Why is the US so much interested in Greenland?

• Greenland is strategically located in the North Atlantic Ocean, between Europe and North America, and across the Baffin Bay from Canada.
  • The US maintains a large air base in Greenland, the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base).
• From here, the US can monitor and counter missile threats from Russia, China, and North Korea.
• Greenland is abundant in rare earth minerals, critical for manufacturing electronics, electric vehicles, and weapons.
• Melting ice caps due to global warming are opening new shipping routes in the Arctic.
  • Greenland’s position is crucial for controlling these waterways, with the US seeking to limit Russian and Chinese influence in the region.

• World’s largest island, located in the North Atlantic Ocean between Europe and North America; part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
• An autonomous territory within Denmark, managing domestic affairs, while Denmark oversees defense, foreign policy, and some economic matters.
• Population: ~57,000, primarily Inuit communities, concentrated along the coast.
• Transitioned from a Danish colony to self-rule in 1979, gaining further autonomy in 2009.

• Covers 2.16 million square kilometers, with ~80% under the Greenland Ice Sheet, a critical focus for studying climate change and sea-level rise.
• Predominantly Arctic climate, with freezing temperatures most of the year; milder summers in the southern coastal areas.
• Rich in rare earth minerals, iron ore, zinc, lead, and uranium, making it geopolitically significant.
• Banned uranium mining in 2021 for environmental reasons.

• Has its own parliament (Inatsisartut) and prime minister overseeing domestic policies; Denmark controls foreign relations and defense.
• Closely tied to Denmark, with Danish subsidies accounting for ~60% of Greenland’s budget.
• Some political groups advocate for full independence, though economic dependence complicates this goal.

PYQ:

[2014] Consider the following countries :

1. Denmark
2. Japan
3. Russian Federation
4. United Kingdom
5. United States of America

Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council ‘?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 2, 3 and 4

(c) 1, 4 and 5

(d) 1, 3 and 5