Flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow mountainous barren rocky coast
Climate
Arctic to subarctic; cool summers cold winters
Natural Hazards
Flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow mountainous barren rocky coast
Note:
Dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap
Neighbouring Countries
History
Greenland 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 centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008 and acquired complete responsibilty for internal affairs in June 2009. Denmark however continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs security and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Home Rule Government. Read more on Wikipedia
