All about Greenland; An ice island that has caught Trump’s eye

At the end of November 2024, the land of “Greenland” (Greenland), like other northern regions of the world, plunged into winter sleep, immersed in seasonal darkness; But with the comments of Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, about the purchase of this island, attention was again drawn to this land of ice.

Greenland, with a population of 56,000, most of whom are Inuit (Eskimos of Canada and Greenland), is strategically located between the cities of New York and Moscow.

Denmark, which governs Greenland as an autonomous territory, has made it clear that the island cannot be sold; At the same time, the authorities of Greenland also insist on their right to independence and sovereignty. These discussions gained more attention after the brief visit of Donald Trump Jr. on January 7, 2025. However, if the son of the American president had more time than taking souvenir photos with Greenland, he would surely understand the greatness of this land and the rich culture and value of its people. Greenland is a land with unspoiled attractions, special culture and countless sights, whose name has now become a household name. “CNN” has covered this island in a report.

Learn more about the land of Greenland:

Where is Greenland?

Greenland is an island in the Arctic Ocean, near America and part of the Kingdom of Denmark. An uninhabitable ice cap several kilometers deep covers 80% of Greenland’s surface. Such conditions have forced the natives to live in small and colorful communities scattered along the coast. They spend the harsh and dark winters of Greenland hunting and watching the aurora borealis; However, they have access to local stores and other facilities to supply their needs.

For years, Greenland’s biggest challenge was limited flights and difficult access to the island, but this situation is changing. The international airport of the city of “Nuuk” (the capital of Greenland) was opened in late 2024 after a long delay.

Starting in June 2025, United Airlines will operate twice-weekly direct flights from Newark to Nook. Two other international airports will be opened by 2026 in “Qaqortoq” and “Ilulisat” regions of Greenland. Ilulissat, next to its stunning natural glaciers, is known as the main tourist center of Greenland, and with these new facilities, access to this attractive and unique spot will be easier.

floating icebergs; The spectacular attraction of Greenland

Ilulissat, located on the west coast of Greenland, is a spectacular and lively harbor surrounded by a dark and rocky bay, and is a fishing ground for halibut and shrimp. Visitors can enjoy the unique taste of hand-made drinks in the small cafes of the city; Drinks made with 100,000-year-old ice extracted from natural glaciers.

This city is a gateway to one of the natural wonders of the world, the Ilulissat Ice Fjord, whose name is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here, huge icebergs the size of Manhattan skyscrapers have broken off from the Greenland ice cap and drift like ghost ships, calm and majestic, in Disco Bay.

Keeping a safe distance, small boats take visitors into the heart of this spectacular show, says David Carlsen, a yacht captain.

Once while I was on the boat, one of the icebergs split in half. Big pieces fell into the sea and made a huge wave, which made me move away very quickly.

In addition to Disco Mountains, whales are also considered as another wonders of Disco Bay. From June to September, humpback whales come to these waters to feed on plankton, along with species such as fin and minke whales. Watching whales in the wild nature of Greenland is an unforgettable experience.

Along with enjoying the stunning natural scenery, travelers get a unique opportunity to connect with the history, culture and traditions of this cold land. In Greenlandic culture, whales are also part of the traditional diet. One of the local dishes of this area, known as “mattak”, consists of whale skin and blubber, which has a rubbery texture and a special taste.

The Inuit, the indigenous inhabitants of this land, hunt animals such as the one-horned pseudo-whale, polar bear, musk ox and reindeer according to the quotas set. Hunting these animals is not only for providing a source of food, but it is also a part of their culture and traditions, and the taste of this lifestyle can be tasted in the local cuisine of Greenland.

Not only is Ilulissat a popular destination for adventure tourists, but it has also become a major hub for cruises off the coast of Greenland. In 2024, significant growth in cruise travel will attract 141,000 tourists to Greenland. The west coast of Greenland is very popular among cruises that often start from North America or Iceland due to its pristine nature and unique beauty.

Cruise ships depart from Ilulissat and travel along the southern coast, stopping at small communities with colorful green, blue, yellow, and purple houses. One of the attractive stops on this route is Qeqertarsuaq Island, which delights travelers with its flat mountains and natural glaciers.

These cruises include exploring the awe-inspiring blue waters of Eternity Fjord and visiting historical sites in southern Greenland. From ancient huts to the remains of Viking longhouses, these sites tell the stories of the lives of the people who set foot in the area from the 10th century AD.

Lesser known Greenland; From culture to nature

Cruises are another way to explore Greenland’s pristine beaches. Passengers can also meet the Inuit who use these ferries for daily commuting. These ships operate on Arctic shipping lines, and although Greenland is an expensive destination, you don’t need to pay a fortune for cruise ship cruises.

One of the popular attractions these days is traveling to the east coast of Greenland. This area still remains untouched and pristine and attracts less number of tourists. The coast is surrounded by spectacular fjords and ice-capped mountains that float south. There are no roads in this part of Greenland. Its population is about 3,500 people who live scattered on the coast. The increase in the number of small exploration vessels that explore these remote shores shows that these pristine and untouched areas have a special attraction.

One of the most popular destinations is Scoresby Fjord, known for its jagged mountains and glacier-filled valleys. To the north, Northeast Greenland National Park has become a wonderful destination for wildlife enthusiasts with its unique natural beauty and wildlife.

In this area, you can see polar bears that come closer to the shores as the Northern Hemisphere summer approaches and the sea ice melts. Also, musk oxen, arctic foxes, walruses (sea elephants) and large flocks of migratory geese are also among the rich wildlife of this region that can be seen in abundance.

Some animals in this area play an important role in the life of local communities and food supply for the people of Greenland and can be hunted for food supply. One of the unique cultural experiences in Greenland is visiting the remote village of Ittoqqortoormiit. This village has only 345 people and is completely frozen for 9 months of the year. Ships can access the area during the short summer, from June to August, when the ice melts. It is interesting to know that despite the hardships caused by being trapped in the ice, the inhabitants of Itokurtormite have preserved many of their traditional habits.

Matt Barselsen, the owner of the only guest house in this village, says:

My parents get almost all of their food by hunting. They still prefer the old ways and still bury food in the ground for fermentation and preservation. Only one cow can supply about 200 kg of meat.

This village not only offers a view of life in harsh conditions, but also an example of adapting to nature and preserving traditional ways in the modern world.

Aurora viewing and sledding experience

Nowadays, Greenland Inuits mostly use snowmobiles to move in winter; But they still keep their sled dogs as part of their cultural heritage. This season, they offer thrilling dog sledding trips to the adventurous winter visitors to Greenland.

These trips can start from an hour and last for several days. Sometimes, besides sledding, tourists can also experience other interesting activities such as learning to build an igloo. Cities such as “Sisimiut” on the west coast and “Tasilaq” on the southeast are the main centers of these winter activities.

The most fascinating part of winter in Greenland is watching the Northern Lights. With the lack of light pollution in this land, Greenland’s sky becomes a dark and amazing scene for the display of northern lights, and this natural phenomenon attracts many tourists for vacations. During your trip to this land of ice, you can enjoy activities such as long-distance skiing and heli-skiing trips over the ice cap, hiking the challenging 161-kilometer Arctic Circle route from Kangerslussuaq; Of course, in these areas, due to the possibility of encountering polar bears, it is necessary to carry a weapon.

Life in Greenland is changing. The climate crisis threatens the ice cap of this land, and one day Greenland may become a key component in geopolitical equations; But until then, the focus should be on preserving one of the world’s wildest and most pristine destinations so that this natural and cultural heritage remains accessible.

_{Source of photos and cover photo: edition.cnn.com. Photographer: Unknown}