Why is Greenland, the largest island in the world, not included in the Danish territory?

Greenland, the largest island in the world, has always been an independent place. Greenland was once a colony of Denmark. After World War II, all parts of the world began to be decolonized, and Greenland became an autonomous territory with a high degree of autonomy at that time. At that time, Greenland was actually no longer the official territory of Denmark. Although Greenland's foreign affairs and national defense still belong to Denmark, Greenland is actually an independent political system.

The geographical position of the world's largest island is not very good. It is located in the northeast of North America, between the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the area is in the Arctic Circle, covered by ice sheets. It is a veritable natural refrigerator, and you can often see the Northern Lights. Such a big island belongs to Denmark, a small European country with an area of only 43,000 square kilometers. However, the area of Greenland is not included in the calculation of international country area, otherwise Denmark will become a world-class country with a large land area.

Greenland has long been a colony of Denmark, which is the suzerain of Greenland. After World War II, countries around the world began to decolonize, and the colonies of European powers began their independence movement, and the colonial system gradually disintegrated. 1979 In May, Greenland gained a high degree of autonomy from the Danish government, and its status changed from a country directly under Denmark to an autonomous territory of Denmark, which is no longer the official territory of Denmark.

1 985 February1,Greenland held a referendum, successfully separated from the European body and no longer accepted the management of the European body. Although Greenland still belongs to Denmark in foreign affairs and defense, it is already a substantial political entity, which can be regarded as two countries with Denmark, and Greenland is more like a subordinate country of Denmark, so the area of Greenland is naturally not considered as Danish territory in the international land area calculation standard.