Known for its immense glaciers and vast swathes of tundra, Greenland shares many similarities with many other Arctic regions. But have you ever wondered where it is exactly?
Where is Greenland?
Greenland lies between two oceans – the North Atlantic and the Arctic – and is northeast of Canada and northwest of Iceland. Despite its name, you're more likely to find icy tundras than lush vegetation due to its polar location.
Greenland is made up of one large mainland island (the world's largest), and several smaller ones.
What kind of animals live in Greenland?
In spite of freezing temperatures and midnight sun, plenty of animals can be found in Greenland, including:
- Land mammals - polar bears, arctic foxes, barren-ground caribou (reindeer)
- Whales - narwhal, humpback, bowhead, minke, beluga and fin
- Seals - harp, ringed, hooded and walrus
- Birds - white-tailed eagle, rock ptarmigan, black guillemot and snow bunting
- Fish - Atlantic salmon, wolffish, Arctic char, Greenland shark
- Insects and spiders - Arctic fritillary, Greenlandic thin-legged wolf spider, Northern clouded yellow, diving beetle and Arctic bumblebee
Main image: Humpback whale breaching at Ilulissat Icefjord, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Greenland/Credit: Getty
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