Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Greenland
local long form: none
local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat

Data code GL

Dependency status part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979

Government type NA

National capital Nuuk (Godthab)

Administrative divisions 3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland)

Independence none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979)

National holiday Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)

Constitution 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)

Legal system Danish

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Gunnar MARTENS (since NA 1995)
head of government: Prime Minister Jonathan MOTZFELDT (since NA September 1997); note - named to post to replace Gunnar MARTENS, who retired ahead of scheduled election
cabinet: Landsstyre is formed from the Parliament on the basis of the strength of parties
elections: the queen is a constitutional monarch; high commissioner appointed by the queen; prime minister is elected by the Parliament (usually the leader of the majority party); election last held NA September 1997 (next to be held NA 1999)
election results: Jonathan MOTZFELDT replaced Gunnar MARTENS who retired; percent of parliamentary vote - NA

Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Landsting (31 seats; members are elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 4 March 1995 (next to be held by 5 March 1999)
election results: percent of vote by party - Siumut 38.4%, Inuit Ataqatigiit 20.3%, Atassut Party 30.1%; seats by party - Siumut 12, Atassut Party 10, Inuit Ataqatigiit 6, conservative splinter grouping 2, independent 1
note: 2 representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 21 September 1994 (next to be held by NA September 1998); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Liberals 1, Social Democrats 1; Greenlandic representatives are affiliated with Danish political parties

Judicial branch High Court or Landsret

Political parties and leaders two-party ruling coalition; Siumut (Forward Party, a moderate socialist party that advocates more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark) [Lars Emil JOHANSEN, chairman]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood, a Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule) [Josef MOTZFELDT]; Atassut Party (Solidarity, a more conservative party that favors continuing close relations with Denmark) [Daniel SKIFTE]; Akulliit Party [Bjarne KREUTZMANN]; Issituup (Polar Party) [Nicolai HEINRICH]

Diplomatic representation in the US none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Diplomatic representation from the US none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Flag description two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white

NOTE: The information regarding Greenland on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Greenland Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Greenland Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.