Could Greenland spark a catastrophe? More than 1,000 years ago, Europeans changed the destiny of this island at the edge of the world. Now it may set Europe’s own destiny.
The battle for Earth’s largest island
Fateful choice: The Demokraatit party, which favours a gradual approach to independence, looks set to declare victory in Greenland’s general election today. Naleraq, the opposition party which wants to start divorce proceedings from Denmark and have closer ties with the US, is a close second. Glossary
Erik the Red - A Norse explorer who probably had red hair. Sagas suggest he was born in Norway and lived in Iceland before being expelled and exploring Greenland.
Greenland - An island country in North America that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. It lies between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Greenland is the world's largest island.
Kalaallit - A Greenlandic Inuit ethnic group. They speak Kalaallisut, also known as Greenlandic.
Indigenous - Ethnic groups who are the original or earliest-known inhabitants of an area or country: for example, Native Americans in the USA.
Scandinavian - Region of northern Europe, the word refers to the people and culture of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Other countries like Finland and Iceland are sometimes referred to by the same term.
Denmark - A country in Northern Europe. It is where Lego was first invented.
Oppressive - Inflicting harsh and unfair treatment.
Referendum - A direct vote by the population of a country on a particular law or issue.
Occupied - When a place is controlled or taken over without proper permission.
Electorate - All the people eligible for voting in a country.