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What is Greenland known for? 15 Fun facts about Greenland
Learn about what makes the world’s largest island so interesting, from its massive ice sheet to sled dogs, Inuit culture, and hot springs.
Greenland is known for its massive ice sheet, its status as the largest non-continental island, and its deep Inuit heritage. While it geographically sits in North America, its political ties to Europe and extreme Arctic landscape make it one of the most unique places on Earth.
Whether you are planning a trip or just curious about this northern frontier, here are 15 fun facts about Greenland that reveal the true heart of the “Land of the People.” Stay connected on your trips abroad with an unlimited data travel eSIM.
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1. The world’s largest island
One of the most initial Greenland facts is related to its size. Greenland is the largest island on Earth that isn’t a continent. And while it looks as big as Africa on a map, it is actually about one-fourteenth that size. It still covers over 836,000 square miles, making it larger than Mexico.
2. Why is Greenland called Greenland?
Greenland is pretty much a blanket of white and anything but green. So how did it get its name? The answer lies in a clever bit of 10th-century marketing. Legend says that the Norse explorer Erik the Red was exiled from Iceland and wanted to start a new settlement. To attract people to the frigid land, he gave it a name to make it sound more appealing than “Iceland.”
3. Which country owns Greenland?
Greenland is not entirely an autonomous country. Therefore, people often ask which country owns Greenland? It is officially part of the Kingdom of Denmark. While it has its own local government and handles internal affairs, Denmark is responsible for its foreign policy, defense, and currency (the Danish Krone).
4. The world’s second-largest ice sheet
When people ask what is in Greenland, the answer is mostly ice. Greenland is known for holding the world’s second-largest ice sheet, surpassed only by Antarctica. This massive glacier covers about 80% of the island’s surface, and according to NASA Earth Indicators, this ice sheet is a critical monitor for global climate health.
5. A reservoir for the world’s freshwater
Thanks to the Greenland ice sheet, the country is known for holding roughly 7% of the world’s entire freshwater supply. Scientists keep a close eye on this. If the entire ice sheet were to melt, it is estimated that global sea levels would rise by about 23 feet.
6. The “Land of the People”
The world calls it Greenland, but the locals know it by a different name. In the native language, Greenland is known as Kalaallit Nunaat, or the “Land of the Greenlanders.” This represents the island’s Inuit identity, with around 88% of the population of Inuit descent.
7. Famous people from Greenland
There are several famous people from Greenland. The most famous is Knud Rasmussen, a Greenlandic-Danish explorer known as the “Father of Eskimology.” He was the first person to cross the Northwest Passage via dog sled and remains a national hero.
8. Modern stars from Greenland
Greenland is also known for its modern talent. Actress Nukâka Coster-Waldau (a former Miss Greenland) and singer Nive Nielsen are both world-famous cultural ambassadors. Jesper Grønkjær is a famous footballer who grew up in Nuuk and went on to play for major clubs like Chelsea and the Danish national team.
9. A nation without interconnecting roads
One of the most surprising facts about Greenland is that there are no roads connecting its towns. You cannot drive from one village to another because of the rugged fjords and the ice sheet. Instead, travelers rely on boats, planes, and helicopters. Consider using an eSIM to stay connected in such remote locations without relying on local SIM cards.
10. The birthplace of the “Kayak”
Originally known as qajaq, Greenland is known as the birthplace of the kayak. Inuit hunters invented kayakingkayak thousands of years ago for hunting seals. Today, traditional kayaking is still a source of national pride, thanks to world-class practitioners like Maligiaq Padilla.
11. The Greenlandic sled dog
Greenland is known for its sled dogs, which are pure-bred working animals. To protect the breed, it is illegal to bring any other type of dog north of the Arctic Circle. Before you head north to photograph these dogs, check a list of eSIM-compatible phones to make sure your device can handle a digital travel plan for the Arctic.
12. The world’s least densely populated country
Greenland is known for being the least densely populated country in the world. It hosts a population of only about 56,000 people living in a territory three times the size of Texas. There’s also an incredible amount of untouched wilderness to explore. According to official 2025 statistics, the density is approximately 0.14 persons per square kilometer.
13. Only two traffic lights
Because of the lack of roads, you won’t find much traffic here. Greenland is known for having only two traffic lights in the entire country, both located in the capital city of Nuuk.
14. The famous Ilulissat fjord
Greenland is known for the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It produces so many massive icebergs that it is often cited as the likely source of the iceberg that sank the Titanic.
15. Hot springs with an iceberg view
Greenland is known for the island of Uunartoq, where you can soak in natural hot springs that stay 37°C year-round while watching large icebergs drift past.
Stay connected in Greenland with Holafly
Planning a trip to Greenland soon? We don’t blame you. Such an interesting country definitely warrants a visit. But staying online can be challenging. This is where Holafly’s eSIM for Greenland comes in.
Activate your eSIM plan upon arrival and enjoy reliable and unlimited mobile data on all your Greenland adventures. No need to hunt for public WiFi or swap physical SIM cards.
Match your eSIM to your vacation
Choose a plan lasting between 1 and 90 days so you never pay for days or data you don't use.
FAQs about Greenland
The capital and largest city is Nuuk. It is the cultural and economic heart of the country, located on the southwest coast.
The official language is Greenlandic (Kalaallisut). However, because of the history with the Kingdom of Denmark, most people also speak Danish, and English is widely understood in tourist areas.
Yes, Greenland is a country, but it functions as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. It has its own parliament and prime minister but relies on Denmark for certain high-level functions like defense.
Geographically, Greenland is part of North America as it sits on the North American tectonic plate. Politically and culturally, however, it is closely linked to Europe through its ties to Denmark.
Note: The Holafly eSIM for Greenland is currently unavailable.
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Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!
