How to explore breathtaking southern Greenland

The majority of Greenlandic residents are Inuit whose ancestors migrated from the Canadian mainland in the 13th century, gradually settling all over the country. The man in this image is a local sheep farmer. Sheep farming is one of the main activities in southern Greenland, and you see many sheep farms as you travel around it.

An estimated 56,000 people live in Greenland. Greenland covers the same area as continental Western Europe without the Nordic countries; the total population of which is 550 times greater, at over 310 million. In Greenland, you have a lot of space to yourself.

Many believe that Greenland is only ice and snow, but in fact, Greenland has over 150,000 square miles of ice-free land. The mild climate of southern Greenland has traditionally been ideal for sheep farming, and Greenlandic lamb is considered by many experts to be among the best in the world. Today, climate change is creating dry summers that harm pastures and, as a result, the number of sheep farms is in decline.

South Greenland is truly a land of jagged mountains and green pastures where sheep farms directly border ice fjords. The conditions are spectacular for those who love trekking and hiking.

Greenland has hundreds of ice-filled fjords. Sometimes waterways can be so full of them, you need to be very cautious if you’re out boating. The darker the ice formation, the heavier it is, which means more of it can lie unseen below the surface. But the waterways are also stunning and a thrill for outdoor lovers.

Kayaking in Greenland, which you can book with Tasermiut South Greenland Specialists, is an incredible experience. Paddling over glassy smooth waters, with only birds above and marine life below, you feel awed by the landscape.

A gigantic ice sheet covers 80 percent of the surface of Greenland. Getting close to massive glaciers, you’re overwhelmed by their power and beauty. It is a sight you will remember for a lifetime.

Icebergs, amazing sculptures that are given to us by nature, can be white, black, striped, or stunningly blue, like this one. The blue ones are from older ice, which has been compressed over centuries as new snow has fallen on top of it. The compression squeezes out the air, resulting in blue or even black hues. South Greenland has a lot of blue ice because the ice here has traveled farther - over a long period of time - to get to the southern glaciers at the edge of the Greenland ice sheet.

While hiking is a wonderful adventure activity in many places around the world, in Greenland you can do it quite differently. Here, you can trek on a glacier that is constantly making noises - from deep, low rumbles to sudden crackles and pops - as the ice moves and shifts.

Glacier hiking can be very risky. If you’ve never hiked on a glacier before, go with friends who have glacier experience. Better yet, hire a mountain guide, who will bring local expertise. In doing so, you will also contribute to the local economy.

The glaciers in Greenland are stunning, but they are also severely threatened by climate change. Recent news tells us they’re melting faster than we thought.

Sailing is central to Greenlandic way of life. Since ice covers most of the surface of the country, the sea route is often the only way to travel between areas. The sealife and birds of Greenland make sea travel a wonderful experience.

Greenlanders hold kaffemik to celebrate special events, from births and birthdays to confirmations and even the first day of school. In the past, Inuits only wore clothes made from animal skins and hides, which were warm and durable. While both men and women’s clothes consisted of furs, pants, and boots, the cut and choice of animal skin differed for each sex.