Page 35 - SST Class 05

Development

Science and technology have helped to improve the quality of life in Greenland. They
now have access to electricity supply. Schools, hospitals and clubs can be seen around.
Compulsory education has been introduced for children up to the age of 14 years.
Motor-boats have mostly replaced boats for fishing. Some industrial units have been set
up which deal in fur, mining and oil drilling. Electricity is produced mainly from water.

Important Cities

Godthab, also known as Nuuk, is the capital and largest city of Greenland. Almost
one-third population of Greenland lives in this city. It is connected to Iceland by air.
Now it is planning to have air connectivity to Europe and America. It has an important
harbour which remains ice-free round the year. There is shipping service to Denmark
from here.

Sisimiut, formerly known as Holsteinberg, is the second largest city in Greenland. It is
a port town with a large shipyard. It is an important fishing and industrial town of
Greenland.

polar region : the area around the poles.
autonomous : which governs itself, independent.
ice-cap : a permanent thick ice sheet.
iceberg : a huge mass of ice floating in the sea with only a tip above water.

parka : a type of fur coat with a hood.
igloo : a house made from ice.
harpoon : a type of spear attached to a rope, used for hunting.

Facts

• Owing to very slanting sunlight, the Frigid Zone is the coldest on the earth.
• Greenland is located in the North Frigid Zone, close to the North Pole, so it is very cold.
• A large part of Greenland is permanently covered with snow and ice.
• Climate change melts ice faster, which can inundate coastal areas in the world.
• In Greenland, there is little natural vegetation due to severe cold, yet some unique wildlife is found
there.
• The Eskimos are the native inhabitants of Greenland.
• The Eskimos are now embracing modern lifestyle.
• Fishing and hunting are two main occupations of the Eskimos.
• Boats are the main mode of transport in Greenland.
• Development is picking up in Greenland.

Greenland : The Land of Ice 35