Greenland
part of the Danish realmIndependence none (part of the Danish realm
Greenland as the 1993 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 70 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
In the North Atlantic Ocean, between Canada and Norway
14 fieldsLand useshare of 2,175,600 km2
International disputes
Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims between Greenland and Jan Mayen
Environment
sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island
People
14 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1993 est.)
Government
Part of the Danish realm
19 fieldsNames
- conventional long form:
- none
- conventional short form:
- Greenland
- local long form:
- none
- local short form:
- Kalaallit Nunaat
Administrative divisions
3 municipalities (kommuner, singular - kommun); Nordgronland, Ostgronland, Vestgronland
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;
- Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA; a Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule), Arqaluk LYNGE;
- Atassut Party (a more conservative party that favors continuing close relations with Denmark), leader NA;
- Polar Party (conservative-Greenland nationalist), Lars CHEMNITZ;
- Center Party (a new nonsocialist protest party), leader NA
Elections
- 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
- 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
Executive branch
Danish monarch, high commissioner, home rule chairman, prime minister, Cabinet (Landsstyre)
Leaders
- Chief of State:
- Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Torben Hede PEDERSEN (since NA)
- Head of Government:
- Home Rule Chairman Lars Emil JOHANSEN (since 15 March 1991)
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
Greenland's economic situation at present is difficult and unemployment | increases.
18 fieldsOverview
Greenland's economic situation at present is difficult and unemployment increases. Prospects for economic growth in the immediate future are not bright. The Home Rule Government's economic restraint measures introduced in the late 1980s have assisted in shifting red figures into a balance in the public budget.
Foreign trade produced a surplus in 1989 and 1990, but has now returned to a deficit. Following the closing of the Black Angel lead and zinc mine in 1989, Greenland today is fully dependent on fishing and fish processing, this sector accounting for 95% of exports. Prospects for fisheries are not bright, as the important shrimp catches will at best stabilize and cod catches have dropped.
Resumption of mining and hydrocarbon activities is not around the corner, thus leaving only tourism with some potential for the near future. The public sector in Greenland, i.e. the HRG and its commercial entities and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland accounting for about two thirds of total employment. About half the government's revenues come from grants from the Danish Government.
Exports
$340.6 million (f.o.b., 1991)
- commodities:
- fish and fish products 95%
- partners:
- Denmark 79%, Benelux 9%, Germany 5%
Imports
$403 million (c.i.f., 1991)
- commodities:
- manufactured goods 28%, machinery and transport equipment 24%, food and live animals 12.4%, petroleum products 12%
- partners:
- Denmark 65%, Norway 8.8%, US 4.6%, Germany 3.8%, Japan 3.8%, Sweden 2.4%
Industries
fish processing (mainly shrimp), lead and zinc mining, handicrafts, some small shipyards, potential for platinum and gold mining
Agriculture
- sector dominated by fishing and sheep raising;
- crops limited to forage and small garden vegetables;
- 1988 fish catch of 133,500 metric tons
Exchange rates
Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.236 (January 1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989), 6.732 (1988)
Communications
4 fieldsPorts
Kangerluarsoruseq (Faeringehavn), Paamiut (Frederikshaab), Nuuk (Godthaab), Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Julianehaab, Maarmorilik, North Star Bay
Airports
- total:
- 11
- usable:
- 8
- with permanent-surface runways:
- 5
- with runways over 3,659 m:
- 0
- with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
- 2
- with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
- 2
Telecommunications
- adequate domestic and international service provided by cables and microwave radio relay;
- 17,900 telephones;
- broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7 (35 repeaters) FM, 4 (9 repeaters) TV;
- 2 coaxial submarine cables;
- 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Defense Forces
1 fieldCite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Greenland.” The World Factbook 1993. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/greenland/1993.