In many ways, Greenland is a nation that stands alone. In terms of size, it is the largest island in the world which is not considered to be a continent in its own right. To give the reader some perspective on the scope of its size, the length of the country’s coastline is approximately equal to the circumference of our planet! Additionally, it is the least densely populated country on earth, essentially due to its climate and often harsh geographic features. For example, the Greenland ice sheet covers about eighty percent of the land mass and is so heavy that it has turned the topography of the country into what is essentially a basin by depressing its surface so much that the central land area is over one thousand feet below sea level! Considering this, one can infer that the majority of the land not covered in ice is near the coast, and sharply rises towards its outer edge. While at this point in time it’s not possible to be sure, for half a century many scientists have speculated based on gathered evidence that the ice sheet may actually bridge three separate land masses!
As its sparse population of under 60,000 people might suggest, Greenland has been impacted very little by its inhabitants. There is very little pollution, and the arctic air is clean and crisp. There are, of course numerous towns and what could be considered cities based on population alone, although they may not necessarily correspond with the mental picture that most of us hold in out minds when we hear the word; you won’t find any skyscrapers here! Nuuk, Greenland’s capitol and largest city is home to nearly 18,000 people, the vast majority of whom were born in the country. Although comparatively small with regard to other capitols and cities in general, there is still much to do in the city. Nuuk’s most recognizable building and what is oft considered to be the country’s cultural epicenter is called Katuaq. This community center serves multiple purposes; a place for gatherings or meetings, a cinema, an art exhibition center, a cafe, and library. Many come to study Greenland’s vast and ancient history, others come simply to relax. Whatever your reason for visiting, if in Nuuk don’t hesitate to stop in and see what it has to offer; at the very least you’ll be sure to meet helpful and friendly locals!
Although the climate can be harsh, especially in the northern part of the territory, there are still a great many enjoyable outdoor activities to participate in, many of which are unavailable in other locations. The most prominent of these is dog sledding, an activity which can be a leisurely expedition as an adventure tour or for the hard core an intense and competitive sport. Ice fishing is a long standing tradition that is widely exercised to this day, and the bounty of the catch is put up for sale by commercial fishermen each day in various locations. Many will wish to appreciate the less populated and completely natural areas of the country, which are usually explored with the aid of snowmobiles. For a bird’s eye view, there are as well a number of helicopter touring services which allow coverage and observation of much greater areas and distances. Even all of these options are just the “tip of the iceberg,” so to speak, and there is much more to experience. Get out there and explore–nearly unlimited outdoor adventure is waiting for you!
The ultimate cold weather expeditions on offer today, only by S2Si
Kayaking expeditions amongst icebergs, dogsledding expeditions across crisp white snow or mountaineering expeditions deep into the arctic circle – Greenland is absolute adventure in all aspects.
If the activities sound too demanding, your adventure holiday could me more culture orientated as you explore the various indigenous aspects of the place with one of our team or have snow-landing planes and helicopters take you on tours.
Why not make up your own itinerary with one of our bespoke expeditions? Or, if you have a reason to visit and need the logistical support we can offer get in touch.
Tel:+44 (0)131 2208246
