General background: The world's largest non-continental island, about 84% ice-capped, Greenland was granted self-government in 1978 by the Danish parliament. The law went into effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs.

Area comparative: Slightly more than three times the size of Texas.

Climate: Arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters.

Terrain: Flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast.

Population: 56,376 (July 2002 est.)

Ethnic groups: Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12% (January 2000)

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran

Language: Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English

Government type: Parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy.

Capital: Nuuk (Godthab)

Legal system: Danish

Economic overview: The economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and substantial support from the Danish Government, which supplies about half of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Despite several interesting hydrocarbon and minerals exploration activities, it will take several years before production can materialize. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs.

Communication/Telephone system: Adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digitalized in 1995.

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