Where is the territory and who controls it?

US President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his intention to annex Greenland, an Arctic territory controlled by Denmark.

Why is Trump talking about this – and why now?

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

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

About 80% of its territory is covered by ice, meaning most people live on the southwest coast around the capital Nuuk.

An autonomous territory of Denmark, there are also Danish and US military bases.

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

In recent years, there has been increased interest in Greenland’s natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron ore mining. These may become more accessible as global warming causes some of the ice covering Greenland to melt.

Geographically located in North America, Greenland has been controlled by Denmark – almost 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles) away – for about 300 years.

The island was governed as a colony in the 20th century. until the middle of the century. For much of this time, he was isolated and poor.

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

In 1979, a referendum on Home Rule gave Greenland control of most domestic policies, while Denmark retained control of foreign affairs and defence.

The US has long maintained a security interest in Greenland. After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark during World War II, the United States invaded Greenland, establishing military and radio stations throughout the territory.

After the war, US forces remained in Greenland. Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, has been operated by the US ever since.

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

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

“That’s why Pituffik Space Base is so important to the defense of the United States.”

China and Russia have begun building their Arctic military capabilities in recent years, according to an article by the Arctic Institute. The article called for the US to further develop its presence in the Arctic to counter its adversaries.

On Wednesday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Denmark was open to discussions with the US, adding that Washington has “legitimate” interests in the region.

“We see a Russia that is arming itself. We also see a China that is starting to take an interest,” said Rasmussen.

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

“Today, rare earth minerals, which are still unexploited but found in southern Greenland, are of particular interest. They are of enormous importance in all kinds of technology, from mobile phones to wind turbines.”

Trump has said that control of Greenland is vital to US national and economic security.

Although the president-elect’s rhetoric may be unusual, for more than a century successive US presidents have tried to control Greenland.

“The US has tried several times to push the Danes out of Greenland and make it part of the US, or at least have full security guardianship of Greenland,” said Lukas Wahden, the book’s author. 66° NorthArctic Security Bulletin.

In 1867, after the purchase of Alaska from Russia, US Secretary of State William H Seward led negotiations to purchase Greenland from Denmark, but no agreement was reached.

In 1946, the United States offered to pay $100 million (equivalent to $1.2 billion; £970 million today) for the territory, which it deemed essential for national security, but the Danish government refused.

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

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

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

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

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

“He treats us like goods he can buy,” said Aleqa Hammond, Greenland’s first female prime minister.

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