Student Article

Greenland is a huge island covered in ice and cold tundra. It’s the largest island in the world and lies in the chilly waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Even though it seems far away from the world’s busy places, Greenland has played an important role in history for thousands of years.

Inuit and Viking settlement

Long ago, Inuit people were the first to live in Greenland. They were great hunters and knew how to survive in the icy Arctic by following the seasons and using sled dogs. Then, in the late 900s, a Viking named Erik the Red arrived. He had been kicked out of Iceland for breaking the law. Erik found this icy land and gave it the name “Greenland” to make it sound nice so others would join him. It worked! People came and built small Viking villages. The Vikings lived there for a few hundred years, but then their settlements disappeared because of cold weather, isolation, and fewer ships coming from Europe.

Hans Egede and Denmark’s claim

In the 1700s, a Danish-Norwegian missionary named Hans Egede came to Greenland. He wanted to teach Christianity to any Viking settlers left — but he found Inuit communities instead. He stayed and helped start Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. That’s how Denmark started its claim to the island.

Greenland during World War II and the Cold War

By World War II, Greenland had become important again. When Germany took over Denmark, the U.S. helped protect Greenland and even built military bases there. Later, during the Cold War, America built Thule Air Base to watch for Soviet missiles.

Greenland today

Today, Greenland is still part of Denmark, but it rules itself in many ways. It controls its schools, hospitals, and natural resources. The island is also important now because melting ice is revealing oil and minerals, and new trade routes are opening in the Arctic.

© James Osborne / www.historyextra.com