World Travel Guide
 
 
Travel Information
Contact Addresses
Overview
General Information
Passport/Visa
Money
Duty Free
Public Holidays
Health
Travel - International
Travel - Internal
Accommodation
Sport & Activities
Social Profile
Business Profile
Climate
History and Government
Maps
 
Regions and Cities
Introduction - Overview
 
Tools
Printable Miniguide
 
 
 
Home  >  World  > North America  > Greenland

Social Profile

Food & Drink: Most hotels have restaurants of a good standard, where Danish food and Greenland specialities are served. Reindeer meat (caribou), seal and whale meat, musk ox, fowl, shrimps and fish are the most popular local food. Prices are similar to Denmark.

Shopping: The range of goods available is similar to that in an ordinary Danish provincial town, but prices are, in general, slightly higher. Alcohol, tobacco, fruit and vegetables are expensive. Special purchases include bone and soapstone carvings, skin products and beadwork. The Greenland Home Rule Administration can provide information on claiming tax back on items purchased in Greenland. Shopping hours: Mon-Thurs 1000-1730, Fri 1000-1800 and Sat 0900-1300. These will vary from region to region.

Special Events: For further details, contact Greenland Tourism in Copenhagen (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of major events held in Greenland in 2003:
Mar 15-18 2003 Ninth Nuuk Snow Festival. Mar 25-Apr 1 Arctic Circle Race, starts and finishes in Sisimiut. Mar 27-Apr 1 Fifth Drambuie World Ice Golf Championship, Uummannaq. Apr Arctic Palerfik, Ilulissat. Jul 18-28 Arctic Tea Challenge, Ammassalik Island. Aug 2 Nuuk Marathon 2003, Nuuk.


Social Conventions: Life is generally conducted at a more relaxed pace than is usual in northern Europe, as exemplified by the frequent use of the word immaqa – ‘maybe’. Until recently, foreign visitors were very rare. The name of the country in Greenlandic is Kalaallit Nunaat, meaning ‘Land of the People’. Photography: Throughout the country there is a ban on taking photographs inside churches or church halls during services. A UV or skylight filter and a lens shade should always be used. In winter, the camera must be polar-oiled. It is advisable to bring your own films. Film cannot be developed in Greenland. Tipping: Service charge is usually added to the bill. Tips are not expected.


Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd. Terms and Conditions apply.