Greenland – not so much green….

Greenland is, despite the name, not mostly green but white, namely covered in snow. It is the largest island in the world that is not a continent, autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, the influence here is traditional Inuit culture and modern Scandinavian culture. Greenland has been selfgoverned since 1979 though. The nature is truly outstanding and full of contrasts, from harsh landscapes of ice and rock, to lush green valleys and hills – and from cold, dark winters to the endless summer days of the Midnight Sun.

The animal life is rich, varied and spectacular, with musk oxen, reindeer, polar bears, arctic hares, eagles, seals, giant whales, sharks and much more.

Greenland offers a view of the Midnight Sun with the outstanding background of icebergs, ice, snowcovered tops, a true magical adventure no matter what time of the year you visit. It is full of adventure and fascination all year round and that changes with the seasons. This is the place to see ice stretching as far as the eye can see or carved into the most amazing shapes  you could not even dream of – with incredible colours and Greenlands prime attraction is always there in all its glory. On top of this, it is the playground and home to some of the warmest and most hospitable people in the world. Greeland’s warmth can be felt all year round.

You can also see the Northern Lights on Greenland, from as early as August.

The icebergs are the wonders of Greenland. They are big, bigger and absolutely huge, calved by the majestic inland ice, their bulk consistes of tightly compressed snow which covered Greenland throughout many many years. In the winter, the icebergs are trapped in the frozen surface of the sea, they are like frozen pieces in nature’s great game, spectacular and truly unique. In the summer they become vast floating sculptures setting off on a long and uncertain voyage with only the wind and the current to steer them along. These floating sculptures can come in a range of colours, some look deep blue, wome white, turquoise or crystal clear transparent.

How do you get around on Greenland? Dog sledding is the way, or you use your kayak. Like the polar explorer Knud Rasmussen said, “give me winter, give me dogs, you can keep the rest”.

Another thing to admire are their costumes that go from generation to generation and are used for celebrations like christening or confirmations. It is very colourful and represents the true traditional Greenland.

What activities does Greenland offer? Apart from icebergs, dog sledding, you can also go fishing in the summertime, watch the icebergs in a setting  with the Midnight Sun in the horizon. You can also do climbing, hiking, snow scooter riding, sailing or simply enjoy the peace and watch the icebergs float around you and you will learn to enjoy the tranquillity.

Who discovered Greenland? Erik the Red did, in 960, when Erik married an Icelandic girl Thodhildur and told the Icelandic people about “The Green Land”. He sailed back in 985 where he founded Brattahlid and two communities.

Author: Birthe Nielsen