Greenland, positioned above the Arctic Circle is a landscape dominated by ice and rugged tundra, subjected to the frigidness of polar temperatures and the beauty of the Northern Lights.
Onboard one of our Arctic voyages, you’ll have the opportunity to experience this fascinating place for yourself, but to spark your imagination before you go, here are some intriguing facts about Greenland.
1. It is the world’s largest island
The autonomous Danish territory is indeed the biggest island in the world, with a surface area of 2.166 million square kilometres. Situated in the North Atlantic sea, ice covers over four-fifths of the island’s surface area.
2. It has the world’s lowest population density
Being the world’s largest island, Greenland also has the world’s lowest population density. Numbering just over 56,000 people, Greenland also has one of the world’s smallest capitals, called Nuuk.
3. It has the biggest glacier outside of Antarctica
The Ilulissat Icefjord, is located just 250 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle on Greenland’s west coast. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has an area of just over 400 square kilometres. it is also one of the world’s most active glaciers, calving ice at a rate of 35 cubic kilometres a year.
4. It was named one of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Best in Travel for 2016
Perhaps a surprising entry on the Lonely Planet’s list of Best in Travel 2016, Greenland snagged one of the coveted top 10 positions. The organisation attributed it to such qualities as the enchanting Northern Lights and the excitement of the upcoming Arctic Winter Games taking place in March.
5. The sun doesn’t set in Greenland
Well, from mid-May to mid-June, that is. The Greenlandic summer is graced with the appearance of the midnight sun, an ethereal phenomenon that sees the land bathed in golden light even in the latest hours of the day. The longest day of the year, June 21, is also Greenland’s national day.
6. You’re not allowed to take down Christmas decorations
According to local tradition, Christmas decorations are supposed to be left up until the twelfth night of Christmas, or January 6.
7. They have the best views of the world’s highest light show
The Aurora Borealis, or the Northern Lights, occur when electrically charged particles from the sun collide with molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere. And while the Northern Lights can appear to be dancing just overhead, the truth is this natural light show is taking place some 100 kilometres up in the sky.
If you are keen to discover Greenland’s wonder for yourself, there’s no better way to do so than by joining us on one of our AE Expeditions’ Arctic expedition cruises.
Don’t forget, you can also get in touch with one of our expedition experts to start booking your adventure today!
