I don’t know if this was stated in the answer given on the page, but in my history class we studied this. The Vikings gave the names. They were tricking the people. Greenway sounded fertile and pleasant, so of course people went there only to find ice and harsh conditions. However, nobody went to Iceland but it was the “Greenland” they were looking for. This left it open and private for the Vikings.
Link: Shouldn’t Greenland be known as Iceland and vice versa?
bibliophage appears to have considered but rejected that theory:
-Loopus
Plus, I would think anyone sailing from Europe to Greenland would have to stop over in Iceland on the way, thus exposing any potential land-use ruse involved with the names. It would never work.
The “Little Ice Age” referred to by bibliophage (in the PBS link in the report), ended a period of warmer climatic conditions in the North Atlantic which, it is thought, is what allowed the Vikings to range so far west in the first place.
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, ShorT.
It’s helpful to other readers if you provide a link to the Staff Report or column that you’re commenting on. Loopus has helped you out there.
It’s also helpful if the topic subject line gives readers a clue. “The Answer” is pretty broad, so I have taken the liberty of editing it to be more specific.
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