With its majestic glaciers, dramatic fjords and towering icebergs, Greenland offers natural experiences far beyond the ordinary. Here we have gathered ten facts about the world’s largest island which, in addition to its magical landscapes, also offers a fascinating culture and a history that is ever present.
1. The largest island in the world
Greenland is the largest island in the world that is not considered a continent and it is three times the size of France. However, with only about 56 thousand inhabitants it is one of the most sparsely populated places on Earth.
2. No roads
There are no roads connecting the towns and villages in Greenland. Transport between them is usually by boat, plane, dog sled or snowmobile.
3. An unusual food experience
The traditional dish mattak consists of whale skin with a layer of blubber. Eating mattak can be quite an unusual food experience but for many Greenlanders it is an important part of their culture and identity.
4. The land of sled dogs
In some parts of the country there are more sled dogs than people. Dogs in these traditional sled dog areas are not allowed indoors because they are meant to keep their natural working behaviour.
5. The name that was meant to attract settlers
Greenland got its name from the Viking Erik the Red who, according to historical accounts, chose a more enticing name to encourage people to settle there. Despite the cold and harsh environment, there are green and fertile areas along the southwestern coast during summer, and he wanted to give the place an appealing name to persuade more people to follow him.
6. An extensive language
The language Kalaallisut spoken in Greenland often forms long and complex words that work almost like complete sentences. This makes it possible to create a large vocabulary and very precise descriptions of the environment, weather and many natural conditions including words related to ice and snow.
7. Beer brewed with glacier ice
There are breweries in Greenland that brew their own beer using water from melted glacier ice. The water is often very pure which makes it ideal for beer as it allows brewers to create and control flavours more easily through malt, hops and fermentation.
8. Desert landscape despite all the ice
Even though many think of Greenland as a land covered in ice it is also home to one of the most extreme desert landscapes in the world. In northern Greenland there is an area known as the polar desert because it almost never snows despite temperatures that remain far below zero.
9. Football all night long
Football is a very popular activity in Greenland and thanks to the midnight sun it is not unusual for matches or training sessions to start late in the evening and continue well into the night.
10. Kaffemik for life’s big moments
Kaffemik (meaning "with coffee") is an important and cherished social tradition that works like an open house, where guests can come and go for several hours during life’s major events or simply as a way to spend time together.
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