Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 80% ice capped. The Inuit came to
Greenland from North America in a series of migrations that stretched from 2500 BC to the11th century. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from
Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and
Greenland became part of the Kingdom of
Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with
Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas.
Greenland remains a member of the EU's Overseas Countries and Territories Association. The Danish parliament granted
Greenland home rule in 1979; the law went into effect the following year.
Greenland voted in favor of self-government in 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on
Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in 2009. The Kingdom of
Denmark, however, continues to exercise control over several policy areas on behalf of
Greenland, including foreign affairs, security, and financial policy, in consultation with
Greenland's Self-Rule Government.