GREENLAND
Greenland is often called the largest island in the world. It is 28% the size of Australia, the smallest continent. It has been a possession of Denmark since 1721 but achieved autonomy in 1979 and self-government in 2009. The population is 57,000, mostly Inuit or part-Inuit. All but 20% is covered by ice. Its economy depends on fishing, fish packing, sheep raising, tourism, and subsidies from the government of Denmark. The US has a Space Base at Pituffik.
Why is Trump interested in Greenland? The ice in Greenland is melting fast, opening the possibility of mineral extraction, especially with regard to graphite, zinc, and rare earths, all now in high demand. Melting ice opens up sea lanes across the top of the world that the US wants to control and keep other powers from controlling. So the pressure on Denmark to sell Greenland and the economic temptations offered to Greenlanders will continue to grow. So far both Denmark and the Greenlanders have resisted, but the future is uncertain.
Sources: The New York Times,1/16/26 a Calendario Atlante de Agostini, 2025