Parts of Greenland

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Country overview: 

Greenland began the 20th century as a Danish colony. On 1953-06-05 it became constitutionally part of Denmark as an overseas county. It still retains that status, although it has a great measure of autonomy. Places in Greenland usually have both Danish and Inuit names, which are not in the least similar, and can cause confusion.

Time zone note: Most of Greenland is currently on -3 ~ (three hours earlier than GMT, with daylight saving time in the summer). The far northwest, around Thule, is on -4 ~; a small part of the east coast, around Scoresbysund and Constable Pynt, is on -1 ~.

Other names of country: 

1. Danish: Grønland
2. Dutch: Groenland
3. Finnish: Grönlanti
4. French: Groenland m
5. German: Grönland n
6. Icelandic: Grænland
7. Inuktitut: Kalaallit Nunaat
8. Italian: Groenlandia
9. Norwegian: Grønland
10. Portuguese: Groenlândia f, Gronelândia
11. Spanish: Groenlandia
12. Swedish: Grönland

Origin of name: 

Icelandic grænland: green land, named by Erik the Red to attract settlers.

Primary subdivisions: 

Greenland is divided into three landsdele (parts, or provinces).

Postal codes: 

Greenland uses postal codes from the Danish system. They are four-digit numbers, beginning with 39 for Greenland. If a country prefix is wanted, use "DK-".

Further subdivisions:

See the Municipalities of Greenland page.

The three parts are further subdivided into 18 municipalities or townships.

Territorial extent: 

The parts are only defined along the coast. The ice-covered interior is not organized territorially. Going clockwise, West Greenland extends about from Kap Farvel to the middle of Melville Bay; North Greenland, from there to Nordostrundingen; and East Greenland goes on around to Kap Farvel again. North Greenland includes Kaffeklubben Island, said to be the northernmost point of land in the world. West Greenland includes the island of Disko.

Other names of subdivisions: 

1. East Greenland: Østgrønland (Danish); Tunu (Inuit)
2. North Greenland: Avannaa (Inuit); Avanersuaq (variant); Nordgrønland (Danish)
3. West Greenland: Kitaa (Inuit); Vestgrønland (Danish)