How did Greenland get its name?

Answer:
Answer
The story of it being just clever advertising is widely told and believed, but it is a myth. At the time that Greenland was discovered, the Earth was a bit warmer and southern Greenland actually had green meadows and could sustain villages of Norse settlers and their cattle, sheep, goats, horses, etc. The name was actually an accurate description of the land at the time.
Since that time the Earth had cooled down some and the ice sheets advanced, forcing the Norse settlers out again.
A similar history befell the early Norse settlers to "Vineland" (North America). When they arrived the weather was warm enough to grow grapes. Ultimately global cooling drove the Norsemen back to Greenland and then Iceland. The colony in Iceland was well established by that time and survived.
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First answer by Eric M Jones. Last edit by Laceyhottie. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 11 [recommend question].