The self-defense territory of Denmark, which votes on Tuesday, was transferred to political attention because of its natural resources and strategic geographical location.
Here are five things you need to know about Greenland:
– “Green Earth” –
The cut was cut off and excluded almost 4,500 years old, initially called “green land” “Green Earth” by Eric Red, a Viking columnist, which landed on the far southern edge of the island in the 10th century.
This was less suitable name, since about 80 percent of its more than two million square kilometers (772.204 square miles) were covered with ice.
The colonized Denmark 300 years ago it was integrated into the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953.
In 1979, Copenhagen granted the rules of the Greenland House, and its autonomy was further extended in the 2009 law, although Copenhagen is still deciding on foreign policy and military matters.
The economy, based primarily on the fish industry, depends heavily on Copenhagen subsidies more than $ 565 million, equivalent to a fifth of GDP GDP.
Contrary to Denmark, Greenland is not a member of the European Union after being removed in 1985, three decades before Brexit. More than 90 percent of 57,000 residents – about 19,000 of whom live in the NUK capital – are iny.
– We are welcome –
President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the United States plans to take over Greenland, raising its tone on March 4 before Congress.
“We really need it for international world security. And I think we will get it,” he said.
The interest in the US territory is not new: in Monroe’s doctrine in 1823, the United States claimed that Greenland was part of its “sphere of interest”.
Almost a century later, in 1917, Washington acquired the Virgin Islands in Denmark and recognized Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland.
During the Second World War, when Denmark was occupied by Germany, Greenland was protected by the United States and returned to Denmark at the end of the war.
The US supported several large military bases; One of them, pitfic – in the northwest of the island – is still used.
The US also has a consulate in Nauka.
– Minerals in the shovel –
Greenland’s soil is rich in unused mineral and oil reserves, but the sums are modest.
And now only two mines are used.
Rare Greenland land – the demand for the future is expected to be estimated at 36.1 billion tons of the Geological Service of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS).
But its rare land is leaving – those that are economically and technically covered – they are only about 1.5 million tons, the US Geological Service (USGS) said.
Public counteraction to uranium production in southern Greenland also led to the legislation banning mining radioactive materials.
It is believed that the island also sits on the abundance of oil and gas, but suspended the study with climate concerns and seeks to develop hydropower instead.
The melting of the glaciers also distinguishes rich with mineral stones, which can be used as fertilizers in depleted or arid soil in Africa and South America.
– Global warming line –
The massive territory is experiencing the consequences of global warming, and Arctic heating is four times faster than the rest of the planet since 1979, according to a study in the US Nature magazine.
Many studies have also shown that the melting of Greenland’s ice cover gained speed.
If the icy mass, the second largest in the world after Antarctica, had to be completely melt, it could lead to increased sea level by more than seven meters (23 feet), according to modeling.
– Northern routes –
Greenland lacks a road or rail network, so people count on helicopters, planes and boats to get around.
Meanwhile, the rise in temperature and melting of the ice open new and shorter delivery routes, enhancing the strategic position of the territory.
It counts on tourism growth to increase its economy.
In November, NUK Airport opened to long flights, facilitating international access to the territory. Twice a week direct flights to New York should start this summer.
