Greenland, Largest Island on Earth

Greenland is the largest island on Earth, located in the North Atlantic Ocean, with a total area of 2,166,086 km² (836,330 sq mi). It is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and exercises home rule. Greenland is recognized for its dramatic landscapes shaped by icebergs, glaciers, and deep fjords. Covering approximately 1,710,000 km² (660,000 sq mi), the Greenland ice sheet is the second-largest body of ice in the world.

The capital of Greenland is Nuuk, which is also the island’s most populous city. Founded in 1728, Nuuk serves as Greenland’s economic, administrative, and cultural center. Located on the southwest coast, the city is home to important government institutions, including the Inatsisartut (the Greenlandic parliament). Nuuk also hosts the country’s largest port, the Port of Nuuk, as well as Nuuk Airport, which provides international air connections.

Greenland is bordered by the Greenland Sea to the east, Baffin Bay to the west, the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Lincoln Sea to the northwest, the North Atlantic Ocean to the south, and the Davis Strait to the southwest. Canada, lying to the southwest, and Iceland, to the southeast, are the closest neighboring countries.

The Greenlandic economy is primarily based on fishing, mining, and tourism. The population largely consists of Inuit people, alongside smaller communities of Danish and other residents. Cultural and historical points of interest across the island include the Nuuk Art Museum, the Greenland National Museum, and the Katuaq Cultural Centre, all of which play an important role in preserving and showcasing Greenland’s heritage.