Greenland has been a part of Denmark for the last 300 years. Now, the 56 000 inhabitants of the world’s largest island could get independence. Greenland, or Kalaalit Nunaat as the native population calls it, is 2,2 million square kilometres big. 80 percent of that area is covered by ice. The ice cap is likely to hide huge quantities of natural resources, which could become a source of substantial income for the Inuits of Greenland.
Annually Denmark allocates Greenland approximately 550 million USD. Independence would give Greenland an opportunity to wean itself from this grant, and at the same time taking control of the expected amounts of natural resources in and around the island. However, the amounts of resources and their value it remains to be studied.
Greenland has come a long way economically the last few decades. Still, 40 percent of the population lives on 120 different isolated settlements along the coast with few job opportunities. This is one of the reasons why it may still take several decades before Greenland is able to declare complete independence from Denmark. The yes in this week’s referendum is still one step in the country’s strive towards full independence.
