Fun with Maps - Greenalnd

 The story is that Erik the Red named the ice covered Greenland and the green covered Iceland that way to attract settlers to Greenland and dissuade them from coming to Iceland. 

 In this episode of Fun with Maps host Dan Hanson looks at that story about naming the largest island in the world, Greenland.  (Isn’t Australia bigger? Watch and find out). 

Many are surprised that Greenland is part of North America and part of the Kingdom of Denmark.  Greenland is 80% covered with ice and has historically, and currently, been affected by changes to the climate. 

After the US bought Alaska from Russia in the 1860’s, Secretary of State William Seward tried to buy Greenland and Iceland.  Congress voted it down.  Other attempts by the US to buy Greenland have also been rejected.  

See more Fun with Maps episodes

Icelandair Airline Launch in Cleveland

The International Business Network (IBN) was organized in 2005 by a group of highly experienced international business people with the specific purpose of helping each other and others involved in international business. Its goal is to stimulate economic growth in Northeast Ohio through international business.


On April 25, 2018 the IBN meeting centered on the Icelandair announcement of flights to and from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The new Icelandair flight service from Cleveland to Europe will begin in May and includes a variety of options for stopovers in Iceland.

Photos and videos of the Icelandair event.

Icelandair and IBN representatives

Leif Ericson Day

The Scandinavian community of Cleveland, including those from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland gathered at the bust of Leif Ericson in front of Shooters in Cleveland's Flats. Leif Ericson was a Norse explorer regarded as the first European to land in North America (excluding Greenland), nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus.

Each year on Leif Ericson Day they toast the explorer and his maritime accomplishments with a drink of Aquavit, a 40 proof Scandinavian liqueur. Aquavit is said to get its special flavor from its trip to the Equator.

Photos and videos from Leif Ericson Day in Cleveland