What is a country?

On 1 February 2019, "Travel Trivia" identified Greenland as the least densely populated country.
As Bill Clinton might say, it depends on the meaning of the word "country."
[Recall the Clinton text: "It depends upon what the meaning of the word 'is' is.]

Wikipedia notes:


On 21 June 2009, Greenland gained self-rule with provisions for assuming responsibility
for self-government of judicial affairs, policing, and natural resources.
Also, Greenlanders were recognized as a separate people under international law.
(One country, two systems)[62] Denmark maintains control of foreign affairs and defence matters.
Denmark upholds the annual block grant of 3.2 billion Danish kroner, but as Greenland begins
to collect revenues of its natural resources, the grant will gradually be diminished.
This is generally considered to be a step toward eventual full independence from Denmark.[63]
Greenlandic was declared the sole official language of Greenland at the historic ceremony.



From UNRIC:



The Prime Minister of the “Naalakkersuisut”, Greenland’s Home Rule, Kuupik Kleist,
has declared that his Government will seek independence from Denmark when the economic situation allows.
In a self-governing agreement with Denmark in 2009, the Greenlanders were recognized as a distinct people
with the right to self-determination and given greater control over potential oil finds.

In practice the agreement can serve as a road map to independence if /when the 57,000 Greenlanders
are self-sufficient but for now they are dependent on grants from the state budget of Denmark.
Greenland has been part of the Danish Kingdom for three hundred years but was granted limited
sovereignty when home rule was established in 1979.



link: https://www.unric.org/en/latest-news/27747-greenland-resources-key-to-international-recognition-

From Travel Trivia