Greenland is the largest island in the world, but it has a very small population of about 57,000 people. It is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and, through this connection, it is also linked to NATO. Greenland was a Danish colony for more than two centuries, until it officially became part of Denmark in 1953. Over time, it gained more autonomy, with its own parliament in 1979 and self-rule in 2009. This self-rule allows Greenland to vote for independence if it chooses to do so.
Greenland is extremely important from a military point of view. Its location makes it a key place for the United States’ early warning radar system, as any missiles coming from Europe or Russia toward North America would pass near the island. The U.S. military already has a permanent base there and has enjoyed wide access since a defense agreement signed in 1951.
In addition, Greenland has valuable natural resources such as lithium and graphite, which are essential for Western countries trying to reduce their dependence on China. However, many mining projects have been blocked by indigenous communities who want to protect their land and traditional activities. While many Greenlanders support independence, they also worry about the country’s fragile economy and its strong dependence on Danish financial support.
Vocabulary:
• colony (noun): a territory controlled by another country
• self-rule (noun): the right to govern oneself
• early warning system (noun): a system that detects danger in advance
• permanent presence (noun): continuous occupation or activity in a place
• raw materials (noun): natural substances used to make products
• indigenous (adj): originally living in a place
• misconduct (noun): bad or illegal behavior
• fragile economy (noun phrase): an economy that is weak and unstable
• dependent on (adj phrase): needing support to survive
Source: Reuters