Greenland (A Land in the Tundra Region) Chapter Notes | Be an Explorer 5: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets - Class 5 PDF Download

Introduction

• Greenland is the world's largest island, located in the northern Frigid Zone near the North Pole.
• It is an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Location

• Greenland is only 650 km away from the North Pole.
• It is separated from northern islands of Canada by Baffin Bay and the Davis Strait.

Relief Features

• Greenland covers an area of 21.5 lakh sq. km.
• The terrain is mostly a flat but gradually sloping icecap, with narrow, mountainous, barren, and rocky coasts.
• Northeast Greenland ice sheet has lost over 10 billion tons of ice annually since 2003.

Climate

• Arctic type of climate with extremely cold winters and temperatures rarely rising above freezing point.
• Sun doesn't rise for weeks during winter, heavy snowfall, and chilly winds.
• Summers are cool, short, and sunny with continuous daylight.

Vegetation

• Germination and plant growth happen in summer.
• Barren land, so Greenland imports wood; only small plants like mosses, lichens, grasses, and bushes grow.
• No tall trees due to freezing temperatures.

Animals

• Animals adapted to extreme cold with thick, furry coats.
• Musk ox, reindeer, Arctic hare, Arctic fox, white Arctic wolf, Caribou, Polar bear, marine animals, and various birds.
• Domestic animals like sheep, goats, and pigs are also reared.

Life of the People

• Harsh climate leads to a small population.
• Official language is Greenlandic, and Lutheranism is the official religion.
• About one-third of the people follow Christianity.
• Majority are Inuits, the original settlers from North America, short and stout, wearing fur clothing.

Occupation

• Main occupations are fishing, hunting, mining, and trading.
• Eskimos are skilled hunters using harpoons, hunting seals, walruses, whales, and polar bears.

Changing Lifestyles

• Inuits traditionally relied on hunting but now buy goods from other countries.
• Many work in mines and oilfields, and some have migrated to cities.

Houses

• Eskimos traditionally lived in igloos made of ice.
• Now, they live in modern houses with facilities like shops, schools, hospitals, etc.
• Capital city Nuuk is the largest city with modern amenities.

Transportation

• Airways and waterways are the two main means of transport.
• Motorboats have replaced kayaks, and powerful rifles have replaced harpoons.
• Motorized sledges are commonly used.

Conclusion

Greenland's unique geography, extreme climate, and rich wildlife shape the lifestyle and occupations of its people, making it a fascinating region to explore.