Greenland

part of the Danish realmIndependence part of the Danish realm

Greenland as the 1991 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 64 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalNuuk (Godthab)

Area2,175,600 km2

Populationas each edition published it

56,752 people July 1991 · 56,078 in 1990

Population growth% a year

Not in this edition 0.84% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 33.1 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

Not in this edition 66.19 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

2.2 children per woman 1991 · 2.2 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

28 deaths per 1,000 live births 1991 · 28 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

Not in this edition $9,000 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

Not in this edition -10% in 1993

Geography

11 fields

Total area

2,175,600km2

land area: 341,700 km2 (ice free)Comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of Texas

Coastline

44,087 km Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm

Disputes

Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims between Greenland and Jan Mayen

Climate

arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Terrain

flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast

Natural resources

zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, cryolite, uranium, fish

Land use

arable land 0%;
permanent crops 0%;
meadows and pastures 1%;
forest and woodland NEGL%;
other 99%

Environment

sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island

Note

dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe

People

14 fields

Population

56,752

(July 1991), growth rate 1.2% (1991)

Per 1,000 population(1991)

Birth

20Death

8Net migration

Nationality

noun--Greenlander(s); adjective--Greenlandic

Ethnic divisions

Greenlander (Eskimos and Greenland-born Caucasians) 86%, Danish 14%

Labor force

22,800; largely engaged in fishing, hunting, sheep breeding

Government

Part of the Danish realm

16 fields

Landsting, 27 seats, elected 5 March 1991one dot, one seat

Siumut 11Atassut Party 8Inuit Ataqatigiit 5Center Party 2Polar Party 1

Type

part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division

Administrative divisions

3 municipalities (kommuner, singular--kommun); Nordgronland, Ostgronland, Vestgronland

Independence

part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division

Executive branch

Danish monarch, high commissioner, home rule chairman, prime minister, Cabinet (Landsstyre)

Judicial branch

High Court (Landsret) Chief of State--Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Bent KLINTE (since NA);
Head of Government--Home Rule Chairman Lars Emil JOHANSEN (since 15 March 1991)

Political parties and leaders

two-party ruling coalition--Siumut (a moderate socialist party that advocates more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark), Lars Emil JOHANSEN, chairman;
and Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA; a Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule);
Atassut Party (a more conservative party that favors continuing close relations with Denmark), leader NA;
Polar Party (conservative-Greenland nationalist), leader NA;
Center Party (a new nonsocialist protest party), leader NA

Suffrage

universal at age 18 Landsting--last held on 5 March 1991 (next to be held 5 March 1995);
results--percent of vote by party NA;
seats--(27 total) Siumut 11, Atassut Party 8, Inuit Ataqatigiit 5, Center Party 2, Polar Party 1;
Danish Folketing--last held on 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994);
Greenland elects two representatives to the Folketing;
results--percent of vote by party NA;
seats--(2 total) Siumut 1, Atassut 1

Diplomatic representation

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Flag

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center--the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white

Economy

Over the past 25 years, the economy has changed from one based on subsistence whaling, hunting, and fishing to one dependent on foreign trade.

16 fields

Inflation, consumer prices

4.4%

(1989)

Unemployment rate

(1990 est.)

External debt

$480million

(1990 est.)

Exports $417 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.)commodities, where a share is given

fish and fish products

78%metallic ores and concentrates

19%

; partners--Denmark 74%, FRG 11%, Sweden 6%

Imports $394 million (c.i.f., 1989 est.)

manufactured goods

36%machinery and transport equipment

26%food products

13%petroleum and petroleum products

10%

; partners--Denmark 69%, Norway, FRG, Japan, US, Sweden

Budget

Revenues

$381 millionExpenditures

$381 million

expenditures, including capital expenditures of $36 million (1989)

Over the past 25 years, the economy has changed from one based on subsistence whaling, hunting, and fishing to one dependent on foreign trade. Fishing is still the most important industry, accounting for over 75% of exports and about 25% of the population's income. Maintenance of a social welfare system similar to Denmark's has given the public sector a dominant role in the economy.

In 1990, the economy became critically dependent on shrimp exports and an annual subsidy (now about $355 million) from the Danish Government because cod exports had fallen, the zinc and lead mine closed, and a large promising platinum and gold mine was not yet operational. Greenland has signed a contract for its largest construction project, a power plant to supply the capital.

To avoid a decline in the economy, Denmark has agreed to pay 75% of the costs of running Sondrestrom Airbase and Kulusuk Airfield as civilian bases after the US withdraws in 1992.