29 Interesting Facts about Greenland

Hi everyone,   you all looked fantastic at Mt Lorne today.  I love the smiles and happy faces and you looked very slick in your Yukon Ski Team race suits !

Coach Jan has found some very interesting facts about Greenland,  please have a read,  it is very cool.  Thanks Jan (and Al) !!
29 Interesting Facts about Greenland

(One kinda wonders why 29?  Gotta love the ‘net)
(Jan couldn’t help adding her comments...in blue)

(No shortage of bright paint)

                                                                                           

1. Geographically Greenland is part of North America. Politically and historically it is associated with Europe and nationally it forms a part of Denmark. 

·      Suggestion… based on the statement above prepare for some confusion – it seems as though they might have an identity issue.

2. It was a closed and self-sufficient country until World War II.

·      Hhhmmm – similar claim about the Yukon, except it was due to a road, see #8. 

3. It was granted home-rule by Denmark in 1978.

·      This was likely more to do with the fact Denmark had been carrying this country since the Second World War (reference above). 

4. Greenland is the world’s largest island.

·      Well, well – at what point is an island not an island but a continent.  Question for Liam…Kinda thought there was always a claim of sorts stating Australia (not the biggest island) was a continent?   Let’s find out…

5. The population of Greenland is less than 60,000.

·      Wow, impressive – almost twice the population of the Yukon!

6. The capital of Greenland is Nuuk.

·      Now here is an “interesting” fact:  Nuuk is the Kalaallisut word for "cape". It is so named because of its position at the end of the Nuup Kangerlua fjord on the eastern shore of the Labrador Sea. Its latitude, at 64°10' N, makes it the world's northernmost capital in the world.

7. Fishing and fish exporting is a major part of the Greenlandic economy, with shrimp fishing industry being by far the biggest income generator.

·      Wondering where they export them (the shrimp that is)?  I don’t think I have ever eaten a Greenlandian Shrimp, but I’m looking forward to it.

8. Transport between cities in Greenland is by air and boat as there are no connecting roads due to the many fjords.

·      Ok.  Read ahead…think they left out part of the reason there are no roads – see #9, 13, 21.

9. 85% of Greenland is covered in ice.

·      Ever wonder why it didn’t get the name Iceland?  Sadly perhaps they were forecasting climate change.

10. The name “Greenland” means Land of People.

·      This Just doesn’t make sense.  I suspect it’s been called Greenland for some time.  How many people could possibly been there when it was named?

11. The most active glacier in the northern hemisphere is located in Ilulissat (population 4,541).

·      And what will Ilulissat claim for their own when climate change claims the glacier.  These folks should get a chance at the UN podium.

12. Approximately 10-15,000 glaciers break off Greenland’s glaciers each year.

·      Maybe something lost here in translation.  I’m thinking they are looking for a reference to “icebergs” breaking off Greenland’s glaciers.  ‘Cause otherwise I am lost.

13. There are no roads connecting towns. You can only cover longer distances by air and ship.

·      I am really thinking this is a do over in an attempt to get to that mythical “29 interesting facts about Greenland”.  (Ref. #8) but I’ll be bringing Gravol nonetheless.

14. The first Christian church on the North American continent was built in Greenland.

·      There they go again claiming that “North American” status. 

15. The ice cap of Greenland was first crossed in 1888 – on skis!

·      They too are battling the bulge of inactivity.  Reference #8 and #13 – this can NOW only be done by air or boat.  Come you Greenlanders – get on Skis!!

16. The sun never sets from May 25th to July 25th.

·      Humn… now maybe somewhere on this freezing, ice-covered, largest Island, continent-thing the sun never sets, but Al (the original author of these comments) checked Nuuk and even through the longest days of the year the sun is down for about 3 hours. 

17. The Northern Lights can be seen on clear nights all throughout the year.

·      Tell me; with a claim like #16 how are the northern lights seen May 25 through July 25?

18. July is the only month when the temperature gets above the freezing point.

·      Oh my.  Interesting for sure – I think just the same I might have left this little tid-bit out.  Just a note, bring your woolies as last year temperatures in March were -30.

19. June 21, the longest day of the year, is a national holiday.

·      Now these are my kind of people!!!  I think we should use this to approach the Yukon Government for a similar holiday.

20. The official languages of Greenland are Greenlandic and Danish, but English is also widely understood.

·      Hope the last part of the statement is true

21. Greenland is spread over an area of 2,175,900 sq. km, of which around 85 percent is covered with ice.

·      Really, really working the fact that this place is covered in ICE.

22. The currency of Greenland is Danish krone.

·      By the way, if you want to email home depending on how fast you type it could cost you $22 Canadian.

23. Greenland was discovered by Vikings in the 10th century. It is believed that they named it Greenland in order to entice settlers.

·      Wow, that was bad judgment.  1015 years later and the population is only 60,000.  The Vikings did better at their next stop off – Newfoundland.  

24. The first Christian church on the American continent was built in Greenland.

·      I checked my “copy and paste”.  It appears the writer has a couple of “do-overs.”

25. Greenland was a closed and self-sufficient economy till World War II.

·      Ok.  This is a complete “do-over”.  Whoever put this list together thought they could squeak in couple and still didn’t make it a list of “30 interesting facts”.

26. Kayak, anorak and igloo are Greenlandic words that have been adopted directly by many other languages.

·      Many may have adopted the words, but there aren’t that many places requiring the need to create their own word for it (Kayak – enclosed, cold water, single person boat; Anorak – a cold weather pull-over - now known as a “hoodie”; Igloo – really).

27. Greenland remained a member of the EU from January 1973 to February 1985. It has been a member of NATO since 1949.

·      Gee, I wonder why the EU thing didn’t work for them?  Maybe because most EU countries have the population of Greenland living in their subways.  As far as the NATO claim they seem to piggybacking Denmark’s membership pretty heavily.

28. July is the only month in which Greenland’s temperature goes above the freezing point.

·      They celebrate Winter year round.

29. For beverages you’ll find Greenlandic coffee, similar to an Irish coffee, as well as Ice beer.

·      Ok so this one likely doesn’t matter to you but it is on the list.

Well team, I am not really sure there are 29 interesting points about Greenland here, but it is a start.  I am sure you’ll find many more while you are there.  I hope your trip is great; I’m looking forward to sharing the adventure.

Jan