The news media is abuzz lately about Greenland, an Arctic territory just east of Canada and part of the kingdom of Denmark. The world’s largest island, it has about 56,000 inhabitants, most of them living in the 20% of Greenland that isn’t ice and snow. President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his wish to buy Greenland from Denmark, in part to enhance security in the Arctic region, joining a list of other U.S. leaders who since the 19th century have wanted, or made unsuccessful attempts, to acquire the island. The Vikings came there many centuries ago to stake their claim to this prized location, but their efforts also failed. Why is Greenland such a coveted place? Asta Mønsted knows, and
