The lighting sun on the Earth pole

The population of the country is very small. The people who lie in Greenland are called Eskimos. They are short and stout with straight black hair, high cheekbones, narrow black eyes and yellow-brown skins. Their brown skin protects them from the bright light reflected by the snow.

The food and clothing of Eskimos come mostly from the seal, an animal that lives under water but comes up to the surface to breathe.

The clothes of Eskimos are made from the skins and furs of animals. Both children and grownups wear trousers and long-legged boots made from skins of seals. They also wear jackets made of animal’s fur or skin. These jackets or coats have hoods which can be pulled tight over the head and around the face. These jackets called a Parka.

Because of the serve cold Eskimos eat a lot of heat – producing food.

The Eskimos are great hunters. Their main hunting weapon is the Harpoon, a spear with a leather rope attached to it. A hole is made in the ice to catch fish. The hunter waits near it. When a fish comes up for air, he attacks it with his harpoon.

For hunting sea animals Eskimos use large boats called Kayaks. They also use called Sledges drawn by dogs or reindeer. Sledges are mostly used to transport goods. Recently, however, Eskimos have started using motor boats.

Earlier, Eskimos lived in houses made of stone with roofs of whale –rib- bones covered with grass and soil. These houses were known as Sod houses. Where there were no stones the Eskimos built houses of ice. Many people think that Eskimos live in Igloos or snow houses. This is not so. Most people now live in strong houses of wood or stone. In summer they live in skin tents which can be carried easily from place to place. These tents are called Tou pigs.

Earlier, Eskimos were mostly employed in hunting and fishing. Now they work in large oil companies and in the construction of roads. They live in towns which have shops, schools, libraries, hospitals and clubs. More and more children are now going to regular schools.

Godthab is the administrative center of Greenland. Nuk is the biggest town.