Greenland: Did You Know?

By Robin Itzler

Editor's Note:  This is one of the commentaries selected from Robin's weekly newsletter Patriot Neighbors. Any cartoons appearing will have been added by me.  If you wish to get the full edition, E-mail her at PatriotNeighbors@yahoo.com to get on her list, it's free. RK

Until President Trump started discussing the island’s strategic importance to protecting the United States, few people knew much about Greenland beyond that it is a huge island. During World War II, Greenland offered the most efficient flight path between North America and Europe. This is why the island’s two active airports (plus one no longer in use) were built and once owned by the United States to support our World War II efforts. And ...

• More than 80% of the island is covered in ice
• The approximate 56,000 residents live in the 15 towns along its coastline. The majority live in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. The town of Kangerlussuaq, whose name means “big fjord,” is the only one located inland. It has the most stable weather of all the towns.
• The main international airport is located in Kangerlussuaq, not Nuuk.
•  It is a self-governing territory of Denmark, but for years residents have been discussing declaring the island’s sovereignty.
• The national language is Greenlandic, similar to the Inuit language. However, many residents also speak Danish and know some English.
• There are roads within the towns but NO roads connecting the towns. In the winter, they use dogsleds and in the summer boats to visit different towns. There are more boats than cars in Greenland.
• The southern portion of Greenland lies below the Artic Circle. Therefore, it is very green. The primary occupation is farming: sheep, Caribou and root vegetables.
• Thus exiled Viking, Eric the Red, was not lying when he named the island “Greenland” to encourage people to follow him to his new home. Most of the Viking remains are in the south, primarily in Qaqortoq, Qassiarsuk and Igaliku.
• Almost no trees on Greenland, but a great place to see the Northern Lights.
• If you visit Greenland, you will enjoy outstanding air and water quality. However, you will have to tell this to your family and friends when you get home. Greenland has cell service and the internet, but it’s quite slow and expensive. Plus, it can only be accessed in the towns.
• Artic wildlife thrives on the island. In 1974, the entire north-east of Greenland was established as a national park.

James Horn, retired diplomat (ten years’ experience in world of Islam):

Denmark and the USA are NATO members. America carried increasingly Moslem and presently hostile Denmark for years. Greenland was not an important priority for the Danish government until Trump wanted to integrate this North American island under American jurisdiction before the Danes surrender Greenland to America’s enemies, Russia, China, Turkey, Syria or North Korea. Denmark needs to cede Greenland to America.

Did you know …

The US Virgin Islands (including St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix) were previously owned by Denmark. The islands, known as the "Danish West Indies," were purchased by the United States in 1917 for $25 million.