preserve it. Dried fish can be used in
soups or stews or simply enjoyed as a snack.
Bread: Bread, often
in the form of flatbread, is made and served in many communities.
Modern influences: In recent years, modern influences have affected
Greenlandic cuisine, and you will also find international restaurants
and fast food chains in the cities.
Five sailors' homes in Aasiaat, Nuuk, Qaqortoq and Sisimiut rent out simple overnight accommodation. In Qaqortoq and Sisimiut, the adult education centers also rent out unused rooms. There are also a few youth hostels, cabins and B&Bs all over the island. There are campsites near some towns, some of which are free of charge. PK1 hotels charge up to 650 DKK, PK2 up to 1100 DKK and PK3 over 1100 DKK for 2 people in a double room + breakfast.
The only university in Greenland, Ilisimatusarfik, is located in the capital Nuuk. Around 150 students study here in the fields of economics, cultural and social history, theology, and literature, language and media studies. Degrees can be obtained as a bachelor's or master's degree. The language of instruction is predominantly Danish. There is also a school (or rather several schools), because in Greenland all (100%) of the children go to school.
The smell of Europeans is foreign to the Inuit dogs, who are usually
chained up in front of the huts (no fishy smell), so the dogs' behavior
towards strangers is unpredictable. Visitors should therefore keep a
safe distance from the animals. If a dog actually bites a European, it
hurts the European on the one hand, and the dog owner on the other,
because the dog is then useless. Dogs that bite people are killed.
Sled dogs are not cuddly animals. They are also very hungry in
summer. Only the puppies of sled dogs are allowed to run without a
leash. If one of these young animals runs towards you, it is advisable
to make sure that the mother is on a leash. There are also stray sled
dogs in Greenland and polar bears that approach villages. You should
treat both with sufficient respect, or better not at all. The ANNA
emergency package is sold locally. It contains a whistle, flares and a
signal mirror.
The Arctic is beautiful, but only if you don't freeze. Sunscreen with
a high sun protection factor and a mosquito net are highly recommended.
Emergency treatment, including emergency dental treatment and necessary
medication, is free for Greenlanders. All towns have a hospital, which
is also a medical center; there are no private practices.
The
European Health Insurance Card is not valid.
Greenland has an arctic climate that is strongly influenced by the
seasons. The climate can vary considerably depending on the region and
time of year.
Summer (June to August): Summer is the most popular
time to visit Greenland. The days are long and temperatures rise to
pleasant levels in most areas, often between 5°C and 15°C. This is the
best time for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking and boating.
In some regions, such as along the west coast, you can experience the
midnight sun, where the sun does not set in summer. During the short
summer, vegetation develops explosively. Lenticular clouds in the upper
layers of the atmosphere or a sky of an inhospitable blue can be a sign
of an approaching storm. This is not something to joke about - it is
better to find permanent shelter. Piteraq, the dangerous woman storm,
only occurs on the east coast. When it approaches, sirens wail and
warning lights start flashing.
Autumn (September to November):
Autumn is a transitional period when temperatures gradually drop and
days become shorter. However, this is still a good time for outdoor
activities. The Northern Lights also begin to become more visible again.
Winter (December to February): Winter in Greenland is long and cold,
with temperatures often below freezing. This is the time for winter
sports such as skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding. The Northern
Lights are particularly intense in winter.
Spring (March to May):
Spring is another transitional period when days become longer and
temperatures slowly rise. Snow and ice begin to melt, and this is a good
time for bird watching, as many migratory birds return to Greenland.
The best time to visit depends on the activities you want to do in
Greenland. If you want to enjoy the midnight sun and milder
temperatures, summer is ideal. If you want to see the Northern Lights or
do winter sports, you should travel in winter. The choice of travel time
should also depend on the region you want to visit, as the climate can
vary in different parts of Greenland.
The indigenous Inuit (that means "people") are a proud people. The term Eskimo (that means raw meat eater) is an insult to the majority of tribes within the Inuit ethnic group. The Inuit live on the rocky strip of land along the coast. Where there is actually deep soil rather than rocks near settlements, this is often used for (safe) burial of the dead. Visitors should therefore take a closer look at the soil they are standing on before planning to use it (for whatever purpose).
Kalaallit Nunaat Radio is the national radio station and broadcasts
in Greenlandic and Danish. (http://knr.gl/kl)
The newspaper
Atuagagdliutit / Groenlandsposten is published in Greenlandic on Tues.
and Thurs.
As Greenland is neither part of the EU nor the EEA,
hefty roaming charges apply. However, it is usually not worth buying a
SIM card locally, as they are quite expensive and only cover populated
areas, and in the wilderness a cell phone is of no use. WiFi is the norm
in accommodation.
The local time in Greenland is GMT -3 hours, i.e. when it is 12
o'clock in Germany, it is 8 o'clock in Greenland.
1 Greenland
Tourism Copenhagen, P.O. Box 1139, Strandgade 91 DK-1010 Copenhagen K.
Tel.: +45-32 8338 80, E-Mail: info@greenland.com.
2 Greenland
Tourism, P.O. Box 1615, Hans Egedesvej 29 DK-3900 Nuuk. Tel.: +299-34
2820.
Honorary Consul, Kussangajaannguaq 18 DK-3952 Ilulissat. Tel.:
+299-94 44 11. Elke Meissner, Greenland-Tours.
Trips to Qaanaaq via
Thule Airbase require special permission:
3 Royal Danish Embassy,
Rauchstr. 1, 10787 Berlin. Tel.: +49 (0)30 50502000, E-Mail:
berlin@daenemark.org.
Crossing the inland ice is dangerous and only
permitted with written permission from the Danish Polar Center.
Insurance must be taken out and financial security must be provided.
Dansk Polarcenter, Strandgade 100H, DK-1401 Copenhagen K. E-Mail:
dpc@dpc.dk.
Prices on the island are higher than in Denmark. You
should plan ahead to have money for spontaneous tours (boat, sleigh,
helicopter). Alcohol is significantly more expensive in Greenland than
on the mainland.