What can amaze nature and adventure lovers more than picture-perfect seascapes and astonishing panorama, spectacularly beautiful glaciers and huge icebergs, majestic offshore islands and unique coastline, a wealth of outdoors and polar wildlife? All these and even more can be found in Greenland – the world’s largest non-continental island, 85% of which is covered by ice. A self-governed territory of Denmark, Greenland offers holidays close to nature but still with amenities available for your convenience. So, welcome to GREENLAND!
An island of great proportions, Greenland is dominated by the world’s second largest icecap covering around 2 million square kilometers, and featuring a thickness of up to 3.500 meters in some places. Geographically, Greenland belongs to the arctic North America, including the northwest of Canada and Iceland, i.e. three quarters of the country lies within the Arctic Circle, while politically and historically it is more linked with European countries. Nuuk is the capital of Greenland, and one of the world’s smallest capital cities inhabited by around 16,000 people. Total Greenland population is over 57,000 inhabitants that are renowned for their friendliness, kindness and hospitality. They are a mix of native Inuit (Eskimo) and Europeans, principally of Danish descent.
Although mostly cold year-round, Greenland makes for a great holiday destination with no shortage of sightseeing. There are so many things to do in this breathtaking country, that a week or two won’t cover them all. From experiencing the island’s amazing marine wildlife to the wild beauty of arctic flower meadows, the magnificent culture of the Inuit people and the wonder of Northern Lights or the so-called aurora borealis in the vast polar skies, Greenland promises unforgettable holidays sure to delight even the most discerning traveler.
Greenland National Park
One of the highlights of Greenland is its National Park – the largest in the world, covering an area of some 972,000 square kilometers and with a coastline 18,000 km in total. Ideally nestled in the northeastern corner of the country the park is an Arctic paradise with a wealth of fauna that every year draws numerous international scientific surveys and expeditions to the region. The park is characterized by rich flora and fauna, including such rare species as gyrfalcon, the king eider, pink footed goose, arctic fox, stoat, polar bear and walrus among others. Since the Park covers the coastline, you can easily spot bearded seal, harp seal and the Beluga whale.
Though the park is nearly the combined size of France and Spain and includes the entire north eastern part of Greenland north of lttoqqortoormiit (Scoresby Sound), it is the least visited country with only about five hundred visitors annually. If you think that ice and fjords are the only things you can see at the park, you are mistaken as there are a number of hiking trails within the park, as well as great kayaking, dog sledding and skiing opportunities. To visit the Park, make sure to get permission from the Government of Greenland’s Ministry of Domestic Affairs, Nature and Environment. It takes a keen sense of adventure to venture into this region, but anyone who does so, will be treated to amazing scenery sure to take your breath away.
Greenland & Aurora Borealis
The Northern Lights are truly one of the wonders of Mother Nature and one of the best places to spot them is definitely Greenland, with its long winter nights and clear skies. Areas around the middle of Greenland’s coasts boast spectacular and reliable displays with dramatic colors and unique photography opportunities. Northern Lights are regularly seen from November to late April on a clear night.
Getting around
Kangerlussuaq is the getaway to Greenland. Visitors will find no roads between Greenland’s towns with the only means of transportation being airplane or ship. Most inhabitants have private boats, as well as dogsleds and snowmobiles to get around. Air Greenland, the airline company of Greenland handles a great part of transportation of passengers with its different types of helicopters, which mainly serve the towns in South Greenland, North and East Greenland, as well as small villages.
Overall Greenland is a luscious land full of endless coastlines and icy seas and no matter which time of the year you visit Greenland, this country will welcome you with open arms into its unique world of natural beauty. Do not forget your cameras!
