Background: 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.

Land 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

Natural 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

Geography
Note: defense is responsibility of Denmark

Population: 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

Birth rate: 21 births/1000 population (1989)

Death rate: 8 deaths/1000 population (1989)

Net migration rate: - 1 migrant/1000 population (1989)

Environment
Current issues: sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island

Infant 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)

Literacy: 99%

Country 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

Independence: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division

National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)

Constitution: Danish

Legal system: Danish

Suffrage: 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

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Flag description: the flag of Denmark is used

Economy 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.

Agriculture 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%

Budget: revenues $380 million; expenditures $380 million, including capital expenditures of $N/A (1985)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Exports: $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%

Debt external: $N/A

Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 7.085 (January 1989), 6.732 (1988), 6.840 (1987), 8.091 (1986), 10.596 (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: 84,000 kW capacity; 174 million kWh produced, 3,180 kWh per capita (1988)

Airports: 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