Australia is a continent and also
the largest island. Greenland is the second largest island, but not
a continent.
There are several accepted factors that classify continents. These
factors include tectonic independence from other continents, unique
flora and fauna, cultural uniqueness, and local belief in
continental status.
Australia rests on its own tectonic plate called the Australian
Plate. It has its own unique flora and fauna, with native animals
unlike any others in the world. Its inhabitants consider themselves
to live on both an island and a continent.
Greenland rests on the North American tectonic plate along with
Canada, the United States, and Mexico. It has a number of unique
species of plants, but its animals, like reindeer, polar bears, and
arctic foxes, can also be found elsewhere. Greenland has its own
culture, but considered part of the larger North American arctic
culture. Its inhabitants consider themselves islanders.
Australia is part of Britain’s Commonwealth and Greenland is
officially part of Denmark.
Australia is about 3 million square miles and the sixth largest
country in the world. Greenland is about 834 thousand square miles
and the twelfth largest country in the world.
Eighty percent of Greenland is covered by ice. Eighteen percent of
Australia is covered by deserts.
84% of Greenlanders live in urban areas and 89% of Australians live
in urban areas.
Greenland's one major city is its capital, Nuuk. Inhabitants of both
live mostly along the coast.
Greenland’s population is 89% Inuit and 11% Danish and Australia’s
population is 92% white, 7% Asian, and 1% Aboriginal.
There are almost 6 migrants leaving Greenland per 1000 people. In
Australia, there are almost 6 migrants entering the country per 1000
people.