Why are days two months long in Greenland?
Greenland is the largest island in the world. Due to its location on the pole, there is continuous daylight for two months every year. This means that, like Norway and Finland, there is no night here for two months. Although part of the North American continent, Greenland has been politically and culturally linked to Europe, especially the two colonial powers, Norway and Denmark, since the 9th century. It is currently an autonomous part of Denmark with its own parliament. 10 percent of the world’s fresh water reserves are located here.
Competition to seize oil, gas, gold and uranium
Denmark contributes two-thirds of Greenland’s budget revenue. Greenland’s main revenue comes from fishing. Rare mineral reserves such as oil, gas, gold and uranium have attracted countries around the world to Greenland. As the ice in the Arctic melts due to global warming, the extraction of mineral resources and energy resources in Greenland, such as iron ore, lead, zinc, diamonds, gold, rare earths such as uranium and petroleum gas, is increasing. More than 80% of the island is covered by a layer of permafrost up to 4 kilometers thick. Global warming is causing them to melt, but has also increased access to Greenland’s mineral resources.
Greenland has been a mining country since the 18th century.
There are many types of precious metals, rare metals, precious metals, gemstones, coal, graphite and uranium in Greenland. Greenland has been a mining country since the late 18th century, with coal mined at Karsot on the Nusuk Peninsula. Apart from coal, mining also includes gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, graphite, olivine, cryolite and marble. Several mines have closed in recent years, including the Seki Olivine mine near Minitsok. It was decommissioned in 2011. Likewise, the Nalunak gold mine near Nanortalik was closed in 2013.
When America built a radar base in Greenland
The United States has long considered Greenland of strategic importance and established a radar base in Thule at the beginning of the Cold War. There was an American military presence in the region during World War II and the Cold War. America has built its own radar station at Thule here, which is essential for missile defense and space security. The United States has already made clear to Denmark that it will not tolerate Chinese investments in Greenland.
America’s ears perked up when China built the Polar Silk Road
China plans to build a Polar Silk Road in the Arctic under the Belt and Road Initiative. Denmark and America were shocked by this Chinese announcement. Everyone began to feel that Beijing could establish a foothold in resource-rich Greenland, which has a population of only 56,000 people. However, the voices demanding Greenland’s independence are increasing day by day in the Kingdom of Denmark.
What are the Chinese doing in Greenland now?
Chinese people currently work in Greenland’s fishing industry. China is working to increase its involvement in mining and infrastructure projects in Greenland. Greenland has currently halted uranium mining at the Kuannersuit and Isua iron ore projects at the request of the United States. The truth is that America has previously expressed its objection to these projects. It is said that these projects were either initially halted or rejected. China has been phased out.
China wanted to buy an old naval station, so America stopped
According to a story published on Politico, China also wanted to buy an old naval station abandoned by the Danish Ministry of Defense, but the United States blocked that. In 2019, the China Communications Construction Corporation (CCCC) withdrew its bid to build the two airports. This airport was to be built in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, and the other in Ilulissat.
China continues to implicate the leaders of Greenland and Denmark
China still invites Greenlandic politicians to visit China. He extends invitations to the leaders who are the Ministers of Kujaukitsuak and Mineral Resources in the Government of Denmark. However, the people of Greenland do not view relations with China as very bad. However, China has ruined Sri Lanka by adopting a policy of debt trap diplomacy, i.e. loan giving and loan taking. But China remains one of Greenland’s largest trading partners.
Why does America want to buy Greenland?
Since 1867, America has made several proposals to buy Greenland from Denmark. He did the same with the Danish West Indies in 1917. Although Greenland remains an autonomous region within the Kingdom of Denmark, a 1951 treaty gave the United States greater control over the island, which it once had partial claims to for mining purposes.
How did settlement in Greenland happen?
The Norse settlements in Greenland, which was owned by the Norwegians, began in 1261. Christian missionaries from Denmark and Norway began going to Greenland as early as 1721. Greenland passed from Norway to Denmark in 1814 under the Treaty of Kiel. Later, America began to claim this region. Later in 1953, America built Thule Air Base in Greenland as part of Operation Blue Ray.
When America, Russia and China contacted
In the 21st century, Russia, America and China have drawn Greenland’s attention. First, Greenland’s strategic location allows many countries to be monitored. Second, the mineral wealth found there can be controlled for decades.
