Greenland Travel Guide

Greenland Travel: General Information

Greenland is not as green as its name suggests; in fact, it is only the ice-free coastal regions that are green and the inner regions are all covered under an extended ice-sheet. Even the surrounding waters are most often frozen. Continuing in the same vein it must be admitted that ‘ice’ is certainly an attraction of Greenland tourism but it is not certainly the sole attraction. Greenland presents stunning scenery with its many fjords, glaciers, icebergs, mountains and islands. To add to your pleasures, there are lures in the form of the spectacular Aurora Borealis (or the Northern Lights) phenomenon and activities like cross-country skiing, whale-watching and sea-kayaking.

It is advisable that you tour Greenland as part of conducted-tours instead of touring on your own. Tour-conductors usually arrange tours that involve exploring Greenland partly on foot, partly on dog-sledges as well as helicopters and cruises.

Greenland Travel: Key Facts

Capital City: Nuuk (Godthab)

Area: 2,166,086 sq km

Population: 57,564

Monetary Unit: Danish Krone

Official Language: Greenlandic

International Dialing Code: 299

Greenland Travel: Popular Tourist Destinations

• Nuuk: Nuuk, the colorful capital city of Greenland, is the right place to start your Greenland-tour. Standing at the opening of the Nuup Kangerlua fjord and guarded by the Sermitsiaq Mountain, Nuuk makes quite a picture to inspire the shutterbug in you to catch a few angles, if not all. Sites of interest to go viewing in Nuuk are Greenland National Museum, Nuuk Kunstmuseum, Katuaq Cultural Center and the Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa Greenlandic Broadcasting Corporation. One of Nuuk’s greatest attractions is its organized ‘Whale Safaris’.

• Ilulissat: Ilulissat is the greatest attraction of Greenland owing to the majestic presence of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ilulissat Icefjord. Close-by is the town of Sisimiut, which has been settled for over 4500 years. Ilulissat and its surroundings present various interesting engagements like angling, dog-sledging, sailing, etc.

• Qaqortoq: With its beautiful colonial buildings lining the streets, Qaqortoq is one of the most visited tourist destinations of Greenland. Its old-world charm apart, Qaqortoq is famous for its ‘Stone and Man’ series of rock-carvings. Qaqortoq also has two museums. Qaqortoq is also ideal for exploring important sites like the Norse ruin of Hvalsey Church and other nearby settlements. Hiking tours, fishing trips and other adventure-sports are also available in and around the town.

• Other Popular Destinations: Greenland is just full of tourist attractions/destinations like Aasiaat, Qasigiannguit, Narsaq, Nanortalik, Paamiut, Tasiilaq, Upernavik and Uummannaq that enthrall the beholders with their picturesque beauty and even pledge some really gripping engagements.

Greenland Travel: Economy and Infrastructure

Greenland’s economy is dominated by the fishing sector with prawn exports bringing home the major share of foreign currency earnings. Greenland’s public sector, which includes municipalities and publicly-owned enterprises, makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy.

Speaking of industries, Greenland’s key industries have been primarily involved in fish-processing but recent break-through discoveries of Greenland’s mineral-wealth have led to the development of a budding mining sector.

Greenland tourism, supported by its sound transport infrastructure, has made significant contributions to Greenland’s economy by itself supporting peripheral/specialized industries like fur-productions, handicrafts, etc.

Greenland Travel: Culture

Greenland’s culture carries forward the Inuit culture because most of the Greenlanders claim descent from the Inuit-people. Hunting is an integral part of Greenland culture; like the Inuits, the Greenlanders engage in hunting not only to showcase their skill and power, but also make it a means of sustenance. Among the other Inuit traditions being followed are ice-fishing and dog-sledges; of course, for a change these now form the attractions of Greenland tourism.