Map of Denmark
Denmark
Exerpted from Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
The Kingdom of Denmark is the
smallest Nordic country, situated
in Scandinavia, in northern
Europe, bordering the Baltic
Sea and the North Sea, on a
peninsula and a number of islands
north of Germany, southwest
of Sweden and south of Norway.
Additionally, the territories of
Greenland and the Faroe Islands
are under Danish sovereignty.
Official language; Danish, co-official with Inuktitut in Greenland.
Capital; Copenhagen
Monarch; Margaret II of Denmark
Prime Minister; Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Area; 43,094 km²
Population; 5,352,815
Independence; before 8th century
Currency; Krone
Time zone; UTC +1
National anthem; Der er et yndigt land
Internet TLD; .DK
Phone Calling Code; 45
Electricity; 230V, 50 Hz.
History
Denmark was first united by
Harold Bluetooth around 980.
Up into the 11th century the
Danes were known as vikings,
colonizing, raiding and
trading in much of Europe.
At various times Denmark has
controlled England, Norway,
Sweden, parts of the Baltic
coast and what is now
northern Germany.
Skåne was part of Denmark
for most of it's early
history, but were lost to
Sweden in 1658.
The union with Norway was
dissolved in 1814, when
Norway entered a new union
with Sweden (until 1905).
The Danish liberal and
national movement gained
momentum in the 1830s, and
after the European revolutions
of 1848 Denmark became a
constitutional monarchy in 1849.
After the Second War of
Schleswig in 1864 Denmark
was forced to cede
Schleswig-Holstein to Prussia,
in a defeat that left deep marks
in the Danish national identity.
After this point Denmark adopted
a policy of neutrality, following
which Denmark stayed neutral
in World War I.
On April 9, 1940, Denmark
was invaded by Germany
(Operation Weserübung) and
remained occupied throughout
World War II, despite some
internal resistance.
After the war, Denmark became
a member of NATO and, in 1973,
the European Union.
Politics
Since 1849, Denmark is a
constitutional monarchy,
governed by the monarch,
whose powers are largely
symbolical.
Denmark's parliament is
unicameral, and named the
Folketing (179 seats).
The Prime Minister is
usually appointed from the
largest party.
The Prime Minister heads the
executive branch of government,
assisted by a cabinet of ministers.
Elections for parliament are
usually held every four years;
but the prime minister can call
for an earlier election,
if he decides so.
Counties
Denmark is divided into
13 counties (amter), and
271 municipalities (kommuner):
Aarhus (Århus), Frederiksborg,
Funen (Fyn), Copenhagen (København),
North Jutland (Nordjylland), Ribe,
Ringkøbing, Roskilde, South Jutland (Sønderjylland),
Storstrøm, Vejle, Viborg, West Zealand (Vestsjælland).
Three municipalities have county privileges:
Bornholm (regional municipality), Copenhagen, Frederiksberg.
Copenhagen County comprise the
municipalities in metropolitan
Copenhagen, except Copenhagen
Municipality and Frederiksberg Municipality.
Bornholm Regional Municipality
comprise the five former municipalities
on the island Bornholm and the island's former county.
Greenland and the Faroe
Islands also belong to the
Kingdom of Denmark, but have
autonomous status and are
largely self-governing, and
are both represented by 2
seats in the parliament.
Geography
Denmark consists of the
Jutland peninsula (Jylland)
and 405 named islands, of
which 82 are inhabited, the
most important are Funen (Fyn)
and Zealand (Sjælland).
The island of Bornholm is
located somewhat east of the
rest of the country, in
the Baltic Sea.
Many of the islands are
connected by bridges; the
Øresund Bridge connects
Zealand with Scandinavia,
and the Great Belt Bridge
connects Funen with Zealand.
The country is mostly flat with
little elevation (highest point
is Yding Skovhøj, at 173 meters).
The climate is temperate, with
mild winters and cool summers.
Main cities are the capital Copenhagen
(on Zealand), Aarhus (on Jutland)
and Odense (on Fyn).
Economy
This thoroughly modern market
economy features high-tech
agriculture, up-to-date
small-scale and corporate industry,
extensive government welfare
measures, comfortable living
standards, a stable currency,
and high dependence on foreign trade.
Denmark is a net exporter of
food and energy and has a
comfortable balance of payments surplus.
The government has been successful
in meeting, and even exceeding,
the economic convergence criteria
for participating in the third phase
(a common European currency) of the
European Monetary Union (EMU), but
Denmark, in a September 2000
referendum, reconfirmed its
decision not to join the 11 other
EU members in the euro.
Even so, the Danish currency
remains pegged to the euro.
Demographics
The majority of the population
is of Scandinavian descent,
with small groups of Inuit
(from Greenland), Faroese,
and immigrants. Danish is
spoken in the entire country,
although a small group near
the German border speaks German.
About 95% of the Danes are Lutherans;
the rest are of other Christian
denominations or muslims.
Culture
The best known Dane is
probably Hans Christian Andersen,
a writer mostly famous for his
fairy tales, such as The
Emperor's New Clothes and
The Ugly Duckling.
Other well known Danes are
existentialist philosopher
Søren Kierkegaard and
physicist Niels Bohr.
Holidays
January 1; New Year's Day
Thursday before Easter Sunday; Maundy Thursday
Friday before Easter Sunday; Good Friday
March/April Easter Sunday (The Danish celebrate three days of Easter.)
The day after Easter Sunday; Easter Monday 2
May 1; Labour Day (Not everybody has this day off).
June 5; Constitution Day (The signing of the
Danish constitution in 1849).
St. Bededag; (Varies, a collection of
smaller christian holidays into one full day).
Ascension Day; (40 days after Easter)
Pentecost; (7 weeks after Easter, the Danish
celebrate two days of Pentecost.
December 24; Christmas Eve (The children get presents
on the eve before Christmas day.)
December 25; Christmas Day (The Danish celebrate
three days of Christmas).
December 26; 2. Christmas Day.
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