Frozen Greenland Fjord

Frozen fjord along northeast coast of Greenland as seen from the P-3 aircraft on May 14, 2012. Credit: NASA/Jim Yungel

Greenland is the world’s largest island. (Australia and Antarctica, both larger than Greenland. And also are generally considered to be continental landmasses rather than islands). Therefore Three-quarters of Greenland is covered by the only permanent ice sheet outside Antarctica. With a population of about 56,480 (2013), it is the least densely populated territory in the world. About a third of the population live in Nuuk, the capital and largest city. The Arctic Umiaq Line ferry acts as a lifeline for western Greenland, connecting the various cities and settlements.