Beneath Greenland’s surface lies an abundance of natural resources, including hydrocarbons and rare earth minerals. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that Greenland holds 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30% of its natural gas reserves.

The Danish territory holds significant stores of oil, gas and minerals. But regulations and the extreme environment have kept the vast majority in the ground.

Greenland's harsh environment, lack of key infrastructure and difficult geology have so far prevented anyone from building a mine to extract the sought-after rare earth elements that many high-tech products require.

US interest in Greenland grows as its minerals and energy resources gain global value, raising political and environmental questions for the Arctic island

Discover some of the most important facts about Greenland – along with a deep dive into its geography, history and Trump's desire to buy the nation

Greenland, the largest island globally, is an autonomous territory within Denmark, home to around 56,000 residents, mostly Inuit. Its vast ice sheet, covering 80% of its area, places it at the forefront of climate change discussions.

As Greenland’s ice melts, the island faces a paradox. Rising seas and unpredictable weather threaten its way of life, but melting permafrost opens doors to rare resources and new shipping routes. Can Greenland offset the devastation with new opportunities?

As Arctic ice retreats, new sea lanes are opening that allow ships to move between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic. These routes can cut travel time by weeks, reduce fuel costs, and bypass chokepoints vulnerable to conflict.

Despite Donald Trump’s push to counter China’s dominance of rare earths by eyeing Greenland, harsh conditions, weak infrastructure and complex geology mean the Arctic island is unlikely to deliver a quick or viable mining solution.

Greenland is sovereign in everything other than defence and foreign policy, but by being part of the Kingdom of Denmark, it is included within Nato. As with any nation, access to its land and coastal waters is tightly controlled through permits that specify where work may take place and what activities are allowed.

In the end, Greenland’s untold winter survival tactics are more than a simple testament to human ingenuity. They are a celebration of a relentless spirit that refuses to be subdued, even in the face of relentless cold, shifting landscapes, and the weight of history.