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Greenland, which is less green but more ice, is the world’s biggest island, nearly 80% covered by a thick ice sheet. It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but is self-governing.
It was named Greenland by Norse settlers from Iceland to attract more settlers to make the island sound more appealing and habitable.
US President Donald Trump has long shown interest in ‘buying’ Greenland and has not even ruled out taking full control by force.
Greenland lies between North America and Europe, and is important for Arctic defence. The island is key for missile tracking and monitoring shipping routes.
The US operates the Pituffik Air Base in Greenland, which is crucial for missile warning and space surveillance, under a 1951 treaty with Denmark.
With a population of 56,000 people, the island is also home to rare earth minerals deposits, crucial for the production of EVs, electronics and advanced defence technology.
Greenland is reportedly turning green again, with melting Arctic ice due to climate change. In the last 30 years, over 1.5% of Greenland’s ice sheet and glaciers have melted.
Many reports suggest that melting ice has made some resources and future shipping routes more accessible now, making Greenland even more attractive geopolitically.
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