Introduction
Greenland is the largest (non-continental) island in the world and has the smallest population. Did you know the island is covered in ice, despite being called Greenland? The island is found in the North Atlantic Ocean and is a part of Denmark. It is called “Kalaallit Nunaat” by people, which means “Land of Greenlanders”.
Greenland Facts for Kids
Where Is Greenland Located?
Greenland is located in between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. It is a territory of Denmark and is 2,670 kilometres (or 1,660 miles) long. Canada and Iceland are neighbouring countries to Greenland. The capital of Greenland is “Nuuk”.
What Is Greenland Like?
80% of Greenland is covered in ice sheets and according to NASA these ice sheets have a thickness of 2.3 kilometres (1.4 miles). There are only two ice sheets in the world that are found in Greenland and Antarctica. If the ice sheets in Greenland melted, it would cause the global sea level to rise up to 7 meters (23 feet).
The terrain in Greenland consists of
- Huge glaciers
- Tall Mountains
- Few trees
What Is The Weather In Greenland?
The weather is different in the North and South of Greenland.
- Did you know that Greenland has an Arctic Tundra climate? This means Greenland experiences freezing cold winters and mildly warm summers.
- North: During warm summer months the temperature does not exceed 42 degrees Fahrenheit (5.6 degrees Celcius). During freezing winter months the temperature is around -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees celsius).
- South: During winter months the temperature can fall up to 20 Fahrenheit ( -7 degrees celsius). During summer months the temperature can rise up to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees celsius).
People of Greenland
Three major indigenous groups inhabit Greenland:
- The Kalaallit of Western Greenland. They speak Kalaallisut
- The Tunumiit of Eastern Greenland. They speak Oraasiat
- The Inughuit of Northern Greenland. They speak Inuit
The majority of the population of Greenland speaks Kalaallisut as the official language, while Danish is considered to be the second language of Greenland.
Animals of Greenland
There are a lot of animals that inhabit Greenland.
Mammals like:
- Polar bears
- Arctic Foxes and Wolves
- Muskox
Birds like:
- King Eider
- Common Loon
- Snowy Owl
Fish like:
- Lump fish
- Greenland cod
- Deepwater Redfish
History of Greenland
The history of Greenland is rich:
- The island was first settled by Inuit people, thousands of years ago.
- Norse settlers and Erik the Red arrived in Greenland around 982-985 AD.
- The Norse population disappeared in 1500 AD.
- 16th-18th century connection and trade between European and Inuit people began.
- Today Greenland is a part of Denmark but retains its own government.
Life in Greenland Today
Can you imagine towns full of colourful houses by the coast? Surrounded by huge mountains and ice sheets, with little to no internet in areas. Life in Greenland is different from a connected world. In order to travel from town to town, you would have to use modes of transport like:
- Dog sleds
- Snowmobiles
- Planes
- Helicopters
- Boats
Children in Greenland are just like you; they go to school and play football with their friends, they read and listen to stories. Though it is important to note that Greenland is also rich in culture and traditions. Children get to learn basic hunting skills as families often partake in subsistence hunting (survival hunting).
Industries Of Greenland
People in Greenland depend on these industries:
- Commercial fishing: 90% of the island’s exports consist of fishing exports. The fishing industry has a huge contribution to Greenland’s economy.
- Tourism: People from all over the world visit Greenland to see the Northern lights and the Illulissat Icefjord.
- Subsistence Hunting: Families support themselves by partaking in hunting, children of indigenous groups learn how to hunt from a young age.
- Emerging oil and mining industries: According to scientists Greenland has reserves of oil, natural gas, gold, uranium and few other minerals. People in Greenland are divided by the effects of the mining industry on the environment, yet see the potential for better life due to its expansion. A local from Greenland when asked about emerging mining industries says “This is a significant time in Greenland”.
Greenland and Climate Change
Greenland is affected by climate change drastically. Scientists from around the world visit Greenland to study the effects of global warming and melting ice sheets. Climate change causes:
- The ice sheets melt faster and cause the sea level to rise throughout the world.
- Pushes people away from the coast due to rising water levels.
- Animals like narwhals and polar bears have to adapt to the changing climate, they lose habitat and hunting grounds due to the melting ice.
- Melting ice sheets cause greenhouse gases like Methane to be released which increase global warming and climate change.
Conclusion
Greenland is an icy island with beautiful wonders of nature and contains deep history and cultures within. It is important to note that this island is drastically changing due to issues like climate change. You should always learn and read about different places around the world so one day you can help solve these issues. Before you go tell me, would you ever visit Greenland one day and why?
Fun Facts About Greenland
Here are some facts about Greenland for kids:
- 56,000– 57,000 people live in Greenland.
- Did you know roughly 80% of Greenland is covered in ice?
- In some areas there are more sled dogs than people in Greenland.
- Roads do not connect towns in Greenland.
- People use boats, snowmobiles or planes to travel in Greenland.
- Summer days in Greenland experience up to 24 hours of sunlight!
Frequently Asked Questions About Greenland
Do people live on the ice in Greenland?
No, Greenlanders do not live on the ice, but instead they live on the coast which is ice-free.
Do polar bears live in Greenland?
Yes, It is estimated that 2,500 polar bears live in Greenland.
Why is it called Greenland if it’s covered in ice?
Greenland got its name to attract settlers despite being covered in ice, as it’s difficult to live and adapt to such an environment.
Which animals live in Greenland?
Various animals live in Greenland, like:
Harp seal etc.
Walrus
Arctic Wolf
Greenland Shark
External Links
- CIA World Factbook – Greenland
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/greenland/ - NASA Earth Observatory – Greenland’s Ice Sheet
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/Greenland - World Meteorological Organization – Climate of Greenland
https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/climate-greenland - National Geographic – Polar Bears in Greenland
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/polar-bear - Museum of National History Greenland – History of Greenland
https://nka.gl/en/greenland-national-museum-and-archives/ - National Geographic – Greenland and Climate Change
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/greenland-climate-change
