Have there ever been any human settlements in the center of Greenland?

toughynutter

"Around 83% of Greenland is a permanent ice cap and mountains line both the east and west coasts holding the inland ice in place. The highest mountains are located in the east while a gradual slope to the coast causes glaciers to discharge icebergs into the sea. Both coasts are irregular and broken by numerous fjords. The coastal areas are the only regions suitable for human settlement." http://www.atlapedia.com/online/countries/greenlnd.htm viking settlement time line http://www.greenland-guide.gl/leif2000/history.htm Mar 06 07, 11:20 PM

star_gazer

People haven't even traveled across Greenland's center? Or is it just an absolute wilderness of ice? Mar 06 07, 11:35 PM

linkan

I was actually stationed at Thule Air Force Base. I thought you might find this of interest. Thule Air Base is the United States Air Force's northernmost base (76 32' North latitude, 68 50' West longitude). We are located 695 miles North of the Arctic Circle, and 947 miles south of the North Pole on the Northwest side of the island of Greenland. The base is approximately 550 miles east of the North Magnetic Pole. The arctic, referred to as a "cold desert," gets very little precipitation annually. The name "Arctic," derived from the Greek word "arktos," meaning "bear," refers to the constellation Ursa Major, or Great Bear, which appears prominently in the northern sky. http://www.thule.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5022 Mar 07 07, 1:02 AM

Arpeggionist

At some point before the "little ice age" which started in the 16th century, Greenland actually was pretty green and suitable enough for people to live on. The remnants of old Viking communities still exist on Greenland. It was the main stop on the route that took several generations of Vikings to Vinland (as it was called, known to us as Newfoundland). Mar 07 07, 1:51 AM