The residence of winter or the fabulous ice kingdom, Greenland is one of the rare tourist destinations in the world. Only a few daredevils are willing to take the risk and go to the abode of eternal glaciers that cover more than 80% of the island to see the mysterious fjords, taste fresh reindeer milk, see the divine Northern Lights and feel like a wild hunter in an ice igloo hotel.
Geography of Greenland
Greenland is the largest island on our planet, its area is 2,130,800 km². It is located in the northeastern part of North America, washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. In fact, Greenland is not a separate country, but an autonomous unit of Denmark. Until 1900, Cape Morris Jesup, the closest point of Greenland to the north pole, was also considered the northernmost point of land on the planet. Glaciers cover 1,834,000 km² of the island, that is, most of it, the average thickness of the glacier is 2,300 meters, and the maximum is 3,400 meters.
Capital
Nuuk (Gothob)
Area
The area of Greenland is 2,130,800 km2. sq..
Population
57 600
Currency
State currency – Danish krone
Language
Official language – Greenlandic, Danish
Visa to Greenland
To visit Greenland, citizens of the Russian Federation will need to apply for a Greenland tourist visa. This can be done by contacting the visa centers of Denmark and Iceland, since there is no diplomatic representation of Greenland in Russia. Visa centers where you can get a Greenland visa are located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Kazan, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, Krasnodar and Krasnoyarsk. The package of documents required to obtain a visa to Greenland is similar to the Schengen one. You will need a completed photo application form, proof of financial solvency, hotel reservations, round-trip airfare, and insurance covering €30,000. The visa fee is 1400 rubles, but a service fee of 1225 rubles is charged. Visa processing time is 2 weeks.
Weather in Greenland
The climate of Greenland is harsh and changeable, especially in coastal areas. Officially, it is defined as maritime, subantarctic and arctic. Strong cyclones often occur here, bringing heavy winds (60-70 m / s), heavy rainfall and sharp temperature fluctuations. The maximum precipitation occurs in autumn and winter; in summer, thick fogs often stand on the coast. The average temperature in January, the coldest month, ranges from -7°C in the southern part of the island to -47°C in the center and -36°C in the north. The absolute minimum recorded in January is -70 °C! Greenland summer is only formally called such, in July the thermometer rises to +10 ° C in the south, to -12 ° C in the central part of the island and up to +3 ° C in the north and northwest. The tourist season lasts in Greenland from May to June, this is the time of the most beautiful polar “white nights”.
Currency exchange in Greenland
You can only exchange currency in Greenland (for Danish krone) at banks in several major cities, in particular in the capital Nuuk (Gothob), as well as in major ports. Unfortunately, the course is often extremely unprofitable. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00 (less often until 18:00). Please note that Saturday and Sunday are days off not only in banks, but also in ATMs! Dollars and euros are accepted for payment only in a couple of the largest stores in the capital (Nuuk or Gothob). Traveler checks are not accepted for payment, they can be cashed in the branches of Greenlandsbanken and Nuna Bank with a commission of about 5 US dollars.
Electricity
Mains voltage 220V, 50Hz. Sockets are round, with two round pins. In many areas, electricity is only temporarily available due to the use of diesel generators.
Religion
The vast majority of Greenlanders are Christians (38.2% – Lutherans, 23% – Catholics, about 7% – Protestants), often these religions are mixed with local ancient beliefs and customs.
Security
Greenland is just an amazingly safe place, even petty pickpocketing is an out of the ordinary event here. Natural disasters also bypass the country. Despite this, it is better, of course, to take care of the safety of documents, large sums of money and jewelry, if possible, storing them in a hotel safe. Carry expensive photo and video equipment with you carefully, on belts and mounts, since street theft is extremely rare, but it does happen. Often, during bad weather or in winter, photo and video equipment cannot withstand the onslaught of nature; prepare special lubricants on the road that will prevent hypothermia of equipment.
Health
Greenland is a rather harsh place, so even if you do not plan to visit remote areas and will only stay in cities, you should take care of choosing the right warm clothes in advance. If you want to visit the glaciers and other beauties of the island, be sure to consult with local guides about equipment and other things necessary for the trip. Despite year-round low temperatures, the likelihood of burning in the summer in Greenland is extremely high, as the sun’s rays are reflected from everywhere – from snow, glaciers and the sea. Take sunscreen with a high SPF factor, high-quality glasses, a hat and try not to leave exposed parts of your body under the sun. It is recommended to take out medical insurance before the trip.
