The Arctic Island of Greenland is assuming self-rule, in the latest step towards independence from Denmark.
The move follows a referendum on greater autonomy in November.
It will see Greenland take a greater share of revenues from its natural resources.
The local government is taking control of the police and the courts.
Greenlandic - or Kalaallisut - becomes the official language.
Denmark has the final say in defence and foreign policy matters.
Copenhagen has ruled Greenland for three centuries. It granted the territory limited sovereignty in 1979.
But the new self-rule system takes the Arctic island and its 57,000 inhabitants closer to independence.
Greenlanders - most of whom are native Inuit - will be treated as a separate people under international law.
