Noorliit cemetery in Nuuk, Greenland. Ritzau Scanpix/Mads Claus Rasmussen
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Noorliit cemetery in Nuuk, Greenland. Ritzau Scanpix/Mads Claus Rasmussen
A building containing social housing with an Inuit mural in #Nuuk, #Greenland. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
Denmark colonised Greenland in the 18th century when missionary Hans Egede arrived in 1721, marking the start of the colonial era. In 1916, the United States bought the Danish West Indies - now the U.S. Virgin Islands - for $25 million in gold. As part of that treaty, Washington declared it would not object to the Danish government extending its "political and economic interests to the whole of Greenland," formally recognising Danish sovereignty.
Greenland shifted from colony to formal territory in 1953 under Denmark’s constitution, though Greenlanders were not consulted. Any sale would require a constitutional amendment. Since 2009, Greenland can declare independence through a self-rule process requiring a referendum and Danish parliamentary approval. Autonomy is extensive but excludes foreign affairs and defence unless agreed. Greenland has about 57,000 people, limited infrastructure, and no roads between its around 17 towns.
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Sunshine reflects on an ice wall during sunset at the Disko Bay close to Ilulissat, Greenland. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke
