Denmark, who owns Greenland, has owned this huge island for several centuries. Until 1536, it was part of Norway. After Greenland went to Denmark, practically nothing has changed here over many generations. In 1979, the inhabitants of the island received wide autonomy from the government in Copenhagen.
Island history
At first glance, it might seem that the huge northern island is an independent state, but it is not at all. So who owns Greenland? Formally, it is part of the Danish kingdom, however, it has its own authorities that manage the island much more efficiently, compared to distant European autonomy.
Since time immemorial, these lands unsuitable for life have only interested brave sailors and scientists. The island of Greenland was discovered by the Vikings, who were the first to visit here in the early Middle Ages. European colonies appeared much later. In the XVIII century, the Danish authorities began the construction of coastal towns, where mostly fishermen and hunters lived. This order has been maintained for several centuries.
During World War II, Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany. When the United States joined the allies, the Americans began to build bases on the free island, it was they who helped in the fight against the Wehrmacht. After the onset of peace, the authorities of the States and Denmark signed several documents stipulating the organization of defense of the island. These arrangements were updated after Copenhagen decided to join NATO in 1949.
Relations with Denmark
The colonial policy of European states is a thing of the past when, in the second half of the 20th century, most of the colonies proclaimed independence (in Africa and other continents). Denmark, who owns Greenland, also did not escape these transformations. Greenland was too large and sparsely populated for indigenous people to create their own effective state. Therefore, it was decided to coordinate autonomy, which suited both sides. The capital of Greenland, Nuuk, held referenda several times, in which the island's population expressed their views on the future of the country.
Autonomy
Recent changes in legal status occurred in 2009. Extended autonomy provided for a lot of new things. For example, Greenlandic has become official on the island. Local authorities received new powers. Now they have become responsible for the courts and the police.
A small population of the island (56 thousand people) received full control over natural resources. Many of them are deep in the Arctic bowels. Their development is a matter of the future. These are the oil, gas, gold and diamonds owned by Greenland. Denmark has retained control of foreign policy, as well as the printing of money. The official currency is the kroon.
Denmark, to whom Greenland belongs, often makes it clear that it will not oppose it if autonomy wants complete independence. In this case, the island can become an independent Eskimo state.
Greenland Life
The Danes have done a lot to ensure that Greenland has acquired all the infrastructure necessary for life. Missionaries and colonists founded several cities, which are now the administrative centers of the communes of the island. The capital Nuuk was built in the XVIII century. Since then, its population has never exceeded 20 thousand permanent residents.
The city has the only university on the island. There are also many churches left by Protestant missionaries. In Nuuk, as in other cities in Greenland, crab, as well as halibut, are developed. Seafood specialties are sold all over the world, including Denmark.
Greenland is also an exotic place that tourists like to visit. Nuuk has a museum dedicated to the history of the island. However, many guests who come here buy tickets in order to admire the secluded nature of the harsh Arctic region with its unusual panoramas and beauties. On the southern coast of Greenland, the climate is quite mild for these latitudes due to the warm sea current. But even here in summer the temperature does not exceed ten degrees above zero.