Nuuk. How does the capital of Greenland live? Greenland Island How rich people live in Greenland

City of good hope. This is the name given to the city by its founder Hans Egede, which was considered official until 1979. Finally we set foot on Greenlandic soil. The capital greeted us with gloomy but mild weather. Nuuk is not spoiled by tourists; few people fly here purposefully; only sometimes tourist ships moor at the local harbor. But exploring the largest island on the planet would not be complete without Nuuk

Nuuk starts either from the pier of the local port, or at a small airport with one runway. We arrived by plane from Reykjavik, which is the only regular international flight to Nuuk. Despite its status as the capital, the airport here is not central to Greenland.

You need to drive 5 kilometers to get to the city, there are no buses around, so the only option is to take a taxi, which cost us about 20 euros. Walking is extremely difficult

Our hotel is named after the same Norwegian founder of the city. This is where the main life of the city revolves.

The choice of hotels here is small, there are only 3-4 of them, and this one is considered the best. It's truly impressive on the inside. Here's the view from our window

We have very little time in Nuuk. Therefore, we are in a hurry to see the city while the weather permits. Opposite the hotel there are street vendors selling all sorts of junk.

We walk around the city center. The first thing we discovered was the lack of roaming and major problems with the Internet. Here it costs from 10 dollars for 30 minutes, but we need to somehow inform our family that we have arrived and everything is fine.
Despite the lower air temperature, it seems warmer here than in Iceland

Local shopping center, where we found many modern shops and cafes. So Greenland is a very civilized country. True, local residents are not very accustomed to tourists

Even at the entrance to the city, it seemed that there was a lot of construction going on in the area. Indeed, Nuuk is somewhat reminiscent of a construction site

But we are heading towards the historical center. Here it is - a beautiful Scandinavian house with the flag of Greenland. There is a souvenir shop inside

And here is a panorama of the old center

A residential area begins next to it. In a separate post, I will later tell you more about the houses of local residents

Nuuk may not seem like a cohesive and nice town, but I still like it here

We were recommended some cafe, but it turned out to be closed :(

We went to the local embankment. It’s not that there are no tourists here, you rarely see people here at all. Although the population of Nuuk is the largest in Greenland - 15 thousand people

I love it when there are no people

I found a kayak on the way. I decided to get into it, but it turned out to be not at all easy, I almost capsized along with this boat

This is how local fishermen store their kayaks. The sea here does not freeze in winter due to the warm West Greenland Current, which is why these places have long been inhabited by Inuit, which allowed them to fish all year round

By the way, all these high-rise new buildings are numbered. I wonder who they are building them for?

On the highest hill of the old city there is a monument to that very Norwegian Hans Egede. He arrived here in 1721 with the goal of converting 12 Eskimo families living here to Christianity.

The island of Greenland is the largest island on Earth, located in the northeast direction from North America, washed by three large bodies of water: the Arctic Ocean in the north, the Labrador Sea on the south side and the Baffin Sea on the west side. Today the island territory belongs to Denmark. Translated from the local dialect, the name of Greenland – Kalallit Nunaat – means “Green Country”. Despite the fact that today the island is almost completely covered with ice, back in 982 this part of the land was completely covered with vegetation. Today, for many, Greenland is associated with eternal ice, but it is not so. Let's figure out what attracts tourists from all over the world to this mysterious island - the home of Santa Claus.

general information

The first to land on the island was the Icelandic Viking Eirik Rauda, also known as Erik the Red. It was he who, seeing the rich vegetation on the shore, called Greenland the Green Country. Only in the 15th century the island was covered with glaciers and acquired the familiar appearance. Since that time, Greenland has been the largest producer of icebergs in the world.

Interesting fact! It was an iceberg from Greenland that caused the sinking of the Titanic.

Greenland is a rare place that has remained as untouched as possible, with minimal human intervention. There are excellent conditions for extreme sports and ecotourism, which is popular today. Nature lovers can admire the amazing landscapes and immerse themselves in the unique culture of the peoples inhabiting the island, who still live according to ancient traditions. The length of Greenland from north to south is almost 2.7 thousand km, the maximum width is approximately 1.3 thousand km, and the area is 2.2 thousand sq. km, which is 50 times more area Denmark.

Greenland is separated from Ellesmere Island in Canada by a 19 km wide strait. The Denmark Strait flows off the southeastern coast, separating the island from Iceland. Spitsbergen is 440 km away, the Greenland Sea is located between the polar archipelago and Greenland. The western part of the island is washed by the Baffin Sea and Davis Strait, they separate Greenland from Baffin Island.

With a population of just over 15 thousand people. The total population of Greenland is about 58 thousand people. The exotic highlight of the island is its winter landscapes, which resemble illustrations from a fairy tale. Greenland attractions and tourist attractions are associated with snow and cold. Of course, there are museums here that display unique collections telling about the history, culture and traditions of the island.

History in dates:

the first Viking settlements appeared in the 10th century;
in the 18th century, the colonization of Greenland by Denmark began;
in 1953 Greenland joined Denmark;
in 1973, the country's autonomy became part of the European Economic Union;
in 1985, Greenland left the Union due to disputes over fish quotas;
Greenland gained self-government in 1979.

Attractions

Many people mistakenly believe that the only attraction of Greenland is a snow-white desert area covered with snow. However, the country is rich in attractions, many of which can only be seen in this part of the planet. First of all, these are fjords and glaciers. Locals say that no two icebergs are identical. Every year, new icebergs appear here.

Interesting fact! The color of the iceberg is always different and depends on the time of day.

The next fact may seem paradoxical, but another attraction is the thermal springs. In some places, the water temperature reaches +380 degrees, and the landscape is complemented by icebergs floating on the horizon. Residents of Greenland call thermal springs with crystal clean water medieval SPA, because the first “baths” appeared here more than a thousand years ago. They are located in the southern part of the island.

The cities of Greenland have a special flavor - they are painted in bright colors, which is why they are called multi-colored. The most interesting:

Nuuk

Nuuk (Gothob) is the main city of the autonomous region of the country;
Ilulissat is an exotic attraction;
Uummannaq – the residence of Santa Claus is located here.

Nuuk or Gothob

Despite the fact that Nuuk is the tiniest capital, in terms of originality, color, and attractions, it is in no way inferior to the popular tourist capitals of the planet. The city is located on a peninsula, not far from Mount Sermitsiak.

Nuuk attraction:

old quarters;
Savur Church Temple;
Yegede house;
Arctic Garden;
meat market.

Of course it's not full list attractions. Of no less interest are: the Art Museum, the only Cultural Center.

After you've had your fill, be sure to visit the country's National Museum, the exhibition of which covers the life of people on the island for 4.5 thousand years.

National Museum of Greenland

The main attraction is the natural beauty. For the comfort of tourists, the city is equipped with observation decks. The most popular is Vale Watching Spot. People come here to admire the sea inhabitants. There is a yacht mooring in the bay.

Read more about the capital of Greenland in a separate article.

The maximum concentration of icebergs is off the west coast of the island. Pieces break off from the Sermek Kujallek glacier and slide into the Ilulissat fjord at a rate of 35 m per day. Just 10 years ago, the speed of ice movement did not exceed 20 m per day, but due to global warming, the ice is moving faster.

Interesting fact! The ice flow is considered the fastest in the world.

The length of the fjord is just over 40 km, here you can see icebergs of various shapes and sizes, and listen to the deafening cracking of ice. One of the main tourist attractions in Greenland is iceberg watching in Ilulissat. Eyewitnesses say that this is where the largest ice giants are located. The height of some reaches 30 meters, despite the fact that 80% of the iceberg is hidden under water.

On the shore of the fjord there is a picturesque attraction - a small fishing settlement with the same name Ilulissat and a population of no more than 5 thousand people. While the icebergs slowly drift, tourists can enjoy strong coffee and hot chocolate in a small cafe, watching the majestic extravaganza from the window.

Tour groups by boat or helicopter are transported to the iceberg to explore ice caves, listen to the frightening sounds of moving ice, and get a close look at the seals.

Good to know! The collection of the local museum is dedicated to Knut Rasmussen; the rich collection tells about how people live in Greenland, culture, traditions, folklore.

Due to the richness and variety of impressions and attractions, Ilulissat attracts fans of extreme sports and lovers of ethnic exoticism. In terms of comfort, the city is suitable even for a family holiday.

Good to know! Best time for traveling to Ilulissat – summer and September.

Things to do in Ilulissat:

excursion to an Inuit village, where you can try seafood soup, spend the night in a real hut, and meet sled dogs;
excursion to the Eki glacier;
night boat trip to Icefjord;
dog sledding;
whale safari and sea fishing.

Advice for tourists! In Ilulissat, be sure to buy a figurine made of bone or stone; the souvenir shops have a large selection of beadwork. A luxurious gift would be a product made from seal fur or seal skin. The fish market has a large selection of fresh fish and seafood.

Eqi Glacier (Eqip Sermia)

The Eki glacier is located 70 km from the Ilulissat fjord, in Disko Bay. This glacier is considered the fastest in Greenland. The length of its frontal edge is 5 km, and the maximum height reaches 100 m. It is here that you can see the process of the birth of an iceberg - huge pieces of ice break off from Eka with a terrible crack and roar and fall into the water. A ride on a speedboat evokes both admiration and fear. Local residents claim that the excursion evokes special emotions when the boat moves in the fog. If you're lucky, you might see whales.

Almost all excursions to the glacier involve a trip to the small settlement of Ataa. Here guests are treated to lunch and invited to take a walk around the village. Then the transport takes the group to Ilulissat, where the excursion began.

White nights and northern lights

The Northern Lights are the most beautiful decoration of Greenland; here is the best place on the planet to observe this unique phenomenon. On the island, the aurora is at its brightest from the second half of September to mid-April. What does it take to see the northern lights? Warm clothes, comfortable shoes, a thermos of tea or coffee and a little patience. It doesn't matter what part of the island you are on - the northern lights can be seen everywhere, anywhere in Greenland, even in the capital.

There is another way to see a natural phenomenon - romantic. Go on a special boat for a walk in a protected area. You can watch the northern lights from the deck of a ship or by landing on shore.

The advantage of such a trip is the opportunity to see animals in natural conditions. Protected areas are the home of polar bears, where they feel quite at ease.

Multi-colored flashes on a snow-white, lifeless desert create the atmosphere of a fairy tale. If you are a romantic, impressionable person, such an excursion will give you a lot of positive emotions.

Animal world and whale watching

Given the difficult climate of Greenland, only the strongest animals survive here. The owners of the island are considered to be polar bears, and here you can also see polar hares, lemmings, arctic foxes and polar wolves. The waters are home to whales, seals, narwhals, walruses, ringed seals and bearded seals.

Whale safari is a favorite type of recreation for extreme tourists and an amazing attraction of the country. Tourist boats are organized for trips. You can go as part of a tour group, or rent a boat. Animals do not react to people, so they allow you to swim up to them. close quarters. They play and swim very close to the ships.

Best places for a Greenland safari: the settlements of Ausiait, Nuuk, Qeqertarssuaq.

Greenland is one of the few places where marine life can be caught, so tourists can admire these amazing animals and try whale meat dishes.

If you are a fan of extreme sports, try diving. You have a unique opportunity to swim under an iceberg, visit an underwater rock, and see seals.

Culture

The people of the island live in complete unity with nature. Hunting is not just a trade, but a whole ritual. The Eskimos believe that life is nothing more than a shadow, and with the help of rituals people remain in the world of the living.

The main value for people is animals, because they sacrifice their lives to provide food for the local population. There are legends in Greenland that say that many years ago people understood the language of animals.

The Eskimos still practice shamanism; the locals believe in life after death and that all animals and even objects have a soul. The art here is associated with manual creativity - hand-made figurines are made from animal bones and skin.

People in Greenland do not show emotions, most likely due to the harsh climate of the island. However, this does not mean that guests are not welcome here, but if you want to make a favorable impression, show restraint and only speak seriously. As the locals say, when you don’t speak seriously, words lose meaning and meaning.

Good to know! In Greenland, it is not customary to shake hands; when people say hello, they give a greeting sign.

Cultural traditions are determined by the difficult climate. People on the island have created a certain code of conduct, where everything is subordinated to the possibility of survival, protection of animals and the environment. Life here flows measuredly and slowly.

It may seem that the people on the island are rude and unfriendly, but this is not so, it’s just that the locals are silent and do not engage in idle conversations. They express their thoughts clearly and concisely.

Kitchen

For a typical European, Greenlandic cuisine is practically unsuitable. Main principle nutrition on the island - eating food in the form in which nature provides it. There is virtually no heat treatment here. Over the centuries, the food system has been shaped in such a way as to provide people with the necessary nutrients and the strength to survive in such a climate.

Good to know! At first glance, it may seem that the national cuisine of Greenland is primitive, but this is not at all the case. According to statistics, people in Greenland do not get scurvy, and they do not have vitamin deficiency. Also, there are virtually no diagnoses such as peptic ulcers and atherosclerosis, and an extremely low percentage of infectious pathologies.

The main dishes are prepared from the meat of walruses, whales and seals. In Greenland, exotic methods of processing meat are used; after cutting the carcass, it is sorted, some ingredients are mixed, and the optimal cooking method is selected. The meat is kept in the ground, in specially prepared brines, and water.

Mattak

A popular delicacy and exotic culinary delicacy is mattak - reindeer and whale meat with fat. An everyday dish - stroganina - is prepared from the meat of sea animals, fish and poultry, served with grass, wild garlic, and polar berries. Another popular dish is suasat - meat is scalded with boiling water and served with a side dish of potatoes or rice.

From plant products seaweed, tree sap, turnips, certain types of moss, potatoes and rhubarb are held in high esteem. Fish and seafood are eaten in any form, they are salted, dried, fermented, frozen and eaten raw. All seafood, which is considered a delicacy for Europeans, is presented in a wide range in Greenland and for every taste.

Drinks on the island include milk tea and traditional black tea. Another exotic culinary tradition is to add salt, spices, fat to tea with milk and drink it as a first course. They also drink deer milk and original Greenlandic coffee.

Greenland recorded the lowest average annual temperature of any country - 32 degrees.

The most precipitation falls in the south and east of the island - up to 1000 mm; in the north the amount of precipitation decreases to 100 mm. The entire area is characterized by strong winds and snowstorms. In the east, it snows a third of the days a year; the closer you go to the north, the less snowfall. Fogs are typical for summer. The warmest climate is in the southwest, this is due to the warm current - the West Greenland. In January the temperature does not drop below -4 degrees, and in July the temperature rises to +11 degrees. In the south, in some places protected from the wind, in summer the thermometer rises closer to +20 degrees. In the east the climate is more severe, but the coldest climate is in the north, here in winter the temperature drops to -52 degrees.

Where to stay

Greenland Escape

All hotels in Greenland are required to be classified by the national tourism office. This classification is equivalent to hotel categories in Europe. The highest category of hotels is 4 stars. You can find such hotels in Ilulissat, Nuuk and Sisimiut. There are lower category hotels in all localities except Kangatsiak, Itokortormit and Upernavik.

In the largest cities there are family pensions where tourists are invited to eat and try traditional dishes national cuisine of Greenland. In the southern part of the island, travelers often stop at sheep farms.

Good to know! On farms, electricity is generated using diesel generators, so it is supplied at certain hours.

The average price of a double room in a 4-star hotel is from 300 to 500 dollars. In hotels of a lower category - from 150 to 300 dollars.

Find out PRICES or book any accommodation using this form

Visa, how to get there

To travel to the island you will need to apply for a visa at a special visa center. Insurance is also required.

The easiest and fastest way to get to Greenland from Denmark is by plane. Flights depart from Copenhagen and arrive at:

Kangerlussuaq - all year round;
Narsarkuaq - only in summer.

The flight lasts about 4.5 hours.

In addition, planes from Iceland fly to this part of the country. Flights operate between the capital airport in Iceland and the airport in Nuuk. There are also flights from Reykjavik. Flights are planned to Ilulissat and Nuuk. The flight lasts 3 hours.

Healthy! Greenland is regularly visited by cruise ships on a route that includes Iceland and Greenland.

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Now you know exactly the answer to the question: do people live in Greenland? Not only do people live here, but there are many fascinating attractions. The island of Greenland is an amazing place, a visit to which will leave unforgettable emotions in your memory.

Video: how they live in the capital of Greenland, the city of Nuuk.

The article talks about the largest island in the world, which is occupied by Greenland. What is its history, what country does it belong to and what is there in general? At the same time, try to guess how much one kilogram of cheese costs on the island? At the end of the page you will find the answer!

According to the latest census, 60 thousand people live here. All of them are concentrated in 18 cities and 59 villages. The rest of the land is occupied by glaciers. At last count, 84% of Greenland is covered with ice. For this reason, the island regularly supplies new icebergs to the ocean. Scientists talk about a figure of 15 thousand blocks per year. By the way, it was one of them that sank the Titanic more than a hundred years ago.

Interesting:

The area of Greenland is 2,166,086 km². This is 50 times larger than Denmark, to which it belongs;

Here is the world's largest national park, the most gigantic glacier and only one very modest fountain;

From mid to mid, the northern lights regularly blaze in the sky. From now on it is a polar day and the sun practically never sets.

Population: 57 thousand people. 90% of them are Inuit (Eskimos). The rest are Europeans. Most often Danes.

Where is it located on the world map

Who owns Greenland

Greenland is the largest island on the planet. It is incorrect to call it a country, since it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, has its representatives in parliament and uses Danish kroner in circulation. On the other hand, the inhabitants of the island have great autonomy. Here are three examples of the waywardness of the northerners:

Greenland has left the European Union, although it belongs to Denmark.
To get to the ice island, Russians and residents of many other countries will need a visa. Schengen does not apply here.
What language do the locals speak? The main language is Greenlandic, not Danish. Although the latter is known and understood on the island, just like English.

Why this name and a brief history

The name for the “Green Land” was invented by the Scandinavian navigator Eric the Red at the very end of the 10th century. It was he who founded the first settlement on the island, after he was expelled from Iceland for 3 years for double murder. Back then the southern coastal zone was indeed greener than it is now. But there is a version that Eric the Red deliberately gave the new land a euphonious name in order to lure new colonizers.

By the beginning of the 15th century, the climate worsened. Glaciers crawled to the outskirts of the island, plague raged on the island and the colonists were forced to leave their settlements. For a while, all connections between Greenland and Europe were interrupted. The island became a haven for rare pirate ships and wild Inuit tribes. Regular expeditions resumed only in 1605. Since then, the colonization of the island has not stopped.

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Important Features

The thickness of the ice here is from one and a half to three kilometers. They say that if all the Greenland ice melted, the water level in the world's oceans would rise by seven meters.

Before your trip, it is important to understand that there are no large settlements on the island. Local cities- small Inuit villages inhabited by at most several hundred people. Even Gothob (Nuuk), the capital of Greenland, barely has 15 thousand inhabitants. In this regard, you should not count on a vibrant city life: nightclubs, a wide selection of bars, museums and shopping centers.

This is, first of all, a country of wild, untouched nature, where any influence or even human presence goes unnoticed. You will feel like an invisible grain of sand against the backdrop of the vast white desert, especially on the ice sheet of the central part of the island, where the harsh arctic climate prevails, and temperatures often reach -60.

Animal world

Greenland is a completely unimaginable region of permafrost. Only 30 species of mammals live here, 22 of which are marine. Greenland is home to 170 species of birds, and more than 100 species of fish swim in the surrounding waters.

Polar bears roam freely on the ice. Sometimes they wander into villages. Coastal areas are occupied by walruses, seals, seals and sea otters, which carefreely bask on the pebbles. On the East Coast you can find polar wolves, hares, reindeer and herds of musk oxen. Several species of dolphins and whales live in coastal waters: Greenland, blue, narwhal, beluga and others.

Sights of Greenland

Ice Canyon

Once on the central plateau, visit the Ice Canyon. This amazing place was formed as a result of the inevitable melting of ice. The canyon is a zigzag, wide fracture in the body of the glacier up to 45 meters deep. Melt water of an unusual blue color flows along its bottom, which, continuing to wear away the ice, increases the area of the fault every year. The heavenly color of the water contrasts with the snow-white walls of the glacier sparkling in the sun.

Lake Motzenfeld and the Koororsuaq Valley

The reservoir is located in a harsh and inaccessible area. The lake is constantly fed by melting glaciers, it has an unusual angular shape and is surrounded by huge, sharp peaks that rise into the sky to a height of 1600 meters. The only road to Motzenfeld runs through the equally harsh, but even more picturesque Koororssuaq valley. The Koorkup Kuua River flows along its bottom: flowing out of the lake, and on its sides it is supported by two giants - the ice giants Illerfissalik and Suusukutaussa.

Mountain Uummannaq

From afar the mountain Uummannaq looks like a heart. It rises above the snow cover to a height of 1170 meters and appears before the eyes of the tourist in successively alternating colors of black, white and red. The mountain changes shades depending on the lighting.

In addition, you can go on a short kayak trip off the South-West coast to appreciate the true size of passing icebergs, visit the world's largest fjord, Scoresbysand, cutting 250 kilometers inland, and simply relax from people in the vast snow-covered expanses.

Entertainment

Much of the local entertainment is based in nature. Here are the most popular methods spend time in a harsh region:

Hikes of all kinds;

Rides in dog parks;

Swimming on kayaks, boats and boats;

Traditional winter activities: snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, etc.

Rock climbing;

Observation of wild animals: whales, deer, bears, seals, etc.;

Photo tours of local landscapes;

Aerial inspection of the glacier and other beauties;

Visiting traditional holidays: the main ones occur in February, and.

Please note that hunting in Greenland is prohibited for tourists. To fish, you will need to buy a license at the tourist office. Violating the rules is fraught with huge fines and expulsion from the island.

What visa is needed

If you are not a citizen of Denmark or other Scandinavian countries, you will need a visa to visit Greenland. At the same time, Schengen, through which you can get to Denmark itself, will not work here. A special document is required. You can get it at the Danish embassy or consulate, which can be found in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don and Novosibirsk. Don't forget to indicate that you need a visa specifically for Greenland. If you intend to spend more than three months there, you will need a residence permit.

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How to get to the harsh north

The easiest way to visit the world's largest island is to take a plane ticket from Copenhagen. There are other options, but for residents of Russia this is the most optimal. Planes from the Danish capital almost always land at one of two airports: Kangerlussuaq or Narsarsuaq. You can reach your destination using local airlines Air Greenland or on the Arctic Umiaq Line vessel. Because the railways actually big island not in the world. There is also a problem here with regular highways. They say the climate is to blame.

The life of people in Greenland primarily depends on natural and climatic conditions. Temperatures in summer in the cities of Greenland on the southern coast do not exceed 10 degrees Celsius. I think it’s clear how people live in the Arctic zone. The majority of the population of Greenland are purebred Eskimos who have genetically adapted to life in such conditions. Who can live in Greenland, most likely, these are people who were born here, in Greenland there are practically no Europeans or North Americans who would move here of their own free will, of course a person can get used to everything, but at first such a life will seem unbearable, too much It is possible to get chronic depression, which in most cases is caused by a lack of vitamin D in the human body. For example, it is absolutely not recommended for residents of Africa to move here, who may suffer from a lack of sun due to the low permeability of the skin to ultraviolet rays.

How and where people live in Greenland

Greenland's population is concentrated on the southwest coast, where small towns nestle among the fjords with excellent views of the snow-capped mountains. All summer, at least from May to July, there is full daylight in Greenland, but in winter, on the contrary, there is no sun. In the 1980s, Greenland, like many Scandinavian countries, broke all records for alcohol consumption per capita; today the situation with this matter has begun to improve; entry into local bars for minors is completely prohibited.

Food, shopping, health and life expectancy in Greenland

A big problem in Greenland is the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables; in order to live here you need to come to terms with a certain cuisine, which mainly includes fish, including seals and whales, a lot of flour and sweets; the consequences of such a diet will always be excess weight, which haunts local residents . If we continue the topic of food and high prices in stores, then not everything is so sad, many men in Greenland work as fishermen, every day they can carry hundred-kilogram seal carcasses, you can only wonder how long such a supply of meat will last, the Eskimos are accustomed to such food, although do not live for a record long time, average level life expectancy is exactly the same as in Russia or Ukraine, in other words, only 70 years, which is at least 10 years less than in the countries of the Developed West, to which Greenland belongs.

Shops in Greenland

Shops in Greenland are small, don't expect to see huge supermarkets here. Nevertheless, a large retail area is reserved for those products that cannot be obtained on the island, in other words, most of the store is a fruit and vegetable department, prices for fruit are very high, alcohol is also very expensive, this fact was decisive in the fight against alcoholism, It's very expensive to be a drunk in Greenland. As you understand, there may be no meat departments in stores at all, at least expensive sausages brought from Denmark will not be in demand, because Greenland has enough of its own meat.

Nature of Greenland

The nature of Greenland can surprise any tourist, there are incredible fjords, by the way, the largest such fjord is under a layer of ice, in winter you can enjoy the northern lights and the harsh colors of winter, in summer the land is truly colored green color, thus reminding that Greenland is a green land, however, green fields are located only on the southern and western coasts, where the entire population lives.

Greenland is a big rock, the main problem with the house is to install the foundation, all the houses stand on beams that are screwed into the rock of the earth. The houses are of the same design, differing only in color, maybe red, blue and yellow. They are all wooden, but last years elite apartment buildings, each town has a historical center with an open-air museum and a church. Each house has an inscription about its construction; tourists will be surprised to see new houses, on the facade of which dates from the 18th-19th centuries are emblazoned. All cultural themes are related to the sea, whales and seals, for example, whales and seals can be found on icons in churches.

Life of the Greenlanders

The life of the Greenlanders has not changed over the past centuries, they still work hard in fishing, the interiors of the houses are the same as hundreds of years ago, only household appliances have been added, and it has become more convenient to cut up seal carcasses in the kitchen. The houses may be more reminiscent of our dachas; it’s hard to imagine how one can live in such small and modest huts.

The infrastructure of Greenland is at a fairly high level, there are European roads, although there are not very many cars, people simply have nowhere to go, all the cars are old, at least 10-20 years old, there are no car dealerships, as well as repair shops.

Greenland has developed folklore traditions, various kinds of horror stories, for example, in the capital you can see a bizarre monument to such a hero called Kivitok, this monster comes ashore at night and carries random passers-by into the mountains. By the way, tupilaki - figurines from shamans are also designed to save people from Kivitki, tupilaki are made from animal bones, they are carved and terrifying, the shaman must speak to such a figurine and throw it into the sea, the named target will be killed. Tupilaks are the most popular fairy-tale characters in Greenland; they can be seen in museums and any souvenir shops.

Work and salaries in Greenland

Average salaries in Greenland are about 2000 US dollars - this is the average level for the countries Western Europe, half the population is engaged in fishing, every boy dreams of becoming a fisherman, like his father, people who graduated from university will most likely go to work in the government sector, young people often go to study in Copenhagen, where they continue to live and work.

Population of Greenland, Eskimos

The modern population of Greenland are purebred Eskimos who wear modern European clothes, jeans and down jackets, they work in banks, drive cars, and ride bicycles.

Transport in Greenland

Transport in Greenland is used very limitedly, since there are no roads at all between cities, roads are only available in the cities themselves, cars are mainly Japanese-made, many jeeps and cars with two-wheel drive. In winter, people ride snowmobiles and dog sleds, and there are even parking lots around the city for dog sleds. The main airport of Dlinnofjordovo is a former American military base, where huge planes arrive, mainly after a transfer in Copenhagen, and then tourists fly on small planes to cities that are scattered around the island; there are no roads between cities, so there is no question of renting a car.

Leisure and entertainment in Greenland

In the capital city of Nuuk there is a cultural center, this is a huge futuristic building that includes cinema halls, exhibition halls, cafes, in the museum of the center you must visit a museum that tells about the life of the Eskimos in ancient times.

Life in Nuuk

Nuuka is the most Big City Greenland, home to a third of the population, is home to government agencies, the only university, Nuuk also has the most picturesque nature, which consists of a fjord, sea and high mountains that surround the city.

Life in Qaqortoq

Qaqortoq is a real resort in Greenland, it's like Sochi in Russia, where people go to enjoy the sun, as it is the southernmost and warmest city on the island. Qaqortoq is located on the mountains, houses huddle on the slope of the mountain, which is also decorated with stone carvings from local artists. In general, you can see that people in Greenland are very fond of art, apparently this is some kind of compensation for the cultural isolation of the region, there are a lot of sculptures in the cities, people hang paintings of their own production on the facades of houses, in Qaqortoq there is a center for contemporary art, where you can clearly see in my words. In Qaqortoq there is a church, which was built in Norway in 1826, then dismantled and sent log by log to Greenland, where it was reassembled. Qaqortoq is a resort town, but in summer people swim not in the sea, but in the lake, on the shores of which you can sunbathe and have picnics.

Greenland has its own civilization, for example, it also has its own TV channel, although it broadcasts only a couple of hours a day.

Standard of living in Greenland

It's hard to say that in Greenland high level life, nominally the country has a very high GDP, which reaches the average level for Western European countries, although half of the budget is subsidies from Denmark. The houses of local residents, even by Russian or Ukrainian standards, are very modest; they are small wooden houses without modern decoration; people sleep on the floor or on benches. The fact is that there is no construction industry in Greenland, all materials and furniture must be brought from overseas, it is all expensive and not available.

Until recently, the main occupation of the indigenous population of Greenland was sea hunting and hunting for deer and musk oxen. But European colonization undermined the foundations of this traditional Greenlandic craft. Predatory extermination of sea animals has catastrophically reduced its population. The production of seals and especially walruses is falling sharply. Whale hunting has almost stopped. Colonial exploitation of Eskimo hunters and the replacement of bows and arrows with guns led to the extermination of musk oxen, making hunting them an unreliable source of livelihood.

With the collapse of the traditional Eskimo crafts, everything higher value began to acquire fisheries. Currently, seines and fixed nets are used for fishing. Fishing is carried out mainly near the coast, since Greenlandic fishermen do not have the necessary fishing equipment to go out to the open sea. Fisheries are of commercial importance: fish, especially salted cod, is the second most important export item from Greenland. The importance of fishing and fish export especially increased during the Second World War, when Greenland fish was exported to Canada and the USA. The Arctic shark is widespread in Greenland waters. The shark is caught in large numbers. Its fat is used to illuminate Eskimo dwellings, and part of it is exported.

Colonists began to engage in cattle breeding in Greenland back in the 18th century, specializing mainly in breeding sheep to obtain not only meat, but also sheepskins and wool, necessary in cold climates. The center of sheep breeding is located in the south of the island, near the town of Julianehoba. Sheep farming is mainly carried out by Europeans, and the bulk of the sheep population is in the hands of several owners. On 13 Eskimo farms in the western part of the island, where food is available, you can find from 1 to 5 sheep. Cattle were also brought to Greenland.

Vegetable gardening appeared in Greenland later than cattle breeding. It spread relatively widely and far to the north only on the western coast of Greenland, where the climate is milder. There are small vegetable gardens near the houses of wealthy Europeans and Eskimos.

Emergence of industry

In the middle of the 19th century. The mining industry began to develop in Greenland. The mineral wealth of Greenland is not well studied; however, deposits of copper, lead, uranium, native iron, graphite, marble and coal were discovered in the coastal strip, located in hard-to-reach places.

In eastern Greenland, near Metersvig, exploration is underway for lead ore deposits with estimated reserves of 600 thousand tons. Canadian, Danish, Swedish and American industrialists are participating in the exploration; the latter have already begun to develop these ores.

Since 1854, in the south of Greenland, near the village of Ivigtut, cryolite began to be mined. This deposit is considered the largest in the world. The export of cryolite in 1938 amounted in value terms to about 70% of all Greenland exports. It is an important raw material for the US aluminum industry. In 1940, about 150 workers were employed in the development. Coal deposits in the Arsuk region and on Disko Island, as well as marble mining, are also of industrial importance. Exporting cryolite, coal and marble from the south of Greenland by sea does not present any great difficulties. But deposits of coal, native iron, graphite and copper, located in hard-to-reach places, are almost never developed.

Over the past thirty years, the most profitable occupations for the population of southwestern Greenland have become cryolite mining, cod fishing and sheep farming. Already in 1927, the mining industry took first place in terms of profitability; second place was taken by the export of salted cod. Second World War reinforced the importance of these two new industries in Greenland, since both cryolite (strategic raw material) and salty fish During the war, the USA and Canada needed them in large quantities.

Modern life of Greenlanders

Under the long-term influence of capitalism and European culture, the features of the original Eskimo culture in Greenland were almost erased.

Commodity relations deeply penetrated the life of the Greenlanders. Primitive equality has disappeared. Modern Eskimo (Greenlandic) society is divided into classes. The Eskimo bourgeoisie appeared. Many Eskimos work alongside the Danes in mining, shipbuilding, transport and communications. There are Eskimos who work at weather and radio stations, in shops and in other institutions. But the leading positions in Greenland's institutions are occupied not by Eskimos, but by a small number of Danish officials. Only occasionally do representatives of the Eskimo bourgeoisie enter the institutions. In recent years, trade union groups of fishermen, hunters, and workers have begun to emerge in Greenland.

The modern occupations of the Eskimos, in a unique form, preserve the remnants of the traditional division of labor between the sexes, when the work of a man was associated with fishing for sea animals or hunting deer, and all the housework and processing of commercial catch fell to the woman’s share. In Greenland's fisheries, almost exclusively women work in salting and packing fish, while men catch fish. This kind of labor is widely used in construction, loading and unloading in ports.

In general, the financial situation of the Greenlandic Eskimos deteriorated extremely as a result of colonial exploitation. They can't even hide it official representatives Danish administration. Thus, Governor Brun of Greenland said in 1948: “Modern Greenland is a poor country, and poverty is visible everywhere here. It is expressed in poor housing, bad clothing, poor nutrition and the poor health of the residents... Tuberculosis is decimating the Greenlanders” 1 .

Food

The decline of the traditional crafts of the Eskimos produced fundamental changes in their entire way of life. The high-calorie and plentiful food needed in the Arctic, which previously consisted of meat and fat from sea animals, has become inaccessible. The difficulties of winter-headed sea animals caused difficulties with food in winter, periodic hunger strikes began to be repeated more and more often. The population was forced to pay more attention to such a food source as fish, especially cod. Imported products are included in everyday life - flour, cereals, coffee, tea, sugar, all kinds of canned food delivered from Denmark and the USA. The transition to fish and flour foods greatly weakened the Eskimos' resistance to various diseases, especially tuberculosis.

Cloth

Significant changes have also occurred in clothing. European clothing made from purchased fabrics became widespread. Seal skin clothing has almost fallen into disuse, while European clothing provides less protection from the Arctic cold. Waterproof fishing clothing made from the intestines of sea animals has also fallen out of use. National shoes are preserved longer. In the festive costumes of Eskimo women you can still see the preservation of some elements of the old costume: high soft boots, short leather pants. They are decorated with embroidery made from strips of colored leather and colored or white wool. The favorite colors of Greenlandic Eskimos are brown, red, yellow, green and white. Among women's jewelry, mention should be made of beaded mantles and lace collars, knitted from sheep's wool, dyed in bright colors. Women on the east coast still have a hairstyle, borrowed, apparently, from the first colonists - the Danes: the hair is gathered in a bun on the top of the head, wrapped in a knot and twisted with braid with pendants. Earrings in the shape of triangular plates were undoubtedly also borrowed from the first settlers - the Danes.

Settlements and housing

Greenlandic Eskimo settlements are extremely dispersed. Small and tiny villages are scattered along the entire coast. In search of sea and fur-bearing animal Eskimos often move their villages. In southwestern Greenland, where the main Eskimo population is concentrated, large settlements have grown, numbering several hundred people each, such as: Gothob, Julianehob, Ivigtut, Holsteinborg, Godhavn, Egsdesmiine - these are the largest villages of modern Greenland.

Under the influence of the Norwegians and Danes, large communal dwellings of the Eskimos were replaced by the end of the 19th century. single family homes. Currently, rich Eskimos usually live in large settlements, in wooden houses Norwegian type from imported wood, painted on the outside with oil paints of bright colors. The roofs of such houses are covered with iron and painted red, yellow or blue. In some of them you can find furniture imported from Europe or the USA. Most Eskimos live in one-room semi-dugouts made of stone, turf and peat, with bunks instead of beds and boxes instead of chairs. In such a semi-dugout there is only one room with an area of no more than 6 m2, and from three to eight people live in the psi.