Denmark Facts

Denmark is a northern European country that is located on the border of Germany to the south. It is a small country consisting of a Jutland Peninsula and over four hundred islands that exist in the North Sea. While the land is mostly flat with lightly rolling hills, it has a coastline that is long and contains many inlets, gulfs, and lagoons. The astounding part is that there isn’t any location in Denmark that is over 32 miles (67 km) located from the sea.

Fun Facts about Denmark:

Population: 5,569,077 people
Capital City: Copenhagen
Area: 16,638 sq mi (43,094 sq km)
Language: Danish
Currency: Krone

History Facts:

The area that we call Denmark is officially known now as the Kingdom of Denmark. People have lived in the area since the Stone Age, with archeological evidence showing that they existed there from 50,000 B.C.

It is believed that the area was attractive to live in because of the warm gulfstream that gives it a mild climate.
Evidence shows that the Viking warriors from the Scandinavian countries, including Denmark, were those that sent raiding parties throughout Europe in the 9th-11th centuries.
The Vikings were a powerful culture, known for their sea faring abilities as well as their methods of war. Archeologists have found the remains of Viking settlements as far away as Greenland.

The people living in Denmark are known as ‘Danes’ and they are considered to be Nordic Scandinavians. They are known for the tall height, blonde hair and blue eyes. Those that reside in the southern parts of the country have German ancestors.

Many of the cities that currently exist were created after the era of the Vikings.
During the 14th century, Sweden, Norway. Finland and Denmark were united as one country as the Union of Kalmar by Queen Margrethe. In 1523, Sweden removed itself from this agreement but Norway remained until 1814.

World War II brought about an agreement between Germany and Denmark that neither country would attack each other. However, the Germans backed out on their part of the agreement in 1940 when they made a surprise attack. While Denmark could retain its own government in the beginning, eventually Germany took complete control in 1943.

After the end of World War II, Denmark returned to its former monarchy.
Interesting Facts:
Denmark is considered to be a ‘constitutional monarchy’ which means that the Queen may be listed as the head of state, it is the prime minister that is actually the head of the government.
Denmark has a single chamber parliament called the Folketing. It consists of 179 members that are elected to the positions.

In 2012, Queen Margrethe II celebrated her fortieth year on the throne. Denmark has the longest line of unbroken European rulers and Queen Margrethe traces her ancestors back to the tenth century to King Gorm.

The Danish are listed as having the highest living standards of any country in the world. Each Danish family receives over $1,500 per child under the age of 18 years, each year.
Almost 85% of the Danish people follow the National Church of Denmark.
Many of the people of Denmark ride bicycles as their main method of transportation.
The government and the people of Denmark have a keen interest in ecology. Due to the amount of wind that they have, they have instituted a large number of windmills throughout the country that brings them 28% of all of their electrical needs. They were the first country to have both on and offshore wind power in the world.

Exports/Import Facts:

Denmark has an incredible industrialized past and present. Some of their major industries include: food processing, iron, nonferrous metals, steel, electronics, construction, shipbuilding as well as ship refurbishing, pharmaceuticals, windmills, furniture and wood products, clothing, textiles, machinery and transportation equipment and medical equipment.

The country is rich in natural resources including fish, natural gas, chalk, stone, petroleum, limestone, sand and gravel.
The warmer climate in Denmark allows them to raise potatoes, wheat, sugar beets, and barley as well as dairy products and fish.
The exports that Denmark are known for include: meat and meat products, instruments and machinery, dairy products, fish, ships, windmills, furniture and chemicals.
Denmark does import those resources that they do not have on hand. These typically include: raw materials for their industries of semi-manufacturers, consumer goods, grains and foodstuffs, chemicals machinery and equipment.