World Country Greenland

About the world country Greenland, its location, size, population, and who is in power.

NATIONS OF THE WORLD

GREENLAND

Location: A large island in the North Atlantic. Size: 840,000 sq. mi. (2,175,600 sq. km.). Population: 49,000.

Who Really Rules: A province of Denmark, Greenland is an extension of that Scandinavian country's welfare state. Four fifths of its budget comes from Denmark, and continental Danes hold most skilled and professional jobs.

Most of the people of Greenland are of Eskimo descent, but Danish "benevolence" has virtually destroyed the native culture. Greenlanders, predominantly fishing people, live off the sea and the land, so they oppose development of the island's anticipated offshore oil deposits. Not only do they fear pollution, but they have never welcomed foreign investment. These concerns have stimulated a strong native movement for home rule.