O. Greenland, capital of Nuuk. Description and photo of the largest island on Earth. Greenland

(Grenland) - The "green country" is primarily known for being the largest island on Earth.

Greenland (Grenland) - "green country"

Its area is 2175.6 thousand square kilometers. The length is 2690 km, the width is 1300 km. Located in the Northern Hemisphere off the east coast of Canada. From the north it is washed by the Arctic, from the south - by the Atlantic oceans, from the west - by the Baffin Sea and the Davis Strait, from the east - by the Greenland Sea and the Danish Strait. Grenland is under the control of Denmark and until 1979 was its colony, and then - an autonomy within the Kingdom of Denmark. The capital of Greenland is the city of Gothob (Nuuk), which has more than 15,000 inhabitants.

Geographic features

More than 80% covered with ice. Only 410 thousand square kilometers of its area are not covered with ice. These are the main coastal areas. Only in these areas are settlements located. On average, habitable land is a strip about 80 km from the coast. The main ice-free areas are in the north and south-west of the island. The highest peak in Grenland is g. Gunnbjorn (3700 m). In addition, Gunbjorn is the highest point in the Arctic.

Greenland has a constant high concentration of icebergs. It was with one of them, which broke away from the glaciers of Greenland, that the famous "Titanic" collided with. The largest number of icebergs is in the Melville Bay coastal area.

The mountains located in the west and east of the island are a kind of protection for the Greenland glaciers. The highest mountainous region of Greenland is in the east. In addition to the already mentioned Gunnbjörn mountain, one can also note the Trout peak (3360 m). The coast of Greenland, like the Scandinavian, is rich in fjords.

Climatic conditions

The coastal areas of Greenland are characterized by a variable climate. The most suitable climate for life is on the southwest coast. V the capital of Greenland - the average July temperature is 8.3 degrees, in Kakortok - 9.6 degrees above zero. In winter in these settlements - 8-11 degrees below zero. In summer, the temperature here sometimes rises to 21 degrees, but the main time of the year is around 0 degrees.

In the east of Greenland, climatic conditions are more severe. For example, in Pituffik in winter, an average of 27 degrees below zero. The wind speed in these places reaches 70 m / s. The bays and fjords here usually freeze over during this period.

The south-western part of the island is characterized by high humidity. For example, in Nuuk the average annual rainfall is 660 mm, and in Kakortok - 1080 mm. For comparison, in the north this value is 100-200 mm. Foggy weather is typical for coastal areas.

Flora and fauna

In the southern regions of the "green country" there are birch forests. Willow, mountain ash, alder and juniper also grow here. Tundra predominates in these places. But the bulk of Greenland is an icy, lifeless desert.

The fauna of Greenland, like the flora, does not differ in diversity. Representatives of the island's fauna include polar bears, deer, hares, ermines, polar foxes and lemmings. Wolves are rare. Musk oxen also live here, but now their number has decreased. The coastal areas are inhabited by a large number of birds: eiders, gulls, partridges.

Among the marine inhabitants of Greenland, one can distinguish cod, sea bass, striped catfish, and flounder. There are a lot of shrimps in the local waters. You can often see walruses and seals here.

Population

According to the 1998 census, the population of Greenland was almost 60 thousand people, most of whom lived on the southwest coast of the island. Here is the capital of Greenland - Nuuk, as well as such settlements as: Sukkertoppen, Frederikshob, Arsuk, Julianehob and Narsarssuaq.

The bulk of the population are Greenlandic Eskimos, who call themselves Inuit or Kalaallites. Europeans make up only 8% of the island's population. These are mainly Danes. By religious affiliation, almost 40% of Greenlanders are Lutherans.

Greenland has two official languages ​​- Danish and Greenlandic. In turn, the Greenlandic language is divided into three dialects - West Greenlandic, East Greenlandic and North Greenlandic, between which there is a significant difference. The West Greenlandic dialect is considered the norm on the island.

Most densely populated areas of Greenland are in the south-west the coast where the capital of Greenland is located... Here, settlements are also found near the southern promontory of the island - Farvel. The eastern coast is sparsely populated. In this regard, two districts can be distinguished here - Angmagssalik and Itokortormiit. The largest number of the indigenous population (polar Eskimos) lives in the northwestern part of Greenland (the settlements of Kanak (Tule) and Eta). There are practically no Europeans here.

Economy

Since it cannot boast of rich resources, Denmark provides assistance in the form of subsidies. The seal fishery has developed on the island. Fishing for cod and shrimp is also common here. At the beginning of the 20th century, a sheep breeding began to develop in Grenland. In large settlements, the population lives in frame houses, and in small - huts lined with stone or turf.

In 1950-51, the Danish government passed laws according to which foreigners could obtain a residence permit in Grenland, and residents of the autonomy received the right to emigrate. Now, various enterprises operate on the island: ship repair shops, fish canning factories, refrigerators and others. Organized for local residents professional teaching in schools. There are trade restrictions for Danes on the island and entrepreneurship... In turn, Greenlanders enjoy free medical care, and the work of medical workers is paid from state budget. Compulsory education has been introduced for all children of the autonomy between the ages of 7 and 16. The language of instruction is Greenlandic. In Greenland, newspapers and magazines are published in Danish and Greenlandic.

Sea fishing is the main economic activity of the island. Seal fishing is of great importance (seal skins are valued, which are both exported and used in the domestic market). Some time ago, a large number of large whales lived in the "green country" area. Now their number is negligible, as a result of the activities of whalers from the UK, Norway, the Netherlands and the United States. Now only 2, 5 thousand of the population of the island have the right to hunt large marine mammals. In the southern part of Greenland, vegetable growing has also developed.

85% of the export share of Greenland is made up of fish and shrimp. It is shrimp that is the main commodity for sale. As for the fish exported, salted cod predominates here. Wool is also supplied for sale from Greenland. Greenland's goods are mainly exported by the EU countries and Japan.
The bowels of the "green country" store large deposits of minerals. In earlier times, the island was dominated by the mining of zinc, coal, graphite, lead, marble and cryolite. Now because of unprofitability their development is curtailed. In mountainous areas, you can find: rubies, garnets, moonstones and, rarely, tuttupites.

Tourism

More recently, tourism in Greenland was not developed at all. And although now the number of tourists visiting the island during the year does not exceed 5000 people, the situation is beginning to change for the better. Many tour operators around the world offer tours to Greenland.

After all, only here you can enjoy the views of endless snow vastness, do beautiful Photo icebergs, fjords, chat with benevolent local population, try dishes local kitchen. AND although map « green country» not rich abundance attractions, amateurs exotic will receive unforgettable pleasure from visits this country eternal cold .

The problem of the jurisdiction of the island of Greenland was not born yesterday. For a long time it was relevant, and was the subject of controversy. different countries Scandinavian region.

After much discussion, this island became an autonomy within the Danish Kingdom. Greenland is located in the Eastern Hemisphere and is the largest island in the world.

The capital of Greenland is Nuuk, located in the western part of the island. The island is practically not inhabited, since its large area is eternal ice... The main population of Greenland is the Greenlandic Eskimos (Inuit).

A bit of history

It is believed that this unusual island was discovered by the Vikings, who were the first to visit here approximately in the 10th century. Until 1536 Greenland was part of Norway.

After some time, according to the so-called "priority of the Vikings", it began to belong to the Danish kingdom, which began the planned colonization of the island.

During World War II, the United States and Canada exercised a protectorate over Greenland. At the end of World War II, the island again became part of Denmark.

For a long time, the frosty climate did not allow migrants from the mainland to live on the island. After some time, they were able to adapt to such climatic conditions.

Settlers who have mastered new land little by little, settlements and even entire cities were built.

What life is like in Greenland

The inhabitants of Denmark have made a lot of efforts to ensure that this island has an infrastructure suitable for life. The only university on the island is located in the capital Nuuk.

As in other settlements of Greenland in Nuuk, crab and halibut production has been greatly developed. These seafood delicacies can be found not only in Denmark but all over the world.

Despite the fact that the island of Greenland is not the warmest corner of the world, it is no less popular with tourists than Mediterranean resorts. There is a museum in Nuuk dedicated to the history of this exotic island.

Greenland is translated as "country of greenery", which is slightly inconsistent with its climatic conditions and appearance. In the minds of many researchers, this is puzzling.

Nevertheless, despite the harsh climate, tours to Greenland are very popular. While vacationing in Greenland, tourists can get a lot of impressions from the local nature:

• White Nights;
• northern Lights;
• thermal springs.

Beautiful colorful landscapes attract any traveler with their beauty.

Majestic glaciers, incredibly beautiful northern lights and good winter sports opportunities literally beckon people from all over the world.

Greenland is the largest island on Earth. It is located northeast of North America... The island is washed by the Arctic Ocean in the north, the Greenland Sea in the east, the Labrador Sea in the south and the Baffin Sea in the west. Greenland has the status of an autonomous territory of Denmark.

In Greenlandic, the name of the island sounds like Kalaallit nunaat which literally means "Green Country". Although now such a name for a place almost completely covered with glaciers seems more than strange, but this is exactly how - covered with greenery - the island appeared in 982 to its first explorer Eirik Rauda, ​​who gave it its name.

Glaciers completely occupied Greenland only in the 15th century. Since then, it has been the world's main "producer" of icebergs, and the very one that the Titanic ran into. In addition, the island is one of the few places in the world that is almost untouched by human destructive activities. There are fantastic opportunities here for extreme rest, winter sports and ecological tourism. Connoisseurs of natural resources will find in Greenland unique landscapes and inimitable animal world, and lovers of ethnography - the original culture of the Inuit, still living according to the traditions of a thousand years ago.

Climate and weather

Greenland has a very harsh climate, although different parts country it is not the same.

An anticyclone reigns in the central part of the island all year round, and the air temperature never rises above 0 ° C. In summer, the average air temperature here is -12 ° C, and in winter there are frosts up to -60 ° C!

The east coast is under the influence of the cold Greenland Current, so there is not much rainfall here and it is also cold, although, of course, not as in central regions... In winter, the column of mercury drops to -30 ° C, in summer the temperature is above zero, but ice in the waters off the coast Greenland Sea and Danish Strait do not melt anyway.

Much better things are on west coast Greenland. It is washed by the Baffin sea, over which cyclones constantly pass. Thanks to this, the climate here is much milder than in other regions of Greenland, and there is much more rainfall - up to 1200 mm per year. In winter, the air temperature varies within -4 ... -20 ° C, and in summer - about +8 ° C... Sometimes the air can even warm up to +21 ° C, although the soil temperature remains at the level of +4 ° C. In the southern points of the coast there are places where the temperature does not drop below zero even in winter. In summer, thick fogs often descend on the coast.

The best time for a trip to Greenland, the period of polar "white nights" is considered - from May to July. For winter fun April is best.

Nature

Greenland is one of the most amazing places on the planet. The vast expanse of the island amazes at first with its external lifelessness, and then - surprisingly a diverse world nature.

More than 80% of the territory of Greenland is covered with ice sheets. The central part of the island, according to scientists, is a colossal mountain range, which comes to the surface in the western part of Greenland. On east coast the islands are the most high mountains Greenland - Trout(3360 m) and Gunbjorn(3700 m). All travelers, without exception, are delighted Mount Uummannak formed by a combination of black, red and white layers rocks that change their shades depending on the lighting.

There are many long fjords on the shores, which are often covered by massive icebergs, and all together present a majestic and unforgettable sight. Some fjords even have their own names, such as Scoresby Sound- the longest fjord in the world, which is located on the east coast of the island.

The flora of Greenland is scarce: only in the southern coastal part of the island you can see dwarf birch, mountain ash, willow, alder, juniper. In the north, trees are replaced by creeping lichens, which become smaller towards the north.

But the fauna of Greenland is amazing: relic animals have been preserved here, which have almost disappeared on the mainland. This is a caribou deer and a musk ox. There are also polar bears, arctic foxes, and polar wolves on the island. The world of birds is extremely diverse: the Ross's goose, white owl, eider, barnacle goose and others live here. The coastal waters are teeming with fish (over 120 species) and marine life (over 30 species of mammals). In Greenland, great attention is paid to nature conservation: about 45% of the island's area is protected areas and national parks.

sights

Many people imagine Greenland as an endless snowy desert. Meanwhile, the island is pleased to offer travelers a lot of attractions - natural and architectural.

Of the miraculous wonders, the most impressive here are, of course, icebergs and fjords. As they say in Greenland, no two icebergs are alike. Every year, thousands of new ice mountains appear here, and the color of the iceberg changes depending on the lighting and the time of day from almost transparent to bluish black.

The delight and amazement of tourists is also caused by the hot thermal springs of Greenland. Paradoxically, it is possible: crystal-clear water (its temperature reaches 380 ° C in some places!) And icebergs floating on the horizon. This "medieval SPA" (the Norwegians built original baths here 1000 years ago) is located in the southernmost point of the island and attracts all more tourists from year to year.

No less attractive are the cities of Greenland, which, thanks to their brightly colored red, blue, yellow and green houses, are called "multi-colored".

Capital of Greenland Nuuk(or Gothob) Is the largest city by local standards. Here it is National Museum Greenland.

Town Ilulissat("Icebergs") is one of the most popular tourist places islands. The main attractions of the city are Museum of Greenland explorer Knut Rasmussen and Cold Museum.

In the town Uummannak situated santa claus castle, which fiercely competes with its peers for the right to be the "most real" home of the Christmas character in the world.

Fearless tourists should definitely include the city in their itinerary Upernavik located 800 km from Arctic Circle in the fjords of the Baffin Sea. This is the northernmost ferry crossing on the planet, and, as the locals like to joke, "no one will know what cold is until they visit Upernavik." The city is of great interest for travelers Old City Museum- the oldest in Greenland.

Nutrition

The traditional cuisine of Greenland will seem shocking to Europeans, since it does not provide for thermal processing of products. The traditional food of the local population is fresh meat from marine mammals. Moreover, "fresh" means taken from a just killed whale, walrus or seal. The carcass is cut in a strictly established manner, all parts (including bones and bile) are sorted and either consumed right there on the spot (as, for example, a local delicacy "Mattak"- whale skin with a layer of fat), or left for further processing (in special brines, in water, in the ground, and so on).

It is unlikely that the delicate stomachs of Europeans can be seduced by local food, even describing it. healing properties(indigenous Greenlanders have never suffered from scurvy and did not suffer from vitamin deficiency), however, if you are a gastronomic extreme, you can easily find a restaurant in Greenland that serves national dishes.

The rest can quite enjoy the "softened" local delicacies - dried halibut, shrimp and crabs of all kinds, cod liver, shark meat and seabird eggs. There are numerous cafes and restaurants in the cities offering European cuisine, and Western fast food establishments are not hard to find.

When it comes to food costs, food is not cheap in Greenland. An easy snack will cost $ 5-10 in a cafe, and lunch in a regular restaurant will cost you all $ 20. In high-level establishments, you can dine for $ 25-40.

Accommodation

Greenland hotels are classified by the country's Tourist Office in strict accordance with the international service rating system, that is, they have categories from 2 * to 5 *.

The bulk of hotels are concentrated in the capital of Greenland Nuuke, many hotels in cities like Ilulissat and Tasiilak... In general, it should be borne in mind that not every locality there is a large selection of accommodations.

Hotels are usually located in one- or two-story houses, in hotel rooms there are private bathrooms, telephones, televisions, in high-class hotels - broadband Internet access. Most hotels boast beautiful fjord views from their room windows. The price of accommodation, as a rule, includes breakfast (buffet), lunches and dinners can be ordered for an additional fee.

In Greenland in summer time you can rent a cottage. Usually the cottages are stylized like traditional Eskimo igloos, although modern materials are used in the construction, and, of course, the houses have all the necessary amenities.

The average cost of a double room in a 3 * hotel is $ 150-160 per day.

Entertainment and recreation

Greenland's natural features make it an ideal destination for active rest and extreme entertainment... All routes that are offered here for tourist travel are not only interesting, but also well thought out from the point of view of organizing more or less comfortable conditions for people who are not used to the climate of Greenland.

The most popular entertainment of tourists, the "visiting card" of the island, is the observation of the aurora borealis and polar mirages, which in the local latitudes reveal truly fantastic pictures to the traveler.

From contemplative rest, tourists are smoothly moving to an active one. The following options are possible here:

• trekking;

• dog sledding trips;
• skiing;

• kayaking;
• hunting and fishing.

When it comes to hunting, you should be aware that Greenland is governed by a very strict code of rules. Most of the local animals are protected by law, and hunting trophies cannot be taken out of the country. So it is possible that such environmentally friendly safe species recreation as extremely popular here "musk ox safari". Near Kangerdlugssuaka the main routes for observing these relict animals are concentrated. Travelers are taken to the places of migration of musk oxen by snowmobile or jeep, but you can come by dog ​​sledding or even come on foot, thus combining several types of recreation.

Local colorful holidays and festivals are also a full-fledged type of entertainment for tourists. One of the most colorful events - holiday of the end of the polar night, which takes place in January - February. In March it is interesting to visit International Snow Sculpture Festival held in Nuuk. In the summer of June 21, all Greenland celebrates its national holiday - Longest Day Festival of the Year, this is perhaps the largest event in the country. Numerous music and ethnographic festivals, sports competitions, traditional ceremonies are held on this day in all cities. "Kaffemik"(Greenlandic coffee making), special exhibitions and ceremonial church services.

Purchases

Large shops are usually open on weekdays from 10:00 to 17:30, on Friday the working day is extended by half an hour, and on Saturday almost all shops close at 13:00. Private shops can work according to their own schedule, some of them are waiting for visitors on Sunday.

Local souvenirs are truly small masterpieces of applied art. Since Chinese stampers have not yet reached Greenlandic souvenirs, craftsmen make them by hand here, creating a unique piece each time. Accordingly, the prices for souvenirs in Greenland are quite high. The most popular type of souvenir is a figurine. Tupilac(tupilak, meaning "spirit"). They are made from various materials: bone, wood, teeth, stone. Keep in mind that it is forbidden to export from the country "tupilaki" made from whalebone.

Decorations made of Greenland stones are very popular. For example, a stone tugtupit rich pink or purple color on Earth is found in the only place - Narsaq city in southern Greenland. Can't resist the beautiful decorations of their stones nuummit and grønlanditten. However, when buying jewelry with local stones, do not forget to ask the seller for a certificate for the export of jewelry from the country.

In general, the level of prices for goods in Greenland is very high. Prices here are about 10% higher than even in expensive Scandinavian countries. Especially expensive are tobacco products, dairy products, fruits, vegetables and alcohol. True, the assortment of goods in stores will only delight you.

Transport

Due to extreme climatic conditions and terrain features in Greenland, there are no roads or rail links between cities. Getting from one part of the island to another is by air or water. You can get to the neighboring nearby town by snowmobile or dog sled - sheer exotic!

Flights by plane and helicopter around the island are organized by the national airline Air greenland... Local planes can accommodate up to 50 passengers and fly at an altitude of 4-5 km, so you can see really stunning views of glaciers and giant snowdrifts through the window. Helicopter services mainly operate in the south of Greenland.

It is also convenient to travel between Greenlandic cities by ship, here it is a very popular form of transport. Regular transportation between cities Ilulissat(north of the island) and Narsarsuaq(south of the country) is carried out by the company Arctic Umiaq Line... Please note that in the summer, due to the influx of tourists, it is better to book tickets in advance. Flights departing from Disco Bay, operated by Disko Line.

There are only two cities connected by road in Greenland - Ivittuut and Kangilinguit, and the total length of highways is about 150 km.

Connection

Greenland is on the list of world leaders in per capita consumption of Internet services. All hotels and post offices have Wi-Fi hotspots and high-speed Internet terminals. Internet cafes are widespread in all localities.

Not worse developed and mobile connection- There are many more cell phone owners in Greenland than landline users. Cellular communications cover almost all settlements on the coast and adjacent islands. Intermittent reception is possible only in the central parts of the island. Russian tourists can use the roaming of the local operator TELE Greenland A / S... In the offices of this company, you can rent a phone.

Telephone communications in Greenland are provided on the basis of both cable and the latest satellite systems. Local and international calls can be made from public telephones that work with prepaid cards. Telephone cards are sold in all post offices.

Security

Greenland is one of the safest countries to travel to. A banal theft will become an extraordinary event here. Crime is almost zero, there are no terrorist threats, no natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. It is absolutely safe to be on city streets at any time of the day. But do not discount the will of chance: still follow the usual precautions and do not leave your belongings unattended.

What is really worth looking out for in Greenland is clothing and equipment. Even if you do not plan to travel to wildlife outside the cities, it is necessary to take enough warm clothes and shoes suitable for wearing in the harsh conditions of the Arctic. If you have a desire to ride in the tundra, be sure to organize a trip with the help of a local travel agency: you need to consult about equipment, a good guide, optimal route... Needless to say, you need to take a good supply of food and drinking water with you.

As far as water is concerned, all tap water is considered safe for humans, but undrinkable. Therefore, you need to either boil tap water or buy bottled water. We recommend eating meat and fish only after good heat treatment; be sure to scald vegetables and fruits with boiling water.

In general, the main danger to the health of tourists in Greenland is low air temperatures. Hypothermia can be obtained unexpectedly. It is easy to catch a cold even in that short summer time, when the air in the daytime in the sun warms up to + 18 ... + 21 ° C, since the temperature near the earth is still close to zero. The traveler should also keep in mind that in summer the sun is very active here, so you need to bring sunglasses and sunscreen for your skin.

Business climate

Recently, Greenland has been gaining attractiveness among foreign investors, especially among companies in the mining industry, as global warming allows the development of mineral deposits.

The Greenlandic authorities are seeking to develop the mining industry in order to reduce the region's economic dependence on financial support from Denmark. For investors, Greenland offers a stable political, economic and investment-friendly legal environment.

The Mineral Resources Act governs the extraction of minerals in Greenland and sets out the basic rules for the operation of foreign companies. Thus, investors can register a subsidiary corporation, official branch, representative office or licensed company for the development of mineral deposits in Greenland.

Regardless of its type, the company must be registered with the Greenland Business Register (GER) and then registered as an employer if it plans to employ workers. In addition, the company will need to be registered with the Danish Agency for Commerce and Companies (DCCA) and receive an individual number. In general, the registration process can take from 2 to 6 months in an optimistic scenario. Unfortunately, there are still some bureaucratic obstacles. Until the end of registration, the company cannot have the status legal entity... In practice, this means that all responsibility for its activities is borne by the founders.

Real estate

Immediately, we note that buying real estate in Greenland is at least a non-standard solution. The extreme climate of the island will not be to everyone's liking, if we consider it through the prism of permanent residence in Greenland.

Foreign citizens can theoretically buy real estate in the capital of Greenland Nuuke... However, the buying process will certainly be hampered by bureaucratic difficulties, since Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark: this country's immigration legislation is one of the most stringent in the world.

And yet, in the near future, significant relaxation is expected in the rules for the acquisition of real estate by foreigners. Since Greenland is a very promising region in economic terms due to the discovered oil reserves, buying real estate on this island is already considered a profitable investment.

When planning your vacation in Greenland, consider the requirements of local conservation laws. If you are going to fish, you need to purchase a fishing license from the tour operator or the Tourist Office of the country. Its cost depends on the duration of the validity: for a permit for a day you will have to pay about $ 13.1, for a week - $ 35, and for a month - $ 88. Keep in mind that all garbage and waste will have to be taken with you, and the penalty for violating this requirement is very high. In addition, it is forbidden to leave even fish or meat waste on the shore in the hope that predators will "utilize" them.

Photographing in churches during worship is also added to local prohibitions. Photograph local residents allowed only after their consent.

Fans of photo and video filming should carefully prepare equipment for work in harsh natural conditions Greenland. Cameras and cameras must be heated and treated with special protective lubricants. We recommend using a UV filter and lenses with coated optics.

Customs regulations do not imply restrictions on the import and export of local currency. But souvenirs made of whalebone, fangs and walrus bones can only be taken out if available. special permission to be checked out at a store or travel agency. No more than 11 kg of meat and fish can be exported from the country.

As for tips in establishments and hotels, as a rule, they are included in the bill, and additional encouragement is not required. However, this is always at the discretion of the client.

Visa information

Travelers from Russia need a visa to enter Greenland. It can be issued at the consular department of the Danish Embassy in Moscow, and documents for a Greenland visa are accepted at the Visa Application Center of Denmark and Iceland in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk and Rostov-on-Don.

Please be aware that, unlike Denmark, Schengen visas are not valid in Greenland. Depending on the purpose of the visit, there are the following types short-term visas in Greenland: tourist, business, private visa and visa for visiting in the framework of sports, cultural or scientific events.

In order to obtain a tourist visa, you will need the following documents:

• a foreign passport, the validity of which is at least 3 months from the expected date of completion of the trip;
• copies of the marked pages of the internal passport;
• 2 color photographs 3.5x4.5 cm;
• visa application form completed in English.

In addition, you will need a certificate from work or from an educational institution, a certificate of the availability of funds (bank statement, travel checks), medical insurance, hotel reservations and air tickets in both directions.

The processing time for a tourist visa is 8 working days. A business visa is made faster - in 5 working days. However, if the embassy officials deem it necessary to send documents for consideration directly to the Greenland Immigration Service, the waiting time for the result may increase up to 2 months.

Geographical position

Greenland island(local name - Kalallit-Nunaat) - the most big Island Land located northeast of mainland North America. Washed by the Baffin Sea in the west, the Labrador Sea in the south, the Greenland Sea in the east (all belong to the Atlantic Ocean) and the Arctic Ocean in the north.

The length of the island from north to south is 2,690 km, the greatest width is 1,300 km. The total area is 2,166 thousand square meters. km (of which only 410.4 thousand sq. km are ice-free to one degree or another).

Capital

The administrative center is Nook (Gothob).

How to get there

The most convenient way to get to the island is from Denmark... The national airline Air Greenland operates flights from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq (four flights a week in winter and eight in summer) in the west of the country and Narsarsuaq (one flight a week in winter and three in summer) in the south. The flight time to Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq is the same - 4.5 hours.

Icelandic airline Air Iceland (NB! Not Icelandair, namely Air Iceland;) flies all year round from Reykjavik Airport to Kulusuk (Kulusuk, twice a week in winter and every day in summer) and Nerlerit Inaat in eastern Greenland. In the summer, Air Iceland also flies to Narsarsuaq and Ilulissat several times a week, and to Nuuk 2-4 times a week. Travel time to Kulusuk and Narsarsuak from Reykjavik is ~ 2 hours.

Visa

To travel to Greenland, you must obtain a visa in advance. The visa is issued in the visa centers of Denmark and Iceland in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don, Kazan, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, Krasnodar and Krasnoyarsk.

Climate

The climate on the island of Greenland is subarctic maritime and arctic. And for the region of the ice sheet, the continental arctic is characteristic. Quite often, the island is crossed by cyclones, which very dramatically change the climate in Greenland. This is how constant temperature changes occur, strong winds blow and precipitation falls. The ice here covers a colossal area that is more than 10 times the size of Great Britain. The weight of this ice forces the earth's crust to sink, forming a concave basin that reaches a depth of 360 m below sea level. Icebergs are constantly floating near the coast, which are constantly in motion.

Population

The total population is about 56.3 thousand people. Of these, the indigenous inhabitants of the island - Greenlanders (Inuit, the people of the Arctic group of the Mongoloid race) - make up about 87%, and Danes and people from other European countries- 13%. At the same time, the local population is heterogeneous - the inhabitants of the western part of Greenland consider themselves to be a separate people (it was they who were the ancestor of the term "Greenlandic", since, unlike the inhabitants of the eastern part of the island, they do not consider themselves Inuit). Europeans call the locals Eskimos, which is not entirely true - the term "Eskimo" ("raw food") was born in the languages ​​of the Indian tribes of North America and gradually began to be used to designate the Inuit tribes of the continental United States and Canada, to which the inhabitants of Greenland do not belong.

Almost the entire population of the island lives on a narrow coastal strip between the ice sheet and the sea.

Political condition

The island of Greenland (Kalaallit Nunaat) has been a self-governing territory within Denmark since May 1979, a unique case of parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy.

The official head of state is the Queen of Denmark, represented on the island by the High Commissioner (appointed by the monarch). The head of government is the prime minister, who is elected by the country's parliament (usually the leader of the party or coalition that won the last election).

Legislature - unicameral parliament Landstinget (31 deputies are elected by secret ballot on a proportional basis, term of office - 4 years). Parliament is responsible for all issues of domestic policy and legislation (Denmark remains in charge of foreign policy, defense, justice and finance). The people of Greenland elect two representatives to the Danish parliament - Folketing.

Administratively, the country is divided into 3 regions (landsdele) - Avanna (Nordgrönland), Thunu (Ostgrönland) and Kita (Westgrönland), subdivided, in turn, into 18 municipalities.

Nature

Harsh climatic conditions the islands also affected wildlife. Naturally, the island's vegetation is present in places that are free of ice cover. So, in the south of the island, dwarf birches, mountain ash, dwarf alder and willow grow, there are thickets of shrubs, sedge and forb meadows. On the western coast of the island, up to about 80 ° north latitude, in the tundra there are dwarf birch, blueberry and crowberry, closer to the north - mosses and lichens, on the northern coast (Piri Land), free of ice - the vegetation of the Arctic deserts (mosses and lichens).

The fauna, in contrast to the flora, is more diverse. The coast is home to mammals like the reindeer, polar bear, musky musk ox, sometimes polar wolf and arctic fox. In the oceanic coastal waters in a large number bowhead whales, bowhead seals, walruses and many other polar animals are found.

Birds on the island are mainly represented by eiders, seagulls, a little less common white (polar) partridge.

Of the fish that live in the waters adjacent to the island, commercial fish include halibut, cod, capelin, salmon and dwarf Arctic shark. There are also a lot of crustaceans in the waters of Greenland, especially shrimp and crab.

Hotels, hotels, prices

Like all five-star hotels in the world, this category can be safely attributed to the category - the best hotels Greenland. Comfort, national flavor is fully felt in them. As for things like fitness centers, saunas, swimming pools, whirlpool baths, they are abundant here. All this allows you to experience all the charm of luxurious hotel life. All five-star hotels in Greenland are located mostly in large cities country. Their location is typical in the immediate vicinity of all the main attractions. A feature of hotels of this level is the ability of the service personnel to speak several languages. The luxury of such hotels is simply amazing.
There are also a large number of lower-level hotels - these are three-star hotels. A three-star hotel in Greenland is an equally comfortable option; a delicious breakfast is also included in the price of a daily stay. You can book a hotel in Greenland via the Internet, our site will help you solve all the issues related to this. There is an opportunity to choose the best option for the price and location. Choose an inexpensive hotel in a scenic rural setting, or opt for a more luxurious option, such as hotels in the heart of Greenland, in the heart of the main cities.

Accommodation prices in Greenland
Concerning average price in the hotels of the country, then they are approximately as follows. Five-star double rooms cost roughly $ 300 to $ 500. Four stars from 150 to 300, further down the scale of decline, the fewer stars, the less, respectively, and the cost of the room. It is worth noting that in Greenland, inexpensive farm hotels, located, as the name implies, in the countryside, are becoming more and more popular. In addition, there are a large number of establishments that work on the "bed and breakfast" system. Due to the fact that the country is small in size, the distance from the big cities does not matter.

Greenland in translation means Green Land, although the local population of the Inuit Eskimos call their land "Kalaallit Nunaat", which means "Land of the People".

Greenland is the largest island in the world, with an area of ​​more than 2 million square kilometers, and only 56 thousand people live here.

Such an area could easily accommodate eight English or five Norway with the same population. But this is not possible, because almost three quarters of Greenland is a land completely covered with eternal ice.

Godt Restaurant ...

And yet people live here. Moreover, according to the UN, the standard of living in Greenland is so high that according to this indicator it is among the ten richest countries in the world. Paradox? Nothing like this. Everything is determined by the attitude of people and his life position. This north island not like the Bahamas or New Guinea, here you will not sit under a palm tree from where coconuts fall from above. Here in the north, everything is mined with hard work, often at the risk of life. People living here are not used to messing around and therefore, despite the cold weather, quite comfortable conditions for life, work and rest have been created here.

This northern, sparsely populated land has long attracted people from North America and Iceland. Back in 875, the Norman Gunbyorn was the first of the Europeans to visit this island. And in 982, Eric Raudi settled on the island with several comrades, expelled from Iceland for his crimes. Later they were joined by the Norse Vikings. In 983, the first Norman colony was founded in Greenland.

But this does not mean that the island was deserted before the Europeans. Long before their arrival, for several thousand years, the Greenlandic Eskimos lived on the island, although they call themselves Inuit, the name "Eskimo", which means undersized, is considered offensive. Inuit have adapted to the Arctic climate and feel quite comfortable. From time immemorial they have been fishing and hunting.

The main part of the island is a kind of platform, the average height of which is about 125 m. The inner part of the island has significant depressions, and although the glacial cover rises significantly above the island, the subsoil under the glacier is in many places below sea level. These depressions are most likely due to the enormous weight of the glacier. But there are also hills. The mountain ranges of the south rise up to 1500-1600 m, and in the east and north up to 3000 m.In the northern part there is Mount Gunbyorn, whose height is 3700 m. Mount Gunbyorn is highest point throughout the Arctic.

The northern and eastern parts of the island are almost constantly under snow and glaciers. A little further south, on the eastern and northeastern coasts, the climate is somewhat milder, but there are only small Inuit settlements. Well, the coastal strip of the south and west of the island in summer is covered with green meadows and forest-tundra vegetation. Mainly polar birch and willow bushes grow here. But dense and lush grass is an excellent food for grazing livestock. Fertile soil is quite suitable for growing vegetables. The bulk of the population lives here in the south and west. These areas are relatively warm. In summer, the temperature here is about + 8-10, and in winter -8-10.

Throughout its existence, after the Europeans inhabited Greenland, the island was repeatedly passed from hand to hand.

The island was Norwegian since the time of European exploration, but in 1536 it passed to Denmark, in accordance with the union between Denmark and Norway. In 1721, a Danish colony named Gothob was officially established on the island. After the dissolution of the union between Norway and Denmark in 1814, Greenland became completely Danish possession. In 1931 eastern part Greenland again wanted to seize Norway's hands, but the International Court of Justice in The Hague did not recognize her harassment. During World War II, the United States, with the consent of Denmark, deployed several of its military bases in Greenland. True, now only piles of iron and the remains of rusted equipment are left of them.

The administration of the country has undergone significant changes over the years. If in the XIIIV-XIX centuries it was completely a colony, then in 1953, in accordance with the Danish constitution, Greenland received internal autonomy. Since then, the parliament of Denmark is considered the legislative power, and Greenland's own parliament of 31 people is elected for 4 years. But until 1979, the executive branch was represented by a commissioner, who was appointed by the Danish government. In 1978, after years of Greenlandic protests, the Folketing, Denmark's unicameral parliament, ratified the island's full autonomy. Since 1979, it has come into force. The city of Nuq, the old name of Gothob, was approved as the capital.

Now the legislative power in Greenland belongs to Landsting, the local parliament, which is also elected for a 4-year term. And the political party that wins the election forms a cabinet headed by the prime minister. In 1985, the national flag of Greenland was approved.

The internal political life of modern Greenland is built on the generally accepted standards in the world. In the 1970s and 1980s, two main political parties were formed in society: Siumut, which means "Forward" and Atassut, which means "Cohesion". The Siumut party is dominated by Greenlandic Eskimos, who advocate further expansion of autonomy, especially in the field of economics and use. natural resources... The Atassut party is represented by local Danes who are trying to maintain ties with Denmark. There is also a socialist party, formerly the Greenland branch of the Danish Communist Party "Inuit Atagatigiit" which means "Inuit Brotherhood", this party is seeking complete separation from Denmark. The less representative Democratic Party, which includes both Danes and Eskimos, is in favor of maintaining Greenland's current status. Despite the differences in requirements, the debate of these parties is quite peaceful.

The main activity of the population of Greenland is, as before, fishing. But at the end of the twentieth century, the breeding of northern and sheep was added to this, in addition, in recent years, a significant part of the budget has been formed by oil production. Tourism and air transport play an important role. Greenland has the largest in the world national park, its area is almost 70 million hectares. It is not surprising that about 20 thousand tourists visit the island every year.

The climate of the coastal part of Greenland is maritime subarctic, arctic and continental arctic. Quite often there are cyclones on the island, bringing strong wind, sudden changes in temperature and precipitation. Most rainfall occurs in autumn and winter, but snow can be expected here at any time of the year. In summer, dense fogs are not uncommon on the coast. The vegetation of Greenland cannot be called high, most of the plants are undersized. In late summer, the lowlands of the southern part of the island are covered with a carpet of wild berries and wildflowers.

Of the animals in this harsh climate, only the strongest survive, so the animal world is not distinguished by its diversity. The traditional representatives of the fauna of Greenland are polar bears, hares and wolves, reindeer, lemmings, gray-blue and white foxes. The coastal waters are home to several species of whales - from to the beluga whale. Narwhals, seals and walruses live in the northern seas. In addition to them, harp seals, bearded seals and seals are found in the waters of Greenland.

Usually, a trip around the country begins with a tour of the capital. Now it is, though small, by European standards, but quite modern city with a population of just over 14 thousand people. It is considered the smallest capital on the planet. It is worth visiting the old quarters, where the reception hall of the local parliament, the Savur Church and Hans Jeged Church churches, the Arctic Garden and Ilisimatusarfijk University, the Seminary, the Kayak Club and the Queen Margrethe Memorial are located. However, the main attractions of the country and the capital are, of course, natural. Directly within the city there are many viewing platforms, from which anyone can admire the views of the coastal line, as well as frolicking whales.

Greenland National Park is located in the northeast of the island, although it has long been closed to outside researchers. The reason for this is the vast area of ​​relict tundra, located on the territory of the reserve, in which musk oxen and polar wolves live, as well as many species of arctic plants.

Greenland is a dream come true for those who are fans of snow and ice. Here you can admire the colossal glaciers, the bright northern lights, stay in an igloo hotel and go dog sledding, kayaking or cruise along the shores of Greenland.

Fishing and hunting lovers will have an unforgettable experience here. Here you can even catch a shark from the ice with a fishing rod or hunt a musk ox.

The country has an extremely low crime rate, and even old-timers will not remember earthquakes, tsunamis or volcanic eruptions. Inappropriate equipment can cause much more trouble. Even within the city limits, a tourist runs the risk of seriously freezing, traveling in clothes without protection from the wind, as well as without strong warm shoes. When traveling to the tundra or an area of ​​ice fields, you should show maximum foresight: find out the weather forecast in advance, pick up equipment, find a guide and be sure to stock up on water, maps and a radio. It is good if the representatives of the local tourist office or the rescue service know about the trip.

Habitual public transport or there is no taxi on the island, you will have to travel long distances by air - the national airline organizes flights around Greenland by planes and helicopters. During the flight, you can see fantastic landscapes of glaciers and snowdrifts. The nearby villages are connected by dog ​​sleds, snowmobiles and snowmobiles.

Most popular with tourists Northern part Greenland. Here you will see the mighty beauty of icebergs with the most incredible fantastic outlines and sizes. The northern lights give special beauty to these places, which will not leave anyone indifferent. It is impossible to convey, it just needs to be seen.

The most convenient way to get to Greenland is from Denmark by plane. The island has its own airport Nerlerit-Inaat, it is located in the east of Greenland. It is necessary to take care of the visa in advance - it can be obtained at any visa center. The best time to visit the country is considered the period of the polar "white nights", that is, the months from May to July. And for lovers of winter fun, April is suitable.

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