Greenland Presentations

Inquiry based Connections

History:

1. What is the official language of Greenland?
   (Greenlandic- Inuit dialects, and Danish)
   
2. Who first discovered Greenland and why was it named Greenland?
   (Eric the Red, it was named Greenland to attract other Norse Settlers, yes the beginnings of marketing!)
   
   

International Significance:

1. What country disputes Denmark's claim to Greenland?
   (Norway)
   
2. What international organization did Greenland just recently withdraw from?
   (European Community)
   
3. Within the last 50 years, what country has attempted to purchase Greenland from the Danish?
   (the United States: Thule Air Base is located in Greenland and is an active military base)
   
4. Greenland is of great international strategic value, WHY?
   (It is meteorologically and oceanographically at a point where vast amounts of information can be gathered ... power.)
   
   

Climate and Currents:

1. During the summer my highest temperatures can reach :
   A. 68o F B. 50o F C. 20o C D. 10o C E. None of the above
   F. All of the above
   (F)
   
2. Where do most of my people live and why?
   (Western coast of Greenland, because the warm currents are brought up by the Gulf Stream, and upwelling of the cold bottom waters provides nutrient and phytoplankton rich waters - great fisheries)
   
3. How many glaciers do I calve yearly?
   A. 3,500 - 5,000 B. 7,000 - 9,000 C. 10,000 - 15,000
   D. No one has studied this, yet.
   (C)
   
   

Health and Education

1. There are 100 schools in all of Greenland (grammar, secondary, & vocational), and school is only compulsory for the first nine years. What do you think the percentage of literacy is in Greenland?
   (99%)
   
   

FUN FACTS
Most towns have a: school, church, hospital, and community center.
Everyone is provided health care courtesy of the Danish Government
There are only 50 miles (80km) of roads in all of Greenland.

Economics

1. The chief economic occupation for Greenland is:
   A. hunting B. Fishing C. sealing
   (A)
   
2. The search for minerals is a booming industry in Greenland.
   TRUE FALSE
   (True)
   
3. _________________ farming is an important economic venture.
   (Sheep)
   
   

Population, Physical Geography and Culture

1. The area of Greenland is about the same as:
   A. India B. Libya C. Mexico D. Saudi Arabia
   E. Alaska F. California
   ( D. Saudi Arabia - 830,000 sq. miles Greenland - 840,004 sq. mi.)
   
2. The population of Greenland is about the same as:
   A. Homosassa, FL B. West Vancouver, B. C. C. Aliquippa, PA
   D. Kailua, HI
   (B. West Vancouver - 60,000)
   
3. Water, water, everywhere. Greenland's ice cap is 2,700,000 cu. km., about what percentage of the world's fresh water reservoir?
   (About 9%)
   
4. Can you figure out the Greenlandic words in this sentence?
   All of us are ilinniautitsisog and all of us use nunap assinga to study about kalaallit nunaat .
   (teachers, maps, Greenland)
   For more information on Greenlandic words, take a look at :
   

Vavvap Atuagarsua oqaasilerut--Spot's big book of words
Eric Hill
Aruakkiorfik1991
ISBN 87-558-0706-2

Last, but not least ... remember the string game connections Maija introduced.









An Ode to the Flora and Fauna of Greenland

Dedicated to our fearless leader - Lee Schmitt

The plants of Greenland, this I know,
In four climatic regions grow.
High Arctic and Dry, Low Arctic aren't alone,
There is also a Northern Temperate and a Damp, Coastal zone.
The plants must grow fast in this arctic spot,
The Sun is out lots, but it doesn't get hot.

Enough of these plants, let's explore something new,
Greenland has many animals, I'll share just a few.
Arctic Terns breed on islets that are just off the coast,
They migrate 35,000 km., that is something to boast!
There is Halibut, Haddock, Salmon and Cod,
Is it just me, or do these fish look a little bit odd?
Don't forget there are Seals, Walruses, Arctic hares and fox,
Reindeer and Polar Bear and yes, the Musk Ox.

Now, I could go on, but by now you have seen,
This can't be Greenlandic, this poem's too clean!


M.D.P.