Canada and Denmark's Secret Island War—And How It Ended

Kidney Island: The Tiny Arctic Rock That Changed Canada's Borders Forever

In a surprising turn of events, Canada and Denmark—two nations separated by thousands of miles of ocean—became land neighbors in 2022. The source of this unexpected connection? A tiny, uninhabited Arctic rock now officially known as Kidney Island (formerly Hans Island). For decades, the island was at the center of one of the world’s most good-natured territorial disputes, famously known as the Whiskey War.

This article explores how Kidney Island brought Canada and Denmark together, the bizarre history of its dispute, and why its resolution in 2022 was more than just a cartographic change—it was a geopolitical statement.

A Border in the Middle of Nowhere

Before 2022, Canada and Denmark (via Greenland) were part of an exclusive club—countries that shared a land border with only one other nation. Canada’s only land neighbor was the United States, while Denmark’s was Germany. That changed when they agreed to split Kidney Island, a barren rock about half a square mile in size, located in the icy waters of the Nares Strait between Canada’s Nunavut territory and Greenland.

The island itself is insignificant in terms of resources or population. No one lives there permanently, and its closest inhabited settlements—Alert, Canada, and Siorapaluk, Greenland—are over 100 miles away. Yet for decades, it was a source of diplomatic tension, albeit a humorous and relatively friendly one.

The Whiskey War: A Decades-Long Battle of Booze and Flags

The dispute over Kidney Island dates back to the 1970s, when Canada and Denmark began defining their maritime borders. Everything went smoothly—except for this tiny rock in the middle of the Nares Strait. Both countries claimed it, and instead of fighting, they engaged in one of the most lighthearted territorial conflicts in history.

For years, Danish and Canadian forces would take turns landing on the island, removing the other’s flag, and planting their own. To keep things friendly, they left behind bottles of whiskey or schnapps as a sign of respect—hence the name "Whiskey War."

• In 1984, a Canadian expedition left a bottle of Canadian Club whiskey and raised the Maple Leaf.
• The Danes responded by planting their flag and leaving a bottle of Danish schnapps.
• This back-and-forth continued for decades, with soldiers and diplomats participating in the tradition.

Despite its humorous nature, the dispute occasionally sparked real diplomatic tension. In 2005, Canada’s Defense Minister visited the island, prompting a formal Danish protest and even the deployment of a Danish warship. However, the two countries quickly de-escalated, agreeing to seek a peaceful resolution.

Why Kidney Island's Resolution Mattered

After years of diplomatic back-and-forth, Canada and Denmark finally agreed in June 2022 to split the island. Canada took about 40%, while Denmark, through Greenland, took the remaining 60%.

At first glance, this might seem like a trivial change—just a tiny new border on the map. However, resolving the dispute was about more than just Kidney Island.

1. Strengthening NATO Unity – With tensions rising globally, particularly due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Canada and Denmark (both NATO members) wanted to show that territorial disputes could be resolved peacefully. This was especially significant in the Arctic, where geopolitical competition is increasing.
2. Political Timing – The dispute had often been used by politicians in both countries as a symbolic, low-risk show of patriotism. With other global issues taking priority, it was finally in both governments' interest to settle the matter.
3. Legal Clarity – Even though the island itself lacks valuable resources, its resolution brought clarity to Arctic border laws, which may be relevant for future disputes over shipping routes and potential resource exploration.

A Fun Footnote in History

Kidney Island may never become a major travel destination, and it’s unlikely that anyone will move there anytime soon. But its history as the site of the world’s friendliest territorial dispute ensures its place in the annals of international relations.

By resolving the dispute, Canada and Denmark officially became land neighbors—an unexpected geographical twist that will remain on the maps for generations to come.