[Soul of the South]

As I recall from history, the Vikings began settling Greenland about 980 during the medieval warm period. The island had forests and grasslands near the coast at that time which was warmer than today. The Norse settlers were able to farm the land until about 1400 when the settlements disappeared, likely due to the cooling of the climate.

[grania]

Michael Dimond wrote a book about ten years ago (I don't recall the title). In it, he compared successful vs unsuccessful civilizations having about the same potential.

Greenland was a farming community for the Vikings. It wasn't just the colder weather that did them in. It was totally deforesting the island. That's why the Vikings found their way to North America way back, in medeival times. They were looking for more wood and resources. (according to the book)

[VeniVidiVici]

As I recall from history, the Vikings began settling Greenland about 980 during the medieval warm period. The island had forests and grasslands near the coast at that time which was warmer than today. The Norse settlers were able to farm the land until about 1400 when the settlements disappeared, likely due to the cooling of the climate.

I read this researching a paper. I also read a Lib try to explain off the warm period saying that Greenland was NOT "green". That the Vikings named the island Greenland simply to entice other potential immigrants to go there.

I kid you not.