Greenland or KALALLIT NUNAAT

Even though it’s freezing cold, Greenland is one of the most peculiar islands in the world. Firstly, it is the second’s biggest island (the first is Australia, known as the island-continent). Secondly, there is a huge frozen part in the middle of the island. Kalallit Nunaat is the name Inuits have given to their white and frozen island, which has a significant number of natives. Just like everywhere else, life in cities is much different than in villages, the latter being the place where Eskimo ancient traditions have been preserved.

Don’t get angry, Emuk, I said Eskimo because there are still many people who don’t know that you prefer the name of Inuit rather than Eskimo. But did you know that even the Samis in Laponia have also been referred to as Eskimos? This is because this name has been wrongly used as a generic to depict native people from the polar regions.

Before we met Emuk, we stopped in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, although we didn’t stay long because we had such an important mission to lead on. However, we found out that many people live in it, and that there is another beautiful town called Qaqortoq, which we didn’t visit at all because of the lack of time.

People might not know that climate in Kalallit Nunaat tends to be rather stable, although temperatures in winter can easily reach -49ºF. In summertime, temperatures are cool during the day 68ºF, but at night they can reach -41ºF. So it is a polar climate, which means it is very cold and dry, with winters of ten-months length always by night, and short summers with sun all day out, even though the sun goes down to the horizon but never sets. This is called Midnight-Sun. There’s hardly any rain, and the little bit is in snow-form.

Due the polar climate, Greenland have few trees and plants. Tundra is mostly made of bushes, moss and taiga, which are perennial forests with firs and pine-trees. Fauna basically consists of animals with fur and fat in order to protect themselves from the cold, like polar bears, seals, penguins and reindeers. Our friend Emuk told us that they eat plenty of seal, whales and prawns, basically everything that their parents get in a fishing day.

Greenland uses Danish crowns, and it is one of the most expensive countries in the world because almost everything has to be imported.

Even though Northern Polar Lights or Aurora Borealis are more frequent in springtime and autumn, we were lucky because we saw one and I can assure you that it is one of the most fantastic experiences nature can give us. Aurora is an atmospheric phenomenon produced by the sun’s influence. This phenomenon is still being studied and there are many legends around it, but there’s nothing like watching it. They’re so beautiful...

The day you go to Kalallit Nunaat, visit Emuk. And if you go in the springtime you will be able to see the Northern Lights, which are amazing!!!!