Greenland is owned by Denmark but operates as an autonomous and self-governing territory. It was formally incorporated into the Danish Kingdom in 1953 and has since gained increasing independence over its internal affairs. Greenland governs itself in most domestic matters, such as education, health, and natural resources, while Denmark retains control over defense and foreign affairs. The island is not officially a country but is on a path toward greater self-governance and has its own parliament and prime minister. The United States has a military base in northern Greenland, but the island remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
There have been multiple proposals by the United States to purchase Greenland over the years, including recent considerations in 2019 and 2025, but Greenlandic and Danish authorities have affirmed Greenland's right to self- determination and that it is "not for sale".
