Statistical information Greenland 1989

Greenland in the World
top of pageBackground: The world's largest island about 84% ice-capped Greenland was granted self-government in 1978 by the Danish parliament. The law went into effect the following year.
top of pageLocationGeographic coordinatesMap referenceAreaLand boundaries: none
Coastline: 44,087 km
Maritime claims: Contiguous zone:4 nm; Continental shelf:200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Exclusive fishing zone:200 nm; Territorial sea:3 nm
Climate: arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Terrain: flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast
ElevationNatural resources: zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, cryolite, uranium, fish
Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 1% meadows and pastures; NEGL% forest and woodland; 99% other
Irrigated landMajor riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazardsGeographyNote: defense is responsibility of Denmark
top of pagePopulation: 55,415 (July 1989), growth rate 1.2% (1989)
Nationality: noun - Greenlander(s); adjective - Greenlandic
Ethnic groups: 86% Greenlander (Eskimos and Greenland-born Caucasians), 14% Danish
Languages: Eskimo dialects, Danish
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran
Demographic profileAge structureDependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rateBirth rate: 21 births/1000 population (1989)
Death rate: 8 deaths/1000 population (1989)
Net migration rate: - 1 migrant/1000 population (1989)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island
Air pollutantsSex ratioMothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 30 deaths/1000 live births (1989)
Life expectancy at birth: 62 years male, 68 years female (1989)
Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1989)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracy: 99%
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry name: conventional long form: none
Government type: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division
Capital: Nuuk (Godthab)
Administrative divisions: 3 municipalities (kommuner, singular - kommun); Nordgronland, Ostgronland, Vestgronland
Dependent areasIndependence: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division
National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution: Danish
Legal system: Danish
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: universal, but not compulsory, over age 21
Executive branch: Chief of State - Queen MARGRETHE II (since NA January 1972); Head of Government - Home Rule Chairman Jonathan MOTZFELDT (since NA May 1979)
Legislative branch: legislative authority rests jointly with the elected 27-seat Landsting and Danish parliament; executive power vested in home rule chairman and four-person council
Judicial branchPolitical parties and leadersInternational organization participationDiplomatic representationIn the us: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description
: the flag of Denmark is used
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Over the past 25 years, the economy has changed from one based on subsistence whaling, hunting, and fishing to one dependent on foreign trade. Fishing is still the most important industry, accounting for over two-thirds of exports and about 25% of the population's income. Exploitation of mineral resources is limited to lead and zinc. Maintenance of a social welfare system similar to that of Denmark's has given the public sector a dominant role in the economy. Greenland is heavily dependent on an annual subsidy of about $400 million from the Danish Government.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rateReal gdp per capitaGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture products: arable areas largely in hay; sheep raising; garden produce
Industries: fish processing, lead and zinc mining, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Labor force: 22,800; largely engaged in fishing, hunting, sheep breeding
Unemployment rate: NA%
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudget: revenues $380 million; expenditures $380 million, including capital expenditures of $N/A (1985)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $256.9 million (f.o.b., 1986)
Commodities: fish and fish products, metallic ores and concentrates
Partners: Denmark 82%, France 6%, FRG 3%, Finland 2%
Imports: $359.9 million (c.i.f., 1986)
Commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and transport equipment, food products
Partners: Denmark 53%, Norway 5%, Sweden 5%, FRG 4%, Japan 4%, US 3%
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $N/A
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 7.085 (January 1989), 6.732 (1988), 6.840 (1987), 8.091 (1986), 10.596 (1985)
top of pageElectricityCapacity: 84,000 kW capacity; 174 million kWh produced, 3,180 kWh per capita (1988)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephonesTelephone systemBroadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresMilitary and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 11 total, 8 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
HeliportsPipelinesRailwaysRoadwaysWaterwaysMerchant marinePorts and terminalstop of pageDisputes internationalRefugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs