- 4,000-year Inuit heritage from Arctic migrations
- Viking settlements established by Erik the Red in 984 AD
- Strategic WWII base and rare mineral discoveries
- Modern self-governance since 2009
- Trump's controversial 2019 purchase attempt
Greenland, the world's largest island, has emerged as a focal point in global geopolitics due to its vast Arctic resources and strategic location. With a population of 56,000, primarily Inuit descendants, its history spans millennia of adaptation and foreign interest.
The first inhabitants arrived over 4,000 years ago via frozen straits from Canada, followed by Norse explorer Erik the Red in 984 AD. His settlements thrived for centuries before vanishing mysteriously, while the Thule people's 13th-century migration laid the foundation for modern Greenlandic culture.
Danish colonization intensified in 1721 with missionary Hans Egede, leading to nearly three centuries of isolationist policies. Greenland's cryolite mine at Ivittuut became pivotal during WWII, supplying nearly four million tons of mineral ore for Allied aircraft production until its 1987 closure.
The Cold War saw renewed U.S. interest, including a rejected 1946 offer to purchase Greenland for $100 million. Recent climate change has accelerated Arctic resource competition, with Greenland gaining self-governance in 2009 while Denmark retains defense control.
Three unique insights shape Greenland's modern trajectory: melting ice revealing untapped mineral wealth, China and Russia's growing Arctic investments, and the Inuit-led push for sustainable development. The Ivittuut mine serves as a historical case study in how global demands drive remote communities' economies.
Trump's 2019 bid to buy Greenland underscores its enduring strategic value, echoing 20th-century geopolitics while confronting 21st-century challenges of sovereignty and environmental stewardship.
