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DenmarkDenmark{{otheruses}} The '''Kingdom of Denmark''' is geographically the smallest Nordic country and is part of the European Union. It is located in Scandinavia, which is in northern Europe. Denmark borders the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, and consists of a peninsula attached to Northern Germany named Jutland (''Jylland'' in Danish), the islands Funen (''Fyn''), Zealand (''Sjælland''), Bornholm and many smaller islands. Denmark is north of Germany, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway. Additionally, the territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands are under the Danish crown, while enjoying political home rule. {| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |+<big><big>'''Kongeriget Danmark'''</big></big> | align="center" colspan="2"| {| border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="background:#f9f9f9; text-align:center;" | width="130px"| image:Civil_Flag_Denmark.png|105px|Flag of Denmark || align=center width=130px| Image:The small Danish Coat of Arms.jpg|70px|Denmark Coat of Arms |- | width="130px"| (Flag of Denmark|In Detail) |} |- | align=center colspan=2 | <small>''Motto of the Queen: Guds hjælp, Folkets kærlighed, Danmarks styrke<br>(English language|English: God's help, the People's love, Denmark's strength)''</small> |- | align=center colspan=2 style="background:#f9f9f9;" | image:LocationDenmark.png|Location of Denmark |- |'''Official language''' || Danish language|Danish<sup>1</sup> |- |'''Capital''' || Copenhagen |- |'''Largest City''' || Copenhagen |- |'''List of Danish monarchs|Monarch''' || Margrethe II of Denmark|Margrethe II |- |'''List of Prime Ministers of Denmark|Prime Minister''' || Anders Fogh Rasmussen (from the Venstre (Denmark)|Liberal Party) |- |'''Area'''<br> - Total<br> - % water |List of countries by area|Ranked 131st <br>1 E10 m2|43,094 km²<br>1.6% |- |'''Population'''<br> - Total (2005)<br> - Population density|Density |List of countries by population|Ranked 108th<br>5,432,335 <br>125/km² |- |'''Gross Domestic Product|GDP''' (2003)<br> - Total (PPP)<br>- Total<br> - GDP/capita (PPP)<br> - GDP/capita | <br/> $170 billion (List of countries by GDP (PPP)|41st)<br>$212 billion (List of countries by GDP (nominal)|23rd)<br>$31,630 (List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|5th)<br>$39,429 (List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|4th) |- |'''Currency''' || Danish krone |- | '''Time zone''' <br /> - in European Summer Time|summer | Central European Time|CET (Coordinated Universal Time|UTC+1)<br>Central European Summer Time|CEST (Coordinated Universal Time|UTC+2) |- | '''National anthem''' || Der er et yndigt land |- | '''Royal anthem''' || Kong Christian |- | '''Top-level domain|Internet TLD''' || .dk |- | '''List_of_country_calling_codes|Calling Code''' || +45 |- | colspan=2 | <small><sup>1</sup> Co-official with Greenlandic in Greenland, and Faroese language|Faroese in the Faroe Islands, as well as German language|German, which is a recognised and protected minority language in southern Denmark.</small> |} == History == ''Main article: History of Denmark'' The origin of Denmark is lost in prehistory. But most likely had Danmark origin in the tribe Dani, from Jutland. The oldest Danevirke is from the 7th century, at the same time as the new Runic alphabet. Denmark was originally a union of the states: (lands:) Jutland, Funen, Langeland, Lolland, Zealand, Scania and perhaps Halland and some not well-known border districts in east and north. But the (North) Dane living outside Denmark on west coast of the peninsula of Scandinavia. Up into the 11th century the Danes were known as Vikings, colonising, raiding and trading in much of Europe. At various times Denmark has ruled England, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, and parts of the Virgin Islands, Tranquebar in India, parts of the Baltic region|Baltic coast and what is now northern Germany. Scania, Blekinge and Halland were part of Denmark for most of its early history, but were lost to Sweden in 1658. The Denmark-Norway|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 June 5 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 Nazi Germany (''Operation Weserübung)'' and remained Occupation of Denmark|occupied throughout World War II, despite some internal resistance. After the war, Denmark became a member of NATO and, in 1973, the EEC|European Economic Community (later, the European Union). == Politics and Government == ''Main article: Politics of Denmark'' In 1849 Denmark became a constitutional monarchy with the adoption of a new constitution. The List of Danish monarchs|monarch is formally head of state, a role which is mainly ceremonial, since executive power is exercised by the cabinet ministers, with the prime minister acting as the first among equals (''primus inter pares''). Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Danish parliament, known as the ''Folketing'', which consists of (no more than) 179 members. The courts of Denmark are functionally and administratively independent of the executive and the legislature. Elections for parliament must be held at least every four years; but the prime minister can call for an earlier election, if he so decides. Should parliament succeed in a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister the entire government resigns. == Counties == ''Main article: Counties of Denmark'' Denmark is divided into 13 county|counties (''amter'', singular ''amt''), and 271 Municipalities of Denmark|municipalities (''kommuner'', singular ''kommune''): * Aarhus County|Aarhus * Frederiksborg County|Frederiksborg * Funen County|Funen ''(Fyn)'' * Copenhagen County|Copenhagen ''(København)'' * North Jutland County|North Jutland ''(Nordjylland)'' * Ribe County|Ribe * Ringkjøbing County|Ringkjøbing * Roskilde County|Roskilde * South Jutland County|South Jutland ''(Sønderjylland)'' * Storstrøm County|Storstrøm * Vejle County|Vejle * Viborg County|Viborg * West Zealand County|West Zealand ''(Vestsjælland)'' Three municipalities have county privileges: * Bornholm (regional municipality) * Copenhagen (København) * Frederiksberg Copenhagen County comprises the municipalities of 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. It should be noted that as of July 2004, the government is in the process of a structural reform (the Municipality Reform, Kommunalreformen). The 13 counties (amter) will in 2007 be replaced with 5 new regions (regioner), while the 271 municipalities will be consolidated into around 100 larger units of at least 20,000 inhabitants and take over most of the responsibilities of the current counties. Greenland and the Faroe Islands also belong to the Kingdom of Denmark, but have autonomous status and are largely self-governing, and are each represented by two seats in the parliament. == Geography == Image:Da-map.png|framed|Map of Denmark ''Main article: Geography of Denmark'' Denmark consists of the peninsula of Jutland ''(Jylland)'' and 405 named islands. Of these, 82 are inhabited, with the largest being Zealand ''(Sjælland)'' and Funen ''(Fyn)''. 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 Sweden, the Great Belt Bridge connects Funen with Zealand, and the Small Belt Bridge connects Jutland with Funen. The country is mostly flat with little elevation; the highest natural point is [Ejer Bavnehoej], at 171 metres. The climate is temperate, with mild winters and cool summers. Main cities are the capital Copenhagen (on Zealand), Aarhus, Aalborg (on Jutland) and Odense (on Fyn). == Economy == ''Main article: Economy of Denmark'' {{factbook section}} 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 Danish economy is highly unionized; 75% of its labor force [http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/01/10/business/unions2.html] are members of a union in the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions. Relationships between unions and employers are cooperative: unions have a day-to-day role in managing the workplace, and their representatives sit on most company's board of directors. Rules on work schedules and pay are negotiated between unions and employers, with minimal government involvement (there is no minimum wage#Worldwide minimum wages|minimum wage, for example). The government has been very successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase (a common European currency) of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), but Denmark, in a September 2000 referendum, reconfirmed its decision not to join the 12 other EU members in the euro. Even so, the Danish currency remains pegged to the euro. Denmark has also placed first on the Economist Intelligence Unit's "e-readiness" rankings for the past two years. "A country's "e-readiness" is a measure of its e-business environment, a collection of factors that indicate how amenable a market is to Internet-based opportunities." == Demographics == ''Main article: Demographics of Denmark'' The majority of the population is of Scandinavian descent, with small groups of Inuit (from Greenland), Faroese language|Faroese, and immigrants. According to official statistics in 2003 immigrants made up 6.2% of the total population. Danish language|Danish is spoken in the entire country, although a small group near the German border also speaks German language|German. According to official statistics from January 2002 84.3% of Danes are members of the state church, the Church of Denmark|Danish People's Church (''Den Danske Folkekirke''), also known as the Church of Denmark, a form of Lutheranism; the rest are primarily of other Christianity|Christian denominations and also about 3% are Muslims. == Culture == ''Main article: Culture of Denmark'' The Dane most well-known in other countries 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 include: * Morten Andersen, NFL kicker (Only in the United States) * Bille August, film director * Karen Blixen, also known as Isak Dinesen, author * Niels Bohr, physicist and Nobel Prize laureate * Aage Niels Bohr, physicist and Nobel Prize laureate * Victor Borge, entertainer, pianist * Tycho Brahe, astronomer * Ole Kirk Christiansen, inventor of LEGO * René Dif, member of the pop band Aqua (band)|Aqua * Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, painter * Johannes Andreas Grib Fibiger, physician and Nobel Prize laureate * Niels Ryberg Finsen, physician and Nobel Prize laureate * Karl Gjellerup, author and Nobel Prize laureate * N.F.S. Grundtvig, pioneering educationalist * Anders Hejlsberg, computer science|computer scientist, inventor of the C_Sharp_programming_language|C# programming language * Ludvig_Holberg, dramatist, historian, and essayist * Arne Jacobsen, architect, designer * Georg Jensen, designer * Johannes Vilhelm Jensen, Author and Nobel Prize laureate * Niels Kaj Jerne, immunologist and Nobel Prize laureate * Søren Kierkegaard, existentialism|existentialist philosopher * Schack August Steenberg Krogh, physiologist and Nobel Prize laureate * Bent Larsen, professional chess player * Vilhelm Lauritzen, architect * Rasmus Lerdorf, computer science|computer scientist, inventor of the PHP programming language * Jørgen Leth, filmmaker * Knud Ejler Løgstrup, Christian philosophy|Christian philosopher * Viggo Mortensen, actor * Whigfield, singer * Brigitte Nielsen, actor|actress * Connie Nielsen, actor|actress * Carl Nielsen, composer * Jakob Nielsen (mathematician)|Jakob Nielsen, mathematician * Hans Christian Ørsted, physicist, discoverer of electromagnetism * Henrik Pontoppidan, author and Nobel Prize laureate * Knud Rasmussen, explorer * Jacob Riis, photographer,journalist and social activist * Jens Christian Skou, Chemist and Nobel Prize laureate * Niels Steensen, anatomist, Roman Catholic bishop and saint * Bjarne Stroustrup, computer science|computer scientist, inventor of the C_Plus_Plus|C++ programming language * Bertel Thorvaldsen, sculpture|sculptor * Lars von Trier, film director * Lars Ulrich, musician, member of band Metallica * Jørn Utzon, architect == Miscellaneous topics == *Courts of Denmark *Communications in Denmark *Danish colonization of the Americas *Education in Denmark *Foreign relations of Denmark *Holidays in Denmark *List of Danish monarchs - Danish monarchs family tree *Danish Orders of Chivalry *List of towns in Denmark *Military of Denmark *Rescue of the Danish Jews *Stamps and postal history of Denmark *Tourism in Denmark *Transportation in Denmark *Trees of Denmark *Reporters without borders Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2004: Ranked 1 out of 166 countries (in an 8-way tie) ==See also== * Cuisine of Denmark * Culture of Denmark * List of Danish painters * List of Danes|List of notable Danish people * List of people on stamps of Denmark * Music of Denmark ==References== * [http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/index.asp In-depth description of Denmark published by the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs] == External links == * [http://www.denmark.dk/ Government of Denmark] * [http://www.mediatico.com/en/newspapers/europe/denmark Danish Newspapers] * [http://grundlov.thepusher.dk/index.english.php Information on the Danish constitution] * [http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=14785 Satellite image of Denmark] at NASA's Earth Observatory * [http://www.bo-k.dk/dk/ Old Denmark in Cyberspace - Information about Denmark and the Danes] * [http://www.world-gazetteer.com/s/p_dk.htm List of Danish cities] from world-gazetteer.com * [http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/denmark/index.do Human rights reports] from Amnesty International * [http://www.milhist.dk/index_uk.htm Danish military history] * [http://www.kms.dk/C1256C62002F8C6B/ Online charts and maps by the Danish survey authority] {{Europe}} {{EU_countries}} Category:Denmark| Category:Monarchies Category:European Union member states <!-- The below are interlanguage links. --> af:Denemarke ang:Denemearc ast:Dinamarca bg:Дания bn:ডেনমার্ক ca:Dinamarca cs:Dánsko cy:Denmarc da:Danmark de:Dänemark et:Taani el:Δανία es:Dinamarca eo:Danio fo:Danmark fr:Danemark fy:Denemark ga:An Danmhairg gd:An Danmhairg gl:Dinamarca - Danmark ht:Dànmak hi:डेनमार्क hr:Danska io:Dania id:Denmark ia:Danmark is:Danmörk it:Danimarca he:דנמרק ka:დანია ks:Ḍēnamārka la:Dania lv:Dānija lt:Danija li:Daenemark ms:Denmark zh-min-nan:Dan-kok nl:Denemarken nds:Däänmark ja:デンマーク no:Danmark nb:Danmark nn:Danmark oc:Danemarc pl:Dania pt:Dinamarca ro:Danemarca ru:Дания se:Dánmárku sa:डेनमार्क simple:Denmark sl:Danska sr:Данска fi:Tanska sv:Danmark ta:டென்மார்க் tr:Danimarka uk:Данія yi:דענמאַרק zh:丹麦 First page | Prev | Next | Last page | This article on Denmark is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. 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