The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 2000 to 2025 Arctic Region

Background Greenland, in 26 editions.

The entry for Greenland published Background in 26 editions of 36, from 2000 to 2025. The text changed in 16 editions. Each is shown as published. Background in every entry.

editions changed the text
16
the first edition with it
2000
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Background” (2000 to 2025).

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2025 edition

Same as 2024

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The same text in 2024 and 2025.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 80% ice capped. The Inuit came to Greenland from North America in a series of migrations that stretched from 2500 BC to the11th century. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas.

Greenland remains a member of the EU's Overseas Countries and Territories Association. The Danish parliament granted Greenland home rule in 1979; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of self-government in 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in 2009. The Kingdom of Denmark, however, continues to exercise control over several policy areas on behalf of Greenland, including foreign affairs, security, and financial policy, in consultation with Greenland's Self-Rule Government.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 80% ice-capped. ice capped. The Inuit came to Greenland from North America in a series of migrations that stretched from 2500 BC to the11th century. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became an integral part of the Danish Realm Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland remains a member of the EU's Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the EU. Greenland was Association. The Danish parliament granted self-government Greenland home rule in 1979 by the Danish parliament; 1979; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule self-government in November 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in June 2009. The Kingdom of Denmark, however, continues to exercise control over several policy areas on behalf of Greenland, including foreign affairs, security, and financial policy policy, in consultation with Greenland's Self-Rule Government.

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Central Intelligence Agency. “Greenland: Background.” The World Factbook, 2000–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/greenland/background.

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