Greenland - Country facts
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Location
Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Background
The world's largest island, Greenland 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 European Union) 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.
Climate
arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Terrain
flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast
Population
56,375 (July 2005 est.)
Ethnic Groups
Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12% (January 2000)
Religions
Evangelical Lutheran
Languages
Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English
Map of Greenland
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