Greenland

Wealth and National Well-Being

World Factbook: "The economy remains critically dependent on exports of shrimp and fish and on a substantial subsidy -- about $650 million in 2009 -- from the Danish Government, which supplies nearly 60% of government revenues."

Estimated per capita GDP:
2007: $35,900

Motorized boats control fishing and older kayaks are becoming extinct. Shrimp fishing has been 80 percent of Greenland's fish industry, the fish exports dominate Greenland’s export income. Greenland has a handicrafts industry, small shipyards and is developing an ice industry.

Many Inuits pursue their traditional economic activity -- hunting and fishing.

Infant mortality (deaths before the age of one year per 1,000 live births)
2011: 10.05 deaths
2010: 10.26 deaths
2009: 10.72
2008: 14.56

Average life expectancy at birth
2011: 70.96 years
2010: 70.67 years
2009: 70.07
2008: 70.53
2005: 69.65

People

Population
July 2011: 57,670

Living in an urban area
2010: 84%

Birth rate per 1,000 population:
2011: 14.6 per year

The Inuit people (formerly called Eskimos) are about 84 percent of the population.

Migration
2011: More leaving than arriving. A net loss of 5.98 per 1,000 population

Ethnicities

2009: Inuit 89%, Danish and other 11%

Religions
Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

Geography

Northeast of Canada. The world's largest island, about 80 percent ice-capped (at least until recently). Cool summers and cold winters.

Government

Parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy. Chief of state: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. Unicameral parliament of 31 seats with members popularly elected to four-year terms.

Denmark controls Greenland's foreign affairs and is responsible for military defense.

Capital: Nuuk (Godthab).

Recent History

In 1953 an international court ratified Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland.

Denmark's parliament granted Greenland self-government that became effective in 1980.

2011: Greenland's economy is tied to fluctuations in the fishing industry and to international price fluctuations. Fish stocks are depleting. From Denmark, Greenland has inherited a well-functioning welfare system. Education, pension, health service and unemployment benefit are taken for granted.

SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/