Harden Elkington
The discovery of Greenland is a fascinating journey that began centuries ago.
Throughout the centuries, various explorers and navigators have been credited with discovering different parts of this arctic island nation.
The first known explorer to reach Greenland was Erik the Red in 982CE, who named it after seeing its lush green landscape.
Subsequent explorers would map out and explore the island further, leading to a better understanding of its geography.
Today, Greenland is part of Denmark with self-governance over domestic matters.
But who were the people that discovered Greenland? Let’s take a look!
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Erik the Red: The First to Reach Greenland
Erik the Red is widely regarded as the first explorer to reach Greenland, though it is possible that other people reached the area prior to him.
Erik was a Norseman from Iceland who fled his homeland due to a crime he had committed in 982 CE.
He made his way to Greenland and eventually settled there with his family and some followers.
He named it Greenland due to the lush green landscape and, in doing so, sparked a wave of exploration from other Norsemen who were curious about what this new land had to offer.
Other Explorers that Discovered Greenland
There are many other explorers who are credited with discovering various parts of Greenland. These include:
Gunnbjörn Ulfsson
Gunnbjörn Ulfsson was a Norseman who set sail from Iceland in the late 900s CE and became the first recorded European to sight Greenland.
He described seeing icebergs near the island, but he did not attempt to land on the island.
Leif Erikson
Leif Erikson was the son of Erik the Red and a Norse explorer who discovered and explored Greenland further, in 986CE.
He set sail from Iceland with 35 crew members and became the first known European to land on the shores of Greenland.
During his exploration, Leif visited various parts of the island such as the northernmost point, which he named “Hope”.
He also brought Christianity to the land when he established a small Christian settlement in what is today known as Nuuk.
Knut Rasmussen
Knut Rasmussen was a Danish explorer and anthropologist who is credited with being the first European to traverse Greenland from end to end.
He led six expeditions between 1902 and 1924, during which he covered more than 4,300 miles of the island’s interior.
During his travels, Rasmussen studied and documented the culture of Greenland’s native Inuit people.
He also discovered new landforms in some areas that had not been explored before. His explorations are credited with helping to open up the island to further exploration and settlement.
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Final words
The discovery of Greenland is a captivating story that has spanned centuries and has been explored by a diverse range of explorers.
From Erik the Red to Knut Rasmussen, these adventurers have made important contributions to our understanding of this arctic country and its culture.
Their journeys have helped shape the history of Greenland and make it the vibrant nation it is today.
