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Greenland, the world’s largest island, has a history shaped by its harsh Arctic environment and the strategic interests of powerful nations. First settled by the Inuit over 4,500 years ago, it later became home to Norse settlers led by Erik the Red in the 10th century, though their colonies mysteriously vanished by the 15th century. Claimed by Denmark in the early 18th century, Greenland remained under Danish rule until it was granted home rule in 1979 and later expanded self-governance in 2009. Yet, its vast untapped resources and strategic position in the Arctic have long made it a geopolitical prize, especially during the Cold War, when the U.S. built military bases there, including the still-operational Thule Air Base. Fast forward to 2019 and 2025, when U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines by suggesting the U.S. should purchase Greenland, an idea Denmark flatly rejected.

While dismissed as outlandish, Trump’s proposal underscored Greenland’s increasing global importance, with climate change opening new shipping routes and nations vying for influence over its rich natural resources.