7 things to know about Greenland, the autonomous territory of Denmark that Trump wants

US President Donald Trump has again pushed for the acquisition of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. Trump seemingly wants it for its strategic positioning and the availability of rare mineral resources.

Even with Trump’s constant pursuit for the territory, Greenland has previously made it known repeatedly that it does not want to be part of the United States. If a US military seizure of Greenland takes place, it will make the transatlantic alliance between Denmark and the US in the NATO falter.

Located in the Northern Hemisphere, Greenland is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean in the north, the North Atlantic Ocean in the south, Baffin Bay in the west and the Greenland Sea in the east.

Greenland lies closer to North America, but culturally and politically it is tied to Denmark. Its extreme climate, ice-covered landscape and Arctic location have strongly shaped not only its physical geography but also its settlement patterns and way of life.

Northern lights in Nuuk, Greenland. (AP Photo)

Greenland spans approximately 2,166,086 km², making it larger than many countries combined. About 80% of its surface is covered by ice caps and glaciers, making it the second largest ice-sheet covering after Antarctica.

The major physical features of the island include vast ice caps, rugged mountain ranges, fjords and glacier-covered valleys. Its coastline stretches over 44,000 kilometres, and is heavily indented by fjords and inlets.

Greenland experiences a predominantly polar climate, characterized by extreme winters and cool summers. During winters the temperatures can fall as low as -50°C.  And in summer the maximum temperature rarely exceeds 10°-15°C. However, the temperatures could vary from place to place depending on its location and altitude.

Despite its massive size, Greenland has one of the smallest populations of any country or territory. It has a population of about 56,000 people, out of which around 20,000 live in the capital city, Nuuk, as per World Bank data.

Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) is the official language, while Danish and English are also widely spoken. June 21st is the longest day of the year and is celebrated as Greenland’s National Day.

Politically, Greenland gained home rule in 1979 and expanded self-government in 2009, giving it authority over domestic affairs like healthcare and education. Denmark retains control over defense, foreign policy and monetary policy.

The Greenlandic parliament operates under a democratic system, with 31 members serving every four years. The Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, is the head of government, while the Danish monarch, King Frederick X, remains the Head of State.

The economy is relatively small and is primarily based on fishing, tourism and limited mining activities. As part of the Danish realm, Greenland uses the Danish krone (DKK) as its official currency. The economy was pegged at an approximate $3.33 billion in 2023, as per the World Bank.

Geopolitically, Greenland holds a key position by being located in the Arctic between North America and Europe. This positioning lies in an advantageous line of sea communication and gives an upper hand in monitoring potential military threats across the polar region.

One of the must-visit places in Greenland is the UNESCO World Heritage site, Ilulissat Icefjord, located in West Greenland. It is where the fastest-moving glacier, Sermeq Kujalleq, is located.

Disko Island offers a wide range of Arctic experiences, like whale watching, hiking volcanic landscapes, exploring the town of Qeqertarsuaq, and visiting the active Eqi Glacier via boat tours for calving views.

The winter brings the fun of dog sledding and the Northern Lights, while the summer brings midnight sun, Arctic flora, kayaking, and trips to remote settlements like Kangerluk.

The East coast of Greenland brings the Scoresby Sund. Scoresby Sund is considered to be the longest fjord system in the world.

As per the data on the Greenland government’s website, Greenland is home to 520 native and 200 ‘imported’ plant species. Trees in the country are short, with most of them reaching a maximum height of 8-10 metres.

The most common plant community is the dwarf shrub heath and moorland, bog, grassland, steppe are some commonly spotted flora.

Mammals like the musk ox, the reindeer, the polar bear and the white Arctic wolf constitute the land mammals. Other species include the Arctic hare, collared lemming, Beringian ermine, and Arctic fox. Reindeer hunting is a common sport found among the Greenlandic people.

Whales, grey seals, and walruses are some of the aquatic mammals found in the area.

Greenland’s relationship with the EU is shaped by its status within the Kingdom of Denmark. While Greenlanders are Danish citizens, Greenland itself is not part of the EU.

Greenland joined the European Community in 1973. After gaining its autonomy in 1979, Greenland left the EU in 1985 over disagreements with the Common Fisheries Policy and to gain control of Greenlandic fish resources.

However, Greenland later negotiated a partnership agreement granting preferential access to EU markets for fish exports. The EU also provides financial assistance for education and sustainable development.

The United States considers Greenland a critical security partner, particularly due to the  Pituffik Space Base, which plays a key role in missile defense and Arctic surveillance.

China, meanwhile, has shown strong interest in Greenland’s rare mineral resources, and infrastructural projects. As part of its “Polar Silk Road” plan, China aims to develop Arctic shipping routes that could significantly reduce maritime travel times.

Climate change has intensified the global interest in Greenland. Global warming has made the Arctic warm quicker, which means melting of ice happens faster and there is easier access to natural resources. It was estimated that there was about 30% untapped natural gas resource.