Language

As of 2009, Danish is no longer one of Greenland’s official languages, but many still speak it fluently alongside their native Greenlandic language. Greenlandic is an Inuit tongue similar to the Inuktitut spoken by many Canadians. Most of Greenland’s people do not know English well, but growing numbers are eager to learn.

Currency

Greenland, like mainland Denmark, uses the Danish krone (DKK; symbol kr) as its official currency. One krone is divided into to 100 øre. Although some establishments also accept British pounds, US dollars, the euro or Icelandic króna, many still do not accept credit or debit cards. Travelers’ checks are most likely to be accepted in Greenland if they are in USD or pounds, and most communities have banks with ATMs in some of the larger towns.

Time

Greenland Standard Time, which the entire territory uses despite its size, is three hours behind GMT (GMT -3) and two hours ahead of EST. Greenland also observes the same Daylight Standard Time as European Union nations.

Electricity

Greenland uses the same 220-240V electricity settings and plug sockets as mainland Denmark, but some places also have Europlug outlets. North American visitors who use 110-120V appliances must bring adapters, voltage converters and step-down transformers.

Communications

Greenland’s country code is +299, and its international calling prefix is 00. TELE Greenland is the territory’s only Internet and telecommunications provider. Nearly 93 percent of Greenland’s population has internet access, and there are 66,400 cell phones used by the country’s 56,615 residents. Cell phones and Pay As You Go cards are sold in most post offices and major hotels have wireless access. Internet cafés are available in most big communities. Singular Wireless, AT&T Wireless PCS and T Mobile customers can use GSM 850/1900.

Duty-free

Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq airports both contain duty free shops which sell tobacco, alcohol and gifts at much lower prices elsewhere in Greenland. Although Greenland is still technically part of Denmark, it is no longer a member of the European Union, so visitors must abide by the same customs rules as their home country. Importing alcohol is illegal as of 2011, but visitors can bring up to two liters of carbonated soft drinks, 50 grams of perfume, and toiletries worth up to DKK 1,000 tax free, along with four kilograms of sweets, four kilograms of tea or coffee and five kilograms of meat products. Tobacco limits are 40 cigarettes, 10 cigarillos or five cigars. Bringing any goods made from ivory or marine mammals into the United States is strictly prohibited.

Tourist Office

Official Tourism Site of Greenland, Nuuk: +299-34-28-20 or http://www.greenland.com/en/

Consulates in Greenland

Consulate of Canada in Nuuk: +299-31-16-47 Consulate of France in Nuuk: +299-32-45-66 Consulate of Germany in Ilulissat: +299-94-44-11 Consulate of Iceland in Angmagssalik: +299-98-12-93 Consulate of the Netherlands in Nuuk: +299-32-12-52 Consulate of the United States, Copenhagen: +45-33-41-71-00

Emergency

Emergency services: Those on landlines must call local hospitals or police directly as Greenland’s 112 emergency number only works from cell phones.