“When you've seen the world, there's always Greenland” Stretching approximately 2,800 kilometers (1,750 miles) from north to south and approximately 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) from east to west, Greenland is the world’s biggest island. In a land dominated by the Ice Cap and impossibly steep mountain ranges, 3,500 people have made it their home. Their culture is born from myths and legends, often expressed in bone and rock carvings, but at the same time it is a globally connected culture with strong hunting roots and an everyday spirit of adventure. Greenland is an autonomous Danish territory with its own parliament. The official language is West Greenlandic (Kalaallisut), though many also speak Danish and English. Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, located in West Greenland is an arctic metropolis with a small-town feel, shaped by nature and known for its cultural diversity. While Nuuk is the colorful heart of this nation, the smaller communities of Paamiut south of the capital and Kapisillit in the Nuuk Fjord, are places to kick back and spend time in the outdoors. Greenland has the most spectacular Arctic landscape with its rich diversity. Stunning remote fjords, immense icebergs and huge calving glaciers but also mountains covered in wild flowers. One of the main reasons people visit Greenland is to witness the thousands of beautiful icebergs that can be seen floating along the fjords and coast. 80% of Greenland’s landmass is covered by an ice sheet which forms glaciers. As the glaciers retreat, huge pieces of ice calve off into the water and drift out to sea. Exploring Greenland’s beauty is best through sailing, and then goes up close with zodiacs, kayaking, diving or simply through the walks on land. Sailing is an essential part of the Greenlandic culture, as the sea route is the only way to get from A to B in most areas during summer. Greenland’s coastline is more than 44,000 kilometers or longer than the 40,000 kilometers around the Equator. A cruise there is first and foremost a nature based experience, but on top of that it
Blue Explorer Magazine
31
