Greenland

The fleeting Arctic summer brings twenty four hours of daylight and, north of the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun. The brief respite from winter is a period of intense activity - the pack ice breaks up and giant icebergs drift through the fjords; migratory birds arrive, breed and depart and hardy Arctic flora bloom and scatter seed before the first snowfalls herald the onset of another winter. The sea freezes over and giant icebergs are locked in place. There is a sense of timelessness in this cold and silent world, which reigns uninterrupted for the rest of the year.

In such an environment, man’s impact has naturally been negligible and whilst traditionally a small-scale hunting and fishing society, modern Greenland with its numerous coastal settlements, now looks to the open seas for its economic future.

The world’s largest island remains one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas. Crystal clear air, magnificent scenery and a fascinating culture both past and present make Greenland one of the most exciting holiday destinations on offer - it is often more accessible than people think although adverse weather conditions can occasionally affect travel plans.

A visit to the island can easily be combined with a holiday in Iceland and our team will be delighted to discuss the options with you.

Geography and Climate

The world's largest island extends way into the Arctic Circle, spanning the equivalent distance of Scotland to the Sahara. Its huge inland icecap covers just under 2 million sq km and in places is 3 km thick. Only a narrow coastal fringe is ice free in the summer, making overland communications impossible and travel by air and sea vital, to link the far flung settlements dotted around the coast. The coastline is mountainous and in some places deeply indented by fjords. Roughly one fifth of the population live from traditional hunting but fishing is the mainstay of the economy - only the far south is suitable for sheep farming.

The weather in summer is most stable in the Disko Bay area but variable elsewhere. Sudden changes do occur, which can disrupt travel plans and flight schedules. Summer temperatures average around 11°C but can feel surprisingly warm in the sheltered fjords and valleys. It can be cooler on the coast and in the north. For dog sledging trips in spring, temperatures of -27°C can be expected.

Flora and Fauna

For the naturalist, Greenland is full of surprises. Over 500 species of plant and several thousand mosses, lichen and fungi make up the typically arctic flora. Among them are beautiful saxifrages and arctic poppies which lend a splash of colour to the landscape. There are no trees in Greenland - just a few dwarf willow and birch shrubs that grow in sheltered localities in the south.

People and language

The Greenlanders number over 56,000 and are a mix of native Inuit (Eskimo) and Europeans, principally of Danish descent. Ninety percent live in scattered settlements along the west coast, while the east is virtually uninhabited outside the Ammassalik area. The country is a semi-independent nation, known as Kalaallit Nunaat - Land of the People. Greenlandic is an Eskimo language, unlike any other - one word can often express a whole sentence in other languages. Most people also speak some Danish, but other languages are not widely spoken.

Please Note

Anyone who is contemplating a visit to Greenland should be aware that it is a land ruled by the weather. Delays should therefore be expected. These are not usually serious, but occasionally can last for several days. Additional costs may be incurred by the traveller.