The world’s ’emptiest’ region that’s owned by a EU nation 50 times smaller

A region that’s associated with an country as an Overseas Country and Territory (OCT) also happens to be the emptiest in the world.

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of , which joined the then Community back in 1973.

However, after Greenland gained autonomy in 1979, the region voted to leave the bloc in 1982 and officially left it in 1985. 

Despite Greenland being part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the region has a high degree of autonomy.

Alongside its autonomy, Greenland is officially the most sparsely populated region on Earth and is home to only 56,000 people in total, with its population density standing at 0.14 residents per square kilometre. 

In fact, 75% of Greenland is covered by a permanent sheet of ice which owes to its isolation as only a small part of the region is suitable for living.

The majority of its inhabitants, around 20,000, live in the capital of Greenland, , as the capital city is home to the region’s main employment opportunities, infrastructure, education facilities, government services and cultural centres.

Greenland’s sparse population is also mainly rooted in the country’s indigenous history, which includes the original settlers to this harsh Arctic region known as the Inuit people who arrived from North America 4,000–5,000 years ago.

The scattered coastal residents have divided Greenland into four territories, including Sermersooq, Kujalleq, Qeqqata, and Qaasuitsup.

Prior to , Denmark tightly controlled Greenland. But the region gained significant importance strategically during the conflict, when it served as an outpost for monitoring German naval activities which took place in the North Atlantic.

After Denmark’s invasion on April 9 1940 by Nazi Germany, Greenland was on its own and became an unoccupied territory of an occupied nation.

To forestall the possibility of seizure by the United Kingdom, United States or Canada of Greenland, the United States acted to guarantee Greenland’s position. 

This was done when the US entered the war in December 1941, making Greenland a combatant.

During 1941 and 1945, the United States incorporated a number of extensive facilities in Greenland for air and sea traffic including establishing radio stations, radio beacons, weather stations, deports, ports, artillery posts, and search-and-rescue stations. 

Greenland’s strategic significance during World War II stands as a testament to the country’s  enduring importance despite being sparsely populated.

Despite its isolation, Greenland is seeing a boost in tourist numbers over the years.

In 2023, the country saw a record number of tourists, with an impressive 76,477 cruise passengers embarking on its surrounding area with a 9% increase among its land-based tourists compared to 2022.