Where is the territory and who controls it?

US President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his intention to take control of the Danish-controlled Arctic territory of Greenland.

Why is Trump talking about this – and why now?

Greenland, the largest island in the world, is located in the Arctic.

It is the most sparsely populated area in the world. About 56,000 people live there, mostly indigenous Inuit.

About 80% of its territory is covered with ice, which means that most people live on the southwestern coast around the capital Nuuk.

An autonomous territory of Denmark, Danish and American military bases are also located here.

The economy is mainly based on fishing. Denmark’s large government subsidies account for about a fifth of GDP.

In recent years, there has been increased interest in Greenland’s natural resources, including the mining of rare earth minerals, uranium and iron. They may become more available as global warming melts some of the ice that covers Greenland.

Geographically located in North America, Greenland was controlled by Denmark – almost 3,000 km (1,860 mi) – for about 300 years.

The island was ruled as a colony until the middle of the 20th century. For most of this time he remained isolated and poor.

In 1953 it became part of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders became Danish citizens.

In 1979, a referendum on self-rule gave Greenland control of most policies in the territory, while Denmark retained control of foreign affairs and defense.

The US has long supported security interests in Greenland. After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark during World War II, the US invaded Greenland, setting up military and radio stations throughout the territory.

After the war, American troops remained in Greenland. Pitufik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, has been operated by the United States ever since.

In 1951, a defense agreement with Denmark gave the US a significant role in the defense of the territory, including the right to build and maintain military bases.

“If Russia were to send missiles toward the United States, the shortest route for nuclear weapons would be through the North Pole and Greenland,” said Mark Jacobsen, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defense College.

“That’s why Pitufik Space Base is so important to US defense.”

Mr. Jacobsen added that Trump is also likely interested in the mining potential of Greenland’s vast landmass.

“Of particular interest today are rare earth minerals that have yet to be mined but are found in the southern part of Greenland. They are very important for all kinds of technology, from mobile phones to wind turbines.”

Trump has said that control over Greenland is important to US national and economic security.

While the president-elect’s rhetoric may seem unusual, US presidents have tried to gain control of Greenland for more than a century.

“The US has tried several times to push the Danes out of Greenland and accept it as part of the US, or at least get full custody of Greenland,” said Lukas Vaden, author 66° northarctic safety bulletin.

In 1867, after the purchase of Alaska from Russia, US Secretary of State William Seward negotiated the purchase of Greenland from Denmark, but could not reach any agreement.

In 1946, the US offered to pay $100 million (equivalent to $1.2 billion; £970 million today) for the territory, believing it to be vital to national security, but the Danish government refused.

Trump also tried to buy Greenland during his first term. Both Denmark and the Greenland government rejected the 2019 offer, saying “Greenland is not for sale.”

Kuno Fenker, a member of Greenland’s Inatsisartut parliament, said Wednesday that he did not see Trump’s comments as a threat.

Fenker, who supports Greenlandic independence, told the BBC that a sovereign Greenland could choose to cooperate with the US on defense.

But when Trump first floated the idea of ​​buying Greenland in 2019, many locals told the BBC they were against this proposal.

“It’s a very dangerous idea,” said Dines Mikaelsen, a tour operator who was born and raised in Tasiilaq, east Greenland.

“He treats us like a commodity that he can buy,” said Aleka Hammond, Greenland’s first female prime minister.

“He’s not even talking to Greenland – he’s talking to Denmark about buying Greenland.”