Talk:Greenland

The Greenland archipelago?

See also (new) article:Greenland Ice Sheet Jens Nielsen 07:52, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

If the Greenland ice cap were to completely melt away, Greenland would most likely be an archipelago instead of an island-continent like Australia.

That's probably correct but in the meantime it would be a bunch of islands (it would take centuries if not millenia for the land to rise to a "normal" level I would think). -- stewacide

it would take 20.000 years to melt Greenland away. and the land never rise to a "normal" level, but rise quickly in start and slovly slow later.

New map of the rocky ground show as Greenland is one island today.

Haabet 18:43, 15 Apr 2004 (UTC)

It's still a bit of a toss-up. Presumably raised sea-levels concomitant with the loss of the ice sheet would make at least some islands from parts of greenland, but one would need to see that sub-ice topographic map to know at what sea level this would break Greenland up altogether. Post-glacial rebound is, as stewacide says, not an immediate issue. Scotland is still rising from relief the weight of the Devensian glaciation, which was entirely gone 10 millenia ago. -- John Fader (talk | contribs) 00:56, 28 Mar 2005 (UTC)

How can you separate the rising after the last 20 glaciations from the last 4 millenia ago, from the rising after Devensian glaciation.? Håbet 07:26, 5 May 2006 (UTC)

The connection between north and south Greenland is a mountain ridge, about 50km broad and about 500m high. The first radar map was so primitive as the mountain ridge not been seen. Håbet 07:26, 5 May 2006 (UTC)

STOP CHANGING IT!!!!

Please stop changing the new Greenland format to the old one. You can add on to it, please don't revert it.

'Australia Considered One'

It is the world's largest island (if continents are excluded and Australia is considered one). Wording is vague: when I read that, I presume that Australia is to be considered an island. Anyone else struck by the same? If not, ignore the ignorance, but if so rewording may be in order. Tolo 14:55, Jan 1, 2005 (UTC)

• That's not the worst of it. Someone here considers Greenland a continent. Hey, Mic! Look at a map! It's part of the same island group as the Canadian Arctic Islands. Greenland is in North America, not a continent in its own right.-----------Kelisi 2005/2/4

The first examination (by ca. 50km uncertainty) of the land under the ice say Grenland is two Isles

but many later more precise examination say its is one island. But the first result is ineradicable.

• I don't think that Australia should be excluded as being an island. Granted that "Australia" is considered a continent, but I think the continent is made up of more than one island or country (Australia, New Zealand).----------Mark, 7 April 2005

Is Australia a "Continent"? Some say that Australia is a continent unto itself, some say it is part of a continent called Oceania, others say it is part of a continent called Australasia. It all depends on the system you are taught and the regions you are trying to distinguish between. It is, however, widely recognised that Australia is a country which consists of a number of islands. The biggest of which (mainland Australia) spans nearly 7.6 Million Square Kilometres. This is by far the biggest 'single country' island in the world - Much larger than Greenland. In fact, Greenland at 2,166,086 sq km would easily fit into mainland Western Australia alone which measures 2,526,786 sq km.

NATO but not EU

I think that it's worth adding that Greenland is a member of NATO but unlike Denmark, not of the EU.--JBellis 22:29, 28 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Australia is technically not a continent on its own.

Australia is part of the continent of Australasia (now known as Oceania) which includes other island nations like New Zealand, Fiji, Soloman Islands and others aswell as mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Greenland part of North America?

It is obvious from looking at any map of North America that Greenland is largest and easternmost island in the Arctic Archipelago, most of which lies in Canada. It is definitely part of North America. (The only other choices would be Europe or Asia, over the North Pole -- and neither of those make any sense.)

As of 31 March 1917, when the United States purchased the Danish West Indian Islands for $25 million (renamed "U.S. Virgin Islands"), Greenland has been the only piece of the Danish Empire left in North America.

The other piece of the Danish Empire is the Faeroe Islands. They and Greenland were part of a string of colonial possessions that originally belonged to the Norwegian Empire -- Zetland (Shetland Islands), Orkney, Hebrides (all lost to Scotland), the Faeroes, Iceland, and Greenland; and, ever so briefly at the beginning of the 11th century, Vinland and Markland, in what is now the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The King of Norway then inherited the Danish throne, but the Kingdom of Norway and Denmark found itself on the wrong side of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 - and Norway (including Jan Mayen and Svalbard) was transferred to Sweden, while Denmark got to keep the old Norwegian colonies.

If Greenland is part of North America then Cape Spear is not the easterly point on the continent, as some have suggested in recent debate. CBC News

Is Greenland even counted in the total surface area of North America? --Madchester June 29, 2005 15:46 (UTC)

In Denmark we certainly don't consider Greenland part of North America, and neither do we count the area under the official Danish area. Jens Nielsen 08:47, 31 January 2006 (UTC)

Well I see Greenland as a part of the North American continent (Geographically) and part of the Danish Realm (administratively). I seem to remember that some fact books show the area of denmark, then area of the entire Realm, the acumulated area of Greenland Faroe Islands and Denmark in ( ). As for the CBC story I agree with the guy saying its something to discuss over a beer, my treat :) Angelbo 02:37, 2 February 2006 (UTC)

Somebody keeps adding the stub-category denmark-geo to locations in Greenland. Yes, Greenland belongs to the kingdom of Denmark, but I'm really startled to see Greenland locations mentioned as they were part of Denmark. It just does not seem right to me, even as a Dane. Is there a majority for not applying the Denmark-geo-stub to Greenlandic locations?Jens Nielsen 07:59, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

The issue of independence

Someone should write about the issue of Greenland's independence please.

Greenland's independence demand oil strikes. The land is big but cold, mountainous and stormy. without oil strikes no finances to pay the independence.Haabet 23:30, August 22, 2005 (UTC)

Is there any opinion that Kalaallit Nunaat/Grønland/Greenland should join Canada, since Nunavut belongs to Canada? Everton 15:35, 20 September 2005 (UTC)

If any such movement existed, Danish media would have reported the story long ago. So the short answer to your question is "No", for a number of reasons. 1) the Danish royal family is very popular in Greenland. 2) Greenland effectively "runs its own show" with virtually all the powers it can wish, except conducting an independent foreign policy (Greenland hasn't complained about not running its own defence policy.) 3) Denmark continues to support the Greeenlandic economy with large amouts of money. I believe that former Danish Prime Minister Poul Schlüter declared around 20 years ago, that any mineral finds on/near Greenland would directly benefit the Greenlandic people, not Denmark, so that's still official Danish policy. 4) Denmark has agreed to transfer even more powers to Greenland. Most importantly, it appears that in the future, Greenland will be allowed to negotiate foreign affairs on the behalf of the entire Realm; if the issue solely relates to Greenland. If the issue relates to both Greenland and any other part of the Realm, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will handle the case but consult Greenland and the Faroe Islands first. The current arrangement might not be ideal in all respects, but I think most Greenlanders will agree with me that the current arrangement actually works.

Besides, I believe that (virtually) every party in the Danish parliament have said that should Greenland ask for outright independence, it will be granted. So if Greenland wishes to end the symbiosis with Denmark, then so be it. I can't really see that Canada has to offer that Denmark hasn't already offered? Except, of course, lessons in French :-) On a more serious note; one thing that Canada can match is the colours of the flag. I've been told that the Greenlandic anthem refers to "our red-white flag".) --Valentinian 13:46, 26 October 2005 (UTC)

Actually I think that joining Canada sound like a quite strange thing to do. If they were ever to join another country, I belive it should be Norway. As you know, Greenland and the Faroe Islands were robbed from Norway at the Kiel treaty in 1815. Greenland was after all part of Norway from 982AD-1815AD and Norway also claimed and occupied parts of the Island as late as the 1920's. But from a Greenlandic perspective, I support independce.

I agree there should be some mention of it, as it is no trivial issue of discussion in Greenland. Then the size of the Danish subsidies should also be mentioned. If I remember correctly it is some 2 billion DKK, or equivalent to the entire import of Greenland and a good chunk of GDP. My personal opinion is that Greenland would not survive a month without these massive subsidies. Jens Nielsen 08:03, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

International Memberships (EU, NATO)

Greenland is listed as special territory in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_member_state_territories_and_their_relations_with_the_EU#Greenland , noting that Greelanders DO possess EU citizenship, although Greenland itself does not possess EU membership. I find this odd. Does anybody know something which might clarify this? --The Minister of War 09:52, 13 September 2005 (UTC)

The article states that Greenland left the EU in 1985 (under the Politics heading). Wikipedia's article for the European Union claims the EU wasn't formed until 1992 (which seems accurate). I'll leave the actual edit up to someone who knows for sure.

The treaty provisions on "special territories" refer to lands under the control (in any sense of the word) of an EU member state but that are not to be considered full or partly within the EU. The rules are different for each territory. So France's territory in South America is fully under EU law except in some small areas to do with trade, while the UK's Isle of Man, is fully outside of the EU (even Isle of Man citizens are not EU citizens and cannot move or live on the continent) except in some small areas to do with trade. Greenland, whose territory is outside of EU, but whose people are EU citizens, is somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. Seabhcán 16:37, 27 January 2006 (UTC)

Number of Norse Settlements?

from Greenland:

Icelandic settlers found the land uninhabited when they arrived ca. 982. They established three settlements near the very Southwestern tip of the island, where they thrived for the next few centuries.

from History of Greenland:

This colony reached a size of 3,000 to 5,000 people, initially in two settlements – the larger Eastern Settlement and the Western Settlement (of a peak size of about 1,000 people.)

Taken together, these statements suggest a third settleent that has been unmentioned in History of Greenland. Is this really the case? --Bletch 22:57, 16 October 2005 (UTC)

I remember seeing a map years ago showing a third (minor) settlement between the two well-known ones. I'll try to find a source. --Valentinian 21:40, 27 November 2005 (UTC)

I think the term Icelandic settlers are quite strange. The settlers arriving in Greenland were settlers from the island of Iceland, but all the people in Iceland were Norwegian. Iceland was a part of the kingdom of Norway. Although there is today a Icelandic culture and nation, this was not the case at the time around 1000ad.

The Kingdom of Norway are from abut and the large settlement of Iceland was that time, the settlers was new Norwegian. The one of the first settlement of Iceland was about by Norwegian from Ireland.

The Iceland was independent 930 and fairly independent from Norway until 1262.Haabet 10:29, 13 December 2005 (UTC)

I disagree somewhat. Although you are right about it being fairly independent from 930-1262, it was still a part of the kingdom of Norway. Iceland had it's own "parliment"(the allting), so did parts of Norway( the gulating, borgating, etc). The people living on Iceland were Norwegian. (they were also irish and scottish norsemen). Fact is that Erik Raude was a norwegian. (Eirik Raude discovered Greenland) Eirik Raude was born in Norway, but had to flee to Iceland because of his fathers murders. Later he had to flee Iceland after himself comitting several murders. This was when he discovered a fair and temperate island similar to the climate of Norway, that he called Greenland. His son later on sailed further south to discover North America, presumebly at Newfoundland, which he named Vinland. The discussion here was who settled Greenland. As Eirik Raude clearly was a Norwegian, I must agree with the writer above that Norwegians discovered and settled Greenland, although they might be icelandic Norwegians.

I don't think nationality was such a big thing for people in these days, they probably just identified with the place they were living in at any given moment. The settlers of Greenland are for instance called 'Greenlanders' in the Saga of the Greenlanders but it would be hard to argue that they constituted a 'nation'. Nationalism is a fairly recent invention. --Bjarki 15:33, 4 June 2006 (UTC)

Firstly, the number of settlements mentioned are only two in all written medieval sources. But during the last 50 years extensive archaeological excavation in the old settlements archaeologists have frequently used the term “Middle settlement” (also in maps) for the 20 or so northernmost farms in the southern settlement – Eystribyggd”. These farms are quite remote from the rest of the settlement and constitute a separate cluster. Secondly, the obvious phrase for the settlers is Norse, not Icelandic nor Norwegian. And of course the idea of a nation in the modern sense did not exist at this time but surely the Greenlanders must have looked upon themselves as a separate group of people just as the Icelanders soon did after the settlement of Iceland. After all, the Norse Greenlanders lived there for almost 500 years. - Masae 22:13, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Geographical vs. political classifications of regions

This appears to be a region that can be part of either of 2 continents, one geographically and the other politically. How many regions of this kind are there?? Georgia guy 01:07, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

That's a really good and interesting point to ponder! See article "Subregion" for more on the difference between Political geography, Physical geography and Cultural geography. --Big Adamsky 12:10, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

Topographical Facts

Are there no topographical facts about green land? What is the average elevation? How thick is the ice sheet? What is the ice sheets volume? How much of the ice is below sea level already?

I have seen it stated that, if Greenland melted, sea level would rise 5M. Lets check the math. "Scientists' say" is not good enough for somthing that can be measured and calculated. It would be nice to be able to check it here.

• I am in favour of including a little information on the ice sheet, which I know to be up to 3 km thick, but I dont see any need to provide (in this article) all the information needed for people to verify everything with their own calculations. Go check with the scientists instead or check the facts and discussion in Greenland ice cap. Jens Nielsen 08:45, 31 January 2006 (UTC). I've just written a full article on the Greenland Ice Sheet, you should find all the facts there. Jens Nielsen 08:05, 24 February 2006 (UTC)

Employment in Greenland

I am a Belgian citizen living and working full-time in Ireland. My goal is to go further north, and I would be interested in going to Greenland for a while. Is there anyone who has more insight in the Greenlandic employment market, as the Economy part of the article is not very in-depth (which is logical I guess as it has to stay somewhat general), but is there someone who has some more detailed information on the current jobmarket in Greenland? You can always send me an email as well as it may not be of interest to the other site visitors, send email to gerrit.df @gmail.com (without the space before the @) Nocturnal Me 21:53, 23 March 2006 (UTC)

NATO

Is Greenland a member of NATO? I expect that Denmark is allowed to pursue foreign affaris and defence for Greenland, but it isnt specified in teh text? Can somebody clarify? The Minister of War ^(Peace) 14:37, 14 April 2006 (UTC)

Greenland ist member of the NATO on behalf the Danish Empire, since 27 April 1951. -- Arne List 17:40, 15 April 2006 (UTC)

Vegetation

Actually, I was wondering if there is any vegetation or trees in any part of Greenland. The article does not address this matter other than a remark about some farming in the past. If some one has some information to add, that would be nice. Very interesting article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.65.142.160 (talk • contribs)

Some inner fjords in Nanortalik municipality in the far south have patches of birch forests, otherwise there are no trees, only shrubs and grasses (except on the ice cap and on barren rock). BigAdamsky|TALK|EDITS| 23:28, 26 April 2006 (UTC)

http://www.sl.kvl.dk/Faciliteter/GroenlandsArboretet.aspx

Football

The article states that Greenland's national football team competed in the 2006 world cup. Clearly it doesn't refer to the finals, but perhaps qualification. If so, did they compete as part of UEFA? This seems incorrect.

Read it again, it's the Wild Cup, not World Cup. :) I'm not sure though if the Greenlanders take this seriously or that this belongs in the article. --Bjarki 14:07, 21 June 2006 (UTC)

Picture of Greenland

Can't someone put a picture of Greenland in the article to show what it looks like when you're in it?

Good idea, I'll upload one this week. Jens Nielsen 21:25, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

Thanks for the picture.

Greenland named by Eric the Red or settlers?

I've removed the following recent insertion:

According to the article on Greenland in the 3rd edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1790-1797), the name was given not by Erik the Red but by the settlers he attracted to the island, owing to the verdant appearance of the coastal areas where they settled, in the warmer climate of the 10th-11th centuries.

It could be true, but I distrust the old source: My 1999 version of Encyclopedia Britannica says it was named by Eric the Red. Does anyone have corroborating sources? Jens Nielsen 18:14, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

The saga say as Grenland was named Gundbjørns skær, efter the mand who was the first to see that in mirage. And the land was renamed of Erik the Red. The farm of Erik the Red in Island, was a desert farm, by black lava soil, and the part of Grenland reside in was gren-gren in the summer. perhaps only was the gren part Grenland, the livable part of Grenland, which was named Grenland, but it is the livable part, which have named all the island. Håbet 04:36, 20 July 2006 (UTC)

In the medieval Icelandic saga, The Saga of Eric the Red (Eiriks saga rauða), which is about the Norse settlement in Greenland and the story of Eric the Red in particular, it is expressed quite directly: "He named the land Greenland, saying that people we would be eager to go there if it had a good name." This is actually the only source of who gave the, in our eyes, odd name to the country. - Masae 21:45, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Greenland oil exploration

[1] is a Yahoo News article saying that Greenland might have as much as half of Saudi Arabia's oil reserves. Six previous test drillings were not profitable, but with oil prices shooting up and global warming making the region more accessible there is renewed interest. Simesa 21:52, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

Under the ice

What's under the ice? I understand there are several ancient maps that indicate not only the correct terrain but also former cities. In any case the type of terrain that can be found under the ice should be talked about in the article.