Denmark is a prosperous and thriving nation of 5.7 million people – and as an independent country since the late 10th century, it is also one of the oldest countries in Europe. Denmark’s political system is one of constitutional monarchy, allowing it to combine its nearly 1.000 years of history and tradition with all the features of a modern democratic state.
Denmark is the southernmost country in Scandinavia, and its territory incorporates the Jutland Peninsula and around 406 islands (approximately 80 of which are inhabited).
Greenland and the Faroe Islands are parts of the kingdom of Denmark but both Greenland and the Faroe Islands enjoy extended self-rule.
Denmark has a coastline of around 7.300 kilometres, and a 86-kilometre land border with Germany, and is also a distinctly low-lying country, with the highest point only 173 metres above sea level.
Administratively, the country is divided into 5 regions and 98 local authorities (called kommuner).
Most of Denmark (approximately 64 percent) is under cultivation, while 12 percent is covered by deciduous or coniferous forest. Meadow, heath, marshland, bogs, sand hills and lake constitute around 10 percent of the country, with built-up areas making up the remaining 13 percent or so. The climate is temperate and the rainfall is sufficient to provide all the water needed.
The population in Denmark is approximately 5.7 million, and the population density is around 347 persons per square mile. The number of foreign immigrants is approximately 300.000 and in addition the country has a small German minority in southern Jutland. The language all over the country is Danish, and the vast majority of the population has been baptized into the established Protestant Church.
Denmark is a developed and industrialized country with a market economy; indeed many of the its largest companies are household names across the world. At the same time, the country’s state and other public authorities exercise considerable regulatory control in the social sphere (health, education and social security), providing comprehensive services to all citizens.
The politics of Denmark take place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democracy, a constitutional monarchy and a decentralized unitary state in which the monarch of Denmark, Queen Margrethe ll, is head of state.
Denmark is also a highly urbanized country, with around 85 percent of the population living in cities – the Copenhagen region comprising approximately 623.404 inhabitants. The country’s second largest city is Aarhus (336.411 inhabitants), while a network of medium-size towns is dotted across the remainder of the country.
Denmark has a well-developed transportation system – it has an excellent road network connecting all parts of the country; railways, and air links provide fast transport, while ferries and a large number of bridges connect the islands.
Facts about Denmark
- In the Danish alphabet there are three letters which are not found in the English – Æ, Ø and Å.
- Denmark is the longest uninterrupted monarchy in Europe.
- You can’t be further away from the ocean than one hour.
- Some of the best restaurants in the world is in Denmark.
- Health care is free.
- Education is also free and the students receive money called SU from the government to live for while studying.
- Denmark has 444 islands, but only 76 of them are inhabited.
- Denmark is the world’s leading producers of windmills – with more than 90% of the world’s offshore wind turbines.
- Denmark has some of the finest drinking/tap water in the world.
