Greenland is the largest island in the world, stretching more than 2,000 kilometers in length and fascinating more and more visitors with its diversity. One of the least known regions is the north-eastern corner of the island and the largest national park in the world, which offers almost everything that makes polar fans’ hearts beat faster. At least that’s what a newly published book by French entrepreneur and polar travel expert Christian Kempf shows.
Finding your way around the Arctic as a visitor is no longer that difficult these days. On the one hand, the internet helps with many information websites and on the other hand, there are numerous books on a wide variety of aspects such as nature or culture. But when it comes to one of the least explored regions of the Arctic, the northeast corner of Greenland, things quickly become more difficult. Lucky for those who own the recently published book “Nord-Est Groenland” by French polar expert Christian Kempf.
On 287 pages, the former French scientist and owner of a polar travel company describes the history, the culture of the few inhabitants, the breathtaking diversity of nature and the interplay of the various influences from the region on Greenland and the world and vice versa. Dozens of beautiful and informative pictures, graphics and maps illustrate the exciting and very clearly written texts. And in its heart, the book illustrates the Northeast Greenland National Park, the largest of its kind wordwide.
On the one hand, the book conveys an enormous amount of knowledge and the connections between terrestrial and marine systems. Of course, sea ice, glaciers and the ice sheet as a whole play an very important role. Based on the latest scientific findings, Christian Kempf describes their roles in the Arctic ecology in great detail, but never at length.
The settlement and the influence of the people on the region, their culture and their living conditions are also an essential part of the book. In a matter-of-fact yet touching way, the author shows how the few inhabitants have preserved their own culture and language versus the rest of Greenland and do not want to leave their home despite the negative effects of climate change.
At its heart, however, is the Northeast Greenland National Park, which at around 972,000 square kilometers is around 2.5 times the size of Germany or almost 1.5 times the size of France. Its borders extend south from Scoresby Sound to the northernmost mainland point of Cape Morris Jessup and from the coast to far beyond the middle of the Greenland ice sheet. Christian Kempf devotes the main part of the book to this enormous region and describes almost everything that is currently known. The vast glaciated region provides enough material for such an attempt, as almost all Arctic animal species live here, from the smallest rodents to the largest land predator, the polar bear, neatly listed in the book and with many descriptions of the most important species. The author has done the same with the surprisingly rich flora and garnished both with expressive pictures. The book also provides facts about the most important geographical points and stations, some of which can be visited and are the only inhabited places within the national park.
In particular, the information about the national park demonstrates the enormous knowledge and expertise of author Christian Kempf. After all, having completed a PhD in geology and ecology, he has traveled to the Arctic and Antarctic since the 1970s. Within 16 years, he undertook and organized 23 expeditions to the regions and carried out research work. He then switched to the private sector and has been offering guided trips on small ships ever since. His aim is not only to show the beauty and natural treasures, but also to provide a comprehensive picture of what is worth knowing. His new book “Nord-Est Groenland” delivers exactly that and appeals not only to Greenland fans, but to every polar enthusiast. The book is currently only available in French from publisher “Escargot Savant”, but an English version is due to be published soon.
Dr Michael Wenger, PolarJournal
| Title: | Nord-Est Groenland – Au coeur du plus grand Parc national due monde |
| Author: | Christian Kempf |
| ISBN: | 978-2-918299-85-1 |
| Publisher: | Escargot Savant |
| Number of Pages: | 287 |
| Weight: | 718 g |
| Size: | 150mm x 220mm |
| First publishing | October 2023 |
| Edition | 1st edition |
| Language: | French / English in preparation |
| Available at: | Directly from Escargot Savant or in bookshops |
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