Greenland, with its amazing icy landscapes, has been a topic of interest around the world. As the largest island on Earth, it sits between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. But there’s one big question many people ask: Who owns Greenland? Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but its political setup is special. The island runs most of its own affairs, while Denmark handles things like foreign policy and defense.
This shared control makes Greenland’s status an interesting topic. In this article, we’ll look at Greenland’s history, how it’s governed, and what makes its ownership so unique.
An Introduction to Greenland

Greenland is the largest island in the world, covering a massive area of over 2.16 million square kilometers. Even though it’s so big, only about 56,000 people live there. That’s because Greenland is covered in ice -around 80% of it! The cold Arctic climate makes it a tough place to live, but the melting ice is bringing new attention to Greenland. Why?
Well, because under the ice, there are valuable resources like minerals, oil, and gas. As the Arctic gets warmer -about twice as fast as the rest of the world- Greenland’s hidden resources are becoming easier to reach. Scientists think the Arctic holds 13% of the world’s oil and 30% of its natural gas that hasn’t been found yet, much of it near Greenland. This has made Greenland important to countries looking for energy and resources.
Greenland’s location also makes it important for shipping. New Arctic routes, like the Northwest Passage, could make trips between Europe and Asia much shorter- by about 4,000 miles! That would save time and money compared to crowded routes like the Suez Canal. Right now, Greenland’s economy depends mostly on fishing, which makes up 90% of its exports. But as resources are developed and new shipping routes open, Greenland’s role in the world could change in a big way.
Who Owns Greenland?
The question of who owns Greenland comes from its status as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland is officially part of Denmark, but it has a lot of independence. Since the Greenlandic Home Rule Act of 1979 and the Self-Government Act of 2009, Greenland has been able to control most of its own internal affairs and resources.
However, Denmark is still in charge of the territory’s foreign affairs, defense, and currency. Greenland has been connected to Denmark for hundreds of years. Scandinavian settlers first came to Greenland around AD 980. Later, in 1814, the Treaty of Kiel officially transferred Greenland, along with Iceland and the Faroe Islands, from Norway to Denmark. Since then, Greenland has been seen as part of Denmark by the rest of the world.

Greenland’s government handles key areas like healthcare, education, and environmental rules. Since 2009, Greenland has also been in charge of its natural resources, such as mining and oil drilling. The money from these activities goes mostly to Greenland’s government. But even though Greenland controls many of its own policies, it is not fully independent because Denmark still has authority over certain important areas. Here’s what Denmark continues to manage:
- Legal and Judicial Matters: While Greenland manages its local laws, larger legal issues are governed by Danish law, and some cases are handled in Danish courts.
- Foreign Affairs: Denmark handles Greenland’s international relations and represents Greenland in global meetings unless special permission is given for Greenland to act on its own.
- Defense: Denmark is responsible for Greenland’s defense and security. This includes Danish military bases and agreements with allies like the United States.
- Currency and Financial Policy: Greenland uses the Danish krone as its currency, and Denmark is in charge of financial policies that affect Greenland.
Who Owns Greenland? Its Path to Self-Governance
Greenland’s connection to Europe began over 1,000 years ago when Norse settlers, led by Erik the Red, established communities on the island. However, Denmark’s firm control over Greenland started in the late 1700s. However, over time, Greenland’s push for self-governance grew as its people sought recognition of their culture and identity.

Here are some key moments in Greenland’s journey toward autonomy:
- 1911: Denmark set up a colonial administration, tightening its control over Greenland while still treating it as a colony.
- 1953: Greenland became a county of Denmark, giving it representation in the Danish Parliament for the first time.
- 1979: The Greenland Home Rule Act granted Greenlanders control over many domestic matters, marking a big step toward autonomy.
- 2009: The Self-Government Act gave Greenland even more power, including control over its judicial system, natural resources, and police.
These milestones show Greenland’s progress toward self-determination while Denmark adapted its governance to respect Greenland’s unique culture and growing autonomy.
Conclusion – Who Owns Greenland?
The question of who owns Greenland is a multifaceted issue that encompasses legal, historical, economic, and geopolitical dimensions. While Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, its significant autonomy allows for local control over numerous aspects of governance. Rooted in a complex history of colonization and self-governance, Greenland’s present-day status is shaped by its strategic importance in global geopolitical contexts, rich natural resources, and distinct cultural identity. As Greenland increasingly finds itself at the intersection of international interests, its path towards more autonomy and potential independence continues to evolve, guided by both internal aspirations and external global dynamics.
Summary
- Greenland is the world’s largest island, with a land area of over 2.16 million square kilometers and a population of approximately 56,000, mostly Inuit.
- Formally, Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, governed under the Self-Government Act of 2009, which allows extensive control over domestic affairs.
- Denmark retains authority over foreign affairs, defense, and currency, while Greenland manages its natural resources and internal laws.
- Strategic interests due to natural resources and geopolitical positioning have placed Greenland at the center of international attention, especially under the backdrop of climate change.
- Greenland’s aspiration for independence remains strong, propelled by economic viability, cultural identity, and political stability goals.
Who Owns Greenland – Related Questions
1. Is Greenland an independent country?
No, Greenland is not an independent country. It is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, enjoying significant self-governance
2. Who governs Greenland?
Greenland is governed by its own local government under the framework of the Self-Government Act, while Denmark manages foreign affairs, defense, and other matters not covered under Greenland’s self-rule.
3. Does Greenland have its own language?
Yes, the official language of Greenland is Greenlandic (Kalaallisut), which is spoken by the Inuit population.
4. Can Greenland become independent?
While there is strong support for independence, Greenland’s economic reliance on Danish subsidies and other factors such as political stability and self-sustaining economy challenge the feasibility of full independence.
5. How does Greenland benefit economically from Denmark?
Denmark provides an annual subsidy of approximately $540 million to Greenland, which supports various sectors of Greenland’s economy and contributes significantly to its GDP.
6. Has any country tried to buy Greenland?
Yes, in 2019, the United States expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, highlighting the island’s strategic importance, although this proposal was rejected by Greenland and Denmark.
7. What resources are found in Greenland?
Greenland is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, rare earth minerals, and has a robust fishing industry. These resources are becoming increasingly accessible due to the effects of climate change.
