Greenland is an autonomous country, within the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland is the largest island in the world, it is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada and northwest of Iceland. The distance to Canada is at the height of the Robeson Channel only 16 miles. The northern part lies within the southern polar circle. Its total area is 836,109 square miles and the capital and largest city is Nuuk. Greenland is divided into three provinces, Kitaa, Tunu and Avannarsua. Furthermore, it is divided into 18 municipalities.
Greenland is a Parliamentary democracy, within a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Margrethe II as head of the state. The head of government is the Prime Minister, currently Kuupik Kleist (2010).
Medieval ruins of Vikings can be found in southern Greenland, there are numerous remains of Osterbygden, along the fjords, peninsulas on or along streams. The majority of people descended from the Inuit, which can readily be seen in the culture and traditions of Greenland. People continue the Inuit tradition of ice-fishing and there are annual dog-sled races. Most Greenlanders are still hunting their prey is eaten and the skins used for clothing and kayaks. In Greenlandic Inuit music is widely sung and played on the drums, which drums are usually made of animal skin stretched over a wooden frame and decorated by the drummer with symbolic and decorative motifs
Greenlanders eat mainly meat. Especially bacon is favorite. The national dish is suaasat, a strong seal meat soup with rice and onions.
A huge ice cap covers 85% of the island, the edges and islands off the coast are not covered.
Above the Arctic Circle near the town Tasiilaq you can travel by dogsled in winter. From Greenland you can make an organized whale safari and during a cruise in the fjords, you can visit the ice cap.
You see many colored houses in Greenland, the Danes have introduced. The colors of the houses formerly gave ownership back. Blue buildings were dealing with mail and telephone, yellow with health, education and ecclesiastical affairs with green and red with the trade. Today there is no meaning to the colors.
With its breathtaking nature Greenland is a perfect destination for adventure travel. In southern Greenland are some impressive mountain peaks over 6560 feet high for mountaineers and hikers find in the flat land, inside an impressive nature.
Most transport is by air, with planes and helicopters, two large boats sail weekly between the major cities and some small boats sailing between the different towns, which are al coastal. Cars, buses and taxi `s found only in urban areas. Outside the village roads are barely passable.
Scandinavians have only to pack their identity, while travelers from the rest of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and America should bring a valid passport. Tourists from other (non-Western) countries need a passport and a visa. If you need a visa you can request at the Embassy or Consulate of Denmark.
