Square of Greenland, Climate, Population, Cities, Flag

On our planet there are quite a few different states that differ in tongue, culture and other characteristics. But very few of those are located on the islands, and are either individual countries or wide autonomies. The Square of Greenland allows it to consider it the largest isolated state today, located on our planet. But this is not the only circumstance that stimulates tourists.

Basic information

Where is Greenland? Its coast is washed at once and Atlantic.

There is an island close to the Eurasian continent. Theoretically, Greenland is an integral part of Denmark, but in fact it is a large autonomy, which has quite broad rights in the field of self-government. Basic information are:

  1. The total area of \u200b\u200bGreenland is 2,166,086 square meters. km, but from all this "wealth" only 340 thousand km ₂ are suitable for life, since they are no ice.
  2. 57 thousand inhabitants live on the island, with 90% of them - Innuita, "Title" Nation, whose representatives dwell here from time immemorial. Therefore, the population of Greenland is quite uniform.
  3. The capital is located in the city with unusual for Europeans name Nuuk.
  4. Official language since 2009 is Greenland, before that it completed it
  5. Flag of Greenland - Red and white circle on the same background. The color scheme repeats the symbolism of Denmark.
  6. The only official currency is the Danish Crown.

If you want to call someone in Greenland, then the phone code is (+299).

When did they have opened it?

But when this amazing island, according to its weather hospitality capable of competing with the Antarctic, was first discovered?

The first well-known mention refers to 875. I found the island of Icelandets Gunbjurn. Interestingly, he only described his find, but no accurate cards and other instructions left, because she did not go ashore. Then few people knew where Greenland is, and this discovery did not cause much interest. Times then were restless, the Vikings gradually conquered new territories ...

Only in 982, one of the Icelandans, Eik Roui, was first killed on the shore of this amazing land. It was he who gave the name of the island. Thus, the active development of this area began.

Colonization of the island

In 983, the first Icelandic colonies were founded, which existed until the middle of the 15th century! True, justice it is worth adding that the climate in those times was, oddly enough, softer. Therefore, the "green country" Greenland was unlosled, because the summer lasted longer, and the air temperature was higher.

So there were a lot of those who want to "move to permits". Four centuries (from the 13th and 17th), this land belonged to Norway, but later moved under Danish jurisdiction. In 1814, Danes finally terminate the Ulya (something like a unity agreement) with Norwegians, and become the sole owners of the island. In 1953, Greenland was officially assigned the status of "part of the territory of the Danish Kingdom", but the residents of the "Green Country" are not very agreed with this.

Interesting and mysterious history of the colonization of the island of Vikings. From 983 and up to the middle of the 12th century, they were very active by organizing many of their settlements. But then suddenly something happened, soon the settlements came to the launch, and the Vikings retired from these shores. What happened?

Until recently, the hypotheses was made very much, right up to the most absurd. But a few years ago, the curtain of the mystery managed to open climatologists. As mentioned earlier, from the 10th to the 11th century of our era, the climate on the island was significantly softer, the warm period lasted longer, and in some places on the coasts, according to the ancient manuscripts, even matured wheat. Then there was a sharp cooling, due to which the Vikings preferred from here to leave.

The political administration of this unrecognized country is carried out by parliament and the Prime Minister. In addition, the population of Greenland has the right to choose two representatives who voiced the interests of the islanders in the Danish parliament.

Official acquisition of independence

The referendum conducted on November 25, 2008, he fired independence for this territory. The fact is that the population of the island spoke for numerous and significant changes in legislation. In particular, it was then Greenlandic became the only language, and the bodies of judicial and executive bodies acquired full independence. Today it is possible to believe that the flag of Greenland is fluttered over an independent country. However, independence also brought negative consequences - Denmark ceased to subsidize in the economy of the island more than $ 600 million annually.

Officially, all the provisions of the referendum entered into force in mid-2009, and since then the entire area of \u200b\u200bGreenland is actually a full and relatively autonomous state. It is noteworthy that with the European Union, the local residents do not add up.

Formally, the island still continues to be part of Denmark, but in the EU he is not included. Since its establishment of the islanders, the prospect of entering the part of the United Europe was sharply opposed. This is explained simply: Most likely, Greenland defends the independence of their fish resources in such a way, for which, otherwise, it was impossible to claim both Norway and Denmark. The political situation in these parts is quite complicated, and in some aspects even tense.

Economy and tourism

The economy of the present Greenland is based on fishing. Of course, there is hope for mineral mining, as there are visits on the territory of the island, here only tourism, to which some supporters of full independence of this territory are very developed, weakly developed. The main reason is a harsh climate, and the cost of excursion of special enthusiasm for tourists does not cause. So Greenland is a young country, but challenged with difficulties.

Aerial communication and other transport

In the town with a complex name of Kangerlusuak is the largest airport in this area, based in the area of \u200b\u200bthe US Air Force Base of the Cold War. Despite the seeming modesty, the airport sizes fully allow even international flights.

In addition, you can get to the island using the services of ferries from Hurtigruten. Cities in Greenland itself are also interconnected by an extensive ferry network. If speed is needed, you should use the services of a small airline Air Greenland, which owns several aircraft and a pair of tens of transport helicopters.

Roads for cars on a huge island - nothing, about 150 kilometers (and those in cities). In general, Greenland is not automotive country. In total, about three thousand cars, mainly SUVs and techniques of increased passability are registered here.

Big cities

Nuuk (in the distant past, the city was called Gothoba) - the capital of Greenland, founded by the Danish missionaries in 1728. This is the largest city of the island, which meets the local government. Residents of this amazing place are joking that the summer residence of Santa Claus is also located here. Given the place where Greenland is on the map, this statement has a particle of truth.

Ilulwork (the past name is Jacobshavn) is located on the shores of the bay with the "incendiary" name disco. But this place is harsh, since clean water rarely can be seen because of the abundance of icebergs. By the way, at least 1/10 of all icebergs are born in the local edges, which can be seen in the coastal waters of Greenland. Perhaps this city is hardly the only one who has the opportunity to boast a regular influx of tourists.

This is due to the unreal beauty of local chilled mountains, which attract spectators from around the world. Many tourists only have learned where Greenland is on the map.

Kangerlusuak is based near the glacier with the same name. It is here that the largest airport in Greenland is located. Literally in the city feature you can constantly observe whole flocks of deer. Also, the streets are often seen on the streets. If you drive only 25 kilometers to the side, you can see a wonderful Russell Glacier.

Kuttoktok (the old name of the city sounds like Julianchlob) founded back in 1775. Most recently, the archaeologists stumbled upon the remnants of the Viking settlement with the church, which is dated to the top of the tenth century. In the town of Unarting, you can swim in hot thermal sources, as well as admire the exhibition of sculptures from the local stone.

Umanak is one of the most unique settlements in the local snow-covered edges. It lies far behind the polar circle, but here is the maximum number of bright days. From May to August in these places, the sun does not enter at all, and therefore tourists appear a lot of free time, which can be spent on a thorough inspection of the surroundings. In a small town, there is a wonderful museum where many artifacts are collected talking about life in Greenland.

sights

It is easy to guess that almost all local attractions have a natural origin. For example, only here you can estimate the size and greatness of the icebergs, one of which caused the death of the legendary titanium. In general, Greenland is covered with ice about 80%, and its thickness reaches three kilometers. Considering that the Square of Greenland in square. km is equal to 2 166 086, it is not difficult to understand which cyclopic amount of frozen snow is here!

Scientists calculated that if only local ice melts (not to mention Antarctica), the World Ocean level will grow at least seven meters. And it seems that everything goes to it. But due to warming, scientists regularly manage to do unexpected discoveries: In 2005, the researchers were able to find a new Sushi Block, which was called "Heated Island". It is in a pair of hundreds of kilometers from the shores of Greenland. Scientists suggest that over the past 20-30 years Ice jumper, which connected it with an island, simply melted.

In the easternstrate of Greenland, Gunnbjorn is located in Gunnbjorn. Her vertex is prayer over the island on more than 3.5 kilometers. And this is just the part that goes beyond the centuries-old ice strata! Nearby is the longest fjord, skip-zund. This strait is bungled into the thickness of the sushi at once by 350 kilometers!

SERMEQ KUJALEQ glacier. Perhaps only for the sake of it you can visit the "Green Country". In 2004, UNESCO officially included this "icebreaker" in the list but why such an honor? Considering that the Square of Greenland in square. km quite large, and 80% of this are ice, is there much attention to one glacier? It turned out that there is no, as it is really unique.

Its area is more than three thousand square kilometers, and more than 40 thousand cubic meters of ice is chipped annually in the Water Bay of the Disco Bay. The glacier himself is similar to the grandiose river from pure ice, which crawls over the surface of Greenland at a speed of about 40 centimeters per day. When the tip of ice education reaches the disco, the ice of Greenland is chipped from it.

Climate in Greenland

The climate here is stern - arctic and naval subarctic. In the center of the island, it is replaced by the Arctic continental. Cyclones add difficulties, due to which the weather can vary hardly instantly. Here the temperature is constantly "jumps", and the winds change the direction several times per hour. Since the ice in these edges occupies the area greater than the whole of the United Kingdom, his exorbitant severity causes the seeding of the bark, so the central parts of the island are 360 \u200b\u200bmeters below (!) Surface of the sea. Therefore, Greenland, whose climate is harsh and is inconsistent, prefers to strong spirit and hardy people.

Weather characteristics

Winter is characterized by constant cyclones and losing a large amount of precipitation. However, the temperature is quite acceptable: in December it is rarely reduced to -8 ° C. In January, on the coast - from -7 ° C. The situation on the southern tip, where the temperature of the -36 ° C is constantly fixed in winter. In February, the weather does not induce at all, reaching up to -47 ° C (absolute minimum - -70 ° C). Simply put, in some regions of Marsa is significantly warmer!

It is best to visit these edges from May to June. If you really want a winter, but the temperature under -50 degrees does not dress, the trip can be planned for mid-April. In the spring here is just wonderful: and frosts as such are not, and the northern tan is guaranteed. The air temperature is rarely lowered below -10 ° C. What tourists will please the biggest island - Greenland - in the summer?

Also snow, which in June is not rare here. In the summer, the weather here becomes completely unpredictable. Frequent winds, reaching speeds of 60-70 m / s. The best time to visit the island is from mid-July to early September. Days are getting longer, and Tundra turns into an incredibly beautiful place: millions of colors flourish here, delicious berries appear.

Still, for what period of the "Opening" of Greenland? The answer is obvious: it all depends on the weather preferences of tourists.