Where is the territory and who controls it?

US President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his intention to take control of Greenland, the 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 local Inuit.

About 80% of its territory is covered in ice, which means that most people live on the southwest coast around the capital, Nuuk.

An autonomous territory of Denmark, it is also home to Danish and American military bases.

The economy is mainly based on fishing. Large subsidies from the Danish government account for about a fifth of GDP.

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

Located geographically within North America, Greenland was controlled by Denmark – nearly 3,000 km (1,860 miles) away – for about 300 years.

The island was ruled as a colony until the mid-20th century. During most of this time it remained isolated and impoverished.

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

In 1979 a referendum on local government gave Greenland control over most politics within the territory, with Denmark retaining control over 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 US invaded Greenland, setting up military and radio stations throughout the territory.

After the war, American forces remained in Greenland. Pitufik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, has since been operated by the United States.

In 1951 a defense agreement with Denmark gives the US a significant role in the territory's defense, including the right to build and maintain military bases.

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

“This is why Pitufik 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 a paper by the Arctic Institute. The document calls for the US to further develop its presence in the Arctic to counter its rivals.

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

“We see Russia arming itself. We see China starting to show interest as well,” Rasmussen said.

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

“Of particular interest today are the rare earth minerals that have not yet been mined, but are found in the southern part of Greenland. They are extremely important for all kinds of technology, from mobile phones to wind turbines.”

Trump has argued that control of Greenland is essential to US national and economic security.

While the president-elect's rhetoric may seem unusual, for more than a century, a succession of US presidents have tried to gain control of Greenland.

“The US has tried several times to push the Danes out of Greenland and take it over as part of the US, or at least get full custody of Greenland,” said Lucas Wadden, author of 66° northArctic Security Bulletin.

In 1867, after the purchase of Alaska from Russia, US Secretary of State William Seward negotiated the purchase of Greenland from Denmark, but failed to reach any agreement.

In 1946 The US offered to pay $100 million (equivalent to $1.2 billion; £970 million today) for the territory, deeming it vital to national security, but the Danish government refused.

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

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

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

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

“It's a very dangerous idea,” said Dines Mikaelsen, a tour operator who was born and raised in Tassilak, east Greenland.

“He treats us like a commodity he can buy,” said Aleka Hammond, Greenland's first female prime minister.

“He's not even talking to Greenland – he's talking to Denmark about buying Greenland.”