Best Countries

Important facts

Capital: Nuuk (See more on SIMPLYYELLOWPAGES.COM)

Official language: Eskimo

Continent: North America

Greenland trip

Vacation on the northern edge of Europe.

According to Countryaah, the official name of Greenland ” Kalaallit Nunaat ” means “land of the people”. Geographically, the country belongs to America, but politically to Europe or Denmark. But Greenland has internal autonomy and left the EU in 1985. The largest island in the world with 2.16 million km² is home to around 56,000 residents, 14,000 of whom live in the Greenland Capital Nuuk. 88% of the population are Inuit or Inuit descendants. They are closely related to the Inuit who live in Alaska, Canada, and Siberia. Also the national language – Greenlandic- is closely related to the language of the American Inuit. The Greenlandic words kayak, anorak and igloo were directly adopted in many languages.

The climate

Greenland is 85% covered with ice. The arctic climate is predominant, with an annual mean of 10 ° C. The best time to travel is from mid-June to the end of August. Freezing temperatures and snowfall are already possible in September.

Specialties

Canned shrimp, knitwear made of musk wool, carvings made of reindeer antlers or bones are ideal souvenirs. Warning: Products made from polar bear claws or whale teeth are not allowed to be imported into some countries.

Ilulissat

The Greenlandic word for icebergs is also the name of the third largest city in Greenland. An apt name. Because a few kilometers further south, the world’s most spectacular ice fjord flows into Disko Bay and provides a unique natural spectacle that is now under UNSECO protection. The ice sheet runs into the ocean here. Huge icebergs, which can reach 50 or more meters above the water level and 300-400 meters below, pass majestically and drift south. The iceberg that sank the Titanic on the night of April 14th to 15th, 1912, most likely came from this region.

Qirittoqs and why polar bears don’t eat penguins

Did you know that a polar bear has never killed a penguin? The explanation is that polar bears only live at the North Pole, while penguins only live at the South Pole. Greenlanders who are close to nature still believe in the influence of qirittoqs (spirits). Undertakers always dig a few graves in advance in the cemetery because the ground is frozen as hard as rock in winter. The Vikings already paid a visit to Greenland from time to time.

Culinary

Dried fish is popular and can often be seen hanging in front of houses. Whale ragout, roast reindeer, musk ox steak and tender seal meat are also on the menu.

Greenland dogs – barking workhorses at the Arctic Circle

In a country where the longest paved road is 15 km long, sled dogs are of particular importance. The Greenland dogs, not to be confused with the North American huskies, look similar to wolves and are considered to be particularly persistent. Greenlanders see them as animals for work and hunting and not as lap dogs. The breeding of Greenland dogs is subject to strict requirements. Out of consideration for the sheep breeders based in the south, the dogs may only be kept north of the Arctic Circle.

Geography

Continent: North America

Geo coordinates: N 71 ° 42 ’25 ” W -42 ° -36′ -15.5″

Highest mountain: Gunbjorn (3,700 m)

Total area: 2,166,086 km²

Mainland: 2,166,086 km²

Coastline: 44,087 km

Politics

Dependency: Denmark since 1380

Economy

Export goods: Fish, fish products

Electricity consumption: 230 million KWh

Oil consumption: 4,000 million m³

Sheep: 22,000 pieces

Fishing: 290,000 t

Demographic data

Residents: 56,400

Residents in cities: 46,600

Average age: 34 years

0-14 years: 24.5%

15-64 years: 68.9%

> 65 years: 6.6%

Population growth: -0.03%

Birth rate: 15.93 / 1,000 residents

Death rate: 7.84 / 1,000 residents

Migration: -8.37 / 1,000 residents

Ratio men / women: 1.12

Fertility: 2.4 children / woman

Infant mortality: 15.4 ‰

Life expectancy men: 66.36 years

Life expectancy women: 73.6 years

Country codes and abbreviations

ISO 3166 Alpha 2: GL

ISO 3166 Alpha 3: GRL

ISO 3166 numeric: 304

Top Level Domain: gl

UN / LOCODE: GL

Source: Abbreviationfinder

Transportation

Paved roads: 60 km

Cars: 3,000

Merchant fleet (ships over 1,000 GRT): 3

Health

Number of doctors: 100

HIV- infected people: 100

Religion

Main religious group: Christians

Crime

Prison inmates: 100

GETTING THERE

Arriving by plane

Air Greenland (GL) (Internet: www.airgreenland.gl) is the national airline. It flies to various airports in Greenland from Copenhagen. There are no direct flights to Greenland from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, you have to change trains in Denmark or Iceland. Year-round direct connections from Copenhagen to Søndre Strømfjord / Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq several times a week; from there there are good connections to the other Greenland cities. Further connections also with Air Iceland (FI).

Note on arriving by plane

The best way to book a Greenland tour is through a tour operator. Only those who already know the country well should set out on their own. Greenland Tourism (see contact addresses) helps with vacation planning. In general, all transport issues should be clarified before departure and bookings made early. The arctic weather conditions in Greenland can lead to delays and interruptions in travel at short notice. Travelers should plan enough time and contact the airline before boarding a flight.

Flight times

Frankfurt – Kangerlussuaq: 16 hours 15: Vienna – Kangerlussuaq: 18 hours;
Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq: 4 hours 40 (all connections via Copenhagen).

Departure fee

No.

Arrival by ship

There are no international passenger ship connections to Greenland. However, Greenland is called by cruises.

Cruise ships

Hurtigruten (Internet: www.hurtigruten.de) offers 11 to 13-day expedition trips from Copenhagen / Kangerlussuaq in June. The route leads across Disko Bay and along the west coast of Greenland.

ON THE GO

Overview

Note

In some cases considerable delays in flights and ship passages in domestic and long-distance traffic must be expected due to the extreme weather conditions.

Traveling by plane

Domestic flights with helicopters and airplanes are offered by Air Greenland (GL) (Internet: www.airgreenland.gl). There are flights to all cities on the west coast from Upernavik in the north to Nanortalik in south Greenland and Kulusuk, Ammassalik and Ittoqqortoormiit on the east coast. The number of flights varies depending on the route, early booking in advance, preferably before arriving in Greenland, is recommended. However, if you book outside of Greenland, it may take some time before the booking is confirmed.

Note on air travel

In some cases, considerable delays in domestic and long-distance flights must be expected due to the extreme weather conditions.

Flight times

Flight times from Kangerlussuaq to other areas in Greenland (approximate hours and minutes):

On the way by car / bus

Roads exist only within localities and between Ivituut and Kangilinnguit.

Note on traveling by road

Dog sledding: Dog sleds with a guide can be rented in all cities on the east coast and on the west coast north of the Arctic Circle. Warning: You should keep in mind that dogs are usually only half tame. This is just one of the reasons why dog sleds should always be given right of way. Caution is advised as dog sleds are almost silent.

On the go by train

There is no rail network in Greenland. Airplanes and ships are the only means of transport.

On the way by ship

Between May and January, the ships of the Arctic Umiaq Line (Internet: www.aul.gl) regularly connect the international airport with the ports on the west coast. In addition, all villages are approached by boats from the nearest larger city; Passenger places are limited. In some cities you can rent boats with a crew. Coastal Cruise Greenland offers cruises as part of all-inclusive flights. Further information from Greenland Tourism (see contact addresses).

Note on the cruise

In some cases considerable delays in ship passages in domestic and long-distance traffic must be expected due to the extreme weather conditions.