Cruising to GreenlandBackgroundGreenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland was made an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute over stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament. The law went into effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs. GeographyLocation: Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean
and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada Coastline44,087 km Maritime claimsTerritorial sea: 3 nm ClimateArctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters TerrainFlat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast Elevation extremesLowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m EconomyThe economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and substantial support from the Danish Government, which supplies about half of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly-owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Despite several interesting hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities, it will take a number of years before production can materialize. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs. TransportationAirports: 14 (2005) Merchant marineTotal: 2 ships (1000 GRT or over) 4,236 GRT/400 DWT Sailing Specifics: Ports and terminalsSisimiut DisputesManaged dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland Other Sailing Destinations in the RegionArctic Ocean - Bermuda - Spain and Canary Islands - Cape Verde Islands - Faeroes Islands - France - Greenland - Iceland - Ireland - Portugal, the Azores and Madeira - United Kingdom Further Reading |
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