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{{Short description|Country in Northern Europe}} | |||
{{otheruses}} | |||
{{About|metropolitan Denmark|the sovereign state|Danish Realm|all other uses}} | |||
{{Infobox Country | |||
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}} | |||
|native_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;">''Danmark''</span> | |||
{{Use British English|date=January 2022}} | |||
|conventional_long_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;">Denmark</span> | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} | |||
|common_name = Denmark | |||
<!-- Please DO NOT put information about the Faroe Islands and Greenland in the article, this article is about "metropolitan Denmark" which excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland. --> | |||
|image_flag = Flag of Denmark.svg | |||
{{Infobox political division | |||
|image_coat = COA_of_Denmark.svg | |||
| name = Denmark<!--Do not change to Kingdom of Denmark; it has its own article.--> | |||
|national_motto = none<br />(]: ''Guds hjælp, Folkets kærlighed, Danmarks styrke''<br /><small>"The Help of God, the Love of the People, the Strength of Denmark"</small>) | |||
| native_name = {{native name|da|Danmark}}<!--Do not change to Kingdom of Denmark; it has its own article.--> | |||
|image_map = EU location DEN.png | |||
| settlement_type = ] | |||
|map_caption = {{map caption|country=]|region=]|subregion=the ]|legend=European location legend en.png}} | |||
| image_flag = Flag of Denmark.svg | |||
|national_anthem = '']'' <small>(national)</small><br /> | |||
| flag_size = 120 | |||
|royal_anthem = '']'' <small>(royal and national)</small> | |||
| flag_link = Flag of Denmark | |||
|official_languages = ]<sup>1</sup> | |||
| image_seal = National Coat of arms of Denmark.svg | |||
|ethnic_groups = 91.1% ], 8.9% (], ], ], ], ], ]) | |||
| seal_size = 65 | |||
|demonym = ] or Danes | |||
| seal_type = Coat of arms | |||
|capital = ] | |||
| seal_link = Coat of arms of Denmark | |||
|latd=55 |latm=43 |latNS=N |longd=12 |longm=34 |longEW=E | |||
| anthem = {{native name|da|]|link=on}}<br />({{langx|en|"There is a lovely country"}})<div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">{{center|]}}</div> | |||
|largest_city = capital | |||
| song = {{native name|da|]|link=on}}{{refn|''Kong Christian'' has equal status as a ] but is generally used only on ] and military occasions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Not one but two national anthems|url=http://denmark.dk/en/quick-facts/national-anthems/|publisher=]|access-date=18 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515093426/http://denmark.dk/en/quick-facts/national-anthems|archive-date=15 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>|group="N"}}<br />({{langx|en|"King Christian stood by the lofty mast"}})<br /><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">{{center|]}}</div> | |||
|government_type = ] and ] | |||
| song_type = '''National and royal anthem''' | |||
|leader_title1 = ] | |||
| image_map = {{switcher|]|Show globe|]|Show map of Europe|default=2}} | |||
|leader_title2 = ] | |||
| map_caption = {{map caption | |||
|leader_title3 = ] | |||
| countryprefix = metropolitan | |||
|leader_name1 = ] | |||
| location_color = dark green | |||
|leader_name2 = ] | |||
| region = Europe | |||
|leader_name3 = ] | |||
| region_color = dark grey | |||
|leader_title4 = ] | |||
| subregion = the ] | |||
|leader_name4 = ] | |||
| subregion_color = light green | |||
|accessionEUdate = 1 January 1973 (7<sup>th</sup>) | |||
}} | |||
|area_km2 = 43,098.31 | |||
| subdivision_type = ] | |||
|area_sq_mi = 16,640² <!--Do not remove per ]--> | |||
| subdivision_name = ] | |||
|area_rank = 134th² | |||
| established_title = ] | |||
|area_magnitude = 1 E10 | |||
| established_date = {{circa}} 8th century{{sfnp|Stone|Bain|Booth|Parnell|2008|p=31}} | |||
|percent_water = 1.6² | |||
| established_title2 = {{nowrap|]}} | |||
|population_estimate = 5,505,995 | |||
| established_date2 = 5 June 1849 | |||
|population_estimate_year = 1 October 2008 | |||
| official_languages = ] | |||
|population_estimate_rank = 108th | |||
| languages_type = ]s | |||
|population_density_km2 = 127.8 | |||
| languages_sub = yes | |||
|population_density_sq_mi = 331.0 <!--Do not remove per ]--> | |||
| languages = ]<ref group="N">German is recognised as a protected minority language in the South Jutland area of Denmark.</ref> | |||
|population_density_rank = 78th² | |||
| demonym = {{hlist|]|]}} | |||
|GDP_PPP_year = 2007 | |||
| capital = ] | |||
|GDP_PPP = $203.519 billion<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2008/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2004&ey=2008&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=128&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=70&pr.y=20|title=Report for Selected Countries and Subjects<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> | |||
| largest_city = capital | |||
|GDP_PPP_rank = 49th | |||
| coordinates = {{Coord|55|43|N|12|34|E|type:city}} | |||
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $37,264<ref name="autogenerated1" /> (IMF) | |||
| ethnic_groups = {{ublist |item_style=white-space; | |||
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 14th | |||
|86.11% ]{{refn|group="N"|including ], ] ], and ] ]}} | |||
|GDP_nominal = $312.046 billion<ref name="autogenerated1" /> | |||
|13.89% ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/ltc/1997/97|title=Bekendtgørelse af ILO-konvention nr. 169 af 28. juni 1989 vedrørende oprindelige folk og stammefolk i selvstændige stater|date=9 October 1997|website=Retsinformation.dk|access-date=30 September 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008125927/https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/ltc/1997/97|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://um.dk/da/udenrigspolitik/lande-og-regioner/den-dansk-tyske-mindretalsordning/|title=Den dansk-tyske mindretalsordning|website=UM.dk|access-date=30 September 2020|archive-date=29 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929171028/https://um.dk/da/udenrigspolitik/lande-og-regioner/den-dansk-tyske-mindretalsordning/|url-status=live}}</ref>}} | |||
|GDP_nominal_rank = 27th | |||
| ethnic_groups_year = 2020 | |||
|GDP_nominal_year = 2007 | |||
| government_type = Unitary parliamentary ] | |||
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $57,136<ref name="autogenerated1" /> (IMF) | |||
| leader_title1 = ] | |||
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 6th | |||
| leader_name1 = ] | |||
|Gini = 24.7 | |||
| leader_title2 = ] | |||
|Gini_year = 1997 | |||
| leader_name2 = ] | |||
|Gini_Relations = Canadians of Europe | |||
| legislature = ] | |||
|Gini_rank = 1st | |||
| area_km2 = 43,094<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/denmark/#geography|title=Denmark|date=21 November 2023|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|access-date=22 November 2023|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705032013/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/denmark/#geography|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|Gini_category = <font color="#009900">low</font> | |||
| |
| area_rank = 130th | ||
| area_sq_mi = 16,580<!--Do not remove per ]--> | |||
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.949 | |||
| percent_water = 1.74<ref>{{cite web|title=Surface water and surface water change|access-date=11 October 2020|publisher=] (OECD)|url=https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER|archive-date=24 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324133453/https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
|HDI_rank = 14th | |||
| elevation_max_m = 170.86 | |||
|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font> | |||
| elevation_max_ft = | |||
|sovereignty_type = Consolidation | |||
| elevation_max_point = ] | |||
|sovereignty_note = 8th century | |||
| population_estimate = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 5,982,117<ref group="N" name="denonly group=N" /><ref name="Pop.Denmark">{{cite web |title=Development in the number of inhabitants month by month |url=https://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/emner/borgere/befolkning/befolkningstal |publisher=] |website=www.dst.dk |access-date=27 October 2024}}</ref> | |||
|currency = ] | |||
| population_estimate_rank = 112th | |||
|currency_code = DKK | |||
| population_estimate_year = September 2024 | |||
|time_zone = ]² | |||
| population_density_km2 = {{#expr: 5982117/43094 round 1}} | |||
|utc_offset = +1 | |||
| GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $496.696 billion<ref group="N" name="denonly group=N" /><ref name="IMFWEO.DK">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/October/weo-report?c=128,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2022&ey=2029&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2024 Edition. (Denmark) |publisher=] |website=www.imf.org |date=22 October 2024 |access-date=27 October 2024}}</ref> | |||
|time_zone_DST = ]² | |||
| GDP_PPP_year = 2024 | |||
|utc_offset_DST = +2 | |||
| |
| GDP_PPP_rank = 52nd | ||
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $83,454<ref name="IMFWEO.DK" /> | |||
|cctld = ]<sup>2,3</sup> | |||
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 10th | |||
|calling_code = +45<sup>4</sup> | |||
| GDP_nominal = {{increase}} $412.293 billion<ref group="N" name="denonly group=N" /><ref name="IMFWEO.DK" /> | |||
|footnotes = <sup>1</sup> ] is recognised as a protected minority language in the South Jutland (Sønderjylland) area of Denmark. Danish is recognised as a protected minority language in the ] region of ].<br />² For Denmark excluding the Faroe Islands and Greenland.<br />³ The TLD ] is shared with other ] countries.<br /><sup>4</sup> The Faroe Islands use +298 and Greenland uses +299. | |||
| GDP_nominal_year = 2024 | |||
}} | |||
| GDP_nominal_rank = 37th | |||
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $69,273<ref name="IMFWEO.DK" /> | |||
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 9th | |||
| Gini = 27.7 <!--number only--> | |||
| Gini_year = 2022 | |||
| Gini_change = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady--> | |||
| Gini_ref = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tessi190/default/table?lang=en |title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income – EU-SILC survey |publisher=] |website=ec.europa.eu |access-date=25 November 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009091832/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tessi190/default/table?lang=en |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| HDI = 0.952 | |||
| HDI_year = 2022<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year--> | |||
| HDI_change = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady--> | |||
| HDI_ref = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2023/24|language=en|publisher=]|date=13 March 2024|page=288|access-date=13 March 2024|archive-date=13 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313164319/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| HDI_rank = 5th | |||
| currency = ]<ref group="N">In the Faroe Islands the currency has a separate design and is known as the ], but is not a separate currency.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}</ref> | |||
| timezone = ] | |||
| utc_offset = +01:00 | |||
| timezone_DST = ] | |||
| utc_offset_DST = +02:00 | |||
| calling_code = ] | |||
| cctld = ]<ref group="N">The ] ] is shared with other ] countries.</ref> | |||
|population_density_rank=93rd <!-- Should match ] -->}} | |||
'''Denmark'''{{efn|{{langx|da|Danmark}}, {{IPA|da|ˈtænmɑk|pron|DA-Danmark.ogg}}}} is a ] in ]. It is the ] and most populous constituent of the ],<ref group="N">{{langx|da|Kongeriget Danmark}}, {{IPA|da|ˈkʰɔŋəʁiːð̩ ˈtænmɑk|pron|Kongeriget Danmark.ogg}}.</ref> also known as the ], a ]ally ] that includes the ] of the ] and ] in the north ].<ref name="territory">*{{Cite web|last=Benedikter|first=Thomas|date=19 June 2006|title=The working autonomies in Europe|url=http://www.gfbv.it/3dossier/eu-min/autonomy.html|publisher=]|quote=Denmark has established very specific territorial autonomies with its two island territories|access-date=8 June 2012|archive-date=9 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309063149/http://www.gfbv.it/3dossier/eu-min/autonomy.html|url-status=dead}} | |||
'''Denmark''' {{Audio-IPA|en-us-Denmark.ogg|}} ({{audio-da|Danmark|Kongeriget Danmark.ogg}}, {{IPA2|ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊}}, (archaic:) {{IPA2|ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊}}) is a country in the ]n region of northern ] and a member country of the ''']'''. It is the southernmost of the ]. The mainland is bordered to the south by ]; Denmark is southwest of ] and south of ]. Denmark borders both the ] and the ]. The country consists of a large peninsula, ] (Jylland) and many islands, most notably ] (Sjælland), ] (Fyn), ], ], ] and ] as well as hundreds of minor islands often referred to as the Danish ]. Denmark has long controlled the approach to the Baltic Sea, and these waters are also known as the ]. | |||
*{{Cite web|last=Ackrén|first=Maria|date=November 2017|title=Greenland|url=http://www.world-autonomies.info/tas/Greenland/Pages/default.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830110832/http://www.world-autonomies.info/tas/Greenland/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date=30 August 2019|access-date=30 August 2019|publisher=Autonomy Arrangements in the World|quote=Faroese and Greenlandic are seen as official regional languages in the self-governing territories belonging to Denmark.}} | |||
*{{Cite web|date=3 June 2013|title=Greenland|url=https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/countries/greenland_en|access-date=27 August 2019|website=International Cooperation and Development|publisher=]|language=en|quote=Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark|archive-date=16 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916135422/https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/countries/greenland_en|url-status=live}}</ref> Metropolitan Denmark,<ref name="proper" group="N" /> also called "continental Denmark" or "Denmark proper",<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-13 |title=Denmark {{!}} History, Geography, Map, & Culture {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Denmark#ref33905 |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> consists of the northern ] ] and an ] of 406 islands.<ref name="islands">{{Cite web |title=Denmark in numbers 2010 |url=http://www.dst.dk/pukora/epub/upload/14847/dkital.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418081728/http://www.dst.dk/pukora/epub/upload/14847/dkital.pdf |archive-date=18 April 2013 |access-date=2 May 2013 |publisher=Statistics Denmark}}</ref> It is the southernmost of the ]n countries, lying southwest and south of ], south of ], and north of ], with which it shares a short ]. Denmark proper is situated between the ] to the west and the ] to the east.<ref group="N">The island of ] is offset to the east of the rest of the country, in the ].</ref> | |||
The Kingdom of Denmark, including the Faroe Islands and Greenland, has roughly ] greater than {{convert|100|m2|sqft}} in area; 443 have been named and 78 are inhabited.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://irland.um.dk/en/about-denmark |title=About Denmark |access-date=27 December 2022 |archive-date=27 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227125541/https://irland.um.dk/en/about-denmark |url-status=live }}</ref> Denmark's population is close to 6 million,<ref name="Pop.Denmark" /> of which roughly 40% live in ], the largest and most populated island in Denmark proper; ], the capital and largest city of the Danish Realm, is situated on Zealand and Amager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://statistikbanken.dk/bef4|title=Statistikbanken|website=statistikbanken.dk|access-date=27 December 2022|archive-date=6 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606071411/https://www.statistikbanken.dk/BEF4|url-status=live}}</ref> Comprised mostly of flat, ], Denmark is characterised by sandy coasts, low elevation, and a ]. Denmark exercises ] influence in the ], ] powers to the other constituent entities to handle their internal affairs. ] was established in the Faroe Islands in 1948; ] achieved home rule in 1979 and ] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Greenland and the Faroe Islands |url=https://um.dk/en/foreign-policy/the-arctic/greenland-and-the-faroe-islands |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218164608/https://um.dk/en/foreign-policy/the-arctic/greenland-and-the-faroe-islands |archive-date=18 December 2023 |accessdate=18 December 2023 |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denmark}}</ref> | |||
Denmark is the second-most visited destination in Scandinavia, after Sweden, with 4.7 million visitors in 2007. | |||
<ref></ref> | |||
The ] emerged in the eighth century AD as a ] amid the struggle for ].{{sfnp|Stone|Bain|Booth|Parnell|2008|p=31}} In 1397, it formed the ] with Norway and Sweden. This union persisted until ] in 1523. The remaining Kingdom of ] endured a ] in the 17th century that resulted in further ]s. A surge of ] in the 19th century were defeated in the ] of 1848. The adoption of the ] on 5 June 1849 ended the ] and introduced the current parliamentary system. | |||
Denmark is a ] with a ] of government. The Danish ] is the second oldest reigning dynasty in the world, only second to the ]. Denmark has a state-level government and local governments in 98 ]. Denmark has been a member of the ] (formerly ]) since 1973, although has not joined the ]. Denmark is a founding member of ]. | |||
Denmark began industrialising in the mid 19th century, becoming a major agricultural exporter. It introduced ] in the early 20th century, forming the basis for the present ] ] and advanced ]. ] during ]; Danish neutrality was violated in ] by a rapid ] in April 1940. During occupation, a ] emerged in 1943, while Iceland declared independence in 1944; Denmark was ] after the end of the war in May 1945. In 1973, Denmark, together with ] but not the ], became a member of what is now the ]; however, it negotiated ], such as retaining its own currency, the ]. | |||
Denmark, with a ] capitalist economy, and a large ],<ref name="Esping-Andersen">Esping-Andersen, G. (1990). ''The three worlds of welfare capitalism''. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.</ref> ranks according to one measure as having the world's highest level of ]. From 2006 to 2008, surveys<ref></ref> ranked Denmark as "the happiest place in the world," based on standards of health, welfare, and education. The 2008 ] survey ranks Denmark as the second most peaceful country in the world, after ].<ref>. Vision of Humanity.</ref> Denmark was also ranked as the least corrupt country in the world in the 2008 ],<ref></ref> sharing a top position with Sweden and ]. In 2008, the capital and largest city, ], was ranked the most livable city in the world by ''Monocle'' magazine.<ref></ref> The national language, ], is close to ] and ], with which they share strong cultural and historical ties. 82.0% of the inhabitants of Denmark and 90.3% of the ethnic Danes are members of the ] state church. About 9% of the population have foreign citizenship. A large portion of the foreign citizens are of Scandinavian ancestry, while the rest are of a variety of nationalities. | |||
Denmark is a ] with an advanced ], high ], and robust ]. Danish culture and society are broadly progressive egalitarian, and ]; Denmark was the first country to legally recognise ]. It is a founding member of ], the ], the ], the ] and the ], and is part of the ]. Denmark maintains close political, cultural, and linguistic ties with its Scandinavian neighbours. The ], which emphasizes broad ], is used in ] as a reference point for near-perfect ]; the phrase "getting to Denmark" refers to the country's status as a global model for social and political institutions.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/160623/getting-denmark-reclaiming-lutheran-social-democracy|title=Getting to Denmark|magazine=The New Republic }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeosullivan/2023/11/11/has-europe-turned-the-corner-on-immigration/|title=Has Europe Turned The Corner On Immigration?|first=Mike|last=O'Sullivan|website=Forbes}}</ref> | |||
==Etymology== | |||
The etymology of the word Denmark, and especially the relationship between Danes and Denmark and the unifying of Denmark as a single Kingdom is a subject that attracts some debate.<ref>Kristian Andersen Nyrup, Middelalderstudier </ref><ref>''Indvandrerne i Danmarks historie'', Bent Østergaard, Syddansk Universitetsforlag 2007, ISBN 978-87-7674-204-1, pp. 19-24</ref> The debate is centered primarily around the prefix 'Dan' and whether it refers to the ] or a historical person ] and the exact meaning of the -mark ending. The issue is further complicated by a number of references to various Dani people in Scandinavian or other places in Europe in ancient Greek and Roman accounts (like ], ] and ]), as well as some medieval literature (like ], ], ] and ]). | |||
== Etymology == | |||
Most handbooks derive<ref>], ''Altnordisches etymologisches Wörterbuch'', 1962, 73; ], ''Dansk etymologisk ordbog'', 1989, 85-96.</ref> the first part of the word, and the name of the people, from a word meaning "flat land", related to ] ''Tenne'' "threshing floor", ] ''den'' "cave", ] ''dhánuṣ-'' "desert". The ''-mark'' is believed to mean woodland or borderland (see ]), with probable references to the border forests in south ],<ref>Navneforskning, Københavns Universitet .</ref> maybe similar to ], ] or ].<ref>Asernes æt </ref> | |||
{{Main|Etymology of Denmark}} | |||
The etymology of the name "Denmark", the relationship between "Danes" and "Denmark", and the emergence of Denmark as a unified kingdom are topics of continuous scholarly debate.<ref>Kristian Andersen Nyrup, Middelalderstudier {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109141345/http://www.nyrups.dk/Historie/MiddelalderIndex.htm |date=9 January 2010 }}</ref><ref>''Indvandrerne i Danmarks historie'', Bent Østergaard, Syddansk Universitetsforlag 2007, {{ISBN|978-87-7674-204-1}}, pp. 19–24</ref> This is centred primarily on the morpheme ''"Dan"'' and whether it refers to the ] or a historical person ] and the exact meaning of the -''"mark"'' ending. | |||
===Mythological explanations=== | |||
Some of the earliest descriptions of the origin of the word 'Denmark', describing a territory, are found in the '']'' (12th century), ] (late 12th century), ] (early 13th century) and the ] (mid 15th century). There are however many more Danish annals and yearbooks containing various other details, similar tales in other variations, other names or spelling variations, and so on. | |||
Most etymological dictionaries and handbooks derive "Dan" from a word meaning "flat land",<ref name="et1" /> related to German {{lang|de|Tenne}} "threshing floor", English ''den'' "cave".<ref name="et1">], ''Altnordisches etymologisches Wörterbuch'', 1962, 73; ], ''Dansk etymologisk ordbog'', 1989, 85–96.</ref> The element ''mark'' is believed to mean ] or ]land (see ]), with probable references to the border forests in south ].<ref>Navneforskning, Københavns Universitet{{cite web|url=http://navneforskning.ku.dk/stednavne.doc/betydninger.doc |title=Udvalgte stednavnes betydning |access-date=27 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060716144406/http://navneforskning.ku.dk/stednavne.doc/betydninger.doc |archive-date=16 July 2006 }}</ref> | |||
The ''Chronicon Lethrense'' explains that when the ] ] went against Denmark in the time of David,<ref>The 'David' referred to here appears to be ], the ]: of course this is wildly ], but it is fairly typical of such sources, which commonly sought to push national or dynastic origins as far back as possible.</ref> Denmark consisted of the territory ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], but was not called Denmark (Dania) because they were governed by King Ypper of Uppsala. He had three sons, Nori, Østen and ]. Dan was sent to govern Zealand, Møn, Falster and Lolland, which became known jointly as Videslev. When the ] were fighting Emperor Augustus they called upon Dan to help and upon victory made him king of Jutland, Fuen, Videslev and Skåne. After a council about what to call this new united land, they named it Denmark (Dania) after the new king, Dan. Saxo relates that the legendary Danish King ], son of Humbli, gave the name to the Danish people, though he does not expressly state that he also is the origin of the word "Denmark". Rather he tells that ] ultimately derives its name from Dan’s brother ]. | |||
The first recorded use of the word ''Danmark'' within Denmark itself is found on the two ], which are ]s believed to have been erected by ] ({{circa|955}}) and ] ({{circa|965}}). The larger of the two stones is popularly cited as the "baptismal certificate" ({{lang|da|dåbsattest}}) of Denmark,<ref>{{cite book |last=O'Donoghue |first=Heather |title=Old Norse-Icelandic Literature: A Short Introduction |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lY-g2MTFh9gC&pg=PT27 |year=2008 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-0-470-77683-4 |page=27 |access-date=21 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412172508/https://books.google.com/books?id=lY-g2MTFh9gC&pg=PT27 |archive-date=12 April 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> though both use the word "Denmark", in the ] {{runic|ᛏᛅᚾᛘᛅᚢᚱᚴ}} {{lang|non|tanmaurk}} ({{IPA|}}) on the large stone, and the ] {{runic|ᛏᛅᚾᛘᛅᚱᚴᛅᚱ}} "tanmarkar" (pronounced {{IPA|}}) on the small stone, while the ] form ''tąnmarku'' (pronounced {{IPA|}}) is found on the contemporaneous Skivum stone. The inhabitants of Denmark are there called {{lang|da|tani}} ({{IPA|}}), or "Danes", in the accusative. | |||
===Earliest occurrences=== | |||
], commonly referred to as Denmark's "]", seen from the north with "] Mound" in the background.]] | |||
The earliest mention of a territory called "Denmark" is found in King ]'s modified translation into ] of ] ''Seven Books of History Against The Pagans'' ("Historiarum adversum Paganos Libri Septem"), written by Alfred when king of ] in the years 871-899. In a passage introduced to the text by Alfred, we read about ]’s travels in the Nordic region, during which 'Denmark was on his <nowiki>] side]... And then for two days he had on his the islands which belong to Denmark'.<ref>Thorpe, B., ''The Life of Alfred The Great Translated From The German of Dr. R. Pauli To Which Is Appended Alfred's Anglo-Saxon Version of Orosius'', Bell, 1900, p. 253.</ref> | |||
== History == | |||
The earliest recorded use of the word "Denmark" within Denmark itself is found on the two ], which are ] believed to have been erected by ] (c. 955) and ] (c. 965). The larger stone of the two is often cited as Denmark's birth certificate, though both use the word "Denmark", in the form of ] "tanmaurk" ({{pronEng|danmɒrk}}) on the large stone, and ] "tanmarkar" (pronounced /danmarkaɽ/) on the small stone.<ref>The ] form ''tąnmarku'' (pronounced /danmarkʊ/) is found on the contemporaneous ].</ref> The inhabitants of Denmark are there called "tani" (/danɪ/), or "Danes", in the accusative. | |||
{{Main|History of Denmark}} | |||
{{Hatnote|Also related: ] and ]}} | |||
=== Prehistory === | |||
In the ], estimated to have been written between 1040 and 1115, though the oldest manuscript dates to 1140-1170, the first mention of the legendary Danish hero ] appears, who is specifically mentioned, several times, as "Holger of Denmark" (Oger de Denemarche) | |||
] dating from the Nordic Bronze Age]] | |||
The earliest ] date back to the ] from 130,000 to 110,000 ].{{sfnp|Michaelsen|2002|p=19}} Denmark has been inhabited since around 12,500 BC and agriculture has been evident since 3900 BC.<ref name="foreign ministry">{{cite web|last=Nielsen|first=Poul Otto|date=May 2003|url=http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/kap6/6-1.asp|title=Denmark: History, Prehistory|publisher=]|access-date=1 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051122020555/http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/kap6/6-1.asp |archive-date=22 November 2005}}</ref> The ] (1800–600 BC) in Denmark was marked by ], which left an abundance of findings including ]s and the ]. | |||
==History== | |||
{{main|History of Denmark}} | |||
]. A Danish down. Note the glacial character of the terrain and the burial mound of an early chief in the centre]] | |||
]]] | |||
During the ] (500 BC – AD 1), native groups began migrating south, and the first tribal ] came to the country between the Pre-Roman and the ],{{sfnp|Busck|2002|p=20}} in the ] (AD 1–400).<ref name="foreign ministry" /> The ]s maintained ]s and relations with native tribes in Denmark, and ] have been found in Denmark. Evidence of strong ] cultural influence dates from this period in Denmark and much of North-West Europe and is among other things reflected in the finding of the ]. | |||
The tribal Danes came from the east ] (]) and ] and spoke an early form of ]. Historians believe that before their arrival, most of ] and the nearest islands were settled by tribal ]. Many Jutes migrated to ], according to legend some as mercenaries of ] King ], and formed the south-eastern territories of ], the ] and other areas, where they settled. They were later absorbed or ] by the invading ] and ], who formed the ]. The remaining ] population in Jutland assimilated in with the settling ]. | |||
The exact origins of the Danish nation have been lost in the mists of time. However, a short note<ref>{{cite web| last =| first =| author = Jordanes| coauthors = translated by Charles C. Mierow|date=1997-04-22| url = http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~vandersp/Courses/texts/jordgeti.html#III | title =The Origin and Deeds of the Goths, chapter III| publisher =| accessdate = 2006-05-01}}</ref> about the ''Dani'' in "]" from 551 by historian ] is believed by some to be an early mention of the '']'',<ref>Busck and Poulsen (ed.) (2002), p. 19.</ref> one of the ethnic groups from whom the modern ] are descended. The ] defense structures were built in phases from the 3rd century forward,<ref name= "danevirke">Michaelsen (2002), pp. 122–23.</ref> and the sheer size of the construction efforts in 737 are attributed to the emergence of a Danish king.<ref name= "danevirke"/> The ] was first used at the same time and ], the oldest town of Denmark, was founded about 700 AD. | |||
A short note about the ''Dani'' in '']'' by the historian ] is believed to be an early mention of the Danes, one of the ]s from whom modern ] are descended.{{sfnp|Busck|2002|p=19}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Jordanes |translator=] |date=22 April 1997 |title=The Origin and Deeds of the Goths, chapter III |url=http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~vandersp/Courses/texts/jordgeti.html#III |access-date=1 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060424044148/http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~vandersp/Courses/texts/jordgeti.html#III |archive-date=24 April 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref> The ] defence structures were built in phases from the 3rd century forward and the sheer size of the construction efforts in AD 737 are attributed to the emergence of a Danish king.{{sfnp|Michaelsen|2002|pp=122–123}} A ] was first used around the same time and ], the oldest town of Denmark, was founded about AD 700. | |||
===Iron age=== | |||
{{main|Viking age}} | |||
], the largest ship burial found in Denmark]] | |||
During the 8th-11th centuries, the ] were known as ], together with ], ] and ]s. Viking explorers first discovered and settled ] in the 9th century, on their way toward the ]. From there, ] and ] (probably ]) were also settled. Utilising their great skills in shipbuilding they raided and conquered parts of France and the British Isles. But they also excelled in trading along the coasts and rivers of ], running trade routes from Greenland in the north to ] in the south via Russian rivers. The Danish Vikings were most active in the ] and Western Europe, and they raided, conquered and settled parts of ] (their earliest settlements included sites in the ], ], and ]). | |||
=== Viking and Middle Ages === | |||
In the early 8th century, ]'s christian empire had expanded to the southern border of the Danes, and Frankish sources (F.ex. ]) provide the earliest historical evidence of the Danes. These report a King ], who appeared in present day ] with a navy in 804 CE where diplomacy took place with the Franks; In 808, the same King ] attacked the ], a ] people and conquered the city of ] whose population was displaced or abducted, to ]; In 809, King Godfred and emissaries of Charlemagne failed to negotiate peace and the next year, 810, King Godfred attacked the ] with 200 ships. The oldest parts of the defensive works of ] near ] at least date from the summer of 755 and were expanded with large works in the 10th century. The size and amount of troops needed to man it indicates a quite powerful ruler in the area, which might be consistent with the kings the Frankish sources. In 815 AD, Emperor ] attacked ] apparently in support of a contender to the throne, perhaps ], but was turned back by the sons of Godfred, who likely were the sons of the above mentioned Godfred. At the same time ] traveled to ] and started the Catholic ]. | |||
{{Main|Viking Age|Kalmar Union}} | |||
] and ]]] | |||
], the largest ship burial found in Denmark]] | |||
The Danes were united and officially christianised in 965 CE by ], the story of which is recorded on the ]. The exact extent of Harald's Danish Kingdom is unknown, although it's reasonable to believe that it stretched from the defensive line of Dannevirke, including the Viking city of ], across Jutland, the Danish isles and into southern present day Sweden; ] and perhaps ] and ]. Furthermore, the Jelling stones attest that Harald had also "won" Norway. The son of Harald, ] mounted a series of wars of conquest against England, which was completed by Svend's son ] by the middle of the 11th century. The reign of ] (Danish:Knud) represented the peak of the Danish Viking age. King Knud's ''North Sea Empire'' included Denmark (1018), Norway (1028), England (1035) and held strong influence over the north-eastern coast of Germany. {{Fact|date=May 2008}} | |||
From the 8th to the 10th century the wider ] region was the source of ]. They colonised, raided, and traded in all parts of Europe. The Danish Vikings were most active in the eastern and southern ] and ]. They settled in parts of ] (known as the ]) under King ] in 1013, and in ] where Danes and Norwegians were allowed to settle in what would become ] in exchange of allegiance to ] with ] as first ruler. Some ] ] of this period have been found in Denmark.<ref name="Lund">*{{cite web|last=Lund |first=Niels |date=May 2003 |url=http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/kap6/6-2.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060510174200/http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/kap6/6-2.asp |archive-date=10 May 2006 |title=Denmark – History – The Viking Age |publisher=] |access-date=24 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
Following the death of Canute the Great Denmark and England was divided. Sweyn Estridsen's son, Canute II and IV, depending on whose royal line is being figured, raided England for the last time in 1075. He planned another invasion to take the throne of England from an aging William I. He called up a fleet of 1000 Danish ships, 60 Norwegian long boats, with plans to meet with another 600 ships under Duke Robert of Flanders in the summer of 1086. Canute, however, was beginning to realize that the imposition of the tithe on Danish peasants and nobles to fund the expansion of monasteries and churches and a new head tax (Danish:nefgjald) had brought his people to the verge of rebellion. Canute took weeks to arrive at Struer where the fleet had aseembled, but he found only the Norwegians still there. The Danes had waited so long for the king that they began to starve and sailed home in disgust. {{Fact|date=May 2008}} | |||
Denmark was largely consolidated by the late 8th century and its rulers are consistently referred to in ] sources as kings (''reges''). Under the reign of ] in 804 the Danish kingdom may have included all the ] of Jutland, ] and the Danish islands, excluding Bornholm.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UmFrVUb5DSwC&pg=PA76|title=Christianization and the Rise of Christian Monarchy: Scandinavia, Central Europe and Rus' c. 900–1200|first=Nora|last=Berend|date= 2007|publisher=Cambridge University Press|via=Google Books|isbn=978-1-139-46836-7}}</ref> | |||
Canute thanked the Norwegians for their patience and then went from assembly to assembly (Danish:landsting) outlawing any sailor, captain, or soldier who refused to pay a fine which amounted to more than a years harvest for most farmers. When the king refused to back down, the peasants in Vendsyssel went on a rampage burning royal properties and murdering the hated tax collectors. {{Fact|date=May 2008}} Canute and his housecarls fled south with a growing army of rebels on his heels. Canute fled to the royal property outside the town of Odense on Funen with his two brothers. The peasants on Funen were not any happier with Canute than anyone else and charged after the king. Canute and his brother, Prince Benedict, fled to St Albans Priory for sanctuary. Canute took communion realizing his days were numbered. {{Fact|date=May 2008}} After several attempts to break in and then bloody hand to hand fighting in the church, Benedict was cut down and Canute struck in the head by a large stone and then speared from the front. He died at the base of the main altar 10 July 1086, where he was buried by the Benedictines. {{Fact|date=May 2008}} | |||
]]] | |||
When Queen Edele came to take Canute's body to Flanders, a wonderful light allegedly shone around the church and it was taken as a sign that Canute should remain where he was. People flocked to his grave when it was reported that the blind had received their sight, the lame walked, and deaf heard.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} His brother Olaf, who succeeded Canute, had a short reign and Denmark was plagued with famine so often that Olaf will forever be known as Olaf Hunger. Canute was canonized in 1101, and St Canute's Cathedral became one of Scandinavia's most popular pilgrimage sites in the Middle Ages.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} | |||
The extant Danish monarchy traces its roots back to ], who established his reign in the early 10th century.{{sfnp|Stone|Bain|Booth|Parnell|2008|p=31}} As attested by the ], the Danes were ] around 965 by ], the son of ] and ]. It is believed that Denmark became Christian for political reasons so as not to get invaded by the ]. A rising Christian power in Europe, the Holy Roman Empire was an important trading partner for the Danes. As a deterrent against this threat, Harald built six ] around Denmark called ] and built a further ]. In the early 11th century, ] won and united Denmark, England, and ] for almost 30 years with a Scandinavian army.<ref name="Lund" /> | |||
The death of St Canute marks the end of the great Viking Age. Never again would massive flotillas of Scandinavians meet each year to ravage the rest of christian Europe. Denmark was thoroughly christian, though for generations Danes quietly held onto old customs that are vague reminders of pre-christian times.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} | |||
Throughout the ] and ], Denmark also included ] (the areas of Scania, ], and ] in present-day south Sweden) and Danish kings ruled ], as well as the ] of ] and ]. Most of the latter two now form the state of ] in northern Germany. | |||
===Medieval Denmark=== | |||
From the Viking age towards the end of the 13th century, the kingdom of Denmark consisted of ], north from the ] and the islands of ], ], ], ], ] and ]. From the end of the 1200s the lands between the ] and the river ] were separated from the kingdom as two vassal ] of ] and ]. | |||
In 1397, Denmark entered into a ] known as the ] with ] and ], united under Queen ].{{sfnp|Stone|Bain|Booth|Parnell|2008|p=33}} The three countries were to be treated as equals in the union. However, even from the start, Margaret may not have been so idealistic—treating Denmark as the clear "senior" partner of the union.<ref name="Lauring">Lauring, Palle (1960) ''A History of the Kingdom of Denmark'', Host & Son Co.: Copenhagen, p. 108.</ref> Thus, much of the next 125 years of ] revolves around this union, with Sweden breaking off and being re-conquered repeatedly. The issue was for practical purposes resolved on 17 June 1523, as ] ] conquered the city of ]. The ] spread to Scandinavia in the 1530s, and following the ] civil war, ] to ] in 1536. Later that year, Denmark entered into a union with Norway. | |||
Following the end of the 11th century, Denmark underwent a transition from a patchwork of regional chiefs (Danish:jarls) with a weak and semi-elected royal institution, into a realm which more reflected European ], with a powerful king ruling through an influential nobility. The period is marked by internal strife and the generally weak geopolitical position of the realm, which for long stretches fell under German influence. The period also featured the first of large stone buildings (mostly churches), a deep penetration by the christian religion, the appearance of monastic orders in Denmark and the first written historical works such as the '']'' ("Deeds of the Danes"). German political as well as religious influence firmly ended in the last decades of the 12th century under the rule of King ] and his foster brother ] Hvide, Archbishop of ]; through successful wars against ] peoples of northeast Germany and the ]. | |||
]]] | |||
=== Early modern history (1536–1849) === | |||
A high point was reached during the reign of ], who led the formation of a Danish "Baltic Sea Empire", which by 1221 extended control from ] in the east to ] in the north. In this period several of the "regional" law codes were given; notably the ] from 1241, which asserted several modern concepts like ]; "that the king cannot rule without and beyond the law"; "and that all men are equal to the law". Following the death of ] in 1241 and to the ascension of ] in 1340, the kingdom was in general decline due to internal strife and the rise of the ]. The competition between the sons of ], had the longterm result that the southern parts of Jutland were separated from the kingdom of Denmark and became semi-independent vassal duchies/counties. | |||
{{Main|Denmark–Norway|Danish overseas colonies}} | |||
]. After the Napoleonic Wars, Norway was ceded to Sweden while Denmark kept the ], ], and ].]] | |||
During the reign of ] and his daughter ], the realm was re-invigorated and following the ], Margrethe I had her sister's son, ] crowned King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden after the signing of the union charter of Kalmar (The ]), Trinity Sunday 1397. Much of the next 125 years of Scandinavian history revolves around this union, with Sweden breaking off and being re-conquered repeatedly. The issue was for practical purposes resolved on the 17 June 1523 as Swedish King ] conquered the city of Stockholm. Denmark and Norway remained in a personal union until the ], 1814. | |||
After Sweden permanently ] from the personal union, Denmark tried on several occasions to reassert control over its neighbour. King ] attacked Sweden in the 1611–1613 ] but failed to accomplish his main objective of forcing it to return to the union. The war led to no territorial changes, but Sweden was forced to pay a ] of 1 million silver ] to Denmark, an amount known as the '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smb.nu/svenskakrig/1611.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011111014/http://smb.nu/svenskakrig/1611.asp |archive-date=11 October 2007 |title=Kalmarkriget 1611–1613 |access-date=4 May 2007 |publisher=Svenskt Militärhistoriskt Bibliotek |url-status=dead }}</ref> King Christian used this money to found several towns and fortresses, most notably ] (founded as a rival to ]) and ]. Inspired by the ], he founded a similar ] and planned to claim ] as a colony, but the company only managed to acquire ] on India's ]. Denmark's large colonial aspirations included a few key ] in ] and ]. While Denmark's trading posts in India were of little note, it played an important role in the highly lucrative ], through its trading outposts in ] in ], ] through which 1.5 million slaves were traded.<ref name="guardian6nov2018">{{cite news |last1=Rawlinson |first1=Kevin |title=Prince Charles says Britain's role in slave trade was an atrocity |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/05/prince-charles-says-britains-part-in-transatlantic-slave-trade-was-atrocity |access-date=6 November 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105232718/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/05/prince-charles-says-britains-part-in-transatlantic-slave-trade-was-atrocity |archive-date=5 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> While the Danish colonial empire was sustained by trade with other major powers, and ]s – ultimately a lack of resources led to its stagnation.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-first=James Stuart |editor1-last=Olson |editor2-first=Robert |editor2-last=Shadle |year=1991 |title=Historical Dictionary of European Imperialism |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-26257-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uyqepNdgUWkC&pg=PA167|access-date=15 May 2014}}</ref> | |||
The ] came to Scandinavia in 1520s. On Easter Sunday 1525 Hans Tausen, a monk in the Order of St John's Hospitalers, proclaimed aloud the need for Luther's reforms in the Catholic Church. His sermon was the beginning of a ten year struggle which would change Denmark forever. Tausen was hustled off to a monastery in Viborg in northern Jutland where he would be isolated and away from Copenhagen and the court. Tausen simply preached through the window of his locked chamber. At first curious Danes came to hear the strange new ideas that Tausen was preaching. Within weeks Tausen was freed by his loyal followers and then a Franciscan abbey church was broken open so Viborgers could hear God's word under a roof. Luther's ideas were accepted so rapidly that the local bishop and other churchmen in Viborg were unable to cope. In many churches the mass was celebrated alongside Lutheran sermons and then Tausen's version of Luther's teachings began to spread to other parts of Jutland. Within a year Tausen was the personal chaplain of King ]. Frederik tried to balance the old and new ideas insisting that they coexist; it lasted only as long as Frederik did. | |||
In the ], Christian tried to become the leader of the ] states in Germany but suffered a crushing defeat at the ].{{sfnp|Parker|1984|p=78}} The result was that the Catholic army under ] was able to invade, occupy, and pillage Jutland, forcing Denmark ].{{sfnp|Parker|1984|p=79}} Denmark managed to avoid territorial concessions, but King ]' intervention in Germany was seen as a sign that the military power of Sweden was on the rise while Denmark's influence in the region was declining. Swedish armies ] in 1643 and claimed Scania in 1644. In the 1645 ], Denmark surrendered Halland, ], the last parts of Danish Estonia, and several provinces in Norway. | |||
A mob stormed Our Lady Church in Copenhagen in 1531 tearing down statues, destroying side altars, artwork, and relics that had accumulated through its long history. Similar events happened through the country, although for the most part the change was peaceful. The majority of common people saw the reduced influence and wealth of the church as a liberating thing, but their new found influence did not last long. | |||
] on ] on 11 February 1659 during the ]. Danish defenders under King ] successfully repelled the forces of the ]. Painting by ].]] | |||
At the death of Frederick I two claimants to the throne, one backed by Protestant Lũbeck and the other by Catholic nobles caused a civil war known as the ] (Danish: Grevens Fejde). The massacre of ]'s peasant army at Aalborg brought an end of the war with the pro-Lutheran party firmly in charge. ]. Denmark's Catholic bishops were arrested and imprisoned. Abbeys, nunneries, monasteries and other church properties were confiscated by local nobility and the crown. Monks, nuns, and clergy lost their livelihood. The bishops who agreed to marry and not stir up trouble were given former church lands as personal estates. | |||
Seeing an opportunity to tear up the Treaty of Brømsebro, King ], in 1657, declared war on Sweden, the latter being deeply involved in the ] (1655–1660), and marched on ]. This led to a massive Danish defeat as the armies of King ] of Sweden conquered ] and, following the ] the frozen ], occupied ] and much of ] before signing the ] in February 1658, which gave Sweden control of Scania, ], ], ], and the island of ]. Charles X Gustav quickly regretted not having ruined Denmark and in August 1658, he launched a ], conquered most of the Danish islands, and began a two-year-long siege of ]. King Frederick III actively led the defence of the city, rallying its citizens to take up arms, and ].{{sfnp|Isacson|2002|p=229}}{{sfnp|Englund|2000|p=610}} The siege ended following the death of Charles X Gustav in 1660.{{sfnp|Stone|Bain|Booth|Parnell|2008|p=35}} In the ensuing ], Denmark managed to maintain its independence and regain control of Trøndelag and Bornholm.{{sfnp|Frost|2000|pp=180–183}} Attaining great popularity following the war, Frederick III used this to ] in favour of ], which lasted until 1848 in Denmark.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ekman|first=Ernst|date=1957|title=The Danish Royal Law of 1665|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/237987|journal=The Journal of Modern History|volume=29|issue=2|pages=102–107|doi=10.1086/237987|s2cid=145652129|issn=0022-2801|access-date=27 March 2021|archive-date=23 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123102335/https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/237987|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Catholic influence remained longest in ] and the nearby area, northern Jutland, where change permeated slowly, although the reformation originally began there.<ref>], 1913, Wikisource {{cquote|Though the Danish Reformation began at Viborg, certain Catholic usages were kept up in its cathedral longer than anywhere else in Denmark. The shrines of St. Kjeld and St. Willehad were removed to the choir of the cathedral in 1538, but Lutheran ministers continued to recite daily the Office of the Dead for the soul of King Eric Glipping (d 1286) from 1560 to 1630. The protestant Bishop Hans Wandal shortened and protestantised the service and entrusted its performance to the senior curate of the cathedral and twelve of the school boys. These all benefited by the endowment, and continued the service until 1684. Of the twelfth-century cathedral nothing remains but the crypt. The upper church built in 1876 contains splendid frescoes by Joachim Skovgaard begun in 1895 and a seven-branched candlestick from 1494. The abbey church of Grinderslev, the church of St Botolph, at Aalborg, and numerous village churches are memorials of the catholic past. At Karup there was a pilgrimage to Our Lady's Well. The chapter of the cathedral of St Mary and St Kjeld was secularised in 1440, after which it consisted of a dean, an archdeacon, a precentor, and twelve secular canons. There were also at Viborg the Benedictine nunnery of St Botolph, a Franciscan friary from 1235, and a Dominican friary from 1246, as well as the hospitals of St Michael and of the Holy Ghost. At Aalborg there were a Benedictine nunnery and a Franciscan friary. The Cistercian Abbey of Vidskild (Vitae Scola) founded in 1158, the Augustinian abbey at Grinderslev founded before 1176, and the Augustinian nunnery of Asmild were all situated in the diocese, as were also the Benedictine (?) nunnery of Sibber, and the hospitals at Tesdrup and Karup. In 1523 there were 236 churches in the Diocese of Viborg. Now (1912) the Camillians have a church and hospital at Aalborg, while Viborg is one of their out-stations.}}</ref> | |||
Denmark tried but failed to regain control of Scania in the ] (1675–1679). After the ] (1700–21), Denmark managed to regain control of the parts of ] and ] ruled by the house of ] in the 1720 ] and the 1773 ], respectively. Denmark prospered greatly in the last decades of the 18th century due to its ] allowing it to trade with both sides in the many contemporary wars. In the ], Denmark traded with both ] and the ] and joined the ] with ], Sweden, and ].<ref>{{cite web|title=League of Armed Neutrality|url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100056830|publisher=Oxford Reference|access-date=28 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130430/http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100056830|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> British fears that Denmark-Norway would ally with France led to two attacks against Danish targets in Copenhagen in ] and ]. These attacks resulted in the British capturing most of the Dano-Norwegian navy and led to the outbreak of the ]. British control of the waterways between Denmark and Norway proved disastrous to the union's economy and in 1813 Denmark–Norway went bankrupt.{{fact|date=October 2024}} | |||
===Modern history=== | |||
] | |||
The union was dissolved by the ] in 1814; the Danish monarchy "irrevocably and forever" renounced claims to the Kingdom of Norway in favour of the Swedish king.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jenssen-Tusch|first=Georg Friedrich|title=Zur Regierungsgeschichte Friedrich VI. Königs von Dänemark, Herzogs von Schleswig, Holstein und Lauenburg|page=166|year=1852|publisher=Verlag Schröder|language=de}}</ref> Denmark kept the possessions of ] (which retained the Danish monarchy until 1944), the ] and ], all of which had been governed by Norway for centuries.<ref>{{cite book|last=Dörr|first=Oliver|title=Kompendium völkerrechtlicher Rechtsprechung : eine Auswahl für Studium und Praxis|date=2004|publisher=Mohr Siebeck|location=Tübingen|isbn=978-3-16-148311-0|page=101}}</ref> Apart from the Nordic colonies, Denmark continued to rule over ] from 1620 to 1869, the ] (Ghana) from 1658 to 1850, and the ] from 1671 to 1917. | |||
King ] attacked Sweden in the 1611–13 ] but failed to accomplish his main objective of forcing Sweden to return to the union with Denmark. The war led to no territorial changes, but Sweden was forced to pay a ] of 1 million ] ] to Denmark, an amount known as the '']''.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.smb.nu/svenskakrig/1611.asp |title=Kalmarkriget 1611-1613 |accessdate=2007-05-04 |publisher=]}}{{Dead link|date=August 2008}}{{sv icon}}</ref> <!--"Älvsborgs lösen" (Swedish), "Elvsborgs løsen" (Danish)--> King Christian used this money to found several towns and fortresses, most notably ] (founded as a rival to ]), ] (following a fire destroying the original city), ], ], and ]. Christian also constructed a number of buildings, most notably ], ], ], ], a ] and a ].<!--less important were eg Christianspris (near Kiel) and Christianopel (near Brømsebro in Blekinge) --> Inspired by the ], he founded a similar ] and planned to claim ] as a colony but the company only managed to acquire ] on ]'s ]. In the ], Christian tried to become the leader of the ] states in Germany, but suffered a crushing defeat at the ] resulting in a catholic army under ] occupying and pillaging Jutland. Denmark managed to avoid territorial concessions, but ]' intervention in Germany was seen as a sign that the military power of Sweden was on the rise while Denmark's influence in the region was declining. In 1643, Swedish armies ] and in 1644 ]. In the 1645 ], Denmark surrendered Halland, ], the last parts of Danish Estonia, and several provinces in Norway. In 1657, King ] declared war on Sweden and marched on ]. This led to a massive Danish defeat and the armies of King ] of Sweden conquered both ], ] and much of ] before signing the ] in February 1658 which gave Sweden control of ], ], ] and the island of ]. Charles X Gustav quickly regretted not having destroyed Denmark completely and in August 1658 he began a two-year long siege of ] but failed to take the capital. In the following peace settlement, Denmark managed to maintain its independence and regain control of Trøndelag and Bornholm. ]), 1860–1864 painting by ]]] | |||
=== Constitutional monarchy (1849–present) === | |||
Denmark tried to regain control of Skåne in the ] (1675–79) but it ended in failure. Following the ] (1700–21), Denmark managed to restore control of the parts of ] and ] ruled by the house of ] in 1721 and 1773, respectively. Denmark prospered greatly in the last decades of the 18th century due to its neutral status allowing it to trade with both sides in the many contemporary wars. In the ], Denmark originally tried to pursue a policy of neutrality to continue the lucrative trade with both ] and the ] and joined the ] with ], Sweden and ]. The ] considered this a hostile act and attacked Copenhagen in both ] and ], in one case carrying off the ], in the other, burning large parts of the Danish capital. These events mark the end of the prosperous ''Florissant Age''<!--Danish: den "florissante periode". If anybody has a better translation, I'm all ears. Valentinian--> and resulted in the Dano-British ]. British control over the waterways between Denmark and Norway proved disastrous to the union's economy and in 1813, Denmark-Norway went ]. The post-Napoleonic ] demanded the dissolution of the Dano-Norwegian union, and this was confirmed by the ] in 1814. Denmark-Norway had briefly hoped to restore the Scandinavian union in 1809, but these hopes were dashed when the ] of Sweden rejected a proposal to let ] succeed the deposed ] and instead gave the crown to ]. Norway entered a new union with Sweden which lasted until 1905. Denmark kept the colonies of ], ] and ]. Apart from the Nordic colonies, Denmark ruled over ] (] in ]) from 1620 to 1869, the ] (]) from 1658 to 1850, and the ] (the ]) from 1671 to 1917. | |||
] in 1848 to adopt the ]]] | |||
A nascent Danish liberal and national movement gained momentum in the 1830s; after the European ], Denmark peacefully became a ] on 5 June 1849. A new constitution established a ]. Denmark faced war against both ] and the ] in what became known as the ], lasting from February to October 1864. Denmark was defeated and obliged to ] ] to ]. This loss came as the latest in the long series of defeats and ] losses that had begun in the 17th century. After these events, Denmark pursued a policy of neutrality in Europe. | |||
] came to Denmark in the second half of the 19th century.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tellier|first=Luc-Normand|title=Urban world history an economic and geographical perspective|date=2009|publisher=Presses de l'Université du Québec|location=Québec|isbn=978-2-7605-2209-1|page=457|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cXuCjDbxC1YC&pg=PA457|access-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412182836/https://books.google.com/books?id=cXuCjDbxC1YC&pg=PA457|archive-date=12 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] were constructed in the 1850s, and improved communications and overseas trade allowed industry to develop in spite of Denmark's lack of natural resources. ]s developed, starting in the 1870s. There was a considerable migration of people from the countryside to the cities, and Danish agriculture became centred on the export of dairy and meat products. | |||
===20th and 21st centuries=== | |||
Following the defeat of Germany, the ] offered to return the then-German region of Schleswig-Holstein to Denmark. Fearing German ], Denmark refused to consider the return of the area and insisted on a ] concerning the return of Schleswig. The two ] took place on 10 February and 14 March, respectively. On 5 July 1920 after the plebiscite and the King's signature (6 July) on the reunion document, Northern Schleswig (Sønderjylland) was recovered by Denmark, thereby adding 163,600 inhabitants and 3,984 km². The reunion day (Genforeningsdag) is celebrated every year 15 June on Valdemarsdag. | |||
Denmark ] during ]. After the defeat of Germany, the ] offered to return the region of Schleswig-Holstein to Denmark. Fearing German ], Denmark refused to consider the return of the area without a ]; the two ] took place on 10 February and 14 March 1920, respectively. On 10 July 1920, Northern Schleswig was recovered by Denmark, thereby adding some 163,600 inhabitants and {{convert|3984|km2|sqmi}}. The country's first social democratic government took office in 1924.<ref name="Politico">{{cite web|title=Lost in translation: Epic goes to Denmark|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/06/epic-denmark-health-1510223|website=Politico|date=6 June 2019|access-date=10 June 2019|archive-date=12 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412163058/https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/06/epic-denmark-health-1510223|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
]'s ] of Denmark on 9 April 1940 – codenamed ] – met only two hours of military resistance before the Danish government surrendered. Economic co-operation between Germany and Denmark continued until 1943, when the Danish government refused further co-operation and its navy sank most of its ships and sent as many of their officers as they could to Sweden. During the war, the government was extremely helpful towards Jews living in the country, and the resistance managed to get most of the Jews to Sweden and safety. Denmark led many "inside operations" or sabotage against the German facilities. ] severed ties to Denmark and became an independent republic, and in 1948 the ] gained ]. After the war, Denmark became one of the founding members of the ] and ] and in 1973, along with Britain and Ireland, joined the ] (now the ]) after a ]. ] gained home rule in 1979. Neither ], nor the ] are members of the ], the Faroers declining membership in EEC from 1973 and Greenland from 1986, in both cases because of fisheries policies. | |||
In 1939 Denmark signed a 10-year nonaggression pact with ] but ] on 9 April 1940 and the Danish government quickly surrendered. ] was characterised by economic co-operation with Germany until 1943, when the Danish government refused further co-operation and ] ] and sent many of its officers to Sweden, which was neutral. The ] performed a ] that managed to evacuate several thousand ] and their families to safety in Sweden before the Germans could send them to death camps. Some Danes supported ] by joining the ] or volunteering to fight with Germany as part of the ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rugg |first=Andy |title=Traitor Danes: most soldiers return heroes, but this lot came home total zeroes |url=http://cphpost.dk//culture/through-looking-glass/traitor-danes-most-soldiers-return-heroes-lot-came-home-total-zeroes |work=Copenhagen Post |access-date=30 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129130650/http://cphpost.dk/culture/through-looking-glass/traitor-danes-most-soldiers-return-heroes-lot-came-home-total-zeroes |archive-date=29 January 2013 }}</ref> Iceland severed ties with Denmark and ] in 1944; ] in May 1945. In 1948, the Faroe Islands gained ]. In 1949, Denmark became a founding member of ]. | |||
Despite its small size Denmark has been participating in major military and humanitary operations, most notably the UN and NATO led operations on Cyprus and in Bosnia, Korea, Croatia, Kosovo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. | |||
] in 2007.]] | |||
==Geography== | |||
{{main|Geography of Denmark}} | |||
] and ] ()]] | |||
Denmark was a founding member of ] (EFTA). During the 1960s, the EFTA countries were often referred to as the ], as opposed to the ] of what was then the ] (EEC).<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Finland: Now, the Seven and a Half |magazine=Time |date=7 April 1961 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,874317,00.htm |access-date=18 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104144427/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,874317,00.htm |archive-date=4 November 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1973, along with Britain and Ireland, Denmark joined the European Economic Community (now the ]) after a ]. The ], which involved further European integration, ] by the Danish people in 1992; it was only accepted after a ] in 1993, which provided for ] from policies. The Danes rejected the euro as the national currency in ]. Greenland gained home rule in 1979 and was awarded ] in 2009. Neither the ] nor ] are members of the European Union, the Faroese having declined membership of the EEC in 1973 and Greenland in 1986, in both cases because of fisheries policies. | |||
Denmark's northernmost point is ]s point (the north beach of the Skaw) at 57° 45' 7" northern latitude, the southernmost is ] point (the southern tip of ]) at 54° 33' 35" northern latitude, the westernmost point is ] at 8° 4' 22" eastern longitude, and the easternmost point is ] at 15° 11' 55" eastern longitude. This is in the archipelago ] 18 kilometres northeast of ]. The distance from east to west is {{convert|452|km|mi|0}}, from north to south {{convert|368|km|mi|0}}. | |||
Constitutional change in 1953 led to a ] parliament elected by proportional representation, female accession to the Danish throne, and Greenland becoming an integral part of Denmark. The ] ] led a string of coalition governments for most of the second half of the 20th century, introducing the ]. The ] and the ] have also led ] governments. | |||
].]] | |||
Denmark consists of the ] of ] ''(Jylland)'' and 443 named ]s (1419 islands above 100 m² in total (2005)).<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www2.kms.dk/C1256AED004EA666/(AllDocsByDocId)/1D7EE8822587E667C1256AEF0030ABF6?open&page=strste&omr=KORT_DK_I_TAL |title=Landet i tal — Største øer |accessdate=2007-07-14 |date=2003-09-23 |publisher=] }}</ref> Of these, 72 are inhabited (2008),<ref>Statistikbanken.dk/bef4</ref> with the largest being ] ''(Sjælland)'' and ] ''(Fyn)''. The island of ] is located somewhat east of the rest of the country, in the ]. Many of the larger islands are connected by bridges; the ] connects Zealand with ], the ] connects Funen with Zealand, and the ] connects Jutland with Funen. ] or small aircraft connect to the smaller islands. Main cities are the capital ] (on Zealand), ], ] and ] (in Jutland) and ] (on Funen). | |||
== Geography == | |||
], one of Denmark's highest points.]] | |||
{{Main|Geography of Denmark}} | |||
The country is flat with little elevation; having an average height above sea level of only {{convert|31|m|ft|0}} and the highest natural point is ], at {{convert|170.86|m|ft|2}}. Other hills in the same area southwest of Århus are ] at {{convert|170.77|m|ft|2}} and ] at {{convert|170.35|m|ft|2}}.<ref> {{cite journal|title=Danmarks nye top|journal=Aktuel Naturvidenskab | date= | first=Jørgen | last=Dahlgaard | coauthors=|volume=2005|issue=1|pages=2|id= |url = http://www.aktuelnat.au.dk/pdf05_1/an1top.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref>{{Dead link|date=August 2008}} The area of inland water is: (eastern Denmark) 210 km² (81 sq mi); (western D.) 490 km² (189 sq mi). | |||
{{See also|Geography of the Faroe Islands|Geography of Greenland}} | |||
] | |||
Denmark is split into one peninsula and 443 named islands which results in a long coastline, 7,314 kilometres (4,544 mi).<ref name='Nature&Environment'> {{cite web|url=http://denmark.dk/portal/page?_pageid=374,520337&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070403235436/http://denmark.dk/portal/page?_pageid=374,520337&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL|archivedate=2007-04-03 |title=Nature & Environment |accessdate=2007-02-03 |work=Denmark.dk }}</ref> A perfect circle enclosing the same area as Denmark would have a circumference of only 742 kilometres (461 mi). Another feature that shows the close connection between the land and ocean is that no location in Denmark is further from the coast than 52 kilometres (32.3 mi). The size of the land area of Denmark cannot be stated exactly since the ocean constantly erodes and adds material to the coastline, and because of human land reclamation projects (to counter erosion). On the southwest coast of Jutland, the tide is between 1 and 2 metres (3 to 6.5 ft), and the tideline moves outward and inward on a 10 kilometres (6 mi) stretch.<ref> Nationalencyklopedin, (1990)</ref> | |||
] | |||
Located in ], Denmark{{#tag:ref|The Kingdom of Denmark's territory in ] is referred to as "] Denmark",<ref name="Administrative divisions – Denmark"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325023220/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/administrative-divisions#da |date=25 March 2021 }} ]. Access date: 16 September 2021</ref> "Denmark ]" ({{langx|da|egentlig Danmark}}), or simply "Denmark". In this article, usage of "Denmark" excludes the ] and ].|name="proper"|group="N"}} consists of the northern part of the ] peninsula and an ] of ].<ref name="islands" /> Of these, the largest island is ], on which the capital ] is situated, followed by the ], ], and ].<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630024751/http://forsvaret.dk/FKO/eng/Facts%20and%20Figures/Pages/default.aspx |date=30 June 2010 }}", Danish Defence, Defence Command Denmark. Retrieved 11 June 2010.</ref> The island of ] is located some 150 km east of the rest of the country, in the ]. Many of the larger islands are connected by bridges; a ] across the ] connects Zealand with Sweden; the ] connects Funen with Zealand; and the ] connects Jutland with Funen. ] or ] connect to the smaller islands. The four ] are the capital ] on Zealand; ] and ] in Jutland; and ] on Funen. | |||
], Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands) belongs to the ] and is shared between the Arctic, Atlantic European and Central European provinces of the ]. According to the ], the territory of Denmark can be subdivided into two ]s: the ] and ]. The Faroe Islands are covered by the ], while Greenland hosts the ecoregions of ] and ]. | |||
], islands and connecting bridges]] | |||
], Denmark's northmost point]] | |||
The climate is in the ]. The winters are not particularly cold, with mean temperatures in January and February of 0.0 °C, and the summers are cool, with a mean temperature in August of 15.7 °C.<ref name="Denmark climate"> {{citeweb | url=http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/index/danmark/oversigter/klimanormaler.htm | title=Climate Normals for Denmark | accessdate=2008-10-28 | work=]}} Figures, labeled in Danish: First plot is the whole country; Nedbør=Precipitation, Nedbørdage=Precipitation days (>1 mm), (Dag/Middel/Nat)temp.=(Daytime/Average/Nighttime) temperature, Solskinstimer=Hours of sunshine.</ref> There is a lot of wind, which is stronger during the winter and weaker during the summer.{{Fact|date=October 2008}} Denmark has an average of 121 days per year with precipitation, on average receiving a total of 712 mm per year; autumn is the wettest season, and spring the driest.<ref name="Denmark climate" /> | |||
The metropolitan part occupies a total area of {{convert|42,943.9|km2|sqmi|lk=in|sigfig=5}}.<ref name="area">{{cite web |title=Area |url=https://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/emner/geografi-miljoe-og-energi/areal/areal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414212058/https://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/emner/geografi-miljoe-og-energi/areal/areal |archive-date=14 April 2019 |publisher=Statistics Denmark}}</ref> The area of inland water is {{convert|43|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Jensen|1999|page=10}} The size of the land area cannot be stated exactly since the ocean constantly erodes and adds material to the coastline, and because of human ] projects (to counter erosion). ] raises the land by a bit less than {{convert|1|cm|1|abbr=on}} per year in the north and east, extending the coast. A circle enclosing the same area as Denmark would be {{convert|234|km|mi|abbr=off}} in ] with a ] of {{convert|736|km|0|abbr=on}} (land area only: {{convert|232.33|km|mi|abbr=on}} and {{convert|730|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} respectively). It shares a border of {{convert|68|km| mi}} with ] to the south and is otherwise surrounded by {{convert|8,750|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} of tidal ] (including small ]s and ]s).<ref name="Nature and Environment">{{cite web |url=http://denmark.dk/portal/page?_pageid=374,520337&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403235436/http://denmark.dk/portal/page?_pageid=374,520337&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |archive-date=3 April 2007 |title=Nature & Environment |access-date=3 February 2007 |publisher=] |url-status=dead }}</ref> No location in Denmark is farther from the coast than {{convert|52|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}. On the south-west coast of Jutland, the tide is between {{convert|1|and|2|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}, and the tideline moves outward and inward on a {{convert|10|km|mi|1|abbr=on}} stretch.<ref>Nationalencyklopedin, (1990)</ref> Denmark's ] total {{convert|105,000|km2|0|abbr=off}}. | |||
Because of Denmark's northern location, the length of the day with ] varies greatly. There are short days during the winter with sunrise coming around 9:30 a.m. and sunset 4:30 p.m., as well as long summer days with sunrise at 3:30 a.m. and sunset at 10 p.m.<ref name="sunrise sunset">{{cite web| last=| first =| authorlink =|coauthors =| year =| url =http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/kobenhavn.html| title =Copenhagen, Denmark — Sunrise, sunset, dawn and dusk times for the whole year| format =| work =Gaisma| pages =| publisher =| accessmonthday =May 2 | accessyear =2006}}</ref> The shortest and longest days of the year have traditionally been celebrated. The celebration for the ] corresponds roughly with ] (Danish: ''jul'') and modern celebrations concentrate on Christmas Eve, 24 December. The Norse word ''jól'' is a plural, indicating that pre-Christian society celebrated a season with multiple feasts.<Ref>Store Danske Encyklopædi (2004), CD-ROM edition, entry ''Jul''.</ref> christianity introduced the celebration of Christmas, resulting in the use of the Norse name also for the Christian celebration. Efforts by the Catholic Church to replace this name with ''kristmesse'' were unsuccessful. The celebration for the longest day is ], which is known in Denmark as ''sankthansaften'' (''St. ] evening'')<!--Don't change the link. Sankt Hans = Johannes Døberen = Saint John the Baptist. The name "Hans" is due to a former Danish practice of shortening foreign names-->.<ref>Store Danske Encyklopædi (2004), CD-ROM edition, entry ''Sankthansaften''</ref> Celebrations of Midsummer have taken place since pre-Christian times.<Ref>Store Danske Encyklopædi (2004), CD-ROM edition, entry ''Majskikke''.</ref> | |||
Denmark's northernmost point is ] point (the north beach of the Skaw) at 57° 45' 7" northern latitude; the southernmost is ] point (the southern tip of ]) at 54° 33' 35" northern latitude; the westernmost point is ] at 8° 4' 22" eastern longitude; and the easternmost point is ] at 15° 11' 55" eastern longitude. This is in the small ] archipelago {{convert|18|km|mi}} north-east of Bornholm. The distance from east to west is {{convert|452|km|mi|0}}, from north to south {{convert|368|km|mi|0}}. | |||
'''Environmental Issues''' | |||
] viewed from southern ]]] | |||
There are also many environmental issues that Denmark currently faces: | |||
The metropolitan part is flat with little elevation, having an average height ] of {{convert|31|m|ft|0}}. The highest natural point is ], at {{convert|170.86|m|ft|2}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nyt højeste punkt i Danmark|url=http://www.gst.dk/nyheder/nyhedsarkiv/2005/feb/hoejste-punkt/|publisher=]|access-date=26 May 2014|language=da|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528005236/http://www.gst.dk/nyheder/nyhedsarkiv/2005/feb/hoejste-punkt/|archive-date=28 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Although this is by far the lowest high point in the Nordic countries and also less than half of the highest point in ], Denmark's general elevation in its interior is generally at a safe level from ]. A sizeable portion of Denmark's ] consists of rolling ]s whilst the coastline is sandy, with large ]s in northern Jutland. Although once extensively forested, today Denmark largely consists of ]. It is drained by a ], and the most significant include the ], ], ], ] and ]—a river that flows along its southern border with Germany. The country has 1008 lakes, 16 have an area of more than {{convert|500|ha}}. Lake ], located northwest of Copenhagen, is the largest lake.{{sfn|Jensen|1999|page=10}} | |||
air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides | |||
The Kingdom of Denmark includes two overseas territories, both well to the west of Denmark: Greenland, the ], and the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. These territories are self-governing under their own parliaments (the ] and ]) and form, together with continental Denmark, part of the ], a country. | |||
However the Danish Government has signed many international agreements such as: | |||
=== Climate === | |||
Antarctic Treaty; Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol; Endangered Species Act; Etc. <ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/da.html</ref> | |||
Denmark has a ] climate, characterised by cool to cold winters, with mean temperatures in January of {{convert|1.5|°C|°F|1}}, and mild summers, with a mean temperature in August of {{convert|17.2|°C|°F|1}}.<ref name="Denmark climate">{{cite web |url=http://www.dmi.dk/vejr/arkiver/normaler-og-ekstremer/klimanormaler-dk/vejrnormal/ |title=Climate Normals for Denmark |access-date=2 January 2015 |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103014624/http://www.dmi.dk/vejr/arkiver/normaler-og-ekstremer/klimanormaler-dk/vejrnormal// |archive-date=3 January 2015 |url-status=dead }} Figures, labelled in Danish: First plot is the whole country; Nedbør=Precipitation, Nedbørdage=Precipitation days (>1 mm), (Dag/Middel/Nat)temp.=(Daytime/Average/Nighttime) temperature, Solskinstimer=Hours of sunshine.</ref> The most extreme temperatures recorded in Denmark, since 1874 when recordings began, was {{convert|36.4|°C|°F|1}} in 1975 and {{convert|-31.2|°C|°F|1}} in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dmi.dk/vejr/arkiver/normaler-og-ekstremer/vejrekstremer-dk/|title=Vejrekstremer i Danmark |language=da|publisher=] (DMI)|date=6 October 2016|access-date=19 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019211924/https://www.dmi.dk/vejr/arkiver/normaler-og-ekstremer/vejrekstremer-dk/|archive-date=19 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Denmark has an average of 179 days per year with precipitation, on average receiving a total of {{convert|765|mm|in|0}} per year; autumn is the wettest season and spring the driest.<ref name="Denmark climate" /> The position between a continent and an ocean means that the weather is often unstable.<ref name="Denmark weather change">{{cite web |url=http://www.dmi.dk/vejr/til-lands/maaned-og-saeson/vejrkorset-efteraarsvejrets-fire-hjoerner/ |title=The weather cross – the four corners of autumn weather |access-date=17 September 2015 |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921003948/http://www.dmi.dk/vejr/til-lands/maaned-og-saeson/vejrkorset-efteraarsvejrets-fire-hjoerner/ |archive-date=21 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
Because of Denmark's northern location, there are large seasonal variations in daylight: short days during the winter with sunrise coming around 8:45 am and sunset 3:45 pm (standard time), as well as long summer days with sunrise at 4:30 am and sunset at 10 pm (]).<ref name="sunrise sunset">{{cite web|url=http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/kobenhavn.html|title=Copenhagen, Denmark – Sunrise, sunset, dawn and dusk times for the whole year|publisher=Gaisma|access-date=24 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702220228/http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/kobenhavn.html|archive-date=2 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
These agreements have helped in the reduction in CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by Denmark. Now Denmark is ranked 10th for the most green countries to live in the world. <ref>http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/best-places-to-live-green/article45734.html</ref> | |||
=== Ecology === | |||
==Government and politics== | |||
{{Further|List of forests in Denmark|List of mammals of Denmark|List of birds of Denmark}} | |||
<!--Please add new information into relevant articles of the series--> | |||
{{Hatnote|Also related: ] and ] and ]}} | |||
{{main|Politics of Denmark}} | |||
] are common throughout Denmark, especially in the sparse woodlands]] | |||
The Kingdom of Denmark is a ]. As stipulated in the ], the monarch is not answerable for his or her actions, and his or her person is sacrosanct. The monarch formally appoints and dismisses the Prime Minister and other ministers. The prime minister is customarily chosen through negotiation between the parliament party leaders. | |||
Denmark belongs to the ] and can be subdivided into two ]s: the ] and ].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal |last1=Dinerstein |first1=Eric |last2=Olson |first2=David |last3=Joshi |first3=Anup |last4=Vynne |first4=Carly |last5=Burgess |first5=Neil D. |last6=Wikramanayake |first6=Eric |last7=Hahn |first7=Nathan |last8=Palminteri |first8=Suzanne |last9=Hedao |first9=Prashant |last10=Noss |first10=Reed |last11=Hansen |first11=Matt |last12=Locke |first12=Harvey |last13=Ellis |first13=Erle C. |last14=Jones |first14=Benjamin |last15=Barber |first15=Charles Victor |last16=Hayes |first16=Randy |last17=Kormos |first17=Cyril |last18=Martin |first18=Vance |last19=Crist |first19=Eileen |last20=Sechrest |first20=Wes |last21=Price |first21=Lori |last22=Baillie |first22=Jonathan E. M. |last23=Weeden |first23=Don |last24=Suckling |first24=Kierán |last25=Davis |first25=Crystal |last26=Sizer |first26=Nigel |last27=Moore |first27=Rebecca |last28=Thau |first28=David |last29=Birch |first29=Tanya |last30=Potapov |first30=Peter |last31=Turubanova |first31=Svetlana |last32=Tyukavina |first32=Alexandra |last33=de Souza |first33=Nadia |last34=Pintea |first34=Lilian |last35=Brito |first35=José C. |last36=Llewellyn |first36=Othman A. |last37=Miller |first37=Anthony G. |last38=Patzelt |first38=Annette |last39=Ghazanfar |first39=Shahina A. |last40=Timberlake |first40=Jonathan |last41=Klöser |first41=Heinz |last42=Shennan-Farpón |first42=Yara |last43=Kindt |first43=Roeland |last44=Lillesø |first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow |last45=van Breugel |first45=Paulo |last46=Graudal |first46=Lars |last47=Voge |first47=Maianna |last48=Al-Shammari |first48=Khalaf F. |last49=Saleem |first49=Muhammad |title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm |journal=BioScience |volume=67 |issue=6 |year=2017 |pages=534–545 |issn=0006-3568 |doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014 |pmid=28608869 |pmc=5451287}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hogan |first1=C. Michael |title=Ecoregions of Denmark |url=http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/152021/ |publisher=Encyclopedia of Earth |access-date=26 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924044145/http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/152021/ |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Almost all of Denmark's ] have been destroyed or fragmented, chiefly for agricultural purposes during the last millennia.<ref name="Jensen1">{{cite web |last1=Jensen |first1=Christian Lundmark |title=Forests and forestry in Denmark – Thousands of years of interaction between man and nature |url=http://www.nordicforestresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/ForestandforestryinDenmark.pdf |publisher=Danish Ministry of the Environment Nature Agency |access-date=31 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715001546/http://www.nordicforestresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/ForestandforestryinDenmark.pdf |archive-date=15 July 2016}}</ref> The deforestation has created large swaths of ] and devastating ].<ref name="Jensen1" /> In spite of this, there are several larger ] in the country and, in total, 12.9% of the land is now forested.<ref>{{cite web |title= Forest area (% of land area) |url= http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.FRST.ZS |website= worldbank.org |publisher= The World Bank |access-date= 26 August 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150905234836/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/AG.LND.FRST.ZS |archive-date= 5 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> ] is the most widespread tree (2017); an important tree in the ]. Denmark holds a ] mean score of 0.5/10, ranking it 171st globally out of 172 countries—behind only ].<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal |last1=Grantham |first1=H. S. |last2=Duncan |first2=A. |last3=Evans |first3=T. D. |last4=Jones |first4=K. R. |last5=Beyer |first5=H. L. |last6=Schuster |first6=R. |last7=Walston |first7=J. |last8=Ray |first8=J. C. |last9=Robinson |first9=J. G. |last10=Callow |first10=M. |last11=Clements |first11=T. |last12=Costa |first12=H. M. |last13=DeGemmis |first13=A. |last14=Elsen |first14=P. R. |last15=Ervin |first15=J. |last16=Franco |first16=P. |last17=Goldman |first17=E. |last18=Goetz |first18=S. |last19=Hansen |first19=A. |last20=Hofsvang |first20=E. |last21=Jantz |first21=P. |last22=Jupiter |first22=S. |last23=Kang |first23=A. |last24=Langhammer |first24=P. |last25=Laurance |first25=W. F. |last26=Lieberman |first26=S. |last27=Linkie |first27=M. |last28=Malhi |first28=Y. |last29=Maxwell |first29=S. |last30=Mendez |first30=M. |last31=Mittermeier |first31=R. |last32=Murray |first32=N. J. |last33=Possingham |first33=H. |last34=Radachowsky |first34=J. |last35=Saatchi |first35=S. |last36=Samper |first36=C. |last37=Silverman |first37=J. |last38=Shapiro |first38=A. |last39=Strassburg |first39=B. |last40=Stevens |first40=T. |last41=Stokes |first41=E. |last42=Taylor |first42=R. |last43=Tear |first43=T. |last44=Tizard |first44=R. |last45=Venter |first45=O. |last46=Visconti |first46=P. |last47=Wang |first47=S. |last48=Watson |first48=J. E. M. |title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material |journal=Nature Communications |volume=11 |issue=1 |year=2020 |page=5978 |issn=2041-1723 |doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3 |pmid=33293507 |pmc=7723057 |bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G }}</ref>{{explain|reason=What does it mean? Is it good or bad? Please include a little eplanation|date=December 2020}} | |||
Before being validated through royal assent, all bills and important government measures must be discussed in ], a privy council headed by the monarch. The Danish privy council's protocols are secret. Although the monarch is ''formally'' given executive power this power is strictly ]. The monarch is expected to be entirely apolitical and refrain from influencing the government in any way or form. For example, members of the royal family do not cast their votes in elections and referendums even though they have the right. | |||
] occupy the countryside in growing numbers, and large-antlered ] can be found in the sparse woodlands of Jutland. Denmark is also home to smaller mammals, such as ], ]s and ]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Animals in Denmark|url=http://www.listofcountriesoftheworld.com/da-animals.html|website=listofcountriesoftheworld.com|access-date=31 May 2016|date=2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601121051/http://www.listofcountriesoftheworld.com/da-animals.html|archive-date=1 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Approximately 400 bird species inhabit Denmark and about 160 of those breed in the country.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bird list of Denmark|url=http://www.netfugl.dk/dklist.php|publisher=Netfugl.dk|access-date=26 August 2015|quote=It involves all category A, B and C birds recorded in Denmark (according to SU/BOURC/AERC standard).|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905040347/http://www.netfugl.dk/dklist.php|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Large marine mammals include healthy populations of ]s, growing numbers of ]s and occasional visits of whales, including ]s and ]s. ], ] and ] are abundant ] in Danish waters and form the basis for ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Byskov|first1=Søren|title=Theme: Herring, cod and other fish – 1001 Stories of Denmark|url=http://www.kulturarv.dk/1001fortaellinger/en_GB/theme/herring-cod-and-other-fish/article|publisher=The Heritage Agency of Denmark|access-date=31 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234622/http://www.kulturarv.dk/1001fortaellinger/en_GB/theme/herring-cod-and-other-fish/article|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Any interference in the government by the monarch is almost unheard of and would almost certainly create a constitutional crisis (q.v. ].) | |||
=== Environment === | |||
]]] | |||
] in Copenhagen]] | |||
]]] | |||
While executive authority formally belongs to the monarch (as ]), legislative authority is vested in the executive (Prime Minister) and the Danish parliament conjointly. Judicial authority lies with the courts of justice. | |||
Denmark historically taken a progressive stance on ]: In 1971, it established a ] and was the first country in the world to implement an ] in 1973.<ref>. Marie-Louise Larsson.</ref> Land and ] are two of Denmark's most significant ]s, although much of its household and industrial waste is now increasingly filtered and sometimes recycled. Denmark is a signatory to the ] to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.<ref name="factbook">{{cite web|date=19 January 2012|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/denmark/|title=Denmark|work=The World Factbook|publisher=CIA|access-date=4 February 2012|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705032013/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/denmark/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, its national ] is 8.26 global hectares per person, which is very high compared to a world average of 1.7 in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ecological Footprint Atlas 2010|url=http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/ecological_footprint_atlas_2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709225943/http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/ecological_footprint_atlas_2010/|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 July 2011|publisher=Global Footprint Network|access-date=26 August 2015|date=2010}}</ref> Contributing factors are an exceptionally high value for cropland and grazing land,<ref>WWF (2014): Living Planet Report.</ref> possibly due to substantially high meat production ({{convert|115.8|kg}} meat annually per capita) and economic size of the meat and dairy industries.<ref>AMI (2012); preliminary data for 2011</ref> | |||
Executive authority is exercised on behalf of the monarch by the ] and other ] who head departments. The cabinet, including the Prime Minister, and other ministers collectively make up the ]. These ministers are responsible to ] (the Danish Parliament), the legislative body, which is traditionally considered to be supreme (that is, able to legislate on any matter and not bound by decisions of its predecessors). | |||
Notwithstanding its relatively high emissions, Denmark topped the list of the 2015 ] due to its implementation effective climate protection policies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://germanwatch.org/en/download/10407.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209222711/http://germanwatch.org/en/download/10407.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 December 2014|title=The Climate Change Performance Index: Results 2015|first1=Jan|last1=Burck|first2=Franziska|last2=Marten|first3=Christoph|last3=Bals|publisher=Germanwatch|access-date=9 December 2014}}</ref> The country has consistently placed first since 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 EPI Results |url=https://epi.yale.edu/epi-results/2020/component/epi |website=Environmental Performance Index |date=3 June 2020 |access-date=20 November 2020 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621233539/https://epi.yale.edu/epi-results/2022/component/epi |url-status=live }}</ref> Denmark ranked 10th in the ],<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Environmental Performance Index |url=https://epi.yale.edu/measure/2024/EPI |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Environmental Performance Index |language=en}}</ref> which measures progress at mitigating ], safeguarding ], and promoting ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Environmental Performance Index – Denmark |url=https://epi.yale.edu/country/2024/DNK |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Environmental Performance Index |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, Denmark joined Costa Rica to launch the "Beyond Oil and Gas alliance" for stopping use fossil fuels.<ref>{{cite news |title=Climate change: Whisper it cautiously... there's been progress in run up to COP26 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58678937 |access-date=10 October 2021 |agency=BBC |date=25 September 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921171344/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58678937 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Danish government stopped issuing new licences for oil and gas extraction in December 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Farand |first1=Chloé |date=4 December 2020 |title=Denmark to phase out oil and gas production by 2050 in "watershed" decision |url=https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/12/04/denmark-phase-oil-gas-production-2050-watershed-decision/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204115130/https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/12/04/denmark-phase-oil-gas-production-2050-watershed-decision/ |archive-date=4 December 2020 |access-date=29 December 2020 |agency=Climate Home News}}</ref> | |||
The '']'' is the national legislature. It has the ultimate legislative authority according to the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty, however questions over ] have been brought forward because of Denmark’s entry into the European Union. In theory however, the doctrine prevails. Parliament consists of 175 members elected by proportional majority, plus 2 times 2 members elected from ] and ]. Parliamentary elections are held at least every four years, but it is within the powers of the Prime Minister to call one at his discretion before this period has elapsed. On a ] the parliament may force a single minister or the entire government to resign. | |||
Denmark's territories, Greenland and the ], catch approximately 650 whales per year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ethicsandinternationalaffairs.org/2012/almost-saving-whales-the-ambiguity-of-success-at-the-international-whaling-commission-full-text/|title=Almost Saving Whales: The Ambiguity of Success at the International Whaling Commission – Ethics & International Affairs|date=29 March 2012|work=Ethics & International Affairs|access-date=27 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227180348/https://www.ethicsandinternationalaffairs.org/2012/almost-saving-whales-the-ambiguity-of-success-at-the-international-whaling-commission-full-text/|archive-date=27 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/faroe-islands-slaughter-pilot-whales-sea-blood-red-north-atlantic-iceland-denmark-ritual-tradition-a7798436.html|title=Hundreds of whales slaughtered in Faroe Island's annual killing|date=20 June 2017|work=The Independent|access-date=27 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228000456/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/faroe-islands-slaughter-pilot-whales-sea-blood-red-north-atlantic-iceland-denmark-ritual-tradition-a7798436.html|archive-date=28 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Greenland's quotas for the catch of whales are determined according to the advice of the ] (IWC), having quota decision-making powers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://naalakkersuisut.gl/en/Naalakkersuisut/News/2013/01/Whales|title=Greenland quotas for big whales|date=5 January 2013|work=Government of Greenland|access-date=4 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105062411/https://naalakkersuisut.gl/en/Naalakkersuisut/News/2013/01/Whales|archive-date=5 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
] has traditionally generated coalitions. Most Danish post-war governments have been minority coalitions ruling with the support of non-government parties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.berlingske.dk/kronikker:aid=908766|title=Radikale ved historisk skillevej|publisher=]|date=2007-06-17|accessdate=2007-08-17}}</ref> | |||
== Government and politics == | |||
] | |||
{{Main|Politics of Denmark}} | |||
{{Hatnote|Also related: ] and ]}} | |||
{{multiple image | |||
Since November 2001, the Danish Prime Minister has been ] from the ] party, a center-right liberal party. The government is a coalition consisting of Venstre and the ], with parliamentary support from the ] (Dansk Folkeparti). The three parties obtained a parliamentary majority in the ] and maintained it virtually unchanged in the ]. On 24 October 2007 an early ] was called by the Prime Minister for 13 November. Following the election the Danish People's party was strengthened while Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen's Venstre lost 6 seats and the Conservative Party retained the same number of seats in Parliament as prior to the election. The result ensured that Anders Fogh Rasmussen could continue as Prime Minister for a third term. | |||
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| image1 = Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark in 2021.jpg | |||
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| image2 = Mette Frederiksen Kööpenhaminassa 4.5.2022 (52049397038) (cropped).jpg | |||
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Politics in Denmark operate under a framework laid out in the ].{{#tag:ref|Denmark has a ]. Changes to it require an absolute majority in two consecutive parliamentary terms and the approval of at least 40% of the electorate through a referendum.<ref>{{cite web |author=Tschentscher, Axel |url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html |title=The Constitution of Denmark – Section 88 |publisher=Servat.unibe.ch |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710092702/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html |archive-date=10 July 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>|group="N"}} First written in 1849, it establishes a sovereign state in the form of a ], with a representative ] ]. The ] officially retains ] and presides over the ] (]).<ref>"The executive power is vested in the King." {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710092702/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html |date=10 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>"The body of Ministers shall form the Council of State, in which the Successor to the Throne shall have a seat when he is of age. The Council of State shall be presided over by the King{{nbsp}}..." {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710092702/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html |date=10 July 2011 }}</ref> In practice, the duties of the monarch are strictly representative and ],<ref group="N">The Constitution refers to "the King" ({{langx|da|kongen}}), rather than the gender-neutral term "monarch". In light of the restriction of powers of the monarchy, this is best interpreted as referring to the government Cabinet.</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215082552/http://kongehuset.dk/english/the-monarchy-in-denmark/the-monarchy-today |date=15 February 2015 }} – ''The Danish Monarchy'' (kongehuset.dk). Access date: 16 June 2012</ref> such as the formal appointment and dismissal of the ] and other Government ministers. The Monarch is not answerable for his or her actions, and their ] is ].<ref>"The King shall not be answerable for his actions; his person shall be sacrosanct." {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710092702/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html |date=10 July 2011 }}</ref> ] ] has been head of state since 14 January 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bryant |first1=Miranda |title=Denmark's King Frederik X takes throne after Margrethe abdicates |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/14/denmark-proclaims-king-frederik-queen-margrethe-abdicates |work=The Guardian |date=14 January 2024 |access-date=19 February 2024 |archive-date=21 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221130224/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/14/denmark-proclaims-king-frederik-queen-margrethe-abdicates |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==Regions and municipalities== | |||
{{main|Regions of Denmark|Municipalities of Denmark}} | |||
:''For the administrative divisions used until 2006, see ].'' | |||
] | |||
=== Government === | |||
Denmark is divided into five ] ({{lang-da|regioner}}, singular: ''region'') and a total of 98 ]. The regions were created on 1 January 2007 as part of the 2007 Danish Municipal Reform to replace the country's traditional thirteen ] ('']''). At the same time, smaller municipalities ('']'') were merged into larger units, cutting the number of municipalities from 270 to 98. The most important area of responsibility for the new regions is the national health service. Unlike the former counties, the regions are not allowed to levy taxes, and the health service is primarily financed by a national 8% (''sundhedsbidrag'') tax combined with funds from both government and municipalities. Each Regional Council consists of 41 elected politicians elected as part of the 2005 Danish municipal elections. | |||
{{Main|Folketing|Cabinet of Denmark}} | |||
{{See also|Løgting|Cabinet of the Faroe Islands}} | |||
{{Hatnote|Also related: ] and ]}} | |||
] or ]]] | |||
Most of the new municipalities have a population of at least 20,000 people, although a few exceptions were made to this rule. | |||
The Danish parliament is ] and called the Folketing ({{langx|da|Folketinget}}). It is the ] of the Kingdom of Denmark, passing ] that apply in Denmark and, variably, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The Folketing is also responsible for adopting the ], approving the state's accounts, appointing and exercising control of the Government, and taking part in international co-operation. ] may be initiated by the Government or by ]. All bills passed must be presented before the Council of State to receive ] within thirty days in order to become law.<ref>"A Bill passed by the Parliament shall become law if it receives the Royal Assent not later than thirty days after it was finally passed." {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710092702/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html |date=10 July 2011 }}</ref> | |||
The ] ] (96 inhabitants (2008)) is neither part of a municipality, nor a region but belongs to the ].<ref>{{cite news | first=Jonas | last=Michael Kjær | title=Christiansø betaler ikke sundhedsbidrag | date=2006-11-15 | url =http://www.dr.dk/Regioner/Bornholm/Nyheder/Christiansoe/2006/11/15160130.htm | work =dr.dk | accessdate = 2007-08-12}}{{da icon}}</ref> | |||
] houses the Folketing, the ], and government offices]] | |||
] and the ] are also parts of the Kingdom of Denmark, as members of ] but have autonomous status and are largely self-governing, and are each represented by two seats in the parliament. | |||
Denmark is a ] with ].{{#tag:ref|The ], while acknowledging that democracy is difficult to measure, listed Denmark 5th on its ].<ref name="Democracy_Index">{{cite web|title=Democracy Index 2014|url=http://www.sudestada.com.uy/Content/Articles/421a313a-d58f-462e-9b24-2504a37f6b56/Democracy-index-2014.pdf|publisher=The Economist/Economist Intelligence Unit|access-date=23 August 2015|date=2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201164818/http://www.sudestada.com.uy/Content/Articles/421a313a-d58f-462e-9b24-2504a37f6b56/Democracy-index-2014.pdf|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>|group="N"}} Membership of the Folketing is based on ] of political parties,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html|title=ICL – Denmark – Constitution – Section 31. Elections|work=unibe.ch|access-date=12 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710092702/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html|archive-date=10 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> with a 2% electoral threshold. Denmark elects 175 members to the Folketing, with Greenland and the Faroe Islands electing an additional two members each—179 members in total.<ref>{{harvnb|Jørgensen|1995|p=16.}}</ref> Parliamentary elections are held at least every four years, but it is within the powers of the prime minister to ask the monarch to call for an election before the term has elapsed. On a ], the Folketing may force a single minister or an entire government to resign.<ref>"A Minister shall not remain in office after the Parliament has passed a vote of no confidence in him." {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710092702/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html |date=10 July 2011 }}</ref> | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
|- bgcolor="#ececec" | |||
The Government of Denmark operates as a ], where executive authority is exercised—formally, on behalf of the monarch—by the prime minister and other ]s, who head ]. As the executive branch, the Cabinet is responsible for proposing bills and a budget, executing the laws, and guiding the foreign and internal policies of Denmark. The position of prime minister belongs to the person most likely to command the ] of a majority in the Folketing; this is often the current leader of the largest ] or, more effectively, through a ]. A single party generally does not have sufficient political power in terms of the number of seats to form a cabinet on its own; Denmark has often been ruled by ], themselves usually ]s dependent on non-government parties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.b.dk/din-mening/radikale-ved-historisk-skillevej|title=Radikale ved historisk skillevej|work=]|date=17 June 2007|access-date=17 August 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811132101/http://www.b.dk/din-mening/radikale-ved-historisk-skillevej|archive-date=11 August 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
|'''Country/Region''' || '''Population''' || '''Area''' (km²) || '''Density''' (Pop per km²) | |||
Following the ] in November 2022, incumbent prime minister and ] ] in December 2022 formed the current ], a coalition government with the until then leading opposition party ] and the recently founded ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Danish PM picks right-leaning rivals as key ministers in new government |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/danish-pm-frederiksen-appoints-lokke-rasmussen-foreign-minister-new-government-2022-12-15/ |work=Reuters |date=15 December 2022 |language=en |access-date=4 January 2023 |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531004057/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/danish-pm-frederiksen-appoints-lokke-rasmussen-foreign-minister-new-government-2022-12-15/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
=== Law and judicial system === | |||
{{Main|Law of Denmark|Courts of Denmark}} | |||
{{See also|Crime in Denmark}} | |||
{{Hatnote|Also related: ]}} | |||
] above ]. In 2023, the ] ranked Denmark no. 1 on their rule of law index<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-25 |title=WJP Rule of Law Index 2023 Global Press Release |url=https://worldjusticeproject.org/news/wjp-rule-law-index-2023-global-press-release |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=World Justice Project |language=en}}</ref>]] | |||
Denmark has a ] system with some references to ]. Denmark resembles Norway and Sweden in never having developed a ] like that of ] and the ] nor comprehensive ] like those of France and Germany. Much of its law is ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Orfield|first1=Lester Bernhardt Orfield|title=The Growth of Scandinavian Law|date=2002|publisher=Lawbook Exchange|location=Union, N.J.|isbn=978-1-58477-180-7|page=14}}</ref> | |||
The judicial system of Denmark is divided between courts with regular civil and ] jurisdiction and administrative courts with jurisdiction over litigation between individuals and the public administration. Articles sixty-two and sixty-four of the Constitution ensure ] from government and Parliament by providing that judges shall only be guided by the law, including acts, statutes and practice.<ref>"The administration of justice shall always remain independent of the executive power. Rules to this effect shall be laid down by Statute ..." {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710092702/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html |date=10 July 2011 }}</ref> The Kingdom of Denmark does not have a single unified judicial system – Denmark has one system, Greenland another, and the Faroe Islands a third.<ref>{{harvnb|Gammelgaard|Sørensen|1998|p=18}}</ref> However, decisions by the highest courts in Greenland and the Faroe Islands may be appealed to the Danish High Courts. The ] is the highest civil and criminal court responsible for the administration of justice in the Kingdom. | |||
=== Danish Realm === | |||
{{Main|Danish Realm}} | |||
] on ] island, in the ]. ] island is at right]] | |||
The Kingdom of Denmark is a ] that comprises, in addition to metropolitan Denmark, two ]<ref name="territory" /> in the ]: the ] and ]. They have been integrated parts of the Danish Realm since the 18th century; however, due to their separate historical and cultural identities, these parts of the Realm have extensive political powers and have assumed ] and administrative responsibility in a substantial number of fields.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309063149/http://www.gfbv.it/3dossier/eu-min/autonomy.html |date=9 March 2008 }} – Gesellschaft für bedrohte Völker (GFBV). Retrieved 13 March 2012.</ref> ] was granted to the Faroe Islands in 1948 and to Greenland in 1979, each having previously had the status of ].<ref name=stm> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120161948/http://www.stm.dk/_p_10988.html |date=20 January 2013 }} – Statsministeriet – stm.dk. Retrieved 13 March 2012.</ref> | |||
The Faroe Islands and Greenland have their own home governments and parliaments and are effectively ] in regards to domestic affairs apart from the judicial system and monetary policy.<ref name=stm /> ]s (''{{lang|da|Rigsombudsmand}}'') act as representatives of the Danish government in the Faroese ] and in the ], but they cannot vote.<ref name=stm /> The Faroese home government is defined to be an equal partner with the Danish national government,<ref>{{cite web|title=Act on the Faroese authorities acquisition of affairs and fields|url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=20991|website=retsinformation.dk|access-date=11 June 2014|language=da|trans-title=Lov om de færøske myndigheders overtagelse af sager og sagsområder|date=24 June 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120224148/https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=20991|archive-date=20 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> while the ] are defined as a separate people with the right to ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106211314/https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=125052 |date=6 November 2018 }} {{in lang|da}}. Retsinformation.dk. "I erkendelse af, at det grønlandske folk er et folk i henhold til folkeretten med ret til selvbestemmelse, bygger loven på et ønske om at fremme ligeværdighed og gensidig respekt i partnerskabet mellem Danmark og Grønland."</ref> | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|- | |||
! Autonomous territory | |||
! ] {{small|(2020)}} | |||
! Total area | |||
! ] | |||
! ] | |||
! Premier | |||
|- | |||
| {{flag|Faroe Islands}} {{small|(''{{lang|da|Færøerne}}'', ''{{lang|fo|Føroyar}}'')}} | |||
| 52,110<ref name="Faroer pop">{{cite web|title=Faroe Islands Population|url=http://citypopulation.de/en/faroe/cities/|publisher=Hagstova Føroya|access-date=1 April 2020|archive-date=15 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515175245/http://citypopulation.de/en/faroe/cities/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| {{convert|1,399|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sigfig=5}} | |||
| {{coat of arms|Tórshavn}} | |||
| '']'' | |||
| ] | |||
|- | |||
| {{flag|Greenland}} {{small|(''{{lang|da|Grønland}}'', ''{{lang|kl|Kalaallit Nunaat}}'')}} | |||
| 56,081<ref name="Greenland pop">{{cite web|title=2020 Population|url=http://citypopulation.de/en/greenland/|access-date=1 April 2020|archive-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505153812/http://www.citypopulation.de/en/greenland/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| {{convert|2,166,086|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sigfig=6}} | |||
| {{coat of arms|Nuuk}} | |||
| '']'' | |||
| ] | |||
|} | |||
=== Administrative divisions === | |||
{{Main|Regions of Denmark|Municipalities of Denmark}} | |||
{{Hatnote|Also related: ], ], and ]}} | |||
<!--This section only details divisions with an administrate purpose--> | |||
{{Danish regions|float=right}} | |||
Denmark, with a total area of {{convert|43,094|km2|sqmi|lk=in|sigfig=5}}, is divided into five administrative regions ({{langx|da|regioner}}). The regions are further subdivided into ] (''{{lang|da|kommuner}}''). The easternmost land in Denmark, the ] archipelago, with an area of 39 hectares (0.16 sq mi), is neither part of a municipality nor a region but belongs to the ].<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonas |last=Michael Kjær |title=Christiansø betaler ikke sundhedsbidrag |date=15 November 2006 |url=http://www.dr.dk/Regioner/Bornholm/Nyheder/Christiansoe/2006/11/15160130.htm |work=dr.dk |access-date=12 August 2007 |language=da |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011075640/http://dr.dk/Regioner/Bornholm/Nyheder/Christiansoe/2006/11/15160130.htm |archive-date=11 October 2007 }}</ref> The ] are statistical divisions of Denmark, positioned between the ] and ]. They are not administrative divisions, nor subject for any kind of political elections, but are mainly for statistical use. | |||
The regions were created on ] to replace the 16 ]. At the same time, smaller municipalities were merged into larger units, reducing the number from 270. Most municipalities have a population of at least 20,000 to give them financial and professional sustainability, although a few exceptions were made to this rule.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408144050/http://www.citypopulation.de/Denmark.html |date=8 April 2012 }} – Statistics and Maps on ''City Population''.</ref> The administrative divisions are led by directly elected councils, elected proportionally every four years; the most recent ] were held on 16 November 2021. Other regional structures use the municipal boundaries as a layout, including the ], the ] and the ]. | |||
==== Regions ==== | |||
The governing bodies of the regions are the ], each with forty-one councillors elected for four-year terms. The councils are headed by regional district chairmen (''{{lang|da|regionsrådsformand}}''), who are elected by the council.<ref name="brief">{{cite book|title=The Danish Regions – in Brief|date=2007|publisher=Danske Regioner|location=Copenhagen|isbn=978-87-7723-471-2|edition=3rd rev.}}</ref> | |||
The areas of responsibility for the regional councils are the ], ] and ].<ref name="brief" /><ref name=regioner>{{cite web|title=Regional Tasks in Denmark|url=http://www.regioner.dk/in+english/regional+denmark/regional+tasks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510023358/http://www.regioner.dk/in+english/regional+denmark/regional+tasks|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 May 2014|publisher=Danske Regioner|access-date=23 August 2015}}</ref> Unlike the counties they replaced, the regions are not allowed to levy taxes and the health service is partly financed by a national health care contribution until 2018 (''{{lang|da|sundhedsbidrag}}''), partly by funds from both government and municipalities.<ref name=taxation1>{{cite web|title=The Danish Tax System|url=http://ias.au.dk/taxation/the-danish-tax-system/|publisher=]|access-date=23 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821030836/http://ias.au.dk/taxation/the-danish-tax-system/|archive-date=21 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> From 1 January 2019 this contribution will be abolished, as it is being replaced by higher income tax instead. | |||
The ] and populations of the regions vary widely; for example, the ] has a population three times larger than that of ]. Under the county system certain densely populated municipalities, such as ] and ], had been given a status equivalent to that of counties, making them first-level administrative divisions. These '']'' municipalities were incorporated into the new regions under the 2007 reforms. | |||
{|class="wikitable" | |||
|- | |||
! ] name !! English name !! ] !! Largest city<br />(populous)|| Population<br />(April 2021) !! Total area<br />(km<sup>2</sup>) | |||
|- | |||
|| {{lang|da|Hovedstaden}} || ] || ] || ] || style="text-align:right;"| 1,856,061 || style="text-align:right;"| 2,568.29 | |||
|- | |||
|| {{lang|da|Midtjylland}} || ] || ] || ] || style="text-align:right;"| 1,333,245 || style="text-align:right;"| 13,095.80 | |||
|- | |- | ||
|| {{lang|da|Nordjylland}} || ] || ] || ] || style="text-align:right;"| 590,322 || style="text-align:right;"| 7,907.09 | |||
|{{flagicon|Denmark}} ] || 5,484,723 || 43,094 || 127 | |||
|- | |- | ||
|| {{lang|da|Sjælland}} || ] || ] || ] || style="text-align:right;"| 839,619 || style="text-align:right;"| 7,268.75 | |||
|{{flagicon|Faroe Islands}} ''] (Denmark)'' || 47,017 || 1,399 || 34 | |||
|- | |- | ||
|| {{lang|da|Syddanmark}} || ] || ] || ] || style="text-align:right;"| 1,224,100 || style="text-align:right;"| 12,132.21 | |||
|{{flagicon|Greenland}} ''] (Denmark)'' || 56,916 || 2,175,600 || 0.026 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan=6 |Source: | |||
|{{flagicon|Denmark}} ''] (The Kingdom of Denmark)'' || 5,588,656 || 2,220,093 || 2.5 | |||
|} | |} | ||
=== Foreign relations === | |||
==Economy== | |||
{{ |
{{Main|Foreign relations of Denmark}} | ||
{{Hatnote|Also related: ] and ]}} | |||
] (second from left) with foreign counterparts at the ] in Copenhagen, 2021]] | |||
Denmark's ] features efficient markets, above average European living standards,<ref>Human Development Report 2007/2008</ref><ref>List of countries by Human Development Index</ref> and high amount of free trade. | |||
Denmark wields considerable influence in Northern Europe and is a ] in international affairs.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Behringer |first1=Ronald M. |title=Middle Power Leadership on the Human Security Agenda |journal=Cooperation and Conflict |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=305–342 |date=September 2005 |s2cid=144129970 |url=http://cac.sagepub.com/content/40/3/305.abstract |access-date=1 May 2016|doi=10.1177/0010836705055068 |url-status=live |archive-date=6 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106114255/http://cac.sagepub.com/content/40/3/305.abstract|issn = 0010-8367 }}</ref> In recent years, Greenland and the Faroe Islands have been guaranteed a say in foreign policy issues such as fishing, ], and geopolitical concerns. The foreign policy of Denmark is substantially influenced by ] of the ] (EU); Denmark including Greenland joined the ] (EEC), the EU's predecessor, in 1973.<ref group="N">The Faroese declined membership in 1973; Greenland ] the EEC in 1985, following ].</ref> Denmark held the ] on seven occasions, most recently from January to June 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=Danish Presidency of the European Union 2012 |url=http://eu2012.dk/en|access-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103093056/http://eu2012.dk/en|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 January 2012 |publisher=European Union}}</ref> Following World War II, Denmark ended its two-hundred-year-long policy of ]. It has been a founding member of the ] (NATO) since 1949, and membership remains highly popular.<ref>{{cite web |title=US Department of State: Denmark |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3167.htm |author=Government of the United States |access-date=25 May 2014 |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320100909/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3167.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Denmark has a ] ] higher than that of most European countries, and 15-20% higher than that of the United States.<ref>(Not true - when you look at the per capita index, Denmark ranks 15 and the US are number 6) List of countries by GPD per capita from Misplaced Pages</ref> Denmark is one of the most competitive economies in the world according to World Economic Forum 2008 report, IMD, and The Economist.<ref></ref> According to ], Denmark has the most flexible ] in Europe; the policy is called ]. It is easy to hire, fire, and find a job. According to rankings by OECD, Denmark has the most free ]s in EU-15 and also one of the most free ]s, owning to liberalisation in the 1990s. | |||
As a member of ] (DAC), Denmark has for a long time been among the countries of the world contributing the largest percentage of gross national income to ]. In 2015, Denmark contributed 0.85% of its ] (GNI) to ] and was one of only six countries meeting the longstanding UN target of 0.7% of GNI.<ref group="N">As measured in ] (ODA). Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom exceeded the United Nations' ODA target of 0.7% of GNI.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2015 Preliminary ODA Figures|url=http://www.oecd.org/dac/stats/ODA-2015-detailed-summary.pdf|publisher=OECD|access-date=1 May 2016|location=Paris|date=13 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508134014/http://www.oecd.org/dac/stats/ODA-2015-detailed-summary.pdf|archive-date=8 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The country participates in both bilateral and multilateral aid, with the aid usually administered by the ]. The organisational name of ] (DANIDA) is often used, in particular when operating bilateral aid. According to the 2024 ], Denmark is the 8th most peaceful country in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Global Peace Index |url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GPI-2024-web.pdf}}</ref> | |||
Around 2.9 million residents are in the labor market. The proportion of tertiary degree holders is one of the highest. ] was the 10th highest in 2006 and unemployment at 2.3 percent. Denmark has an advanced telecommunications infrastructure. Denmark has a company tax rate of 25% and a special tax regime for expatriates.<ref>, Invest in Denmark</ref> | |||
=== Military === | |||
Denmark's national currency, the '']'' (plural: kroner), is de facto linked to the ] through ].<ref name=denmarkandtheeuro> {{cite web|url=http://www.nationalbanken.dk/DNUK/Euro.nsf/side/Denmark_and_the_euro!OpenDocument |title=Denmark and the euro |accessdate=2007-02-03 |date=2006-11-17 |publisher=] }}</ref> The exchange rate is very steady at approx. 7.45 kroner per euro. Currently the krone converts to American dollars at a rate of about ] 0.18 per krone (about 5.5 kroner per dollar). (Exchange rates updated October 2008) The government has met the economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase (the common European currency — the Euro) of the ] (EMU), but Denmark, in a ], rejected The Monetary Union. The Government of Fogh Rasmussen, re-elected in November 2007, announced a new referendum on the euro for 2008 or 2009 at the latest.<ref>{{cite news | title= Denmark to have second referendum on euro | date=2007-11-22 | url=http://euobserver.com/9/25202| accessdate = 2007-11-22}}</ref> | |||
{{See also|Danish Defence|Military history of Denmark}} | |||
] | |||
] and part of its ].]] | |||
Denmark's ] are known as the ] ({{langx|da|Forsvaret}}). The Minister of Defence is ] of the Danish Defence, and serves as chief ] official abroad. During peacetime, the ] employs around 33,000 in total. The main military branches employ almost 27,000: 15,460 in the ], 5,300 in the ] and 6,050 in the ] (all including conscripts).{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} The ] employs 2,000 (including conscripts), and about 4,000 are in non-branch-specific services like the ] and the ]. Furthermore, around 44,500 serve as volunteers in the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hjemmeværnet » Se Karrieremuligheder, Job & Løn |url=https://karriere.forsvaret.dk/karriereveje/militar-karriere/karriere-i-hjemmevarnet/ |access-date=18 October 2022 |website=Forsvaret |language=da |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018172434/https://karriere.forsvaret.dk/karriereveje/militar-karriere/karriere-i-hjemmevarnet/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Denmark is home to many multi-national companies, among them: ], (Maersk — international shipping), ] (Heating & Cooling),] (children's toys), ] (hi-fi equipment), ] (beer), ] (]), ] (enzymes and biotech) and the ] companies ] and ]. International companies such as ], ], ] and ] have placed large global business centres in ]. Denmark is known from the ] concerning farming, food industry (now ]), dairies (now ]), shops ], which are part of ] now, ]s, and co-housing associations. | |||
Denmark is a long-time supporter of international ], but since the ] in 1999 and the ] in 2001, Denmark has also found a new role as a warring nation, participating actively in several wars and invasions. This relatively new situation has stirred some internal critique, but the Danish population has generally been very supportive, in particular of the War in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://riko.nu/gunnar-olesen-danmark-som-krigsnation-en-parentes-der-bor-lukkes/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215191400/http://riko.nu/gunnar-olesen-danmark-som-krigsnation-en-parentes-der-bor-lukkes/|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 February 2016|title=Denmark as a warring nation: A bracket that should be closed |first=Gunnar |last=Olesen |publisher=The council for international conflict resolution (RIKO) |date=7 September 2011 |language=da|access-date=1 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.information.dk/236879 |title=Danmark er en krisnation |first=Lasse |last=Lavrsen |publisher=Information |date=19 June 2010 |language=da |access-date=1 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225044756/http://www.information.dk/236879 |archive-date=25 February 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Danish Defence has around 1,400<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forsvaret.dk/FMN/Verdenskort/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227125607/http://forsvaret.dk/FMN/Verdenskort/ |archive-date=27 December 2007 |title=Forsvarsministerens Verdenskort |publisher=Ministry of Defense of Denmark |date=27 December 2007 |access-date=20 August 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> staff in international missions, not including standing contributions to ]. Danish forces were heavily engaged in the former Yugoslavia in the UN Protection Force (]), with ],<ref>{{cite book |title=Bosnia: What Every American Should Know |url=https://archive.org/details/bosniawhateverya00clar |url-access=registration |last=Clark |first=A.L.|year=1996 |publisher=Berkley Books |location=New York}}</ref> and now ].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/Bosnia-Herzegovina/Bosnia-Herzegovina.htm |title=Bosnia-Hertsegovinia: The U.S. Army's Role in Peace Enforcement Operations 1995–2004 |publisher=] |id=CMH Pub 70-97-1 |first=R. Cody |last=Phillips |location=Washington, D.C. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209001303/http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/Bosnia-Herzegovina/Bosnia-Herzegovina.htm |archive-date=9 December 2013 }}</ref> Between 2003 and 2007, there were approximately 450 Danish soldiers in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2007/02/200852514261678446.html |title=Denmark follows UK Iraq pullout |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=21 February 2007 |access-date=20 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211081916/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2007/02/200852514261678446.html |archive-date=11 December 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Denmark also strongly supported ] in ] and has contributed both monetarily and materially to the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2009/02/15/165853.htm |title=Danmarks Radio – Danmark mister flest soldater i Afghanistan |publisher=Dr.dk |date=15 February 2009 |access-date=5 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219224336/http://dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2009/02/15/165853.htm |archive-date=19 February 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> These initiatives are often described by the authorities as part of a new "active foreign policy" of Denmark. | |||
Support for ] is high - in a recent poll 76% responded that globalisation is a good thing.<ref>, Time Magazine</ref> 70% of trade flows are inside the European Union. Main exports include: animal foodstuffs, chemicals, dairy products, electronic equipment, fish, furniture, leather, machinery, meat, oil and gas, and sugar.<ref></ref> Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and has for a number of years had a balance of payments surplus while battling an equivalent of approximately 39% of GNP ] or more than 300 billion DKK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dst.dk/aarbogstabel/407|title=Statens Gæld og Låntagning |publisher=Statistics Denmark}}</ref> Also of importance is the sea territory of more than 105,000 km² (40,000+ sq mi). | |||
== Economy == | |||
Denmark has ranked as the world's 11th most free economy, of 162 countries, in an index created by the ] and ], the ] 2008. The Index has been categorised as using inappropriately weighted indicators for ], leading to wealthy and/or conservative countries with barriers to trade placing high on the list, while poor and/or socialist countries with fewer restrictions on trade place low.<ref></ref> The Index has only a 10% statistical correlation with a standard measure of economic growth at ].<ref></ref> Neither does the Index account for the actions of governments to nurture business<ref></ref> in the manner of the Japanese ]s during the late 20th C, that helped lead to the ]. | |||
{{further|Economy of Denmark|List of companies of Denmark|List of largest Danish companies}} | |||
{{Hatnote|Also related: ] and ]}} | |||
], world's largest toy company by revenue, headquartered in ]]] | |||
Denmark has a ] ] that is classed as a ] by the ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702131322/http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-and-lending-groups#High_income |date=2 July 2014 }} World Bank. Accessed on 14 March 2016.</ref> In 2017, it ranked 16th in the world in terms of ] and 10th in ].<ref name=wb>{{Cite web |url=http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/GNIPC.pdf |title=Gross national income per capita 2017, Atlas method and PPP. World Development Indicators database, World Bank, 21 September 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2018. |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912071238/http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/GNIpc.pdf |archive-date=12 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Denmark's economy stands out as one of the most free in the ] and the ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916153902/http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking |date=16 September 2017 }}, 2012 Index of Economic Freedom. Retrieved 12 January 2012.</ref><ref name="2011-09-20_fraserinstitute">{{cite web | url = http://www.freetheworld.com/2011/reports/world/EFW2011_complete.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110926213117/http://www.freetheworld.com/2011/reports/world/EFW2011_complete.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date = 26 September 2011 | title = Economic Freedom of the World: 2011 Annual Report Complete Publication (2.7 MB) | website = ] | publisher = ] | year = 2011 | access-date =20 September 2011 }}</ref> It is the 10th most competitive economy in the world, and 6th in Europe, according to the ] in its ''Global Competitiveness Report 2018''.<ref name="wefcomp">{{cite web |url=http://reports.weforum.org/global-competitiveness-report-2018/competitiveness-rankings/ |title=Global Competitiveness Report 2018 |publisher=World Economic Forum |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208123549/http://reports.weforum.org/global-competitiveness-report-2018/competitiveness-rankings/ |archive-date=8 December 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
Denmark has the fourth highest ratio of ] holders in the world.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128145810/http://www.uis.unesco.org/Library/Documents/ged09-en.pdf |date=28 November 2011 }}, Shared fourth with Finland at a 30.3% ratio. Graph on p. 28, table on p. 194.</ref> The country ranks highest in the world for ].<ref>Kevin Short (28 May 2014). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528214143/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/28/worst-countries-workers_n_5389679.html |date=28 May 2014 }}. ''].'' Retrieved 28 May 2014.</ref> GDP per hour worked was the 13th highest in 2009. The country has a market income inequality close to the ] average,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oecd.org/eco/public-finance/TacklingincomeinequalityTheroleoftaxesandtransfers.pdf |title=Tackling income inequality. The role of taxes and transfers. |first1=Isabelle|last1=Joumard|first2=Mauro|last2=Pisu|first3=Debbie|last3=Bloch |publisher=OECD |date=2012 |access-date=10 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228060612/http://www.oecd.org/eco/public-finance/TacklingincomeinequalityTheroleoftaxesandtransfers.pdf |archive-date=28 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbs.dk/files/cbs.dk/new_papers_4.pdf |title=Sources and impact of rising inequality in Denmark |first1=Ioana|last1=Neamtu|first2=Niels|last2=Westergaard-Nielsen|date=March 2013 |access-date=10 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211011217/http://www.cbs.dk/files/cbs.dk/new_papers_4.pdf |archive-date=11 February 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> but after taxes and public cash transfers the income inequality is ]. According to ], Denmark's ] for disposable income was the 7th-lowest among EU countries in 2017.<ref name=eurostat>{{Cite web |url=http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/submitViewTableAction.do |title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income – EU-SILC survey. Eurostat, last data update 20 November 2018, retrieved 6 December 2018. |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122431/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/submitViewTableAction.do |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
===Education=== | |||
According to the ], Denmark has ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2010/02/weodata/index.aspx |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2010 Edition |publisher=IMF |date=6 October 2010 |access-date=5 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222101150/http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2010/02/weodata/index.aspx |archive-date=22 February 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> As Denmark has no minimum wage legislation, the high wage floor has been attributed to the power of ]s. For example, as the result of a collective bargaining agreement between the ] and the employers group ], workers at ] and other ]s make the equivalent of ]20 an hour, which is more than double what their counterparts earn in the United States, and have access to paid vacation, ] and a pension plan.<ref>Liz Alderman and Steven Greenhouse (27 October 2014). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028002802/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/business/international/living-wages-served-in-denmark-fast-food-restaurants.html |date=28 October 2014 }}. ''].'' Retrieved 28 October 2014.</ref> Union density in 2015 was 68%.<ref>On Sweden and Denmark, see Anders Kjellberg and Christian Lyhne Ibsen {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309062312/https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/ws/files/21682547/Kjellberg_og_Ibsen_2016_ur_Due_og_Madsen.pdf |date=9 March 2017 }} in Trine Pernille Larsen and Anna Ilsøe (eds.)(2016) ''Den Danske Model set udefra (The Danish Model Inside Out) – komparative perspektiver på dansk arbejdsmarkedsregulering'', Copenhagen: Jurist- og Økonomforbundets Forlag (pp. 292)</ref> | |||
{{main|Education in Denmark}} | |||
], Denmark's oldest and largest university]] | |||
Once a predominantly ] country on account of its ] landscape, since 1945 Denmark has greatly expanded its ] and ]. By 2017 services contributed circa 75% of GDP, manufacturing about 15% and agriculture less than 2%.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://statistikbanken.dk/nabp10 |title=StatBank Denmark, Table NABP10: 1-2.1.1 Production and generation of income (10a3-grouping) by transaction, industry and price unit. Retrieved on December 6, 2018. |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117022122/http://statistikbanken.dk/NABP10 |archive-date=17 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Major industries include ]s, ], ], ] and transportation equipment, ], and ].<ref name="factbook2">{{cite web|date=3 December 2018|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/denmark/|title=Denmark|work=The World Factbook|publisher=CIA|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705032013/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/denmark/|url-status=live}}</ref> Circa 60% of the total export value is due to export of goods, and the remaining 40% is from service exports, mainly sea transport. The country's main export goods are: wind turbines, pharmaceuticals, machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, furniture and design.<ref name="factbook2" /> Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and has for a number of years had a ] surplus which has transformed the country from a net debitor to a net creditor country. By 1 July 2018, the ] (or ]) of Denmark was equal to 64.6% of GDP.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-datasets/-/TIPSII40 |title=Eurostat: Net international investment position – quarterly data, % of GDP. Last update 24 October 2018, retrieved December 6 2018. |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126221506/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-datasets/-/TIPSII40 |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
The Danish ] system provides access to ], ], and most kinds of ]. Attendance at "]" is compulsory for a minimum of 9 years, and a maximum of 10. About 99% of students attend compulsory elementary school, 86% attend secondary school, and 41% pursue further education. All college education in Denmark is free. | |||
] products.<!--http://www.worldstopexports.com/pork-exports-by-country/ no longer the largest exporter in the EU as of 2019.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065103/http://www.cecmanitoba.ca/resource/hearings/22/21.pdf |date=4 March 2016 }} by Karen Hamann – The Institute for Food Studies & Agroindustrial Development. Access date: 23 July 2012.</ref>-->]] | |||
Primary school in Denmark is called "]" ("Danish Public School"). It runs from 1st to 10th grade, though 10th grade is optional, as is the introductory "kindergarten class" ("børnehaveklasse"). Students can alternatively attend "free schools" ("Friskole"), or ]s ("Privatskole"), i.e. schools that are not under the administration of the ], such as ]s or ]. The ], coordinated by the ], ranked Denmark's education as the 24th best in the world in 2006, being neither significantly higher nor lower than the OECD average. | |||
Denmark is part of the ]'s ], which represents more than 508 million consumers. Several domestic commercial policies are determined by agreements among European Union (EU) members and by EU legislation. Support for ] is high among the Danish public; in a 2016 poll 57% responded saw globalisation as an opportunity whereas 18% viewed it as a threat.<ref>{{in lang|da}} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206192549/https://finans.dk/finans/okonomi/ECE9155832/danskerne-og-lo-elsker-globalisering/?ctxref=ext |date=6 December 2018 }}</ref> 70% of trade flows are inside the European Union. {{As of|2017}}, Denmark's largest export partners are Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.<ref name="factbook" /> | |||
Denmark's currency, the '']'' (DKK), is ] at approximately 7.46 kroner per euro through the ]. Although a ] rejected adopting the ],<ref name=denmarkandtheeuro>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalbanken.dk/DNUK/Euro.nsf/side/Denmark_and_the_euro!OpenDocument |title=Denmark and the euro |access-date=3 February 2007 |date=17 November 2006 |publisher=] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116210231/http://nationalbanken.dk/DNUK/Euro.nsf/side/Denmark_and_the_euro!OpenDocument |archive-date=16 November 2006 }}</ref> the country follows the policies set forth in the ] (EMU) and meets the economic ] needed to adopt the euro. The majority of the political parties in the Folketing support joining the EMU, but since 2010 opinion polls have consistently shown a clear majority against adopting the euro. In March 2018, 29% of respondents from Denmark in a ] opinion poll stated that they were in favour of the EMU and the euro, whereas 65% were against it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2180|title=Standard Eurobarometer 89 – Spring 2018 – Factsheets Denmark|publisher=Eurobarometer|date=June 2018|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116220555/https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2180|archive-date=16 January 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The exact same pole conducted in November 2023, was almost unchanged with 31% in favour and 63% against.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3053|title=Standard Eurobarometer 100 – Autumn 2023 – Country Factsheets in English – Denmark|publisher=Eurobarometer|date=December 2023|access-date=7 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305111429/https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3053|archive-date=5 March 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Following graduation from ''Folkeskolen'', there are several other educational opportunities, including '']'' (academically oriented upper ]), ] (similar to ''Gymnasium'', but one year shorter), ] (with focus on ] and ]), and ] (HHX) (with a focus on trade and business), as well as ], training young people for work in specific ] by a combination of teaching and ]. | |||
Ranked by turnover in Denmark, the largest Danish companies are: ] (international shipping), ] (pharmaceuticals), ] (facility services), ] (]s), ] (dairy), ] (transport), ] (beer), ] (retail), ] (power), ].<ref>{{cite web|title=The largest companies by turnover in Denmark|url=http://www.largestcompanies.com/toplists/denmark/largest-companies-by-turnover|website=largestcompanies.com|publisher=Nordic Netproducts AB|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106204016/http://www.largestcompanies.com/toplists/denmark/largest-companies-by-turnover|archive-date=6 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
''Gymnasium'', HF, HTX and HHX aim at qualifying students for ] in universities and ]s. | |||
The Danish government focused into methods to increase ] on ] dealers in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|date=4 May 2023|title=Denmark mulls higher taxes for energy traders|url=https://www.montelnews.com/news/1497581/denmark-mulls-higher-taxes-for-energy-traders|access-date=5 May 2023|archive-date=20 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120104957/https://www.montelnews.com/news/1497581/denmark-mulls-higher-taxes-for-energy-traders|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Denmark has several ]; the largest and oldest are the ] (founded 1479) and ] (founded 1928). | |||
=== Public policy === | |||
], ("Folk high schools") introduced by politician, clergyman and poet ] in the 19th century, are social, informal education structures without tests or grades but emphasising communal learning, self-discovery, enlightenment, and learning how to think.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scandinavica.com/culture/education/hojskole.htm|title=www.scandinavica.com/culture/education/hojskole.htm | title=The Danish Folkehøjskole |accessdate=2007-01-28 |work=www.scandinavica.com}}</ref> | |||
{{See also|Flexicurity|Taxation in Denmark}} | |||
{{Hatnote|Also related: ] and ]}} | |||
Danes enjoy a high standard of living and the Danish economy is characterised by extensive government ]. Denmark has a ] rate of 22% and a special time-limited tax regime for expatriates.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221130914/http://www.investindk.com/Establishing-a-business-in-Denmark |date=21 February 2012 }}, Invest in Denmark</ref> The Danish taxation system is broad based, with a 25% ], in addition to excise taxes, income taxes and other fees. The overall level of taxation (sum of all taxes, as a percentage of GDP) was 46% in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://statistikbanken.dk/sktryk |title=StatBank Denmark, SKTRYK: Tax level by national account groups. Retrieved December 6 2018. |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125073944/http://statistikbanken.dk/sktryk |archive-date=25 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The tax structure of Denmark (the relative weight of different taxes) differs from the OECD average, as the Danish tax system in 2015 was characterised by substantially higher revenues from taxes on personal income and a lower proportion of revenues from taxes on corporate income and gains and property taxes than in OECD generally, whereas no revenues at all derive from social security contributions. The proportion deriving from payroll taxes, VAT, and other taxes on goods and services correspond to the OECD average<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oecd.org/tax/revenue-statistics-denmark.pdf |title=OECD Revenue Statistics 2018 – Denmark. Retrieved 18 December 2018. |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908202458/http://www.oecd.org/tax/revenue-statistics-denmark.pdf |archive-date=8 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
===Energy=== | |||
]]] | |||
{{see also|Nordic energy market|Wind power in Denmark}} | |||
{{As of|2014}}, 6% of the population was reported to live below the ], when adjusted for taxes and transfers. Denmark had the 2nd lowest relative poverty rate in the ], below the 11.3% OECD average.<ref name=OECD1>{{cite web|title=Society at a Glance 2014 Highlights: Denmark OECD Social Indicators|url=http://www.oecd.org/denmark/OECD-SocietyAtaGlance2014-Highlights-Denmark.pdf|publisher=OECD|access-date=23 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121312/http://www.oecd.org/denmark/OECD-SocietyAtaGlance2014-Highlights-Denmark.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The 6% of the population reporting that they could not afford to buy sufficient food was less than half of the OECD average.<ref name=OECD1 /> | |||
Denmark has considerable sources of oil and natural gas in the North Sea and ranks as number 32 in the world among net exporters of crude oil.<ref>http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/country/country_energy_data.cfm?fips=DA</ref> Most electricity is produced from coal, but Denmark also has a record high share of windpower in the electricity mix. | |||
=== Labour market === | |||
To encourage investment in wind power, families were offered a tax exemption for generating their own electricity within their own or an adjoining commune. While this could involve purchasing a turbine outright, more often families purchased shares in wind turbine cooperatives which in turn invested in community wind turbines. By 2004 over 150,000 Danes were either members of cooperatives or owned turbines, and about 5,500 turbines had been installed, although with greater private sector involvement the proportion owned by cooperatives had fallen to 75%. Wind turbines produce 16-19% of electricity demand (2004-2006 statistics).<ref name="ens.dk">from www.ens.dk</ref> Denmark is connected by transmission lines to other European countries. | |||
Like other Nordic countries, Denmark has adopted the ], which combines ] capitalism with a comprehensive ] and strong ].<ref name="Nordic Model">{{cite web |url=http://www.iea.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/files/Sweden%20Paper.pdf |title=The surprising ingredients of Swedish success – free markets and social cohesion |date=25 June 2013 |publisher=] |access-date=13 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102084545/http://www.iea.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/files/Sweden%20Paper.pdf |archive-date=2 November 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result of its acclaimed "]" model, Denmark has the freest ] in Europe, according to the World Bank. Employers can hire and fire whenever they want (flexibility), and between jobs, ] compensation is relatively high (security). According to OECD, initial as well as long-term net replacement rates for unemployed persons were 65% of previous net income in 2016, against an OECD average of 53%.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.oecd.org/els/benefits-and-wages.htm |title=Tax and Benefit Systems: OECD Indicators. Benefit generosity. Data retrieved 18 December 2018. |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227040716/http://www.oecd.org/els/benefits-and-wages.htm |archive-date=27 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> No restrictions apply regarding overtime work, which allows companies to operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investindk.com/Why-Denmark/10-good-reasons |title=10 Good Reasons to Invest in Denmark |publisher=Investindk.com |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216124310/http://www.investindk.com/Why-Denmark/10-good-reasons |archive-date=16 February 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> With an employment rate in 2017 of 74.2% for people aged 15–64-years, Denmark ranks 9th highest among the OECD countries, and above the OECD average of 67.8%.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=LFS_SEXAGE_I_R |title=LFS by sex and age – indicators. OECD Statistics, data retrieved 18 December 2018. |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217130806/https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=LFS_SEXAGE_I_R |archive-date=17 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The unemployment rate was 5.7% in 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/lfs/data/database |title=Eurostat Employment and Unemployment Database, Table une_rt_a. Unemployment by sex and age – annual average. Last update 31 October 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018. |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223155807/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/lfs/data/database |archive-date=23 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> which is considered close to or below its structural level.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/2018-european-semester-convergence-programme-denmark_en.pdf |title=The Danish Government: Denmark's Convergence Programme 2018, p. 8. Publication date April 2018, retrieved 18 December 2018. |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226233059/https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/2018-european-semester-convergence-programme-denmark_en.pdf |archive-date=26 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
The level of ] is dependent on former employment and normally on membership of an unemployment fund, which is usually closely connected to a trade union, and previous payment of contributions. Circa 65% of the financing comes from earmarked member contributions, whereas the remaining third originates from the central government and hence from general taxation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.information.dk/indland/2018/10/ny-undersoegelse-dag-statens-udgifter-dagpenge-tre-gange-mindre-1995|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227040753/https://www.information.dk/indland/2018/10/ny-undersoegelse-dag-statens-udgifter-dagpenge-tre-gange-mindre-1995|url-status=dead|title=Ny undersøgelse: I dag er statens udgifter til dagpenge tre gange mindre end i 1995 | Information|archivedate=27 December 2018}}</ref> | |||
Because of energy taxes, Denmark has the highest household electricity prices in the world,<ref> Energy information administration</ref> while industries pay just below EU average.<ref name="ens.dk"/> | |||
=== |
===Business=== | ||
Establishing a business in Denmark can be undertaken in a matter of hours and at very low costs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investindk.com/Why-Denmark |title=The world's best business environment |publisher=Investindk.com |access-date=5 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701080756/http://www.investindk.com/Why-Denmark |archive-date=1 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Danish government operates a "Danish Business Authority", and launched a series of initiatives in 2012 aiming to simplify business rules, making it easier to run a business without jeopardising the intended goals of relevant legislation.<ref>Danish Business Authority, , accessed on 1 September 2024</ref> | |||
{{main|Transport in Denmark}} | |||
] island, and on the left ]. Picture is taken from the air.]] | |||
=== Science and technology === | |||
Significant investment has been made in recent decades in building road and rail links between ] and ], ] (the ]), and between ] and ] (the ]). The ] was also formed between the two cities as the common port for the cities of both nations. | |||
{{See also|Internet in Denmark}} | |||
]<ref>{{cite news|title=Denmark Confirms Participation in E-ELT|url=http://www.eso.org/public/announcements/ann13033/|access-date=17 April 2013|newspaper=ESO Announmentes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416044926/http://www.eso.org/public/announcements/ann13033/|archive-date=16 April 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>]] | |||
Denmark has a long tradition of scientific and technological invention and engagement, and has been involved internationally from the very start of the ]. In current times, Denmark is participating in many high-profile international science and technology projects, including ], ], ], ] and ]. Denmark was ranked 10th in the ] in 2024, down from 6th in 2020 and from 7th in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |author=] |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.wipo.int |page=18 |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |isbn=978-92-805-3681-2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=WIPO |title=Global Innovation Index 2022|edition=15th |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2022/index.html |access-date=16 November 2022 |website=www.wipo.int |year=2022 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |isbn=9789280534320 |language=en |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203061259/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2022/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Release of the Global Innovation Index 2020: Who Will Finance Innovation?|url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2020/index.html|access-date=2 September 2021|work=World Intellectual Property Organization|language=en|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603121259/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2020/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Innovation Index 2019|url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html|access-date=2 September 2021|work=World Intellectual Property Organization|language=en|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101818/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In the 20th century, Danes have also been innovative in several fields of the technology sector. Danish companies have been influential in the shipping industry with the design of the largest and most energy efficient container ships in the world, the ], and Danish engineers have contributed to the design of ] engines. In the software and electronic field, Denmark contributed to design and manufacturing of ]s, and the now-defunct Danish company ] was among the first to develop ] mobile phones. | |||
The main ] operator is ] (Danish State Railways) for passenger services and ] for freight trains. The railway tracks are maintained by ]. Copenhagen has a small ] system and the greater Copenhagen area has an extensive ]. | |||
] is a key sector with extensive research and development activities. Danish engineers are world-leading in providing ] care equipment and medication products from Novo Nordisk and, since 2000, the Danish ] company ], the world market leader in enzymes for first generation starch-based ], has pioneered development of enzymes for converting waste to ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&Itemid=132&id=3101|title=Novozymes, the world's leading provider of enzymes to the biofuels industry|work=Canadian Biomass Magazine|access-date=7 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010095027/http://www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&Itemid=132&id=3101|archive-date=10 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> '']'', spanning the ] between Zealand and Sweden, is one of Europe's largest life science ]. | |||
Denmark's national airline (together with Norway and Sweden) is ] (SAS) and ] is the country's largest airport, and also the biggest hub in Scandinavia. | |||
Danish-born computer scientists and software engineers have taken leading roles in some of the world's programming languages: ] (], ], ]); ] (]); ] (]); ] (]); ], a pioneer in virtual machines (], ], ]). Physicist ] is the first person to stop light, leading to advances in ], ], and ]. | |||
A ferry link to the ] is maintained by ]. Other international ferry services are mainly operated by ] (to Norway and the UK) and ] (to Germany and Sweden). | |||
=== Energy === | |||
Private vehicles are increasingly used as a means of transportation, having gone from 1,389,547 registered cars in 1980 to 2,020,013 in 2007.{{Fact|date=August 2008}} However due to the high registration tax (approx. 180%) and VAT (25%), and the world's highest income tax rate, new cars are very expensive. This has the effect of giving Denmark one of Europe's oldest private vehicle fleets with an average age of 9.1 year in 2007. As another result Denmark has one of Europe's most environmentally harmful vehicle fleets, contrasting to Denmark's general efforts to be perceived internationally as an environmentally friendly and modern nation with a focus on conservation. | |||
{{Main|Energy in Denmark}} | |||
{{See also|Energy in the Faroe Islands|Energy in Greenland}} | |||
], an offshore wind farm near Copenhagen]] | |||
Denmark has considerably large deposits of oil and natural gas in the ] and ranks as number 32 in the world among net exporters of ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/country/country_energy_data.cfm?fips=DA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304094837/http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/country/country_energy_data.cfm?fips=DA |archive-date=4 March 2010 |title=EIA – International Energy Data and Analysis for Denmark |publisher=Tonto.eia.doe.gov |date=15 May 2009 |access-date=29 May 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was producing 259,980 barrels of crude oil a day in 2009.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204011430/http://www.indexmundi.com/energy.aspx?country=dk |date=4 December 2011 }} – indexmundi.</ref> Denmark is a long-time leader in ]: In 2015 ]s provided 42.1% of the total electricity consumption.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119022407/http://cphpost.dk/news/business/wind-energy-in-denmark-breaking-world-records.html |date=19 January 2016 }} The Copenhagen Post, Retrieved 17 January 2016.</ref> {{As of|2011|05|alt=In May 2011}} Denmark derived 3.1% of its gross domestic product from renewable (clean) energy technology and energy efficiency, or around €6.5 billion ($9.4 billion).<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516123405/http://news.yourolivebranch.org/2011/05/10/denmark-invests-the-most-in-clean-energy-per-gdp/ |date=16 May 2012 }} – yourolivebranch.org. Retrieved 3 January 2012</ref> Denmark is connected by ] to other European countries. | |||
In 2007 an attempt was made by the government to favor environmentally friendly cars by slightly reducing taxes on high mileage vehicles. However this has had little effect and Denmark has in 2008 experienced an increase in the import of fuel inefficient old cars (mostly older than 10 years), primarily from Germany as their costs including taxes keeps these cars within the budget of many Danes. | |||
] has integrated energy sources such as wind power into the national grid. Denmark now aims to focus on intelligent battery systems (]) and ] in the transport sector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.energymap.dk/Technology-Areas/Intelligent-Energy/Plug-in-and-Electrical-Vehicles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719122621/http://www.energymap.dk/Technology-Areas/Intelligent-Energy/Plug-in-and-Electrical-Vehicles |archive-date=19 July 2011 |title=Plug-in and Electrical Vehicles |publisher=EnergyMap.dk |access-date=10 October 2009}}</ref> The country is a member nation of the ] (IRENA).<ref name="IRENAstates">{{cite news|title=Global support for International Renewable Energy Agency growing fast|url=http://www.irena.org/Menu/index.aspx?PriMenuID=13&mnu=Pri|date=10 September 2014|access-date=10 September 2014|publisher=IRENA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924015929/http://www.irena.org/menu/index.aspx?mnu=Pri&PriMenuID=13|archive-date=24 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Public policy=== | |||
{{seealso|Nordic model|Flexicurity}} | |||
Denmark exported roughly 460 million ] of energy in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dst.dk/da/Statistik/emner/geografi-miljoe-og-energi/groent-nationalregnskab/energi-og-emissioner|title=Energi og emissioner|website=www.dst.dk|language=da|access-date=12 April 2020|archive-date=12 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412122714/https://www.dst.dk/da/Statistik/emner/geografi-miljoe-og-energi/groent-nationalregnskab/energi-og-emissioner|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
After deregulating the labor market in the 1990es, Denmark has one of the most free labor markets in European countries. According World Bank labor market rankings, the labor market flexibility is at the same levels as the United States. Around 80% of employees belong to unions and the unemployment funds that are attached to them, but the percentage is falling. Labor market policies is mainly determined in negotiations between the worker unions and employer unions, and the government only interferes if labor strikes extends for too long. | |||
=== Transport === | |||
Despite the success of the labor unions in Denmark a growing share of people make contracts individually rather than collectively, and many (four out of ten employees) are contemplating dropping especially unemployment fund but occasionally even union membership altogether. This is due to the fact{{Fact|date=October 2008}} that the maximum amount (''dagpengesats'') of unemployment benefit (''arbejdsløshedsdagpenge'') per month/day/week is capped at only 15,232 DKK(703 DKK/day;3,515DKK/week) (August 2008)(182,780 DKK per year), and the average employee therefore only receives a benefit at 47% of their wage level if they have to claim benefits when unemployed. With unemployment extremely low (under 50,000 persons August 2008), very few expect to be claiming benefits at all. The only reason then to pay the earmarked money to the unemployment fund would be to retire early and receive early retirement pay (''efterløn''), which is possible from the age of 60 provided an additional earmarked contribution is paid to the unemployment fund.<ref></ref> | |||
{{Main|Transport in Denmark}} | |||
{{See also|Transport in the Faroe Islands|Transport in Greenland}} | |||
] | |||
] is the largest airport in Scandinavia and the ]<ref name="cph" />]] | |||
Significant investment has been made in building road and rail links between regions in Denmark, most notably the ], which connects ] and ]. It is now possible to drive from ] in northern ] to ] on eastern Zealand without leaving the motorway. The main railway operator is ] for passenger services and ] for freight trains. The railway tracks are maintained by ]. The North Sea and the Baltic Sea are intertwined by various, international ferry links. Construction of the ], connecting Denmark and Germany with a second link, Started in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Menteth|first=Thames|date=13 May 2022|title=Construction of Fehmarnbelt tunnel portal begins in Denmark|url=https://www.geplus.co.uk/news/construction-of-fehmarnbelt-tunnel-portal-begins-in-denmark-13-05-2022/|access-date=4 December 2022|website=Ground Engineering (GE)|language=en|archive-date=19 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519023729/https://www.geplus.co.uk/news/construction-of-fehmarnbelt-tunnel-portal-begins-in-denmark-13-05-2022/|url-status=live}}</ref> Copenhagen has a ] system, the ], and an extensive electrified suburban railway network, the ]. In the four largest cities – ], ], ], ] – ] systems are planned to be in operation around 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ring 3 summary report |url=http://www.ringtre.dk/fileadmin/filer/freesites/ringtre/filer/Letbane/Dokumenter/Resume_UK_final03.pdf |access-date=12 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413131909/http://www.ringtre.dk/fileadmin/filer/freesites/ringtre/filer/Letbane/Dokumenter/Resume_UK_final03.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2014 }}</ref> | |||
] is a very common form of transport, particularly for the young and for city dwellers. With a network of bicycle routes extending more than 12,000 km<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitdenmark.dk/danmark/da-dk/menu/turist/inspiration/aktivferie/cykel/cykel-ruter-og-regioner.htm |title=Cykelruter og regioner |publisher=Visitdenmark.com |language=da |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315171238/http://www.visitdenmark.dk/danmark/da-dk/menu/turist/inspiration/aktivferie/cykel/cykel-ruter-og-regioner.htm |archive-date=15 March 2012 }}</ref> and an estimated 7,000 km<ref name="vcta">{{cite web |url=http://www.vcta.dk/OmVCTA.aspx |title=Vi cykler til arbejde 2011 |access-date=16 August 2011 |publisher=] |language=da |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724113337/http://www.vcta.dk/OmVCTA.aspx |archive-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> of ], Denmark has a solid ]. | |||
The ] for December 2007 was 2.7%, for a total of 74,900 persons, a reduction by 112,800 persons —2,400 per month — or 60% since December 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dst.dk/pukora/epub/Nyt/2008/NR031.pdf|title=Ledigheden faldt til 2,7 pct. |publisher=Statistics Denmark|format=PDF}}</ref> The ] unemployment number for August 2008 is 2.9%. It should however be noted that this has been achieved by employing more than 38% (800,000 people)<ref>Beskæftigelsesindikator på grundlag af ATP-indbetalinger. In June 2008 unemployment hit a new low of only 1.6%. This rate has been dropping continuously since December 2003, when 170,700 were unemployed.</ref> of the total workforce <!--(calculated on a full time basis;total hours actually worked in public sector much lower(paid lunch alone is 130 hours yearly(=3.5 weeks full-time work in the private sector)))--> in public sector jobs. Another measure of the situation on the labour market is the ], that is the percentage of people aged 15 to 64 (i.e. the ]) in employment out of the total number of people aged 15 to 64. The employment rate for Denmark in 2007 was 77.1% according to Eurostat. Of all countries in the world, only ] with 78.% and ] with 85.1% had a higher employment rate.<ref></ref>{{Dead link|date=August 2008}} | |||
Private vehicles are increasingly used as a means of transport. Because of the ] (150%), ] (25%), and one of the world's highest income tax rates, new cars are very expensive. The purpose of the tax is to discourage car ownership. | |||
The number of unemployed is forecast to be 65,000 in 2015. The number of people in the working age group, less disability pensioners etc., will grow by 10,000 to 2,860,000, and jobs by 70,000 to 2,790,000;<ref>{{cite book |last=Madsen |first=Bjarne |authorlink= |coauthors=Svend Lundtorp |title=Arbejdsmarkedet på Sjælland og øerne i 2015 |pages = 10|year=2006 |publisher=Akf forlaget | url = http://www.akf.dk/udgivelser/2006/pdf/arbejdsmarkedet_sjaelland_oeer.pdf/ |accessdate= 2007-02-03|isbn=87-7509-801-6}}</ref> part time jobs are included.<ref>Statistikbanken.dk, tables AB513+ BESK11+12+13.</ref> Because of the present high demand and short supply of skilled labour, for instance for factory and service jobs, including hospital nurses and physicians, the annual average working hours have risen, especially compared with the economic downturn 1987–1993.<ref name='"BusinessDK"'>{{cite news | first=Jens | last=Nüchel | coauthors= Lars Erik Skovgaard | title=Danskere arbejder mere og mere | date=2006-12-13 | publisher=] | url =http://www.business.dk/karriere/artikel:aid=2014652 | work =Business.dk | pages = | accessdate = 2007-02-03 | language = }}</ref>{{Dead link|date=August 2008}} Increasingly, service workers of all kinds are in demand, i.e. in the postal services and as bus drivers, and academics.<ref name='"BusinessDK"'>{{cite news | first=Annette | last=Bonde | title= Virksomheder foretrækker tysk arbejdskraft | date=2007-09-24 | publisher=] | url =http://www.business.dk/article/20070923/karriere/109231065/ | work=Business.dk | pages = | accessdate = 2007-09-23 | language = }}</ref> In the fall of 2007, more than 250,000 foreigners are working in the country, of which 23,000 still reside in Germany or Sweden.<ref></ref> According to a sampling survey of over 14,000 enterprises from December 2007 to April 2008 39,000 jobs were not filled, a number much lower than earlier surveys, confirming a downturn in the economic cycle.<ref></ref> | |||
In 2007, an attempt was made by the government to favour environmentally friendly cars by slightly reducing taxes on high mileage vehicles. However, this has had little effect, and in 2008 Denmark experienced an increase in the import of fuel inefficient old cars,<ref>{{cite news |title=Tyske miljøzoner sender gamle biler til Danmark |date=9 January 2009 |url=http://politiken.dk/indland/ECE626918/tyske-miljoezoner-sender-gamle-biler-til-danmark/ |work=Politiken.dk |access-date=29 November 2010 |language=da |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430200435/http://politiken.dk/indland/ECE626918/tyske-miljoezoner-sender-gamle-biler-til-danmark/ |archive-date=30 April 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> as the cost for older cars—including taxes—keeps them within the budget of many Danes. | |||
{{As of|2011}}, the average car age is 9.2 years.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Transport |title=Statistical Yearbook 2012 |publisher=dst.dk |chapter-url=http://www.dst.dk/pukora/epub/upload/16251/13tra.pdf |access-date=3 September 2012 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519023727/http://www.dst.dk/pukora/epub/upload/16251/13tra.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
With Norway and Sweden, Denmark is part of the ] ]. ] is Scandinavia's busiest passenger airport, handling over 25 million passengers in 2014.<ref name="cph">{{cite web|title=Group Annual Report 2014|url=https://www.cph.dk/globalassets/om-cph/investor/publikationer/arsraporter_uk/cph_uk_ar_report_2015_03_18_final.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616072050/http://www.cph.dk/globalassets/om-cph/investor/publikationer/arsraporter_uk/cph_uk_ar_report_2015_03_18_final.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2015|website=cph.dk|publisher=Copenhagen Airports A/S|access-date=19 August 2015}}</ref> Other notable airports are ], ], and ]. | |||
The level of unemployment benefits is dependent on former employment(the maximum benefit is at 90% of the wage) and at times also on membership of an ], which is almost always -but need not be- administered by a trade union, and the previous payment of contributions. However, the largest share of the financing is still carried by the central government and is financed by general taxation, and only to a minor degree from earmarked contributions. There is no taxation, however, on proceeds gained from selling one´s home (provided there ''was'' any ] (da:''friværdi'')), as the marginal tax rate on capital income from housing savings is around 0 percent.<ref></ref> | |||
== Demographics == | |||
The Danish welfare model is accompanied by a taxation system that is both broad based (25% VAT, not including excise, duty and tax) and with a progressive income tax model, meaning the more money that is earned, the higher income tax percentage that gets paid (minimum tax rate for adults is 42% scaling to over 60%, except for the residents of ] that escape the otherwise ubiquitous 8% healthcare tax fraction of the income taxes). Other taxes include the registration tax on private vehicles, at a rate of 180%, on top of VAT. Lately (July, 2007) this has been changed slightly in an attempt to favor more fuel efficient cars but maintaining the average taxation level more or less unchanged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skm.dk/foreign/english/taxindenmark2007/5344/#104 |title=Registration tax for cars |date=2008-03-24 |publisher=Skatteministeriet}}</ref>{{Dead link|date=August 2008}} | |||
{{Main|Demographics of Denmark}} | |||
{{See also|Demographics of the Faroe Islands|Demographics of Greenland|List of urban areas in Denmark by population|List of cities and towns in Denmark}} | |||
{{Pie chart | |||
|thumb = right | |||
|caption = Population by ancestry (Q2 2020):<ref name="pop1" /> | |||
|label1 = People of Danish origin (including ''Faroese'' and ''Greenlandic'') | |||
|value1= 86.11 | |||
|color1= DarkBlue | |||
|label2 = Immigrant | |||
|value2 = 10.56 | |||
|color2 = DarkGray | |||
|label3 = Descendant of an immigrant | |||
|value3 = 3.34 | |||
|color3 = MediumBlue | |||
}} | |||
== |
=== Population === | ||
In April 2020, the population of Denmark, as registered by ], was 5.825 million.<ref name="pop1" /> Denmark has one of the oldest populations in the world, with the ],<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/denmark/|title=World Factbook Europe : Denmark |work=]|date=12 July 2018|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705032013/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/denmark/|url-status=live}}</ref> with 0.97 males per female. Despite a low ], the population is growing at an average annual rate of 0.59%<ref name="factbook2" /> because of net immigration and increasing ]. The ] frequently ranks Denmark's population as the happiest in the world.<ref name="happiness">{{cite web|editor1-last=Helliwell |editor1-first=John |editor2-last=Layard |editor2-first=Richard |editor3-last=Sachs |editor3-first=Jeffrey |editor3-link=Jeffrey Sachs |title=World Happiness Report 2016 |url=http://5c28efcb768db11c7204-4ffd2ff276d22135df4d1a53ae141422.r82.cf5.rackcdn.com/HR-V1_web.pdf |publisher=Sustainable Development Solutions Network |access-date=17 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318091325/http://5c28efcb768db11c7204-4ffd2ff276d22135df4d1a53ae141422.r82.cf5.rackcdn.com/HR-V1_web.pdf |archive-date=18 March 2016 }}</ref><ref name=Earth_Institute_2013>Helliwell, John; Layard, Richard; Sachs, Jeffrey {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902171441/http://www.earth.columbia.edu/sitefiles/file/Sachs%20Writing/2012/World%20Happiness%20Report.pdf |date=2 September 2013 }}. '']'' at ], p. 8. See also: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004215838/http://unsdsn.org/files/2013/09/WorldHappinessReport2013_online.pdf |date=4 October 2013 }}, p. 23.; {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023134428/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/22/denmark-happiest-country_n_4070761.html |date=23 October 2013 }} ''].'' 22 October 2013.</ref><ref name="BruceStokes">Stokes, Buce (8 June 2011). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425034007/https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/06/the-happiest-countries-in-the-world/240103/ |date=25 April 2017 }}. ''].'' Retrieved 20 September 2013</ref> This has been attributed to the country's highly regarded education and ] systems,<ref name=Taylor>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/denmark-is-the-worlds-happiest-country--official-410075.html |title=Denmark is the world's happiest country – official – Europe, World |work=The Independent |location=London |date=1 August 2006 |access-date=5 May 2009 |first=Jerome |last=Taylor |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309234926/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/denmark-is-the-worlds-happiest-country--official-410075.html |archive-date=9 March 2009 }}</ref> and its low level of ].<ref name=eurogini>{{cite web|title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income (source: SILC)|url=http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_di12|publisher=Eurostat Data Explorer|access-date=4 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045123/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=ilc_di12|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> People in Denmark feel responsible for ]. The rate of taxation is among the world's highest and can be half a Dane's income but they get most healthcare free, university tuition is also free and students get grants, there is subsidized ] and ] and care helpers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/21/top-10-happiest-countries-in-the-world-2023.html |title=Finland is the No. 1 happiest country in the world for the sixth year in a row |website=] |date=21 March 2023 |access-date=4 December 2023 |archive-date=4 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204110537/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/21/top-10-happiest-countries-in-the-world-2023.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
{{main|Demographics of Denmark|Languages of Denmark}} | |||
Denmark is a historically ] nation.<ref name="Thomas2016">{{cite book|first=Alastair H.|last=Thomas|title=Historical Dictionary of Denmark|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aPq6DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA11|year=2016|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-1-4422-6465-6|page=11|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117030654/https://books.google.com/books?id=aPq6DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA11|url-status=live}}</ref> However, as with its Scandinavian neighbours, Denmark has recently transformed from a nation of ], up until World War II, to a nation of net immigration. Today, ]s are issued mostly to immigrants from other EU countries (54% of all non-Scandinavian immigrants in 2017). Another 31% of residence permits were study- or work-related, 4% were issued to ]s and 10% to persons who arrive as family dependants.<ref>{{cite web|title=VAN8A: Immigrations (year) by citizenship, sex and residence permit|url=http://www.statbank.dk/VAN8A|publisher=]|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012172855/http://www.statbank.dk/VAN8A|archive-date=12 October 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Overall, the net migration rate in 2017 was 2.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population, somewhat lower than the United Kingdom and the other Nordic countries.<ref name="factbook2" /><ref>For comparisons and developments see: {{cite web |url=http://esa.un.org/miggmgprofiles/indicators/files/Denmark.pdf|title=Denmark – Migration Profiles |publisher=UNICEF |date=2013 |access-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304194636/http://esa.un.org/miggmgprofiles/indicators/files/Denmark.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Statistics on migration only includes people changing citizenship and does not always provide a realistic picture of migration pressure. In Denmark, 5% of the population were non-citizens in 2005, which is a relatively high figure. See {{cite report |url=https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/events/coordination/4/docs/P12_OECD.pdf |title=Counting Immigrant and Expatriates in OECD Countries: A New Perspective|publisher=OECD|pages=119–120 |date=21 October 2005 |access-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415081147/http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/events/coordination/4/docs/P12_OECD.pdf |archive-date=15 April 2016 |url-status=live}} for example.</ref> | |||
According to figures from Statistics Denmark, on January 1 2007 91.1% of Denmark’s population of over 5.4 million was of Danish descent.<ref>{{da icon}}</ref> Many of the remaining 8.9% were immigrants, or descendents of recent immigrants, from ], neighbouring countries, ] and the ], many having arrived since an "Alien law" (''Udlændingeloven'') was enacted in 1983 allowing the immigration of family members. There are also small groups of ] from ] and ]. During recent years, anti-immigration sentiment has resulted in some of the toughest immigration laws in the European Union.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6505809|title=Danes' Anti-Immigrant Backlash Marks Radical Shift|pages=|publisher=|accessmonthday=May 1 |accessdate=2007-01-28}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1679235.stm|title=Denmark gets tough on immigrants}}.</ref> Nevertheless, the number of residence permits granted related to labour and to people from within the ]/] has increased since implementation of new immigration laws in 2001. However, the number of immigrants allowed into Denmark for family reunification decreased 70% between 2001 and 2006 to 4,198. During the same period the number of asylum permits granted has decreased by 82.5% to 1,095, reflecting a 84% decrease in asylum seekers to 1,960.<ref></ref> | |||
There are no official statistics on ]s, but according to 2020 figures from Statistics Denmark, 86.1% of the population in Denmark was of ] descent (including '']'' and '']''), defined as having at least one parent who was born in the ] and holds ].<ref name="pop1">{{cite web|title=Population at the first day of the quarter by municipality, sex, age, marital status, ancestry, country of origin and citizenship|url=http://www.statbank.dk/FOLK1c|publisher=]|access-date=2 October 2020|quote=January 2020|archive-date=22 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222013330/https://www.statbank.dk/FOLK1C|url-status=live}}</ref><ref group=N name="denonly group=N">This data is for Denmark ] only. For data relevant to ] and the ] see their respective articles.</ref> The remaining 13.89% were of foreign background, defined as immigrants or descendants of recent immigrants. With the same definition, the most common countries of origin were ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="pop1" /> Minorities in Denmark include ], ], ]ns, ], ], ] and people from former ]. There are also other Asian and African populations in the country. Small numbers of ] and ] live in Denmark. There is also a small ] population.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://minorityrights.org/country/denmark/|title=Denmark – World Directory of Minorities & Indigenous Peoples|date=2 November 2023|access-date=4 January 2024|archive-date=28 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228000205/https://minorityrights.org/country/denmark/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Denmark’s population (as at 1 January 2008) was 5,475,791, giving Denmark a population density of 129.16 inhabitants per km<sup>2</sup> (334.53 inh/sq mi).<ref> {{da icon}}</ref> As in most countries, the population is not distributed evenly. Although the land area east of the ] only makes up 9,622 km² (3,715 sq mi), 22.7% of Denmark's land area, as of 1 January 2008 it has 45% (2,465,348) of the population. The average population density of this area is 256.2 inhabitants per km² (663.6 per sq mi). The average density in the west of the country (32,772 km²/12,653 sq mi) is 91.86/km² (237.91 per sq mi) (3,010,443 people) (2008). | |||
The ] are Indigenous to Greenland in the Kingdom and have traditionally inhabited Greenland and the northern parts of Canada and Alaska in the ]. From the 18th century up to the 1970s, the Danish government (Dano-Norwegian until 1814) tried to assimilate the Greenlandic Inuit, encouraging them to adopt the majority language and culture. Because of this "Danization process", some persons of Inuit ancestry now identify their mother tongue as Danish. | |||
The ] age is 39.8 years with 0.98 males per female. 98.2% of the population is literate (age 15 and up). The birth rate is 1.74 children born per woman (2006 est.), which will be reflected in a drop in the ratio of workers to pensioners. Despite the low birth rate, the population is still growing at an average annual rate of 0.33%.<ref name="factbook">{{cite web| last =| first =| authorlink = | coauthors =| year =2008-01-23| url =https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/da.html|title=Denmark| format =| work =The World Factbook| pages =| publisher =CIA| accessdate=2007-02-03}}</ref> | |||
{{Largest cities of Denmark}} | |||
] is the official language and is spoken throughout the country. ] and ] are the most widely spoken foreign languages. | |||
== |
=== Languages === | ||
{{ |
{{Main|Languages of Denmark}} | ||
{{See also|Languages of the Faroe Islands|Languages of Greenland|Minority languages of Denmark}} | |||
] churchyard]] | |||
] is the ''de facto'' ] of Denmark.<ref name="Ethnologue" /> ] and ] are the official languages of the Faroe Islands and Greenland respectively.<ref name="Ethnologue">{{cite book |editor1-first=M. Paul |editor1-last=Lewis |year=2009 |title=Ethnologue: Languages of the World |edition=16th |publisher=SIL International. |location=Dallas, Texas |isbn=978-1-55671-216-6 |url=http://www.ethnologue.com/ |access-date=27 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227170852/http://www.ethnologue.com/ |archive-date=27 December 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> ] is a recognised ] in the area of the former ] (now part of the ]), which was part of the German Empire prior to the ].<ref name="Ethnologue" /> Danish and Faroese belong to the ] (Nordic) branch of the ], along with ], ], and ].<ref name="language">{{cite web|title=Language|url=http://www.norden.org/en/the-nordic-region/language|publisher=The Nordic Council|access-date=7 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721051426/http://www.norden.org/en/the-nordic-region/language|archive-date=21 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> There is some degree of ]. Danish is more distantly related to German, which is a ] language. Greenlandic or "Kalaallisut" is an ], and is entirely unrelated to Danish,<ref name="language" /> although it has adopted many Danish ]s including the words for numbers. | |||
A large majority (86%) of Danes speak ] as a second language,<ref>{{cite web|title=Europeans and their Languages|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf|work=]|publisher=]|access-date=22 May 2014|date=February 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414102658/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf|archive-date=14 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> generally with a high level of ]. German is the second-most spoken foreign language, with 47% reporting a conversational level of proficiency.<ref name="Ethnologue" /> Denmark had 25,900 ] of German in 2007 (mostly in the South Jutland area).<ref name="Ethnologue" /> | |||
According to official statistics from April 2008, 82.0%<ref>{{da icon}} </ref> of the population of Denmark are members of the ] state church, the ] (''Den Danske Folkekirke''), also known as the Church of Denmark. If immigrants and descendants of immigrants are excluded from the statistics, the member rate is even higher, approximately 90.3%. According to article 6 of the ], the ] family must belong to this Church. 3% of the Danish population adhere to ], and other ] include non-Lutheran ] denominations. The oldest state-recognised religious societies and churches are the following: | |||
* recognised by the state since 1682 | |||
* recognised by the state since 1682. | |||
* , the main Jewish organisation in Denmark, recognised by the state since 1682. | |||
=== Religion === | |||
] (English: The Old Way), based on the much older, native religion, is one of the most recently recognised by the state, gaining official status in November 2003.<ref></ref> | |||
{{Main|Religion in Denmark}} | |||
Religion, religious societies and churches do not need to be state-recognised in Denmark and can be granted the right to perform weddings etc. without this recognition. | |||
{{Hatnote|Also related: ] and ]}} | |||
] has been the ] place of Danish royalty since the 15th century. In 1995 it became a ]]]] is the dominant religion in Denmark. As of 2024, 71.2%<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population at the first day of the quarter by parish and member of the National Church – StatBank Denmark – data and statistics |url=https://www.statbank.dk/statbank5a/selectvarval/define.asp?PLanguage=1&subword=tabsel&MainTable=KM1&PXSId=237622&tablestyle=&ST=SD&buttons=0 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=www.statbank.dk}}</ref> of the population of Denmark were members of the ] ({{lang|da|Den Danske Folkekirke}}), the ] church, which is ] in classification and ] in orientation.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710092702/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html |date=10 July 2011 }} – Part I – Section 4 : "The Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the Established Church of Denmark, and, as such, it shall be supported by the State."</ref><ref group="N">The Church of Denmark is the established church (or state religion) in Denmark and Greenland; the ] became an independent body in 2007.</ref> The membership percentage has been in steady decline since the 1970s, mainly as fewer newborns are being ] into it.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Thomsen Højsgaard|first=Morten|url=https://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/derfor-forlader-flere-folk-kirken|title=Derfor mister kirken mere af folket|date=21 February 2018|work=Kristeligt Dagblad|access-date=5 April 2020|language=da|archive-date=4 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004165923/https://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/derfor-forlader-flere-folk-kirken|url-status=live}}</ref> Only 3% of the population regularly attend Sunday services<ref name="report 2009">{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2009/127307.htm|title=Denmark – Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor|year=2009|work=International Religious Freedom Report 2009|publisher=U.S. Department of State|access-date=23 August 2012|archive-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026213419/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2009/127307.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/13117/religion-europe-trust-filling-pews.aspx|title=Religion in Europe: Trust Not Filling the Pews|last=Manchin|first=Robert|date=21 September 2004|work=Gallup Poll|publisher=]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120155549/http://www.gallup.com/poll/13117/religion-europe-trust-filling-pews.aspx |archive-date=20 January 2013|access-date=23 August 2012}}</ref> and only 19% of Danes consider religion to be an important part of their life.<ref name="gallup-religiosity-poor-nations">{{cite web|last1=Crabtree|first1=Steve|title=Religiosity Highest in World's Poorest Nations|date=31 August 2010 |url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/142727/religiosity-highest-world-poorest-nations.aspx|publisher=Gallup|access-date=27 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823202612/http://www.gallup.com/poll/142727/religiosity-highest-world-poorest-nations.aspx|archive-date=23 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
According to the most recent ] 2005,<ref name=EUROBAROMETER>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf|title=Eurobarometer on Social Values, Science and technology 2005 - page 11|accessdate=2007-05-05|format=PDF}}</ref> 31% of Danish citizens responded that "they believe there is a god", whereas 49% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 19% that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, god, or life force". According to a 2005 study by Zuckerman, Denmark has the third highest proportion of atheists and agnostics in the world, estimated to be between 43% and 80%.<ref>{{cite web | |||
|url = http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html | |||
|title = The Largest Atheist / Agnostic Populations | |||
|last = Zuckerman | first = Phil | |||
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | |||
|chapter = Atheism: Contemporary Rates and Patterns | |||
|title = The Cambridge Companion to Atheism | |||
|first = Michael | last = Martin (ed.) | |||
|publisher = Cambridge University Press | location = Cambridge | |||
|year = 2005 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
The ] states that the sovereign must have the ], though the rest of the population is ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710092702/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html |date=10 July 2011 }} – Part II – Section 6 .</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710092702/http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html |date=10 July 2011 }} – Part VII – Section 70: "No person shall for reasons of his creed or descent be deprived of access to complete enjoyment of his civic and political rights, nor shall he for such reasons evade compliance with any common civic duty."</ref><ref name=FoR> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205165930/http://www.km.dk/fileadmin/share/Trossamfund/Freedom_of_religion.pdf |date=5 February 2012 }} – The Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs – May 2006</ref> In 1682 the state granted limited recognition to three religious groups dissenting from the Established Church: ], ] and ],<ref name=FoR /> although conversion to these groups from the Church of Denmark remained illegal initially. Until the 1970s, the state formally recognised "religious societies" by ]. Today, religious groups do not need official government recognition, they can be granted the right to perform weddings and other ceremonies without this recognition.<ref name=FoR /> ] make up approximately 4.4% of the population<ref name=jac2020>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tjekdet.dk/hvor-mange-muslimer-er-der-i-danmark|title=Hvor mange muslimer er der i Danmark?|work=tjekdet.dk|access-date=14 November 2020|language=da-DK|archive-date=27 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127073817/https://www.tjekdet.dk/hvor-mange-muslimer-er-der-i-danmark|url-status=live}}</ref> and form the country's second largest religious community and largest ].<ref name=jac2018>{{Cite news|url=https://www.religion.dk/religionsanalysen/hvor-mange-indvandrer-lever-i-danmark|title=Hvor mange muslimer bor der i Danmark?|work=religion.dk|access-date=8 February 2018|language=da-DK|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209134230/https://www.religion.dk/religionsanalysen/hvor-mange-indvandrer-lever-i-danmark|archive-date=9 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The ] estimates that other ] comprise less than 1% of the population individually and approximately 2% when taken all together.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/kap1/1-14.asp |title=Religion in Denmark |access-date=8 February 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060208030036/http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/kap1/1-14.asp |archive-date=8 February 2006 }} – From the ]. Archive retrieved on 3 January 2012.</ref> Just under 20% of the Danish population identifies as ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Næsten hver femte dansker kalder sig ateist|work=]|date=7 October 2013|url=http://www.b.dk/nationalt/naesten-hver-femte-dansker-kalder-sig-ateist|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009032921/http://www.b.dk/nationalt/naesten-hver-femte-dansker-kalder-sig-ateist|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 October 2013|access-date=2016-11-19}}</ref> | |||
==Culture== | |||
{{main|Culture of Denmark}} | |||
{{see also|List of Danes}} | |||
According to a 2010 ] poll,<ref>{{cite report|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf |series=Eurobarometer 73.1 |title=Biotechnology |page=204 |date=October 2010|orig-year=Fieldwork: Jan–Feb 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215001129/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf |archive-date=15 December 2010}}</ref> 28% of Danish nationals polled responded that they "believe there is a ]", 47% responded that they "believe there is some sort of ]" and 24% responded that they "do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force". Another poll, carried out in 2009, found that 25% of Danes believe ] is the ], and 18% believe he is the ].<ref>{{cite web |quote=Poll performed in December 2009 among 1114 Danes between ages 18 and 74 |url=http://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/artikel/350709:Kirke---tro--Hver-fjerde-dansker-tror-paa-Jesus |title=Hver fjerde dansker tror på Jesus |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091225060504/http://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/artikel/350709:Kirke---tro--Hver-fjerde-dansker-tror-paa-Jesus |archive-date=25 December 2009 |trans-title=One in four Danes believe in Jesus |author=Tobias Stern Johansen |website=Kristeligt Dagblad |date=23 December 2009 |language=da}}</ref> | |||
], a traditional Danish village.]] | |||
] is known beyond Denmark for his fairy tales, such as '']'', '']'', and '']''. ] (pen name: ''Isak Dinesen''), Nobel laureate author ], Nobel laureate physicist ], the comedic pianist ] and the philosopher ] have also made a name for themselves outside Denmark. | |||
In its 2024 ] report, ] rated the country 4 out of 4 for ].<ref name=FreedomintheWorld2024></ref> | |||
The capital city of ] includes the ], the ] (home of the Danish monarchy), and ] sculpture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.copenhagen-walkingtours.dk/ |title=Copenhagen Walking Tours |date=2007-05-25 |accessdate=2007-05-25}}</ref> | |||
=== Education === | |||
The second largest city in Denmark is ]. Aarhus is an old ] city and one of the oldest cities in the country. The largest ] in Denmark and the second largest cathedral in ] is ]. | |||
{{Main|Education in Denmark}} | |||
{{Hatnote|Also related: ] and ]}} | |||
]]] | |||
All educational programmes in Denmark are regulated by the ] and administered by local municipalities. '']'' covers the entire period of compulsory education, encompassing ] and lower ].<ref name="edu">{{cite web|title=Overview of the Danish Education System|url=http://eng.uvm.dk/Education/Overview-of-the-Danish-Education-System|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111062215/http://eng.uvm.dk/Education/Overview-of-the-Danish-Education-System|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 January 2012|publisher=Danish Ministry for Children, Education and Gender Equality|access-date=28 April 2016}}</ref> Most children attend ''folkeskole'' for 10 years, from the ages of 6 to 16. There are no final examinations, but pupils can choose to sit an exam when finishing ] (14–15 years old). The test is obligatory if further education is to be attended. Alternatively pupils can attend an ] ({{lang|da|friskole}}), or a private school ({{lang|da|privatskole}}), such as ]s or ]. | |||
Historically, Denmark, like its Scandinavian neighbors, has been one of the most socially progressive cultures in the world. For example, in 1969, Denmark was the first country to legalise pornography.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.um.dk/publikationer/um/english/factsheetdenmark/denmarkanoverview/html/chapter05.htm |title=Denmark — An Overview |date] |accessdate=2007-09-22}}</ref> And in 1989, Denmark enacted a ] law, being the first country in the world to grant same-sex couples nearly all of the rights and responsibilities of marriage.<ref></ref> | |||
Following graduation from compulsory education, there are several continuing educational opportunities; the ] attaches importance in teaching a mix of humanities and science, ] focuses on scientific subjects and the ] emphasises on subjects in economics. ] is similar to ''Gymnasium (STX)'', but is one year shorter. For specific professions, there is ], training young people for work in specific ] by a combination of teaching and ]. | |||
===Cinema=== | |||
{{main|Cinema of Denmark}} | |||
The government records upper secondary school completion rates of 95% and ] enrollment and completion rates of 60%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Education Policy Outlook: Denmark|url=https://www.oecd.org/edu/EDUCATION%20POLICY%20OUTLOOK%20DENMARK_EN.pdf|publisher=OECD|access-date=27 April 2016|page=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017183723/https://www.oecd.org/edu/EDUCATION%20POLICY%20OUTLOOK%20DENMARK_EN.pdf|archive-date=17 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> All ] and college (tertiary) education in Denmark is free of charges; there are no tuition fees to enrol in courses. Students aged 18 or above may apply for state educational support grants, known as ''] (SU)'', which provides fixed financial support, disbursed monthly.<ref>Rick Noack (4 February 2015). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524062503/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/02/04/why-danish-students-are-paid-to-go-to-college/ |date=24 May 2015 }}. ''].'' Retrieved 5 February 2015.</ref> Danish universities offer international students a range of opportunities for obtaining an internationally recognised qualification in Denmark. Many programmes may be taught in the ], the academic ], in ]s, ]s, ]s and ]mes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://studyindenmark.dk/ |title=Study in Denmark, official government website on international higher education in Denmark |access-date=8 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510042940/http://studyindenmark.dk/ |archive-date=10 May 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
The three big internationally important waves of Danish cinema have been: | |||
* The ] of the silent era. | |||
* The increasingly explicit sex films of the 1960s and 1970s. | |||
* The ]-movement of the late 1990s. | |||
=== Health === | |||
Danish filmmakers of note include: | |||
{{See also|Health care in Denmark}} | |||
* ] (1889-1968), one of the most acclaimed directors in the history of cinema. | |||
] in Copenhagen. Rigshospitalet is the most specialized hospital in Denmark and receives over 350,000 unique patients a year<ref>{{Cite web |title=Om hospitalet |url=https://www.rigshospitalet.dk/om-hospitalet/Sider/default.aspx |access-date=3 November 2022 |website=www.rigshospitalet.dk |archive-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103131739/https://www.rigshospitalet.dk/om-hospitalet/Sider/default.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>]] | |||
* ], ]-nominated creator of '']'' (1968). | |||
{{As of|2015}}, Denmark has a ] of 80.6 years at birth (78.6 for men, 82.5 for women), up from 76.9 years in 2000.<ref name=WHO>{{cite web |title=Life expectancy |url=http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.688?lang=en |publisher=World Health Organization |access-date=20 August 2017 |date=6 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016022444/http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.688?lang=en |archive-date=16 October 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> This ] 27th among 193 nations, behind the other ]. The ''National Institute of Public Health'' of the ] has calculated 19 major risk factors among Danes that contribute to a lowering of the life expectancy; this includes smoking, alcohol, ] and ].<ref name="health report">{{cite book|last=Brønnum-Hansen|first=Knud Juel, Jan Sørensen, Henrik|title=Risk factors and public health in Denmark – Summary report|date=2007|publisher=National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark|location=København|isbn=978-87-7899-123-2|url=http://www.si-folkesundhed.dk/upload/2745_-_risk_factors_and_public_health_in_denmark.pdf|access-date=31 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222143524/http://www.si-folkesundhed.dk/upload/2745_-_risk_factors_and_public_health_in_denmark.pdf|archive-date=22 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Although the ] is lower than in North America and most other European countries,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2228rank.html |title=Obesity – Adult prevalence |publisher=CIA Factbook |access-date=20 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010185132/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2228rank.html |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the large number of ] Danes results in an annual additional consumption in the health care system of ] 1,625 million.<ref name="health report" /> In a 2012 study, Denmark had the highest ] of all countries listed by the World Cancer Research Fund International; researchers suggest the reasons are better reporting, but also lifestyle factors like heavy ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|title = Why is Denmark the cancer capital of the world?|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/8277418/Why-is-Denmark-the-cancer-capital-of-the-world.html|work = The Daily Telegraph|location = London|access-date = 4 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035731/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/8277418/Why-is-Denmark-the-cancer-capital-of-the-world.html|archive-date = 4 March 2016|url-status=live|df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Data for cancer frequency by country|url = http://www.wcrf.org/int/cancer-facts-figures/data-cancer-frequency-country|publisher = WCRF|date = 2012|access-date = 4 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151230080530/http://www.wcrf.org/int/cancer-facts-figures/data-cancer-frequency-country|archive-date = 30 December 2015|url-status=live|df = dmy-all}}</ref> | |||
* ], ]-winner for '']'' (1987). | |||
* ], ]-winner for '']'' (1987). | |||
* ], celebrated for '']'' (1998), co-creator of ]. | |||
* ], ]-nominated for '']'' (2000), co-creator of ] and of ]. | |||
Denmark has a ] system, characterised by being publicly financed through taxes and, for most of the services, run directly by the regional authorities. One of the sources of income was a national health care contribution (''{{lang|da|sundhedsbidrag}}'') (2007–11:8%; '12:7%; '13:6%; '14:5%; '15:4%; '16:3%; '17:2%; '18:1%; '19:0%) but it was phased out from January 2019 in favour of income taxes.<ref name=taxation1 /> This means that most ] is free at the point of delivery for all residents. Additionally, roughly two in five have complementary ] to cover services not fully covered by the state, such as ].<ref name=commonwealth /> {{As of|2012}}, Denmark spends 11.2% of its GDP on health care; this is up from 9.8% in 2007 (US$3,512 per capita).<ref name=commonwealth>{{cite web |title=International Profiles of Health Care Systems |url=http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Fund%20Report/2010/Jun/1417_Squires_Intl_Profiles_622.pdf |publisher=The Commonwealth Fund |access-date=31 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228014404/http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Fund%20Report/2010/Jun/1417_Squires_Intl_Profiles_622.pdf |archive-date=28 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This places Denmark above the ] average and above the other Nordic countries.<ref name=commonwealth /><ref>{{cite web|title=Country Comparison :: Life Expectancy at Birth|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html|work=The World Factbook|publisher=CIA|access-date=31 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120024054/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html|archive-date=20 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
A locally popular film genre is the charmingly simplistic "folkekomedie" (folk comedy), which originated in the 1930s and gained widespread dominance from the 1950s until the 1970s, usually scorned by critics and loved by the audience. Notable folkekomedie-films include '']'' (1934), '']'' (1950), '']'' (1953) and '']'' (1968). | |||
=== Vulnerable residential areas === | |||
Since the 1980s, Danish filmmaking has been important to changing governments. ] has educated a generation of new award-winning directors. The funds for film project has been administrated by ], but their focus on movies that would achieve high tickets-sales locally has been criticized for being both too populist and too narrow-minded, by directors wishing to be artistic or international. | |||
{{Main|Immigration to Denmark|Vulnerable residential area (Denmark)}}] in Copenhagen]] | |||
Certain ] districts in Denmark fulfilling specific statistical criteria of relatively low employment, school attendance, relatively low income, a relatively low educational level or relatively many convicted inhabitants are officially listed by the government as ]. In some cases, the majority of the neighbourhoods consist of non-Western immigrants and their descendants. Over the years, several government initiatives have been taken to further integration and counter ] in these neighbourhoods. Major plans to this end were presented in 1994 and 2000 by the governments of ], in 2004 by the ], in 2010 by the ], in 2013 by the ], in 2018 by the ], and in 2021 by the ].<ref name="DenOffentlige">{{cite news |last1=Allentoft |first1=Nick |title=Regeringer har lanceret ghettoplaner seks gange på 25 år |url=https://www.denoffentlige.dk/bloggere/ritzau-1/regeringer-har-lanceret-ghettoplaner-seks-gange-paa-25-aar |access-date=4 February 2023 |work=www.denoffentlige.dk |publisher=DenOffentlige |date=2 January 2018 |language=da |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205165022/https://www.denoffentlige.dk/bloggere/ritzau-1/regeringer-har-lanceret-ghettoplaner-seks-gange-paa-25-aar |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Politisk flertal opfinder helt ny kategori for boligområder i kampen mod parallelsamfund |url=https://politiken.dk/indland/art8247871/Politisk-flertal-opfinder-helt-ny-kategori-for-boligomr%C3%A5der-i-kampen-mod-parallelsamfund |access-date=4 February 2023 |work=Politiken |date=15 June 2021 |language=da-DK |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205165020/https://politiken.dk/indland/art8247871/Politisk-flertal-opfinder-helt-ny-kategori-for-boligomr%C3%A5der-i-kampen-mod-parallelsamfund |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Time">{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5328347/denmark-ghettos-policies/|title=What to Know About Denmark's Plan to End Immigrant "Ghettos"|magazine=Time|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705155619/http://time.com/5328347/denmark-ghettos-policies/|archive-date=5 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Some of the policies have been criticised for undercutting 'equality before law' and for portraying immigrants, especially Muslim immigrants, in a bad light.<ref name="NPR" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/world/2018/7/3/17525960/denmark-children-immigrant-muslim-danish-ghetto|title='No ghettos in 2030': Denmark's controversial plan to get rid of immigrant neighborhoods|work=Vox|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704182731/https://www.vox.com/world/2018/7/3/17525960/denmark-children-immigrant-muslim-danish-ghetto|archive-date=4 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Danish cinema remains highly respected internationally, and Danish films receive many awards at major international film festivals. | |||
During the years 2010–2021, the term "]" was used officially to designate some or all of the vulnerable areas.<ref name="NPR">{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/03/30/593979013/in-denmark-s-plan-to-rid-country-of-ghettos-some-immigrants-hear-go-home?t=1530707460545|title=In Denmark's Plan To Rid Country Of 'Ghettos,' Some Immigrants Hear 'Go Home'|work=NPR.org|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704212942/https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/03/30/593979013/in-denmark-s-plan-to-rid-country-of-ghettos-some-immigrants-hear-go-home?t=1530707460545|archive-date=4 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The term was considered controversial, however, and removed in 2021.<ref name=Dybvad1> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211055024/https://www.thelocal.dk/20190709/denmarks-housing-minister-wants-to-scrap-ghetto-label-for-underprivileged-areas |date=11 December 2023 }} Retrieved 5 April 2020</ref><ref name= Dybvad2> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112011714/https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/politik/ny-boligminister-vil-undga-ordet-ghetto |date=12 November 2020 }} (in Danish) Retrieved 6 April 2020</ref><ref name=BL2> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208221616/https://bl.dk/politik-og-analyser/temaer/her-er-listen-over-parallelsamfund/ |date=8 December 2023 }} (in Danish) Retrieved 28 April 2022.</ref> Denmark is the only country to have officially used the word 'ghetto' in the 21st century to denote certain residential areas.<ref name="Reuters">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-denmark-immigration-widerimage/in-danish-ghettos-immigrants-feel-stigmatized-and-shut-out-idUSKCN1IU1DS|title=In Danish 'ghettos', immigrants feel stigmatized and shut out|last=Nielson|first=Emil Gjerding|work=U.S.|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704212835/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-denmark-immigration-widerimage/in-danish-ghettos-immigrants-feel-stigmatized-and-shut-out-idUSKCN1IU1DS|archive-date=4 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> From 2021, four different lists are published, depending on the residents' income levels, employment status, education levels, criminal convictions and origin (a statistical criterion based on parents' geographical birthplace and citizenship).<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/world/europe/denmark-immigrant-ghettos.html|title=In Denmark, Harsh New Laws for Immigrant 'Ghettos'|newspaper=The New York Times |date=2 July 2018 |access-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706100907/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/01/world/europe/denmark-immigrant-ghettos.html|archive-date=6 July 2018|url-status=live|last1=Barry |first1=Ellen |last2=Sorensen |first2=Martin Selsoe }}</ref><ref name="NPR" /><ref name="BBC">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43214596|title=Danes to double penalty for ghetto crime|date=27 February 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=4 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718180541/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43214596|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, there were 19 vulnerable residential areas in Denmark.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nu går indsatserne i parallelsamfundene ind i en afgørende fase |url=https://sm.dk/nyheder/nyhedsarkiv/2023/dec/nu-gaar-indsatserne-i-parallelsamfundene-ind-i-en-afgoerende-fase |website=sm.dk |publisher=Ministry of Social Affairs, Housing and Senior Citizens |access-date=4 December 2023 |language=da |archive-date=4 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204152447/https://sm.dk/nyheder/nyhedsarkiv/2023/dec/nu-gaar-indsatserne-i-parallelsamfundene-ind-i-en-afgoerende-fase |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
===Literature=== | |||
Danish Writers: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] ect. | |||
== |
== Culture == | ||
{{ |
{{Main|Culture of Denmark}} | ||
{{See also|Culture of the Faroe Islands|Culture of Greenland}} | |||
Denmark shares strong cultural and ] ] and ]. It has historically been one of the most socially progressive cultures in the world. In 1969, Denmark was the first country to legalise ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.um.dk/publikationer/um/english/factsheetdenmark/denmarkanoverview/html/chapter05.htm |title=Denmark – An Overview |website=Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs |date=22 September 2007 |access-date=22 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122084309/http://www.um.dk/publikationer/um/english/factsheetdenmark/denmarkanoverview/html/chapter05.htm |archive-date=22 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and in 2012, Denmark replaced its "]" laws, which it had been the first country to introduce in 1989,<ref>Sheila Rule: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304080523/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/02/world/rights-for-gay-couples-in-denmark.html |date=4 March 2016 }} – '']''. Published: 2 October 1989. Retrieved 7 June 2012</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://marriage.about.com/cs/samesexmarriage/a/samesex.htm |title=Same-Sex Marriage FAQ |publisher=Marriage.about.com |date=17 June 2003 |access-date=5 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212061255/http://marriage.about.com/cs/samesexmarriage/a/samesex.htm |archive-date=12 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with ] ], and ] to be performed in the ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Denmark approves same-sex marriage and church weddings|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18363157|work=BBC News|date=7 June 2012|access-date=20 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116191027/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18363157|archive-date=16 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Denmark passes bill allowing gays to marry in church |agency=AFP |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/390257/denmark-passes-bill-allowing-gays-to-marry-in-church/ |date=7 June 2012 |access-date=7 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610034001/http://tribune.com.pk/story/390257/denmark-passes-bill-allowing-gays-to-marry-in-church/ |archive-date=10 June 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> ] and ] are important parts of Danish culture.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610114106/http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/denmark-country-profile.html |date=10 June 2012 }}. Retrieved 4 December 2008.</ref> In a 2016 study comparing ] scores of 63 countries, Denmark ranked 4th world-wide having the highest empathy among surveyed European countries.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chopik |first1=William J. |last2=O'Brien |first2=Ed |last3=Konrath |first3=Sara H. |date=2017 |title=Differences in Empathic Concern and Perspective Taking Across 63 Countries |journal=Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology |language=en |volume=48 |issue=1 |at=Supplementary Table 1 |doi=10.1177/0022022116673910 |issn=0022-0221 |hdl=1805/14139|s2cid=149314942 |hdl-access=free}}</ref> | |||
] Castle in the town of ]. Immortalized as Elsinore in ]'s play ], Kronborg is one of the most important ] castles in Northern Europe and was inscribed on the ] ] in 2000]] | |||
] ]. Kierkegaard is considered one of the most important figures of the ]<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 2019 |title=New exhibition: The Danish Golden Age just got longer |url=https://www.smk.dk/en/article/ny-udstilling-nu-bliver-den-danske-guldalder-laengere/ |access-date=3 November 2022 |website=SMK – National Gallery of Denmark in Copenhagen (Statens Museum for Kunst) |language=en |archive-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103131739/https://www.smk.dk/en/article/ny-udstilling-nu-bliver-den-danske-guldalder-laengere/ |url-status=live }}</ref>]] | |||
The astronomical discoveries of ], ]'s neglected articulation of the principle of ], and the contributions to atomic physics of ] indicate the range of Danish scientific achievement. The fairy tales of ], the philosophical essays of ], the short stories of ] (penname ]), the plays of ], and the dense, aphoristic poetry of ], have earned international recognition, as have the symphonies of ]. From the mid-1990s, Danish films have attracted international attention, especially those associated with ] like those of ] and ]. | |||
A major feature of Danish culture is ] (Danish ]). The holiday is celebrated throughout December, starting either at the beginning of Advent or on 1 December with a variety of traditions, culminating with the Christmas Eve meal. | |||
The most popular sport in Denmark is ]. ] and other water sports are popular, as are indoor sports such as ], ] and various forms of gymnastics. In Denmark there is also a small group of people doing motorsport, but with some success. The most successful driver on the ] race ever, with eight 1st places is ], who comes from Denmark. In ] Denmark has won several World Championships. Other notable Danish sportspeople include ]'s ] all-time leading scorer ], cyclists ], ], and ], ]-players ] and ], ]-player ], ] Hall of Fame player ] and ], ] players ] and ] and ]. Teenager ] is rising up the rankings on the WTA tennis tour. Denmark is also the home and birthplace of former WBA & WBC Supermiddleweight boxing champion, ]. | |||
There are seven heritage sites inscribed on the UNESCO ]: ], a Moravian Church Settlement, the ], ], ], and ] and 3 in the ]: ], Aasivissuit—], ] within the Kingdom of Denmark.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/dk|title=Denmark: Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List (8)|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=19 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713012915/https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/dk|archive-date=13 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
====1992 European champions==== | |||
In 1992, the ] were crowned ]. Remarkably, the team had finished second in their qualifying group behind ] and as a result had failed to qualify for the final tournament. They gained their place in the tournament at the last moment when the ] were expelled from the competition. Once in the finals the Danes reached the final where they defeated reigning ] ]. | |||
=== |
=== Human rights === | ||
{{ |
{{Main|Human rights in Denmark}} | ||
Denmark is usually considered a ] country, which has adopted ] and ] to support ], ], and ]. Human rights in Denmark are protected by the state's Constitution of the ] ''(])''; applying equally in Denmark proper, ] and the ], and through the ] of ].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.humanrights.dk/research/human-rights-in-denmark|title=Human rights in Denmark|website=The Danish Institute for Human Rights|language=en|access-date=14 May 2019|archive-date=25 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725111022/https://humanrights.dk/research/human-rights-in-denmark|url-status=dead}}</ref> Denmark has held a significant role in the adoption of both the ] and in the establishment of the ] (ECHR). In 1987, the ] (''Folketinget'') established a national human rights institution, the Danish Centre of Human Rights, now the ].<ref name=":8" /> | |||
Denmark has long been a center of cultural innovation. Its capital, Copenhagen, and its multiple outlying islands have a wide range of folk traditions. ], with his six imposing symphonies, was the first Danish composer to gain international recognition, while an extensive recording industry has produced pop stars and a host of performers from a multitude of genres. The famous drummer ] from ] is from Denmark. Among other names, Whigfield and the '90's pop band ] also come from Denmark, as well as current (March 2008) US hitlist top name ] and group ]Also Nicolai Kielstrup. | |||
In 2009, a referendum on changing the ] were held to grant ] to the Danish throne, meaning that the eldest child, regardless of gender, takes precedence in the line of succession. As it was not retroactive, the current successor to the throne is the eldest son of the King, rather than his eldest child. The Danish constitution Article 2 states that "The monarchy is inherited by men and women".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thedanishparliament.dk/-/media/pdf/publikationer/english/the_constitutional_act_of_denmark_2013,-d-,pdf.ashx |title=The Constitutional Act of Denmark |publisher=Folketinget.dk |access-date=21 October 2020 |archive-date=2 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702131614/https://www.thedanishparliament.dk/-/media/pdf/publikationer/english/the_constitutional_act_of_denmark_2013,-d-,pdf.ashx |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
===Food=== | |||
{{Unreferencedsection|date=November 2008}} | |||
{{main|Cuisine of Denmark}} | |||
]) on dark rye bread.]] | |||
The ] have for decades been the subject of ] and ] by the ], those countries claiming possession of Inuit lands. The Inuit have never been a single community in a single region of Inuit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inuitcircumpolar.com/press-releases/four-countries-one-people-inuit-strengthen-arctic-co-operation/|title=Four Countries, One People: Inuit Strengthen Arctic Co-operation | Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada|date=24 November 2016|access-date=21 October 2020|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024044952/https://www.inuitcircumpolar.com/press-releases/four-countries-one-people-inuit-strengthen-arctic-co-operation/|url-status=live}}</ref> From the 18th century up to the 1970s, the Danish government (Dano-Norwegian until 1814) tried to assimilate the ] of Greenland, the ], encouraging them to adopt the majority language, culture and religion.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Archibald |first=Linda |url=https://ehprnh2mwo3.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ibpengweb.pdf |title=Decolonization and Healing: Indigenous Experiences in the United States, New Zealand, Australia and Greenland |publisher=Aboriginal Healing Foundation |year=2006 |isbn=9781897285145 |pages=22–23}}</ref> Denmark has been greatly criticised by the Greenlandic community for the politics of ''Danization'' (1950s and 1960s) of and discrimination against the Indigenous population of the country.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Petersen |first=Robert |date=1995 |title=Colonialism as Seen from a Former Colonized Area |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40316390 |journal=Arctic Anthropology |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=121 |jstor=40316390 |issn=0066-6939 }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Kočí |first1=Adam |last2=Baar |first2=Vladimír |date=2021-08-08 |title=Greenland and the Faroe Islands: Denmark's autonomous territories from postcolonial perspectives |journal=Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift – Norwegian Journal of Geography |language=en |volume=75 |issue=4 |pages=193–194 |doi=10.1080/00291951.2021.1951837 |issn=0029-1951|doi-access=free |bibcode=2021NGTid..75..189K }}</ref> Critical treatment paying non-Inuit workers higher wages than the local people, the relocation of entire families from their traditional lands into settlements, and separating children from their parents and sending them away to Denmark for schooling has been practised.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Hardt |first=Sofia Stærmose |date=2018 |title='By Gifts One Makes Slaves': Long-term Effects of Denmark's Colonization of Greenland |type=Senior project |publisher=Bard College |url=https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1276&context=senproj_s2018 |access-date=21 October 2020 |archive-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023192718/https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1276&context=senproj_s2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023132726/https://saammaatta.gl//~/media/Forsoningskommission/Diverse/Endelig%20bet%C3%A6nkning%20DK.pdf|date=23 October 2020}} Report published by the Greenland Reconciliation Commission</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Høeg |first=Kirstine |year=2019 |title=Forced assimilation of Indigenous children: The case of the Danish-Greenlandic experiment |url=https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1483358/FULLTEXT01.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118161000/https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1483358/FULLTEXT01.pdf |archive-date=18 November 2023 |access-date=10 June 2024 |publisher=Malmö University |pages=5–6}}</ref> Nevertheless, Denmark ratified, in 1996, to recognise the ] on ] recommended by the UN. | |||
The ] of Denmark, like that in the other Nordic countries (Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden), as well as that of northern Germany, its neighbour to the south, consists mainly of meat and fish. This stems from the country's agricultural past, as well as its geography and climate of long, cold winters. | |||
Denmark was the ] in the form of ] in 1989. On 7 June 2012, the law was replaced by a new ], which came into effect on 15 June 2012.<ref name=cphpost> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216001423/http://cphpost.dk/news/national/gay-marriage-legalised |date=16 February 2013 }} Retrieved 19 September 2012</ref> ] and the ] legalised same-sex marriage in April 2016,<ref name="Marriage Greenland">{{cite web |url=http://www.ft.dk/RIpdf/samling/20151/lovforslag/L35/20151_L35_som_vedtaget.pdf |title=Vedtaget af Folketinget ved 3. behandling den 19. januar 2016 Forslag til Lov om ændring af myndighedsloven for Grønland, lov om ikrafttræden for Grønland af lov om ægteskabets retsvirkninger, retsplejelov for Grønland og kriminallov for Grønland |publisher=] |date=19 January 2016 |access-date=28 January 2016 |language=da |archive-date=17 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217190144/http://www.ft.dk/RIpdf/samling/20151/lovforslag/L35/20151_L35_som_vedtaget.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and in July 2017 respectively.<ref name=PNews2017>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/06/19/denmark-approves-same-sex-marriage-in-the-faroe-islands/|title=Denmark approves same-sex marriage in the Faroe Islands|publisher=Pink News|date=19 June 2017|access-date=23 December 2017|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327102308/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2017/06/19/denmark-approves-same-sex-marriage-in-the-faroe-islands/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2016, a resolution was implemented by the ] which prevented ] identity being classified as a ]. In doing so, Denmark became the first country in ] to go against the ] (WHO) standards, which classified transgender identity as being a mental health issue until June 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.care2.com/causes/denmark-to-the-who-trans-identity-is-not-a-mental-illness.html|title=Denmark to the WHO: Trans Identity Is Not a Mental Illness|last=Williams|first=Steve|date=20 May 2016|website=Care2 Causes|language=en|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327102635/https://www.care2.com/causes/denmark-to-the-who-trans-identity-is-not-a-mental-illness.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/06/20/transgender-not-mental-illness-world-health-organization/717758002/|title=Being transgender no longer classified as mental illness. Here's why|last=Simon|first=Caroline|date=20 June 2018|website=USA Today|language=en|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=6 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806153507/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/06/20/transgender-not-mental-illness-world-health-organization/717758002/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
], Danish pancakes.]] | |||
Traditional Danish food includes ] (fried meatballs, often served with potatoes and various sorts of gravy), karbonader/krebinetter (breaded and fried minced meat), steaks and so on, usually eaten with potatoes. Fish is also widely eaten, especially on the west coast of ]. A traditionally favourite ], ], is eaten with ], on fried ], on ] or ] sandwiches. Smoked fish dishes (], ], ]) from local ] or ''røgerier'', especially on the island of ], are increasingly popular. | |||
In its 2024 ] report, ] rated the country "]" with a score of 97 (out of 100).<ref name=FreedomintheWorld2024/> | |||
Danish food also includes a variety of open ] (Rye-bread) sandwiches or ] traditionally served for the mid-day meal or ''frokost''. This usually starts with fish such as marinated ], smoked ] or hot fried breaded plaice. Then come meat sandwiches such as cold roast beef with ] and fried onions, roast pork and ] with ], hot ], Danish meat balls ('']'') or ] with bacon and mushrooms. Some typically Danish items are '']'', literally 'sun over ], consisting of smoked herring, chives and with raw egg yolk (the "sun") on top; or ''Dyrlægens natmad'', 'vet's late-night bite', with ], saltmeat (corned veal), onions and jellied ]. Finally cheese is served with radishes, nuts or grapes. ] beer accompanied by small glasses of ''snaps'' or ] are the preferred drinks for a Danish frokost. | |||
== |
=== Media === | ||
{{ |
<!--linked from {{Main|Media of Denmark}}--> | ||
{{Main|Cinema of Denmark|Television in Denmark}} | |||
].]] | |||
{{See also|Cinema of the Faroe Islands|Television in Greenland}} | |||
Denmark's ] are known as the Danish Defence ({{lang-da|Forsvaret}}). During peacetime, the ] employs around 33,000 in total. The main military branches employ almost 27,000: 15,460 in the ], 5,300 in the ] and 6,050 in the ] (all including conscripts). The ] ({{lang-da|Beredskabsstyrelsen}}) employs 2,000 (including conscripts), and about 4,000 are in non-branch-specific services like the ], the ], and the ]. Furthermore around 55,000 serve as volunteers in the ] ({{lang-da|Hjemmeværnet}}). | |||
], who co-created the Dogme 95 film movement with Thomas Vinterberg]] | |||
Danish cinema dates back to 1897 and since the 1980s has maintained a steady stream of productions due largely to funding by the state-supported ]. There have been three big internationally important waves of Danish cinema: erotic melodrama of the ]; the increasingly explicit sex films of the 1960s and 1970s; and lastly, the ] movement of the late 1990s, where directors often used hand-held cameras to dynamic effect in a conscious reaction against big-budget studios. Danish films have been noted for their realism, religious and moral themes, sexual frankness and technical innovation. The Danish filmmaker ] is considered one of the greatest directors of ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Carl Dreyer:Day of Wrath, Ordet, Gertrud |url=http://brightlightsfilm.com/29/carldreyer.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130307200514/http://brightlightsfilm.com/29/carldreyer.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 March 2013|work=Bright Lights Film Journal|access-date=1 July 2013|date=July 2000}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |last=Ebert|first=Robert|title=The Passion of Joan of Arc|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-passion-of-joan-of-arc-1928|work=Chicago Sun Times|access-date=1 July 2013|date=16 February 1997|quote=Carl Theodor Dreyer (1889–1968), the Dane who was one of the greatest early directors.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610025315/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-passion-of-joan-of-arc-1928 |archive-date=10 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The Danish Defence currently (as of 9 April 2008) has around 1,400<ref></ref> staff in international missions, not including standing contributions to ]. The three largest contributions are in ] (], 750 persons), ] (], 312 persons), and ] (], 50 persons). Between 2003 and 2007, there were approximately 450 Danish soldiers in ].<ref></ref> | |||
Other Danish filmmakers of note include ], the creator of the popular '']'' films; ], an ]-winner for '']'' in 1987; and ], the ]-, {{Lang|fr|]|italic=no}}- and ]-winner for '']'' in 1988. In the modern era, notable filmmakers in Denmark include ], who co-created the Dogme 95 movement with ], and multiple award-winners ] and ]. ] is a world-renowned Danish actor, as is ]. | |||
==See also== | |||
{{Denmark topics|state=expanded}} | |||
Danish ] date back to the 1540s, when handwritten fly sheets reported on the news. In 1666, ], the father of Danish journalism, began a ]. In 1834, the first liberal, factual newspaper appeared, and the 1849 Constitution established lasting ]. | |||
==Footnotes== | |||
{{reflist|2}} | |||
Modern Danish mass media and news programming are dominated by a few large corporations. In printed media ] and ], between them, control the largest newspapers '']'', '']'' and {{Lang|da|]}} and major tabloids '']'' and {{Lang|da|]}}. ], publicly owned stations ] and ] have large shares of the viewers.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219144649/http://tvm.gallup.dk/tvm/pm/default.htm |date=19 February 2014 }}; Television station viewer statistics, figures for July 2012 (week 28). Retrieved 20 July 2012.</ref> DR in particular is famous for its high quality TV-series often sold to foreign broadcasters and often with leading female characters like internationally known actresses ] and ]. In radio, DR has a near monopoly, currently broadcasting on all four nationally available ] channels, competing only with local stations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commercial radio|url=http://www.kulturstyrelsen.dk/english/media/media-structure-radio-and-tv/non-public-service-media/commercial-radio-and-tv/commercial-radio/|publisher=Danish Agency for Culture|access-date=14 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515001233/http://www.kulturstyrelsen.dk/english/media/media-structure-radio-and-tv/non-public-service-media/commercial-radio-and-tv/commercial-radio/|archive-date=15 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
==References== | |||
* {{da icon}} Busck, Steen and Poulsen, Henning (ed.), "Danmarks historie — i grundtræk", Aarhus Universitetsforlag, 2002, ISBN 87-7288-941-1 | |||
* {{da icon}} Michaelsen, Karsten Kjer, "Politikens bog om Danmarks oldtid", Politikens Forlag (1. bogklubudgave), 2002, ISBN 87-00-69328-6 | |||
* {{swe icon}} Nationalencyklopedin, vol. 4, Bokförlaget Bra Böcker, 2000, ISBN 91-7024-619-X. | |||
=== Music === | |||
35. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/da.html | |||
{{Main|Music of Denmark}} | |||
{{See also|Music of the Faroe Islands|Music of Greenland}} | |||
]'s ] with the theme from ''Min Jesus, lad mit hjerte få'']] | |||
Denmark and its multiple outlying islands have a ]. The country's most famous classical composer is ] (1865–1931), especially remembered for his six symphonies and his ], while the ] specialises in the work of the Danish choreographer ]. The ] is among the world's oldest orchestras.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Royal Danish Orchestra |url=http://kglteater.dk/about-us/the-royal-danish-orchestra |publisher=The Royal Danish Theatre |access-date=14 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507235232/http://kglteater.dk/about-us/the-royal-danish-orchestra |archive-date=7 May 2014 }}</ref> Danes have distinguished themselves as ] musicians, and the ] has acquired international recognition. | |||
The modern ] and rock scene has produced a few names of international fame, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ], among ]. ], the drummer of the band ], has become the first Danish musician to be inducted into the ]. | |||
36. http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/best-places-to-live-green/article45734.html | |||
] near Copenhagen is the largest music festival in Northern Europe since 1971 and Denmark has many ] of all genres throughout, including ], ], The Blue Festival in Aalborg, Esbjerg International Chamber Music Festival and ] among many others.<ref> Gaffa {{in lang|da}}</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703105033/http://www.visitdenmark.dk/da/danmark/musikfestivaler-i-danmark |date=3 July 2016 }} VisitDenmark {{in lang|da}}</ref> | |||
==External links== | |||
{{portal|Denmark|Flag of Denmark.svg}} | |||
{{sisterlinks|Denmark}} | |||
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* {{Wikitravel}} | |||
* | |||
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* (outline of municipality visible but does not print out!){{da icon}} | |||
* (Danish, English) | |||
* | |||
* at the ] | |||
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* (Danish, English) | |||
* | |||
Denmark has participated in the ] since 1957 and has won the contest three times, in ], ] and ]. | |||
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|title = <!-- ] --> Geographic locale | |||
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{{Countries of Europe}} | |||
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=== Architecture and design === | |||
}} | |||
{{Main|Architecture of Denmark|Danish design}} | |||
{{Template group | |||
] in Copenhagen, an example of expressionist architecture]] | |||
|title = International organisations | |||
|list = | |||
Denmark's architecture became firmly established in the ] when first ], then ] churches and cathedrals sprang up throughout the country. From the 16th century, Dutch and Flemish designers were brought to Denmark, initially to improve the country's fortifications, but increasingly to build magnificent royal castles and palaces in the ] style. | |||
{{Monarchies}} | |||
During the 17th century, many impressive buildings were built in the ] style, both in the capital and the provinces. ] from France was slowly adopted by native Danish architects who increasingly participated in defining architectural style. A productive period of ] ultimately merged into the 19th-century ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitdenmark.com/irland/en-ie/menu/turist/inspiration/detkulturelledanmark/arkitektur/danish-architecture-an-overview.htm |title=Danish Architecture: An Overview |access-date=19 July 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719130528/http://www.visitdenmark.com/irland/en-ie/menu/turist/inspiration/detkulturelledanmark/arkitektur/danish-architecture-an-overview.htm |archive-date=19 July 2011 }}, ''Visit Denmark''. Retrieved 3 September 2011.</ref> | |||
{{Denmark ties}} | |||
{{EU members}} | |||
The 20th century brought along new architectural styles; including ], best exemplified by the designs of architect ], which relied heavily on Scandinavian brick Gothic traditions; and ], which enjoyed brief popularity in the early decades of the century. It was in the 1960s that Danish architects such as ] entered the world scene with their highly successful ]. This, in turn, has evolved into more recent world-class masterpieces including ]'s ] and ]'s ] in Paris, paving the way for a number of contemporary Danish designers such as ] to be rewarded for excellence both at home and abroad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ambhanoi.um.dk/en/menu/InfoDenmark/Danish+Culture/Architecture/ |title=Architecture |access-date=6 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206051248/http://www.ambhanoi.um.dk/en/menu/InfoDenmark/Danish+Culture/Architecture/ |archive-date=6 February 2010 }}, Embassy of Denmark, Hanoi. Retrieved 3 October 2011.</ref> | |||
{{Council of Europe members}} | |||
Danish design is a term often used to describe a style of ] design and architecture that was developed in the mid-20th century, originating in Denmark. Danish design is typically applied to industrial design, furniture and household objects, which have won many international awards. The ] is famous for the quality of its ceramics. Danish design is also a well-known brand, often associated with world-famous, 20th-century designers and architects such as ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>, ''DDC''. Retrieved 4 September 2011.</ref> Other designers of note include ] in the area of industrial design, ] for kitchen furniture and implements and ] who had a classical approach to furniture design. | |||
=== Literature and philosophy === | |||
{{Main|Danish literature|Danish philosophy}} | |||
] (1836), by ]]] | |||
The first known Danish literature is myths and ] from the 10th and 11th century. ], normally considered the first Danish writer, worked on a chronicle of ] ({{lang|la|]}}). Very little is known of other Danish literature from the ]. With the ] came ] whose comedy plays are still being performed. | |||
In the late 19th century, literature was seen as a way to influence society. Known as the ], this movement was championed by ], ] (awarded the ]) and ]. ] influenced the renowned writer and poet ], known for his stories and ]s, e.g. '']'', '']'' and '']''. In recent history ] was also awarded the ]. ] is famous for her novels and short stories. Other Danish writers of importance are ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
Danish philosophy has a long tradition as part of ]. Perhaps the most influential Danish philosopher was ], the creator of ]. Kierkegaard had a few Danish followers, including ], who later in his life moved on to join the movement of ]. Another Danish philosopher of note is ], whose philosophy gave rise to a new form of non-aggressive nationalism in Denmark, and who is also influential for his theological and historical works. | |||
=== Painting and photography === | |||
{{Main|Danish art|Photography in Denmark}} | |||
]]] | |||
While Danish art was influenced over the centuries by trends in Germany and the Netherlands, the 15th and 16th century ], which can be seen in many of the country's older churches, are of particular interest as they were painted in a style typical of native Danish painters.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128170607/http://www.panoramas.dk/kalkmalerier/ |date=28 November 2009 }}. Retrieved 12 August 2009. Adopting the ] approach, they present many of the most popular stories from the ] and ]s.</ref> | |||
The ], which began in the first half of the 19th century, was inspired by a new feeling of nationalism and romanticism, typified in the later previous century by ] ]. ] was not only a productive artist in his own right but taught at the ] where his students included ], ], ], ], and ]. | |||
In 1871, ] and ] visited ] in the far north of ] where they quickly built up one of Scandinavia's most successful ] specialising in ] and ] rather than in the traditional approach favoured by the academy. Hosted by ] and his wife ], they were soon joined by ], ] and ]. All participated in painting the natural surroundings and local people.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301150825/http://www.answers.com/topic/skagen |date=1 March 2012 }} Retrieved 9 December 2008.</ref> Similar trends developed on Funen with the '']'' who included ], ] and ],<ref name=Funish> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418012953/http://www.johanneslarsenmuseet.dk/page.asp?sideid=2301&zcs=2200 |date=18 April 2013 }}, ''Johannes Larsen Museet''. Retrieved 12 August 2011.</ref> and on the island of Bornholm with the ] including ], ] and ].<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120162042/http://www.roughguides.com/travel/europe/denmark/introduction-to-denmark.aspx |date=20 January 2013 }} Retrieved 10 December 2008.</ref> | |||
Painting has continued to be a prominent form of artistic expression in Danish culture, inspired by and also influencing major international trends in this area. These include ] and the modernist styles of ], ] and ]. While international co-operation and activity has almost always been essential to the Danish artistic community, influential art collectives with a firm Danish base includes ] (1909–1912), ] (1930s and 1940s), ] (1948–1951), ] (1960s and 1970s), ] (1980s) and more recently ] (founded in 1993). Notable Danish painters from modern times representing various ] include ] (impressionism and naturalism), ] (expressionism), ] (Neue Sachlichkeit, cubism, surrealism and others), ] (naivism), ] (abstract painting), ] (abstract painting), ] (Situationist, abstract painting), ] (art deco, orientalism), ] (neo-expressionism, abstract painting), ] (pop art), and ] (neo-surrealism). | |||
Danish photography has developed from strong participation and interest in the very beginnings of the ] in 1839. Pioneers such as ] and ] paved the way for a rapidly growing profession during the last half of the 19th century. Today Danish photographers such as ] and ] are active in key exhibitions around the world.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707000845/http://www.photography-now.com/popup_ausst_5.php?id_ausstellungen=T50624 |date=7 July 2012 }} . Retrieved 28 January 2010.</ref> | |||
=== Cuisine === | |||
{{Main|Danish cuisine}} | |||
{{See also|Faroese cuisine|Greenlandic cuisine}} | |||
] | |||
The traditional ] of Denmark, like that of the other Nordic countries and of ], consists mainly of meat, fish and potatoes. Danish dishes are highly seasonal, stemming from the country's agricultural past, its geography, and its climate of long, cold winters. | |||
The open sandwiches on rye bread, known as '']'', can be considered a national speciality. Hot meals traditionally consist of ]s, such as '']'' (meat balls of veal and pork) and ''hakkebøf'' (minced beef patties), or of more substantial meat and fish dishes such as '']'' (roast pork with crackling) and ''kogt torsk'' (poached cod) with mustard sauce. Denmark is known for its ] and ] beers and for its ] and ]. | |||
Since around 1970, chefs and restaurants across Denmark have introduced ] cooking, largely influenced by ]. Also inspired by continental practices, Danish chefs have recently developed a new innovative cuisine and a series of gourmet dishes based on high-quality local produce known as ].<ref>{{cite web|title=new nordic recipes|url=http://denmark.dk/en/lifestyle/food-drink/new-nordic-recipes|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark|access-date=15 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807191139/http://denmark.dk/en/lifestyle/food-drink/new-nordic-recipes/|archive-date=7 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> As a result of these developments, Denmark now has a considerable number of internationally acclaimed restaurants of which several have been awarded ]. This includes ] and ] in Copenhagen. | |||
=== Sports === | |||
{{Main|Sport in Denmark}} | |||
{{Hatnote|Also related: ] and ]}} | |||
], named the best Danish football player of all time by the Danish Football Union]] | |||
<!--This section should be kept short and concise. Consider adding additional text to the main article.--> | |||
Sports are popular in Denmark, and its citizens participate in and watch a wide variety. The ] is ], with over 320,000 players in more than 1600 ].<ref>{{cite web|title=DIF specialforbunds medlems|url=http://public.tableausoftware.com/profile/#!/vizhome/DIFidraettenital2013-dif_dk/DIFmedl-foren-tal|publisher=Danmarks Idrætsforbund|access-date=15 June 2014|language=da|year=2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526234318/http://public.tableausoftware.com/profile/#!/vizhome/DIFidraettenital2013-dif_dk/DIFmedl-foren-tal|archive-date=26 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Denmark qualified six times consecutively for the ] between 1984 and 2004, and were crowned European champions in ]; other significant achievements include winning the Confederations Cup in 1995 and reaching the quarter-final of the 1998 World Cup. | |||
The ] celebrated great successes during the 1990s and has won a total of 13 medals—seven gold (in 1994, 1996 (2), 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2004), four silver (in 1962, 1993, 1998 and 2004) and two bronze (in 1995 and 2013). On the ], Denmark has won 12 medals—four gold (in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2019), four silver (in 1967, 2011, 2013 and 2014) and four bronze (in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007)—the most that have been won by any team in ] history.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Team rankings|url=http://www.eurohandball.com/2013/article/011996|publisher=European Handball Federation|access-date=13 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203184111/http://www.eurohandball.com/2013/article/011996|archive-date=3 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2019, the Danish men's national handball team won their first ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bo |first=Bentsen |date=2019-01-27 |title=Danmark er verdensmester – TV 2 |url=https://sport.tv2.dk/haandbold/2019-01-27-danmark-er-verdensmester |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=sport.tv2.dk |language=da-DK}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 January 2019 |title=Flawless Denmark Claim First World Title |url=https://www.ihf.info/competitions/men/308/2019-ihf-mens-world-championship/147/news/931 |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=www.ihf.info}}</ref> | |||
In recent years, Denmark has made a mark as a strong ] nation, with ] reaching ] status in the ] in 2005 and 2006. Other popular sports include golf—which is mostly popular among those in the older demographic;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dif.dk/OmDIF/Forside/Idraetten%20i%20tal/medlemstal.aspx |title=Om DIF – Medlemstal |access-date=16 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070716195104/http://www.dif.dk/OmDIF/Forside/Idraetten%20i%20tal/medlemstal.aspx |archive-date=16 July 2007 }} {{in lang|da}}, ''The National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark''</ref> ]—in which Denmark is successful on a professional level; ]—Denmark joined the international governing body ] in 1951;<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114021234/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/FIBA/fibaStru/nfLeag/p/nationalfederationnumber/271/nfProf.html |date=14 November 2015 }}, Fiba.com. Retrieved 24 September 2015.</ref> rugby—the ] dates back to 1950;<ref>Bath, Richard (ed.) ''The Complete Book of Rugby'' (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 {{ISBN|978-1-86200-013-1}}) p. 66. Archived from July 2007 and Retrieved June 2012.</ref> ]—often competing in the top division in the Men's World Championships; rowing—Denmark specialise in lightweight rowing and are particularly known for their lightweight coxless four, having won six gold and two silver World Championship medals and three gold and two bronze ] medals; and several indoor sports—especially ], ] and gymnastics, in each of which Denmark holds World Championships and ]. | |||
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== See also == | |||
{{Portal bar|Denmark|Faroe Islands}} | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
*] | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
== Explanatory notes == | |||
{{notelist}} | |||
{{reflist|group="N"|30em}} | |||
== Citations == | |||
{{reflist|30em}} | |||
== General and cited sources== | |||
{{refbegin}} | |||
* {{cite book|last1=Stone|first1=Andrew|last2=Bain|first2=Carolyn|last3=Booth|first3=Michael|last4=Parnell|first4=Fran|title=Denmark|date=2008|publisher=Lonely Planet|location=Footscray, Victoria|isbn=978-1-74104-669-4|page=|edition=5th|url=https://archive.org/details/lonelyplanetdenm00andr|url-access=registration}} | |||
* {{cite book|last1=Busck |first1=Steen |editor-last1=Poulsen|editor-first1=Henning |title=Danmarks historie – i grundtræk|year=2002 |publisher=Aarhus Universitetsforlag |publication-date=2002| isbn=978-87-7288-941-2 |language=da}} | |||
* {{cite book |title= Den oövervinnerlige |last=Englund |first=Peter |authorlink=Peter Englund |year=2000 |publisher=Atlantis |location=Stockholm |isbn=978-91-7486-999-6 |language=sv}} | |||
* {{cite book |title= The Northern Wars (1558–1721) |first=Robert I. |last=Frost |year=2000 |publisher=Pearson Education |isbn=978-0-582-06429-4}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last1=Gammelgaard |first1=Frederik |last2=Sørensen |first2=Niels | |||
|year=1998 | |||
|title=Danmark – en demokratisk stat | |||
|publisher=Alinea | |||
|isbn=978-87-23-00280-8|language=da}} | |||
* {{cite book |title= Karl X Gustavs krig|last=Isacson |first= Claes-Göran |year= 2002 |publisher= Historiska Media |location= Lund |isbn= 978-91-85057-25-2|language=sv}} | |||
* {{cite book|last=Jensen|first=Lene|chapter=Current status and trends in inland fisheries in Denmark|editor-first=Gunnar|editor-last=Lundqvist|title=Current Status and Trends in Inland Fisheries|location=Copenhagen|publisher=Nordic Council of Ministers|year=1999|isbn=978-9-28930-402-3|pages=10–18}} | |||
* {{Cite book|last=Jørgensen |first=Gitte | |||
|year=1995 | |||
|title=Sådan styres Danmark | |||
|publisher=Flachs | |||
|isbn=978-87-7826-031-4|language=da}} | |||
* {{cite book |last=Michaelsen |first=Karsten Kjer |chapter=Politikens bog om Danmarks oldtid |title=Politikens Forlag (1. bogklubudgave) |year=2002 |publisher=Gyldendals Bogklubber |isbn=978-87-00-69328-9 |language=da}} | |||
* {{in lang|sv}} Nationalencyklopedin, vol. 4, Bokförlaget Bra Böcker, 2000, {{ISBN|978-91-7024-619-7}}. | |||
* {{cite book |last1=Parker |first1=Geoffrey |title=The Thirty Years' War |date=1984 |url=https://archive.org/details/thirtyyearswar0000unse |location=London and New York |publisher=Routledge |language=en |isbn=0-415-02534-6}} | |||
{{refend}} | |||
== External links == | |||
{{Sister project links|Denmark|b=no|q=no|v=no|voy=Denmark}} | |||
{{Scholia|country}} | |||
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211054513/http://www.denmark.dk/ |date=11 December 2020 }} "The site is the official site of Denmark and is edited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark." | |||
* . '']''. ]. | |||
* entry at '']''. | |||
* {{cite EB9 |wstitle = Denmark |volume= VII |last= Gosse |first= Edmund William |author-link= Edmund Gosse | pages = 80–94 |short=1}} | |||
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Denmark | volume= 8 |last= Gosse |first= Edmund William |author-link= Edmund Gosse | pages = 23–44 |short= 1}} | |||
* {{Cite EB1922 |wstitle= Denmark |volume= 30 |last= Kristiansen |first= M. |short= 1}} | |||
* from the ]. | |||
* from ]. | |||
{{Denmark topics}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 07:56, 15 December 2024
Country in Northern Europe This article is about metropolitan Denmark. For the sovereign state, see Danish Realm. For all other uses, see Denmark (disambiguation).Constituent part in Kingdom of Denmark
DenmarkDanmark (Danish) | |
---|---|
Constituent part | |
Flag Coat of arms | |
Anthem: Der er et yndigt land (Danish) (English: "There is a lovely country") | |
National and royal anthem: Kong Christian stod ved højen mast (Danish) (English: "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") | |
Show globeShow map of EuropeLocation of metropolitan Denmark (dark green) – in Europe (light green & dark grey) | |
Sovereign state | Kingdom of Denmark |
Consolidation | c. 8th century |
Constitutional Act | 5 June 1849 |
Capitaland largest city | Copenhagen 55°43′N 12°34′E / 55.717°N 12.567°E / 55.717; 12.567 |
Official languages | Danish |
Regional languages | German |
Ethnic groups (2020) | |
Demonym(s) | |
Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | Frederik X |
• Prime Minister | Mette Frederiksen |
Legislature | Folketing |
Area | |
• Total | 43,094 km (16,639 sq mi) (130th) |
• Water (%) | 1.74 |
Highest elevation (Møllehøj) | 170.86 m (560.56 ft) |
Population | |
• September 2024 estimate | 5,982,117 (112th) |
• Density | 138.8/km (359.5/sq mi) (93rd) |
GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate |
• Total | $496.696 billion (52nd) |
• Per capita | $83,454 (10th) |
GDP (nominal) | 2024 estimate |
• Total | $412.293 billion (37th) |
• Per capita | $69,273 (9th) |
Gini (2022) | 27.7 low |
HDI (2022) | 0.952 very high · 5th |
Currency | Danish krone |
Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
Calling code | +45 |
Internet TLD | .dk |
Denmark is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark, also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland in the north Atlantic Ocean. Metropolitan Denmark, also called "continental Denmark" or "Denmark proper", consists of the northern Jutland peninsula and an archipelago of 406 islands. It is the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries, lying southwest and south of Sweden, south of Norway, and north of Germany, with which it shares a short border. Denmark proper is situated between the North Sea to the west and the Baltic Sea to the east.
The Kingdom of Denmark, including the Faroe Islands and Greenland, has roughly 1,400 islands greater than 100 square metres (1,100 sq ft) in area; 443 have been named and 78 are inhabited. Denmark's population is close to 6 million, of which roughly 40% live in Zealand, the largest and most populated island in Denmark proper; Copenhagen, the capital and largest city of the Danish Realm, is situated on Zealand and Amager. Comprised mostly of flat, arable land, Denmark is characterised by sandy coasts, low elevation, and a temperate climate. Denmark exercises hegemonic influence in the Danish Realm, devolving powers to the other constituent entities to handle their internal affairs. Home rule was established in the Faroe Islands in 1948; Greenland achieved home rule in 1979 and further autonomy in 2009.
The unified Kingdom of Denmark emerged in the eighth century AD as a maritime power amid the struggle for control of the Baltic Sea. In 1397, it formed the Kalmar Union with Norway and Sweden. This union persisted until Sweden's secession in 1523. The remaining Kingdom of Denmark–Norway endured a series of wars in the 17th century that resulted in further territorial cessions. A surge of nationalist movements in the 19th century were defeated in the First Schleswig War of 1848. The adoption of the Constitution of Denmark on 5 June 1849 ended the absolute monarchy and introduced the current parliamentary system.
Denmark began industrialising in the mid 19th century, becoming a major agricultural exporter. It introduced social and labour market reforms in the early 20th century, forming the basis for the present welfare state model and advanced mixed economy. Denmark remained neutral during World War I; Danish neutrality was violated in World War II by a rapid German invasion in April 1940. During occupation, a resistance movement emerged in 1943, while Iceland declared independence in 1944; Denmark was liberated after the end of the war in May 1945. In 1973, Denmark, together with Greenland but not the Faroe Islands, became a member of what is now the European Union; however, it negotiated certain opt-outs, such as retaining its own currency, the krone.
Denmark is a developed country with an advanced high-income economy, high standard of living, and robust social welfare policies. Danish culture and society are broadly progressive egalitarian, and socially liberal; Denmark was the first country to legally recognise same-sex partnerships. It is a founding member of NATO, the Nordic Council, the OECD, the OSCE and the United Nations, and is part of the Schengen Area. Denmark maintains close political, cultural, and linguistic ties with its Scandinavian neighbours. The Danish political system, which emphasizes broad consensus, is used in political science as a reference point for near-perfect governance; the phrase "getting to Denmark" refers to the country's status as a global model for social and political institutions.
Etymology
Main article: Etymology of DenmarkThe etymology of the name "Denmark", the relationship between "Danes" and "Denmark", and the emergence of Denmark as a unified kingdom are topics of continuous scholarly debate. This is centred primarily on the morpheme "Dan" and whether it refers to the Dani or a historical person Dan and the exact meaning of the -"mark" ending.
Most etymological dictionaries and handbooks derive "Dan" from a word meaning "flat land", related to German Tenne "threshing floor", English den "cave". The element mark is believed to mean woodland or borderland (see marches), with probable references to the border forests in south Schleswig.
The first recorded use of the word Danmark within Denmark itself is found on the two Jelling stones, which are runestones believed to have been erected by Gorm the Old (c. 955) and Harald Bluetooth (c. 965). The larger of the two stones is popularly cited as the "baptismal certificate" (dåbsattest) of Denmark, though both use the word "Denmark", in the accusative ᛏᛅᚾᛘᛅᚢᚱᚴ tanmaurk () on the large stone, and the genitive ᛏᛅᚾᛘᛅᚱᚴᛅᚱ "tanmarkar" (pronounced ) on the small stone, while the dative form tąnmarku (pronounced ) is found on the contemporaneous Skivum stone. The inhabitants of Denmark are there called tani (), or "Danes", in the accusative.
History
Main article: History of Denmark Also related: History of the Faroe Islands and History of GreenlandPrehistory
The earliest archaeological finds in Denmark date back to the Eem interglacial period from 130,000 to 110,000 BC. Denmark has been inhabited since around 12,500 BC and agriculture has been evident since 3900 BC. The Nordic Bronze Age (1800–600 BC) in Denmark was marked by burial mounds, which left an abundance of findings including lurs and the Sun Chariot.
During the Pre-Roman Iron Age (500 BC – AD 1), native groups began migrating south, and the first tribal Danes came to the country between the Pre-Roman and the Germanic Iron Age, in the Roman Iron Age (AD 1–400). The Roman provinces maintained trade routes and relations with native tribes in Denmark, and Roman coins have been found in Denmark. Evidence of strong Celtic cultural influence dates from this period in Denmark and much of North-West Europe and is among other things reflected in the finding of the Gundestrup cauldron.
The tribal Danes came from the east Danish islands (Zealand) and Scania and spoke an early form of North Germanic. Historians believe that before their arrival, most of Jutland and the nearest islands were settled by tribal Jutes. Many Jutes migrated to Great Britain, according to legend some as mercenaries of Brythonic King Vortigern, and formed the south-eastern territories of Kent, the Isle of Wight and other areas, where they settled. They were later absorbed or ethnically cleansed by the invading Angles and Saxons, who formed the Anglo-Saxons. The remaining Jutish population in Jutland assimilated in with the settling Danes.
A short note about the Dani in Getica by the historian Jordanes is believed to be an early mention of the Danes, one of the ethnic groups from whom modern Danes are descended. The Danevirke defence structures were built in phases from the 3rd century forward and the sheer size of the construction efforts in AD 737 are attributed to the emergence of a Danish king. A new runic alphabet was first used around the same time and Ribe, the oldest town of Denmark, was founded about AD 700.
Viking and Middle Ages
Main articles: Viking Age and Kalmar UnionFrom the 8th to the 10th century the wider Scandinavian region was the source of Vikings. They colonised, raided, and traded in all parts of Europe. The Danish Vikings were most active in the eastern and southern British Isles and Western Europe. They settled in parts of England (known as the Danelaw) under King Sweyn Forkbeard in 1013, and in France where Danes and Norwegians were allowed to settle in what would become Normandy in exchange of allegiance to Robert I of France with Rollo as first ruler. Some Anglo-Saxon pence of this period have been found in Denmark.
Denmark was largely consolidated by the late 8th century and its rulers are consistently referred to in Frankish sources as kings (reges). Under the reign of Gudfred in 804 the Danish kingdom may have included all the lands of Jutland, Scania and the Danish islands, excluding Bornholm.
The extant Danish monarchy traces its roots back to Gorm the Old, who established his reign in the early 10th century. As attested by the Jelling stones, the Danes were Christianised around 965 by Harald Bluetooth, the son of Gorm and Thyra. It is believed that Denmark became Christian for political reasons so as not to get invaded by the Holy Roman Empire. A rising Christian power in Europe, the Holy Roman Empire was an important trading partner for the Danes. As a deterrent against this threat, Harald built six fortresses around Denmark called Trelleborg and built a further Danevirke. In the early 11th century, Canute the Great won and united Denmark, England, and Norway for almost 30 years with a Scandinavian army.
Throughout the High and Late Middle Ages, Denmark also included Skåneland (the areas of Scania, Halland, and Blekinge in present-day south Sweden) and Danish kings ruled Danish Estonia, as well as the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. Most of the latter two now form the state of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany.
In 1397, Denmark entered into a personal union known as the Kalmar Union with Norway and Sweden, united under Queen Margaret I. The three countries were to be treated as equals in the union. However, even from the start, Margaret may not have been so idealistic—treating Denmark as the clear "senior" partner of the union. Thus, much of the next 125 years of Scandinavian history revolves around this union, with Sweden breaking off and being re-conquered repeatedly. The issue was for practical purposes resolved on 17 June 1523, as Swedish King Gustav Vasa conquered the city of Stockholm. The Protestant Reformation spread to Scandinavia in the 1530s, and following the Count's Feud civil war, Denmark converted to Lutheranism in 1536. Later that year, Denmark entered into a union with Norway.
Early modern history (1536–1849)
Main articles: Denmark–Norway and Danish overseas coloniesAfter Sweden permanently broke away from the personal union, Denmark tried on several occasions to reassert control over its neighbour. King Christian IV attacked Sweden in the 1611–1613 Kalmar War but failed to accomplish his main objective of forcing it to return to the union. The war led to no territorial changes, but Sweden was forced to pay a war indemnity of 1 million silver riksdaler to Denmark, an amount known as the Älvsborg ransom. King Christian used this money to found several towns and fortresses, most notably Glückstadt (founded as a rival to Hamburg) and Christiania. Inspired by the Dutch East India Company, he founded a similar Danish company and planned to claim Ceylon as a colony, but the company only managed to acquire Tranquebar on India's Coromandel Coast. Denmark's large colonial aspirations included a few key trading posts in Africa and India. While Denmark's trading posts in India were of little note, it played an important role in the highly lucrative Atlantic slave trade, through its trading outposts in Fort Christiansborg in Osu, Ghana through which 1.5 million slaves were traded. While the Danish colonial empire was sustained by trade with other major powers, and plantations – ultimately a lack of resources led to its stagnation.
In the Thirty Years' War, Christian tried to become the leader of the Lutheran states in Germany but suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Lutter. The result was that the Catholic army under Albrecht von Wallenstein was able to invade, occupy, and pillage Jutland, forcing Denmark to withdraw from the war. Denmark managed to avoid territorial concessions, but King Gustavus Adolphus' intervention in Germany was seen as a sign that the military power of Sweden was on the rise while Denmark's influence in the region was declining. Swedish armies invaded Jutland in 1643 and claimed Scania in 1644. In the 1645 Treaty of Brømsebro, Denmark surrendered Halland, Gotland, the last parts of Danish Estonia, and several provinces in Norway.
Seeing an opportunity to tear up the Treaty of Brømsebro, King Frederick III of Denmark, in 1657, declared war on Sweden, the latter being deeply involved in the Second Northern War (1655–1660), and marched on Bremen-Verden. This led to a massive Danish defeat as the armies of King Charles X Gustav of Sweden conquered Jutland and, following the Swedish March across the frozen Danish straits, occupied Funen and much of Zealand before signing the Peace of Roskilde in February 1658, which gave Sweden control of Scania, Blekinge, Bohuslän, Trøndelag, and the island of Bornholm. Charles X Gustav quickly regretted not having ruined Denmark and in August 1658, he launched a second attack on Denmark, conquered most of the Danish islands, and began a two-year-long siege of Copenhagen. King Frederick III actively led the defence of the city, rallying its citizens to take up arms, and repelled the Swedish attacks. The siege ended following the death of Charles X Gustav in 1660. In the ensuing peace settlement, Denmark managed to maintain its independence and regain control of Trøndelag and Bornholm. Attaining great popularity following the war, Frederick III used this to disband the elective monarchy in favour of absolute monarchy, which lasted until 1848 in Denmark.
Denmark tried but failed to regain control of Scania in the Scanian War (1675–1679). After the Great Northern War (1700–21), Denmark managed to regain control of the parts of Schleswig and Holstein ruled by the house of Holstein-Gottorp in the 1720 Treaty of Frederiksborg and the 1773 Treaty of Tsarskoye Selo, respectively. Denmark prospered greatly in the last decades of the 18th century due to its neutral status allowing it to trade with both sides in the many contemporary wars. In the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark traded with both France and the United Kingdom and joined the League of Armed Neutrality with Russia, Sweden, and Prussia. British fears that Denmark-Norway would ally with France led to two attacks against Danish targets in Copenhagen in 1801 and 1807. These attacks resulted in the British capturing most of the Dano-Norwegian navy and led to the outbreak of the Gunboat War. British control of the waterways between Denmark and Norway proved disastrous to the union's economy and in 1813 Denmark–Norway went bankrupt.
The union was dissolved by the Treaty of Kiel in 1814; the Danish monarchy "irrevocably and forever" renounced claims to the Kingdom of Norway in favour of the Swedish king. Denmark kept the possessions of Iceland (which retained the Danish monarchy until 1944), the Faroe Islands and Greenland, all of which had been governed by Norway for centuries. Apart from the Nordic colonies, Denmark continued to rule over Danish India from 1620 to 1869, the Danish Gold Coast (Ghana) from 1658 to 1850, and the Danish West Indies from 1671 to 1917.
Constitutional monarchy (1849–present)
A nascent Danish liberal and national movement gained momentum in the 1830s; after the European Revolutions of 1848, Denmark peacefully became a constitutional monarchy on 5 June 1849. A new constitution established a two-chamber parliament. Denmark faced war against both Prussia and the Austrian Empire in what became known as the Second Schleswig War, lasting from February to October 1864. Denmark was defeated and obliged to cede Schleswig and Holstein to Prussia. This loss came as the latest in the long series of defeats and territorial losses that had begun in the 17th century. After these events, Denmark pursued a policy of neutrality in Europe.
Industrialisation came to Denmark in the second half of the 19th century. The nation's first railways were constructed in the 1850s, and improved communications and overseas trade allowed industry to develop in spite of Denmark's lack of natural resources. Trade unions developed, starting in the 1870s. There was a considerable migration of people from the countryside to the cities, and Danish agriculture became centred on the export of dairy and meat products.
Denmark maintained its neutral stance during World War I. After the defeat of Germany, the Versailles powers offered to return the region of Schleswig-Holstein to Denmark. Fearing German irredentism, Denmark refused to consider the return of the area without a plebiscite; the two Schleswig Plebiscites took place on 10 February and 14 March 1920, respectively. On 10 July 1920, Northern Schleswig was recovered by Denmark, thereby adding some 163,600 inhabitants and 3,984 square kilometres (1,538 sq mi). The country's first social democratic government took office in 1924.
In 1939 Denmark signed a 10-year nonaggression pact with Nazi Germany but Germany invaded Denmark on 9 April 1940 and the Danish government quickly surrendered. World War II in Denmark was characterised by economic co-operation with Germany until 1943, when the Danish government refused further co-operation and its navy scuttled most of its ships and sent many of its officers to Sweden, which was neutral. The Danish resistance performed a rescue operation that managed to evacuate several thousand Jews and their families to safety in Sweden before the Germans could send them to death camps. Some Danes supported Nazism by joining the Danish Nazi Party or volunteering to fight with Germany as part of the Frikorps Danmark. Iceland severed ties with Denmark and became an independent republic in 1944; Germany surrendered in May 1945. In 1948, the Faroe Islands gained home rule. In 1949, Denmark became a founding member of NATO.
Denmark was a founding member of European Free Trade Association (EFTA). During the 1960s, the EFTA countries were often referred to as the Outer Seven, as opposed to the Inner Six of what was then the European Economic Community (EEC). In 1973, along with Britain and Ireland, Denmark joined the European Economic Community (now the European Union) after a public referendum. The Maastricht Treaty, which involved further European integration, was rejected by the Danish people in 1992; it was only accepted after a second referendum in 1993, which provided for four opt-outs from policies. The Danes rejected the euro as the national currency in a referendum in 2000. Greenland gained home rule in 1979 and was awarded self-determination in 2009. Neither the Faroe Islands nor Greenland are members of the European Union, the Faroese having declined membership of the EEC in 1973 and Greenland in 1986, in both cases because of fisheries policies.
Constitutional change in 1953 led to a single-chamber parliament elected by proportional representation, female accession to the Danish throne, and Greenland becoming an integral part of Denmark. The centre-left Social Democrats led a string of coalition governments for most of the second half of the 20th century, introducing the Nordic welfare model. The Liberal Party and the Conservative People's Party have also led centre-right governments.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Denmark See also: Geography of the Faroe Islands and Geography of GreenlandLocated in Northern Europe, Denmark consists of the northern part of the Jutland peninsula and an archipelago of 406 islands. Of these, the largest island is Zealand, on which the capital Copenhagen is situated, followed by the North Jutlandic Island, Funen, and Lolland. The island of Bornholm is located some 150 km east of the rest of the country, in the Baltic Sea. Many of the larger islands are connected by bridges; a bridge-tunnel across the Øresund connects Zealand with Sweden; the Great Belt Fixed Link connects Funen with Zealand; and the Little Belt Bridge connects Jutland with Funen. Ferries or small aircraft connect to the smaller islands. The four cities with populations over 100,000 are the capital Copenhagen on Zealand; Aarhus and Aalborg in Jutland; and Odense on Funen.
The metropolitan part occupies a total area of 42,943.9 square kilometres (16,581 sq mi). The area of inland water is 43 km (17 sq mi). The size of the land area cannot be stated exactly since the ocean constantly erodes and adds material to the coastline, and because of human land reclamation projects (to counter erosion). Post-glacial rebound raises the land by a bit less than 1 cm (0.4 in) per year in the north and east, extending the coast. A circle enclosing the same area as Denmark would be 234 kilometres (145 miles) in diameter with a circumference of 736 km (457 mi) (land area only: 232.33 km (144.36 mi) and 730 km (454 mi) respectively). It shares a border of 68 kilometres (42 mi) with Germany to the south and is otherwise surrounded by 8,750 km (5,437 mi) of tidal shoreline (including small bays and inlets). No location in Denmark is farther from the coast than 52 km (32 mi). On the south-west coast of Jutland, the tide is between 1 and 2 m (3.28 and 6.56 ft), and the tideline moves outward and inward on a 10 km (6.2 mi) stretch. Denmark's territorial waters total 105,000 square kilometres (40,541 square miles).
Denmark's northernmost point is Skagen point (the north beach of the Skaw) at 57° 45' 7" northern latitude; the southernmost is Gedser point (the southern tip of Falster) at 54° 33' 35" northern latitude; the westernmost point is Blåvandshuk at 8° 4' 22" eastern longitude; and the easternmost point is Østerskær at 15° 11' 55" eastern longitude. This is in the small Ertholmene archipelago 18 kilometres (11 mi) north-east of Bornholm. The distance from east to west is 452 kilometres (281 mi), from north to south 368 kilometres (229 mi).
The metropolitan part is flat with little elevation, having an average height above sea level of 31 metres (102 ft). The highest natural point is Møllehøj, at 170.86 metres (560.56 ft). Although this is by far the lowest high point in the Nordic countries and also less than half of the highest point in Southern Sweden, Denmark's general elevation in its interior is generally at a safe level from rising sea levels. A sizeable portion of Denmark's terrain consists of rolling plains whilst the coastline is sandy, with large dunes in northern Jutland. Although once extensively forested, today Denmark largely consists of arable land. It is drained by a dozen or so rivers, and the most significant include the Gudenå, Odense, Skjern, Suså and Vidå—a river that flows along its southern border with Germany. The country has 1008 lakes, 16 have an area of more than 500 hectares (1,200 acres). Lake Arresø, located northwest of Copenhagen, is the largest lake.
The Kingdom of Denmark includes two overseas territories, both well to the west of Denmark: Greenland, the world's largest island, and the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. These territories are self-governing under their own parliaments (the Løgting and Inatsisartut) and form, together with continental Denmark, part of the Danish Realm, a country.
Climate
Denmark has a temperate climate, characterised by cool to cold winters, with mean temperatures in January of 1.5 °C (34.7 °F), and mild summers, with a mean temperature in August of 17.2 °C (63.0 °F). The most extreme temperatures recorded in Denmark, since 1874 when recordings began, was 36.4 °C (97.5 °F) in 1975 and −31.2 °C (−24.2 °F) in 1982. Denmark has an average of 179 days per year with precipitation, on average receiving a total of 765 millimetres (30 in) per year; autumn is the wettest season and spring the driest. The position between a continent and an ocean means that the weather is often unstable.
Because of Denmark's northern location, there are large seasonal variations in daylight: short days during the winter with sunrise coming around 8:45 am and sunset 3:45 pm (standard time), as well as long summer days with sunrise at 4:30 am and sunset at 10 pm (daylight saving time).
Ecology
Further information: List of forests in Denmark, List of mammals of Denmark, and List of birds of Denmark Also related: Flora and Fauna of the Faroe Islands and Flora and fauna of GreenlandDenmark belongs to the Boreal Kingdom and can be subdivided into two ecoregions: the Atlantic mixed forests and Baltic mixed forests. Almost all of Denmark's primeval temperate forests have been destroyed or fragmented, chiefly for agricultural purposes during the last millennia. The deforestation has created large swaths of heathland and devastating sand drifts. In spite of this, there are several larger second growth woodlands in the country and, in total, 12.9% of the land is now forested. Norway spruce is the most widespread tree (2017); an important tree in the Christmas tree production. Denmark holds a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 0.5/10, ranking it 171st globally out of 172 countries—behind only San Marino.
Roe deer occupy the countryside in growing numbers, and large-antlered red deer can be found in the sparse woodlands of Jutland. Denmark is also home to smaller mammals, such as polecats, hares and hedgehogs. Approximately 400 bird species inhabit Denmark and about 160 of those breed in the country. Large marine mammals include healthy populations of harbour porpoises, growing numbers of pinnipeds and occasional visits of whales, including blue whales and orcas. Cod, herring and plaice are abundant culinary fish in Danish waters and form the basis for a large fishing industry.
Environment
Denmark historically taken a progressive stance on environmental preservation: In 1971, it established a Ministry of Environment and was the first country in the world to implement an environmental law in 1973. Land and water pollution are two of Denmark's most significant environmental issues, although much of its household and industrial waste is now increasingly filtered and sometimes recycled. Denmark is a signatory to the Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, its national ecological footprint is 8.26 global hectares per person, which is very high compared to a world average of 1.7 in 2010. Contributing factors are an exceptionally high value for cropland and grazing land, possibly due to substantially high meat production (115.8 kilograms (255 lb) meat annually per capita) and economic size of the meat and dairy industries.
Notwithstanding its relatively high emissions, Denmark topped the list of the 2015 Climate Change Performance Index due to its implementation effective climate protection policies. The country has consistently placed first since 2020. Denmark ranked 10th in the Environmental Performance Index, which measures progress at mitigating climate change, safeguarding ecosystem vitality, and promoting environmental health. In 2021, Denmark joined Costa Rica to launch the "Beyond Oil and Gas alliance" for stopping use fossil fuels. The Danish government stopped issuing new licences for oil and gas extraction in December 2020.
Denmark's territories, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, catch approximately 650 whales per year. Greenland's quotas for the catch of whales are determined according to the advice of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), having quota decision-making powers.
Government and politics
Main article: Politics of Denmark Also related: Politics of the Faroe Islands and Politics of Greenland Frederik X,King of DenmarkMette Frederiksen,
Prime Minister of Denmark
Politics in Denmark operate under a framework laid out in the Constitution of Denmark. First written in 1849, it establishes a sovereign state in the form of a constitutional monarchy, with a representative unicameral parliamentary system. The monarch officially retains executive power and presides over the Council of State (privy council). In practice, the duties of the monarch are strictly representative and ceremonial, such as the formal appointment and dismissal of the Prime Minister and other Government ministers. The Monarch is not answerable for his or her actions, and their person is sacrosanct. Hereditary monarch King Frederik X has been head of state since 14 January 2024.
Government
Main articles: Folketing and Cabinet of Denmark See also: Løgting and Cabinet of the Faroe Islands Also related: Inatsisartut and Cabinet of GreenlandThe Danish parliament is unicameral and called the Folketing (Danish: Folketinget). It is the legislature of the Kingdom of Denmark, passing acts that apply in Denmark and, variably, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The Folketing is also responsible for adopting the state's budgets, approving the state's accounts, appointing and exercising control of the Government, and taking part in international co-operation. Bills may be initiated by the Government or by members of parliament. All bills passed must be presented before the Council of State to receive Royal Assent within thirty days in order to become law.
Denmark is a representative democracy with universal suffrage. Membership of the Folketing is based on proportional representation of political parties, with a 2% electoral threshold. Denmark elects 175 members to the Folketing, with Greenland and the Faroe Islands electing an additional two members each—179 members in total. Parliamentary elections are held at least every four years, but it is within the powers of the prime minister to ask the monarch to call for an election before the term has elapsed. On a vote of no confidence, the Folketing may force a single minister or an entire government to resign.
The Government of Denmark operates as a cabinet government, where executive authority is exercised—formally, on behalf of the monarch—by the prime minister and other cabinet ministers, who head ministries. As the executive branch, the Cabinet is responsible for proposing bills and a budget, executing the laws, and guiding the foreign and internal policies of Denmark. The position of prime minister belongs to the person most likely to command the confidence of a majority in the Folketing; this is often the current leader of the largest political party or, more effectively, through a coalition of parties. A single party generally does not have sufficient political power in terms of the number of seats to form a cabinet on its own; Denmark has often been ruled by coalition governments, themselves usually minority governments dependent on non-government parties.
Following the 2022 Danish general election in November 2022, incumbent prime minister and Social Democratic leader Mette Frederiksen in December 2022 formed the current Frederiksen II Cabinet, a coalition government with the until then leading opposition party Venstre and the recently founded Moderate party.
Law and judicial system
Main articles: Law of Denmark and Courts of Denmark See also: Crime in Denmark Also related: Judiciary of GreenlandDenmark has a civil law system with some references to Germanic law. Denmark resembles Norway and Sweden in never having developed a case-law like that of England and the United States nor comprehensive codes like those of France and Germany. Much of its law is customary.
The judicial system of Denmark is divided between courts with regular civil and criminal jurisdiction and administrative courts with jurisdiction over litigation between individuals and the public administration. Articles sixty-two and sixty-four of the Constitution ensure judicial independence from government and Parliament by providing that judges shall only be guided by the law, including acts, statutes and practice. The Kingdom of Denmark does not have a single unified judicial system – Denmark has one system, Greenland another, and the Faroe Islands a third. However, decisions by the highest courts in Greenland and the Faroe Islands may be appealed to the Danish High Courts. The Danish Supreme Court is the highest civil and criminal court responsible for the administration of justice in the Kingdom.
Danish Realm
Main article: Danish RealmThe Kingdom of Denmark is a unitary state that comprises, in addition to metropolitan Denmark, two autonomous territories in the North Atlantic Ocean: the Faroe Islands and Greenland. They have been integrated parts of the Danish Realm since the 18th century; however, due to their separate historical and cultural identities, these parts of the Realm have extensive political powers and have assumed legislative and administrative responsibility in a substantial number of fields. Home rule was granted to the Faroe Islands in 1948 and to Greenland in 1979, each having previously had the status of counties.
The Faroe Islands and Greenland have their own home governments and parliaments and are effectively self-governing in regards to domestic affairs apart from the judicial system and monetary policy. High Commissioners (Rigsombudsmand) act as representatives of the Danish government in the Faroese Løgting and in the Greenlandic Parliament, but they cannot vote. The Faroese home government is defined to be an equal partner with the Danish national government, while the Greenlandic people are defined as a separate people with the right to self-determination.
Autonomous territory | Population (2020) | Total area | Capital | Local parliament | Premier |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Faroe Islands (Færøerne, Føroyar) | 52,110 | 1,399 km (540.16 sq mi) | Tórshavn | Løgting | Aksel V. Johannesen |
Greenland (Grønland, Kalaallit Nunaat) | 56,081 | 2,166,086 km (836,330 sq mi) | Nuuk | Inatsisartut | Múte Bourup Egede |
Administrative divisions
Main articles: Regions of Denmark and Municipalities of Denmark Also related: Municipalities of the Faroe Islands, Administrative divisions of Greenland, and NUTS statistical regions of Denmark Midtjylland Nordjylland Syddanmark Hovedstaden SjællandDenmark, with a total area of 43,094 square kilometres (16,639 sq mi), is divided into five administrative regions (Danish: regioner). The regions are further subdivided into 98 municipalities (kommuner). The easternmost land in Denmark, the Ertholmene archipelago, with an area of 39 hectares (0.16 sq mi), is neither part of a municipality nor a region but belongs to the Ministry of Defence. The provinces of Denmark are statistical divisions of Denmark, positioned between the administrative regions and municipalities. They are not administrative divisions, nor subject for any kind of political elections, but are mainly for statistical use.
The regions were created on 1 January 2007 to replace the 16 former counties. At the same time, smaller municipalities were merged into larger units, reducing the number from 270. Most municipalities have a population of at least 20,000 to give them financial and professional sustainability, although a few exceptions were made to this rule. The administrative divisions are led by directly elected councils, elected proportionally every four years; the most recent Danish local elections were held on 16 November 2021. Other regional structures use the municipal boundaries as a layout, including the police districts, the court districts and the electoral wards.
Regions
The governing bodies of the regions are the regional councils, each with forty-one councillors elected for four-year terms. The councils are headed by regional district chairmen (regionsrådsformand), who are elected by the council. The areas of responsibility for the regional councils are the national health service, social services and regional development. Unlike the counties they replaced, the regions are not allowed to levy taxes and the health service is partly financed by a national health care contribution until 2018 (sundhedsbidrag), partly by funds from both government and municipalities. From 1 January 2019 this contribution will be abolished, as it is being replaced by higher income tax instead.
The area and populations of the regions vary widely; for example, the Capital Region has a population three times larger than that of North Denmark Region. Under the county system certain densely populated municipalities, such as Copenhagen Municipality and Frederiksberg, had been given a status equivalent to that of counties, making them first-level administrative divisions. These sui generis municipalities were incorporated into the new regions under the 2007 reforms.
Danish name | English name | Admin. centre | Largest city (populous) |
Population (April 2021) |
Total area (km) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hovedstaden | Capital Region of Denmark | Hillerød | Copenhagen | 1,856,061 | 2,568.29 |
Midtjylland | Central Denmark Region | Viborg | Aarhus | 1,333,245 | 13,095.80 |
Nordjylland | North Denmark Region | Aalborg | Aalborg | 590,322 | 7,907.09 |
Sjælland | Region Zealand | Sorø | Roskilde | 839,619 | 7,268.75 |
Syddanmark | Region of Southern Denmark | Vejle | Odense | 1,224,100 | 12,132.21 |
Source: Regional and municipal key figures |
Foreign relations
Main article: Foreign relations of Denmark Also related: Foreign relations of the Faroe Islands and Foreign relations of GreenlandDenmark wields considerable influence in Northern Europe and is a middle power in international affairs. In recent years, Greenland and the Faroe Islands have been guaranteed a say in foreign policy issues such as fishing, whaling, and geopolitical concerns. The foreign policy of Denmark is substantially influenced by its membership of the European Union (EU); Denmark including Greenland joined the European Economic Community (EEC), the EU's predecessor, in 1973. Denmark held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on seven occasions, most recently from January to June 2012. Following World War II, Denmark ended its two-hundred-year-long policy of neutrality. It has been a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since 1949, and membership remains highly popular.
As a member of Development Assistance Committee (DAC), Denmark has for a long time been among the countries of the world contributing the largest percentage of gross national income to development aid. In 2015, Denmark contributed 0.85% of its gross national income (GNI) to foreign aid and was one of only six countries meeting the longstanding UN target of 0.7% of GNI. The country participates in both bilateral and multilateral aid, with the aid usually administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The organisational name of Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) is often used, in particular when operating bilateral aid. According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Denmark is the 8th most peaceful country in the world.
Military
See also: Danish Defence and Military history of DenmarkDenmark's armed forces are known as the Danish Defence (Danish: Forsvaret). The Minister of Defence is commander-in-chief of the Danish Defence, and serves as chief diplomatic official abroad. During peacetime, the Ministry of Defence employs around 33,000 in total. The main military branches employ almost 27,000: 15,460 in the Royal Danish Army, 5,300 in the Royal Danish Navy and 6,050 in the Royal Danish Air Force (all including conscripts). The Danish Emergency Management Agency employs 2,000 (including conscripts), and about 4,000 are in non-branch-specific services like the Danish Defence Command and the Danish Defence Intelligence Service. Furthermore, around 44,500 serve as volunteers in the Danish Home Guard.
Denmark is a long-time supporter of international peacekeeping, but since the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 and the War in Afghanistan in 2001, Denmark has also found a new role as a warring nation, participating actively in several wars and invasions. This relatively new situation has stirred some internal critique, but the Danish population has generally been very supportive, in particular of the War in Afghanistan. The Danish Defence has around 1,400 staff in international missions, not including standing contributions to NATO SNMCMG1. Danish forces were heavily engaged in the former Yugoslavia in the UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR), with IFOR, and now SFOR. Between 2003 and 2007, there were approximately 450 Danish soldiers in Iraq. Denmark also strongly supported American operations in Afghanistan and has contributed both monetarily and materially to the ISAF. These initiatives are often described by the authorities as part of a new "active foreign policy" of Denmark.
Economy
Further information: Economy of Denmark, List of companies of Denmark, and List of largest Danish companies Also related: Economy of the Faroe Islands and Economy of GreenlandDenmark has a developed mixed economy that is classed as a high-income economy by the World Bank. In 2017, it ranked 16th in the world in terms of gross national income (PPP) per capita and 10th in nominal GNI per capita. Denmark's economy stands out as one of the most free in the Index of Economic Freedom and the Economic Freedom of the World. It is the 10th most competitive economy in the world, and 6th in Europe, according to the World Economic Forum in its Global Competitiveness Report 2018.
Denmark has the fourth highest ratio of tertiary degree holders in the world. The country ranks highest in the world for workers' rights. GDP per hour worked was the 13th highest in 2009. The country has a market income inequality close to the OECD average, but after taxes and public cash transfers the income inequality is considerably lower. According to Eurostat, Denmark's Gini coefficient for disposable income was the 7th-lowest among EU countries in 2017. According to the International Monetary Fund, Denmark has the world's highest minimum wage. As Denmark has no minimum wage legislation, the high wage floor has been attributed to the power of trade unions. For example, as the result of a collective bargaining agreement between the 3F trade union and the employers group Horesta, workers at McDonald's and other fast food chains make the equivalent of US$20 an hour, which is more than double what their counterparts earn in the United States, and have access to paid vacation, parental leave and a pension plan. Union density in 2015 was 68%.
Once a predominantly agricultural country on account of its arable landscape, since 1945 Denmark has greatly expanded its industrial base and service sector. By 2017 services contributed circa 75% of GDP, manufacturing about 15% and agriculture less than 2%. Major industries include wind turbines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, machinery and transportation equipment, food processing, and construction. Circa 60% of the total export value is due to export of goods, and the remaining 40% is from service exports, mainly sea transport. The country's main export goods are: wind turbines, pharmaceuticals, machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, furniture and design. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and has for a number of years had a balance of payments surplus which has transformed the country from a net debitor to a net creditor country. By 1 July 2018, the net international investment position (or net foreign assets) of Denmark was equal to 64.6% of GDP.
Denmark is part of the European Union's internal market, which represents more than 508 million consumers. Several domestic commercial policies are determined by agreements among European Union (EU) members and by EU legislation. Support for free trade is high among the Danish public; in a 2016 poll 57% responded saw globalisation as an opportunity whereas 18% viewed it as a threat. 70% of trade flows are inside the European Union. As of 2017, Denmark's largest export partners are Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Denmark's currency, the krone (DKK), is pegged at approximately 7.46 kroner per euro through the ERM II. Although a September 2000 referendum rejected adopting the euro, the country follows the policies set forth in the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union (EMU) and meets the economic convergence criteria needed to adopt the euro. The majority of the political parties in the Folketing support joining the EMU, but since 2010 opinion polls have consistently shown a clear majority against adopting the euro. In March 2018, 29% of respondents from Denmark in a Eurobarometer opinion poll stated that they were in favour of the EMU and the euro, whereas 65% were against it. The exact same pole conducted in November 2023, was almost unchanged with 31% in favour and 63% against.
Ranked by turnover in Denmark, the largest Danish companies are: A.P. Møller-Mærsk (international shipping), Novo Nordisk (pharmaceuticals), ISS A/S (facility services), Vestas (wind turbines), Arla Foods (dairy), DSV (transport), Carlsberg Group (beer), Salling Group (retail), Ørsted A/S (power), Danske Bank.
The Danish government focused into methods to increase taxes on energy dealers in 2023.
Public policy
See also: Flexicurity and Taxation in Denmark Also related: Taxation in the Faroe Islands and Taxation in GreenlandDanes enjoy a high standard of living and the Danish economy is characterised by extensive government welfare provisions. Denmark has a corporate tax rate of 22% and a special time-limited tax regime for expatriates. The Danish taxation system is broad based, with a 25% value-added tax, in addition to excise taxes, income taxes and other fees. The overall level of taxation (sum of all taxes, as a percentage of GDP) was 46% in 2017. The tax structure of Denmark (the relative weight of different taxes) differs from the OECD average, as the Danish tax system in 2015 was characterised by substantially higher revenues from taxes on personal income and a lower proportion of revenues from taxes on corporate income and gains and property taxes than in OECD generally, whereas no revenues at all derive from social security contributions. The proportion deriving from payroll taxes, VAT, and other taxes on goods and services correspond to the OECD average
As of 2014, 6% of the population was reported to live below the poverty line, when adjusted for taxes and transfers. Denmark had the 2nd lowest relative poverty rate in the OECD, below the 11.3% OECD average. The 6% of the population reporting that they could not afford to buy sufficient food was less than half of the OECD average.
Labour market
Like other Nordic countries, Denmark has adopted the Nordic Model, which combines free market capitalism with a comprehensive welfare state and strong worker protection. As a result of its acclaimed "flexicurity" model, Denmark has the freest labour market in Europe, according to the World Bank. Employers can hire and fire whenever they want (flexibility), and between jobs, unemployment compensation is relatively high (security). According to OECD, initial as well as long-term net replacement rates for unemployed persons were 65% of previous net income in 2016, against an OECD average of 53%. No restrictions apply regarding overtime work, which allows companies to operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With an employment rate in 2017 of 74.2% for people aged 15–64-years, Denmark ranks 9th highest among the OECD countries, and above the OECD average of 67.8%. The unemployment rate was 5.7% in 2017, which is considered close to or below its structural level.
The level of unemployment benefits is dependent on former employment and normally on membership of an unemployment fund, which is usually closely connected to a trade union, and previous payment of contributions. Circa 65% of the financing comes from earmarked member contributions, whereas the remaining third originates from the central government and hence from general taxation.
Business
Establishing a business in Denmark can be undertaken in a matter of hours and at very low costs. The Danish government operates a "Danish Business Authority", and launched a series of initiatives in 2012 aiming to simplify business rules, making it easier to run a business without jeopardising the intended goals of relevant legislation.
Science and technology
See also: Internet in DenmarkDenmark has a long tradition of scientific and technological invention and engagement, and has been involved internationally from the very start of the scientific revolution. In current times, Denmark is participating in many high-profile international science and technology projects, including CERN, ITER, ESA, ISS and E-ELT. Denmark was ranked 10th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024, down from 6th in 2020 and from 7th in 2019.
In the 20th century, Danes have also been innovative in several fields of the technology sector. Danish companies have been influential in the shipping industry with the design of the largest and most energy efficient container ships in the world, the Maersk Triple E class, and Danish engineers have contributed to the design of MAN Diesel engines. In the software and electronic field, Denmark contributed to design and manufacturing of Nordic Mobile Telephones, and the now-defunct Danish company DanCall was among the first to develop GSM mobile phones.
Life science is a key sector with extensive research and development activities. Danish engineers are world-leading in providing diabetes care equipment and medication products from Novo Nordisk and, since 2000, the Danish biotech company Novozymes, the world market leader in enzymes for first generation starch-based bioethanol, has pioneered development of enzymes for converting waste to cellulosic ethanol. Medicon Valley, spanning the Øresund Region between Zealand and Sweden, is one of Europe's largest life science clusters.
Danish-born computer scientists and software engineers have taken leading roles in some of the world's programming languages: Anders Hejlsberg (Turbo Pascal, Delphi, C#); Rasmus Lerdorf (PHP); Bjarne Stroustrup (C++); David Heinemeier Hansson (Ruby on Rails); Lars Bak, a pioneer in virtual machines (V8, Java VM, Dart). Physicist Lene Vestergaard Hau is the first person to stop light, leading to advances in quantum computing, nanoscale engineering, and linear optics.
Energy
Main article: Energy in Denmark See also: Energy in the Faroe Islands and Energy in GreenlandDenmark has considerably large deposits of oil and natural gas in the North Sea and ranks as number 32 in the world among net exporters of crude oil and was producing 259,980 barrels of crude oil a day in 2009. Denmark is a long-time leader in wind power: In 2015 wind turbines provided 42.1% of the total electricity consumption. In May 2011 Denmark derived 3.1% of its gross domestic product from renewable (clean) energy technology and energy efficiency, or around €6.5 billion ($9.4 billion). Denmark is connected by electric transmission lines to other European countries.
Denmark's electricity sector has integrated energy sources such as wind power into the national grid. Denmark now aims to focus on intelligent battery systems (V2G) and plug-in vehicles in the transport sector. The country is a member nation of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Denmark exported roughly 460 million GJ of energy in 2018.
Transport
Main article: Transport in Denmark See also: Transport in the Faroe Islands and Transport in GreenlandSignificant investment has been made in building road and rail links between regions in Denmark, most notably the Great Belt Fixed Link, which connects Zealand and Funen. It is now possible to drive from Frederikshavn in northern Jutland to Copenhagen on eastern Zealand without leaving the motorway. The main railway operator is DSB for passenger services and DB Cargo for freight trains. The railway tracks are maintained by Banedanmark. The North Sea and the Baltic Sea are intertwined by various, international ferry links. Construction of the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link, connecting Denmark and Germany with a second link, Started in 2021. Copenhagen has a rapid transit system, the Copenhagen Metro, and an extensive electrified suburban railway network, the S-train. In the four largest cities – Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg – light rail systems are planned to be in operation around 2020.
Cycling in Denmark is a very common form of transport, particularly for the young and for city dwellers. With a network of bicycle routes extending more than 12,000 km and an estimated 7,000 km of segregated dedicated bicycle paths and lanes, Denmark has a solid bicycle infrastructure.
Private vehicles are increasingly used as a means of transport. Because of the high registration tax (150%), VAT (25%), and one of the world's highest income tax rates, new cars are very expensive. The purpose of the tax is to discourage car ownership. In 2007, an attempt was made by the government to favour environmentally friendly cars by slightly reducing taxes on high mileage vehicles. However, this has had little effect, and in 2008 Denmark experienced an increase in the import of fuel inefficient old cars, as the cost for older cars—including taxes—keeps them within the budget of many Danes. As of 2011, the average car age is 9.2 years.
With Norway and Sweden, Denmark is part of the Scandinavian Airlines flag carrier. Copenhagen Airport is Scandinavia's busiest passenger airport, handling over 25 million passengers in 2014. Other notable airports are Billund Airport, Aalborg Airport, and Aarhus Airport.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Denmark See also: Demographics of the Faroe Islands, Demographics of Greenland, List of urban areas in Denmark by population, and List of cities and towns in DenmarkPopulation by ancestry (Q2 2020):
People of Danish origin (including Faroese and Greenlandic) (86.11%) Immigrant (10.56%) Descendant of an immigrant (3.34%)Population
In April 2020, the population of Denmark, as registered by Statistics Denmark, was 5.825 million. Denmark has one of the oldest populations in the world, with the average age of 41.9 years, with 0.97 males per female. Despite a low birth rate, the population is growing at an average annual rate of 0.59% because of net immigration and increasing longevity. The World Happiness Report frequently ranks Denmark's population as the happiest in the world. This has been attributed to the country's highly regarded education and health care systems, and its low level of income inequality. People in Denmark feel responsible for social welfare. The rate of taxation is among the world's highest and can be half a Dane's income but they get most healthcare free, university tuition is also free and students get grants, there is subsidized child care and old people get pensions and care helpers.
Denmark is a historically homogeneous nation. However, as with its Scandinavian neighbours, Denmark has recently transformed from a nation of net emigration, up until World War II, to a nation of net immigration. Today, residence permits are issued mostly to immigrants from other EU countries (54% of all non-Scandinavian immigrants in 2017). Another 31% of residence permits were study- or work-related, 4% were issued to asylum seekers and 10% to persons who arrive as family dependants. Overall, the net migration rate in 2017 was 2.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population, somewhat lower than the United Kingdom and the other Nordic countries.
There are no official statistics on ethnic groups, but according to 2020 figures from Statistics Denmark, 86.1% of the population in Denmark was of Danish descent (including Faroese and Greenlandic), defined as having at least one parent who was born in the Kingdom of Denmark and holds Danish nationality. The remaining 13.89% were of foreign background, defined as immigrants or descendants of recent immigrants. With the same definition, the most common countries of origin were Turkey, Poland, Syria, Germany, Iraq, Romania, Lebanon, Pakistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Somalia. Minorities in Denmark include Turks, Poles, Syrians, Germans, Iraqis, Romanians and people from former Yugoslavia. There are also other Asian and African populations in the country. Small numbers of Romani people and Hungarians live in Denmark. There is also a small Jewish population.
The Inuit are Indigenous to Greenland in the Kingdom and have traditionally inhabited Greenland and the northern parts of Canada and Alaska in the Arctic. From the 18th century up to the 1970s, the Danish government (Dano-Norwegian until 1814) tried to assimilate the Greenlandic Inuit, encouraging them to adopt the majority language and culture. Because of this "Danization process", some persons of Inuit ancestry now identify their mother tongue as Danish.
Largest cities in Denmark (as of 1 January 2016) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Core city | Region | Urban population | Municipal population | ||
1 | København | Capital Region of Denmark | 1,280,371 | 591,481 | ||
2 | Aarhus | Central Denmark Region | 264,716 | 330,639 | ||
3 | Odense | Region of Southern Denmark | 175,245 | 198,972 | ||
4 | Aalborg | North Denmark Region | 112,194 | 210,316 | ||
5 | Esbjerg | Region of Southern Denmark | 72,151 | 115,748 | ||
6 | Randers | Central Denmark Region | 62,342 | 97,520 | ||
7 | Kolding | Region of Southern Denmark | 59,712 | 91,695 | ||
8 | Horsens | Central Denmark Region | 57,517 | 87,736 | ||
9 | Vejle | Region of Southern Denmark | 54,862 | 111,743 | ||
10 | Roskilde | Region Zealand | 50,046 | 86,207 |
Languages
Main article: Languages of Denmark See also: Languages of the Faroe Islands, Languages of Greenland, and Minority languages of DenmarkDanish is the de facto national language of Denmark. Faroese and Greenlandic are the official languages of the Faroe Islands and Greenland respectively. German is a recognised minority language in the area of the former South Jutland County (now part of the Region of Southern Denmark), which was part of the German Empire prior to the Treaty of Versailles. Danish and Faroese belong to the North Germanic (Nordic) branch of the Indo-European languages, along with Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish. There is some degree of mutual intelligibility between Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish. Danish is more distantly related to German, which is a West Germanic language. Greenlandic or "Kalaallisut" is an Inuit language, and is entirely unrelated to Danish, although it has adopted many Danish loanwords including the words for numbers.
A large majority (86%) of Danes speak English as a second language, generally with a high level of proficiency. German is the second-most spoken foreign language, with 47% reporting a conversational level of proficiency. Denmark had 25,900 native speakers of German in 2007 (mostly in the South Jutland area).
Religion
Main article: Religion in Denmark Also related: Religion in the Faroe Islands and Religion in GreenlandChristianity is the dominant religion in Denmark. As of 2024, 71.2% of the population of Denmark were members of the Church of Denmark (Den Danske Folkekirke), the officially established church, which is Protestant in classification and Lutheran in orientation. The membership percentage has been in steady decline since the 1970s, mainly as fewer newborns are being baptised into it. Only 3% of the population regularly attend Sunday services and only 19% of Danes consider religion to be an important part of their life.
The Constitution states that the sovereign must have the Lutheran faith, though the rest of the population is free to adhere to other faiths. In 1682 the state granted limited recognition to three religious groups dissenting from the Established Church: Roman Catholicism, the Reformed Church and Judaism, although conversion to these groups from the Church of Denmark remained illegal initially. Until the 1970s, the state formally recognised "religious societies" by royal decree. Today, religious groups do not need official government recognition, they can be granted the right to perform weddings and other ceremonies without this recognition. Denmark's Muslims make up approximately 4.4% of the population and form the country's second largest religious community and largest minority religion. The Danish Foreign Ministry estimates that other religious groups comprise less than 1% of the population individually and approximately 2% when taken all together. Just under 20% of the Danish population identifies as atheist.
According to a 2010 Eurobarometer poll, 28% of Danish nationals polled responded that they "believe there is a God", 47% responded that they "believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 24% responded that they "do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force". Another poll, carried out in 2009, found that 25% of Danes believe Jesus is the son of God, and 18% believe he is the saviour of the world.
In its 2024 Freedom in the World report, Freedom House rated the country 4 out of 4 for religious freedom.
Education
Main article: Education in Denmark Also related: Education in the Faroe Islands and Education in GreenlandAll educational programmes in Denmark are regulated by the Ministry of Education and administered by local municipalities. Folkeskole covers the entire period of compulsory education, encompassing primary and lower secondary education. Most children attend folkeskole for 10 years, from the ages of 6 to 16. There are no final examinations, but pupils can choose to sit an exam when finishing ninth grade (14–15 years old). The test is obligatory if further education is to be attended. Alternatively pupils can attend an independent school (friskole), or a private school (privatskole), such as Christian schools or Waldorf schools.
Following graduation from compulsory education, there are several continuing educational opportunities; the Gymnasium (STX) attaches importance in teaching a mix of humanities and science, Higher Technical Examination Programme (HTX) focuses on scientific subjects and the Higher Commercial Examination Programme emphasises on subjects in economics. Higher Preparatory Examination (HF) is similar to Gymnasium (STX), but is one year shorter. For specific professions, there is vocational education, training young people for work in specific trades by a combination of teaching and apprenticeship.
The government records upper secondary school completion rates of 95% and tertiary enrollment and completion rates of 60%. All university and college (tertiary) education in Denmark is free of charges; there are no tuition fees to enrol in courses. Students aged 18 or above may apply for state educational support grants, known as Statens Uddannelsesstøtte (SU), which provides fixed financial support, disbursed monthly. Danish universities offer international students a range of opportunities for obtaining an internationally recognised qualification in Denmark. Many programmes may be taught in the English language, the academic lingua franca, in bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorates and student exchange programmes.
Health
See also: Health care in DenmarkAs of 2015, Denmark has a life expectancy of 80.6 years at birth (78.6 for men, 82.5 for women), up from 76.9 years in 2000. This ranks it 27th among 193 nations, behind the other Nordic countries. The National Institute of Public Health of the University of Southern Denmark has calculated 19 major risk factors among Danes that contribute to a lowering of the life expectancy; this includes smoking, alcohol, drug abuse and physical inactivity. Although the obesity rate is lower than in North America and most other European countries, the large number of overweight Danes results in an annual additional consumption in the health care system of DKK 1,625 million. In a 2012 study, Denmark had the highest cancer rate of all countries listed by the World Cancer Research Fund International; researchers suggest the reasons are better reporting, but also lifestyle factors like heavy alcohol consumption, smoking and physical inactivity.
Denmark has a universal health care system, characterised by being publicly financed through taxes and, for most of the services, run directly by the regional authorities. One of the sources of income was a national health care contribution (sundhedsbidrag) (2007–11:8%; '12:7%; '13:6%; '14:5%; '15:4%; '16:3%; '17:2%; '18:1%; '19:0%) but it was phased out from January 2019 in favour of income taxes. This means that most health care provision is free at the point of delivery for all residents. Additionally, roughly two in five have complementary private insurance to cover services not fully covered by the state, such as physiotherapy. As of 2012, Denmark spends 11.2% of its GDP on health care; this is up from 9.8% in 2007 (US$3,512 per capita). This places Denmark above the OECD average and above the other Nordic countries.
Vulnerable residential areas
Main articles: Immigration to Denmark and Vulnerable residential area (Denmark)Certain social housing districts in Denmark fulfilling specific statistical criteria of relatively low employment, school attendance, relatively low income, a relatively low educational level or relatively many convicted inhabitants are officially listed by the government as vulnerable residential areas. In some cases, the majority of the neighbourhoods consist of non-Western immigrants and their descendants. Over the years, several government initiatives have been taken to further integration and counter urban decay in these neighbourhoods. Major plans to this end were presented in 1994 and 2000 by the governments of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, in 2004 by the Anders Fogh Rasmussen I Cabinet, in 2010 by the Lars Løkke Rasmussen I Cabinet, in 2013 by the Helle Thorning-Schmidt I Cabinet, in 2018 by the Lars Løkke Rasmussen III Cabinet, and in 2021 by the Mette Frederiksen I Cabinet. Some of the policies have been criticised for undercutting 'equality before law' and for portraying immigrants, especially Muslim immigrants, in a bad light.
During the years 2010–2021, the term "ghetto" was used officially to designate some or all of the vulnerable areas. The term was considered controversial, however, and removed in 2021. Denmark is the only country to have officially used the word 'ghetto' in the 21st century to denote certain residential areas. From 2021, four different lists are published, depending on the residents' income levels, employment status, education levels, criminal convictions and origin (a statistical criterion based on parents' geographical birthplace and citizenship). In 2023, there were 19 vulnerable residential areas in Denmark.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Denmark See also: Culture of the Faroe Islands and Culture of GreenlandDenmark shares strong cultural and historic ties with its Scandinavian neighbours Sweden and Norway. It has historically been one of the most socially progressive cultures in the world. In 1969, Denmark was the first country to legalise pornography, and in 2012, Denmark replaced its "registered partnership" laws, which it had been the first country to introduce in 1989, with gender-neutral marriage, and allowed same-sex marriages to be performed in the Church of Denmark. Modesty and social equality are important parts of Danish culture. In a 2016 study comparing empathy scores of 63 countries, Denmark ranked 4th world-wide having the highest empathy among surveyed European countries.
The astronomical discoveries of Tycho Brahe, Ludwig A. Colding's neglected articulation of the principle of conservation of energy, and the contributions to atomic physics of Niels Bohr indicate the range of Danish scientific achievement. The fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, the philosophical essays of Søren Kierkegaard, the short stories of Karen Blixen (penname Isak Dinesen), the plays of Ludvig Holberg, and the dense, aphoristic poetry of Piet Hein, have earned international recognition, as have the symphonies of Carl Nielsen. From the mid-1990s, Danish films have attracted international attention, especially those associated with Dogme 95 like those of Lars von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg.
A major feature of Danish culture is Jul (Danish Christmas). The holiday is celebrated throughout December, starting either at the beginning of Advent or on 1 December with a variety of traditions, culminating with the Christmas Eve meal.
There are seven heritage sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in Northern Europe: Christiansfeld, a Moravian Church Settlement, the Jelling Mounds (Runic Stones and Church), Kronborg Castle, Roskilde Cathedral, and The par force hunting landscape in North Zealand and 3 in the World Heritage list in North America: Ilulissat Icefjord, Aasivissuit—Nipisat, Kujataa within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Human rights
Main article: Human rights in DenmarkDenmark is usually considered a progressive country, which has adopted legislation and policies to support women's rights, minority rights, and LGBT rights. Human rights in Denmark are protected by the state's Constitution of the Realm (Danmarks Riges Grundlov); applying equally in Denmark proper, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, and through the ratification of international human rights treaties. Denmark has held a significant role in the adoption of both the European Convention on Human Rights and in the establishment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In 1987, the Kingdom Parliament (Folketinget) established a national human rights institution, the Danish Centre of Human Rights, now the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
In 2009, a referendum on changing the Danish Act of Succession were held to grant absolute primogeniture to the Danish throne, meaning that the eldest child, regardless of gender, takes precedence in the line of succession. As it was not retroactive, the current successor to the throne is the eldest son of the King, rather than his eldest child. The Danish constitution Article 2 states that "The monarchy is inherited by men and women".
The Inuit have for decades been the subject of discrimination and abuse by the dominant colonisers from Europe, those countries claiming possession of Inuit lands. The Inuit have never been a single community in a single region of Inuit. From the 18th century up to the 1970s, the Danish government (Dano-Norwegian until 1814) tried to assimilate the Indigenous people of Greenland, the Greenlandic Inuit, encouraging them to adopt the majority language, culture and religion. Denmark has been greatly criticised by the Greenlandic community for the politics of Danization (1950s and 1960s) of and discrimination against the Indigenous population of the country. Critical treatment paying non-Inuit workers higher wages than the local people, the relocation of entire families from their traditional lands into settlements, and separating children from their parents and sending them away to Denmark for schooling has been practised. Nevertheless, Denmark ratified, in 1996, to recognise the ILO-convention 169 on Indigenous people recommended by the UN.
Denmark was the first country in the world to grant legal recognition to same-sex unions in the form of registered partnerships in 1989. On 7 June 2012, the law was replaced by a new same-sex marriage law, which came into effect on 15 June 2012. Greenland and the Faroe Islands legalised same-sex marriage in April 2016, and in July 2017 respectively. In January 2016, a resolution was implemented by the Danish parliament which prevented transgender identity being classified as a mental health condition. In doing so, Denmark became the first country in Europe to go against the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, which classified transgender identity as being a mental health issue until June 2018.
In its 2024 Freedom in the World report, Freedom House rated the country "free" with a score of 97 (out of 100).
Media
Main articles: Cinema of Denmark and Television in Denmark See also: Cinema of the Faroe Islands and Television in GreenlandDanish cinema dates back to 1897 and since the 1980s has maintained a steady stream of productions due largely to funding by the state-supported Danish Film Institute. There have been three big internationally important waves of Danish cinema: erotic melodrama of the silent era; the increasingly explicit sex films of the 1960s and 1970s; and lastly, the Dogme 95 movement of the late 1990s, where directors often used hand-held cameras to dynamic effect in a conscious reaction against big-budget studios. Danish films have been noted for their realism, religious and moral themes, sexual frankness and technical innovation. The Danish filmmaker Carl Th. Dreyer is considered one of the greatest directors of early cinema.
Other Danish filmmakers of note include Erik Balling, the creator of the popular Olsen-banden films; Gabriel Axel, an Oscar-winner for Babette's Feast in 1987; and Bille August, the Oscar-, Palme d'Or- and Golden Globe-winner for Pelle the Conqueror in 1988. In the modern era, notable filmmakers in Denmark include Lars von Trier, who co-created the Dogme 95 movement with Thomas Vinterberg, and multiple award-winners Susanne Bier and Nicolas Winding Refn. Mads Mikkelsen is a world-renowned Danish actor, as is Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
Danish mass media date back to the 1540s, when handwritten fly sheets reported on the news. In 1666, Anders Bording, the father of Danish journalism, began a state paper. In 1834, the first liberal, factual newspaper appeared, and the 1849 Constitution established lasting freedom of the press in Denmark.
Modern Danish mass media and news programming are dominated by a few large corporations. In printed media JP/Politikens Hus and Berlingske Media, between them, control the largest newspapers Politiken, Berlingske Tidende and Jyllands-Posten and major tabloids B.T. and Ekstra Bladet. In television, publicly owned stations DR and TV 2 have large shares of the viewers. DR in particular is famous for its high quality TV-series often sold to foreign broadcasters and often with leading female characters like internationally known actresses Sidse Babett Knudsen and Sofie Gråbøl. In radio, DR has a near monopoly, currently broadcasting on all four nationally available FM channels, competing only with local stations.
Music
Main article: Music of Denmark See also: Music of the Faroe Islands and Music of GreenlandDenmark and its multiple outlying islands have a wide range of folk traditions. The country's most famous classical composer is Carl Nielsen (1865–1931), especially remembered for his six symphonies and his Wind Quintet, while the Royal Danish Ballet specialises in the work of the Danish choreographer August Bournonville. The Royal Danish Orchestra is among the world's oldest orchestras. Danes have distinguished themselves as jazz musicians, and the Copenhagen Jazz Festival has acquired international recognition.
The modern pop and rock scene has produced a few names of international fame, including Aqua, Alphabeat, D-A-D, King Diamond, Kashmir, Lukas Graham, Mew, Michael Learns to Rock, MØ, Oh Land, The Raveonettes and Volbeat, among others. Lars Ulrich, the drummer of the band Metallica, has become the first Danish musician to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Roskilde Festival near Copenhagen is the largest music festival in Northern Europe since 1971 and Denmark has many recurring music festivals of all genres throughout, including Aarhus International Jazz Festival, Skanderborg Festival, The Blue Festival in Aalborg, Esbjerg International Chamber Music Festival and Skagen Festival among many others.
Denmark has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 1957 and has won the contest three times, in 1963, 2000 and 2013.
Architecture and design
Main articles: Architecture of Denmark and Danish designDenmark's architecture became firmly established in the Middle Ages when first Romanesque, then Gothic churches and cathedrals sprang up throughout the country. From the 16th century, Dutch and Flemish designers were brought to Denmark, initially to improve the country's fortifications, but increasingly to build magnificent royal castles and palaces in the Renaissance style. During the 17th century, many impressive buildings were built in the Baroque style, both in the capital and the provinces. Neoclassicism from France was slowly adopted by native Danish architects who increasingly participated in defining architectural style. A productive period of Historicism ultimately merged into the 19th-century National Romantic style.
The 20th century brought along new architectural styles; including expressionism, best exemplified by the designs of architect Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint, which relied heavily on Scandinavian brick Gothic traditions; and Nordic Classicism, which enjoyed brief popularity in the early decades of the century. It was in the 1960s that Danish architects such as Arne Jacobsen entered the world scene with their highly successful Functionalist architecture. This, in turn, has evolved into more recent world-class masterpieces including Jørn Utzon's Sydney Opera House and Johan Otto von Spreckelsen's Grande Arche in Paris, paving the way for a number of contemporary Danish designers such as Bjarke Ingels to be rewarded for excellence both at home and abroad.
Danish design is a term often used to describe a style of functionalistic design and architecture that was developed in the mid-20th century, originating in Denmark. Danish design is typically applied to industrial design, furniture and household objects, which have won many international awards. The Royal Porcelain Factory is famous for the quality of its ceramics. Danish design is also a well-known brand, often associated with world-famous, 20th-century designers and architects such as Børge Mogensen, Finn Juhl, Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Poul Henningsen and Verner Panton. Other designers of note include Kristian Solmer Vedel in the area of industrial design, Jens Quistgaard for kitchen furniture and implements and Ole Wanscher who had a classical approach to furniture design.
Literature and philosophy
Main articles: Danish literature and Danish philosophyThe first known Danish literature is myths and folklore from the 10th and 11th century. Saxo Grammaticus, normally considered the first Danish writer, worked on a chronicle of Danish history (Gesta Danorum). Very little is known of other Danish literature from the Middle Ages. With the Age of Enlightenment came Ludvig Holberg whose comedy plays are still being performed.
In the late 19th century, literature was seen as a way to influence society. Known as the Modern Breakthrough, this movement was championed by Georg Brandes, Henrik Pontoppidan (awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature) and J. P. Jacobsen. Romanticism influenced the renowned writer and poet Hans Christian Andersen, known for his stories and fairy tales, e.g. The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid and The Snow Queen. In recent history Johannes Vilhelm Jensen was also awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Karen Blixen is famous for her novels and short stories. Other Danish writers of importance are Herman Bang, Gustav Wied, William Heinesen, Martin Andersen Nexø, Piet Hein, Hans Scherfig, Klaus Rifbjerg, Dan Turèll, Tove Ditlevsen, Inger Christensen and Peter Høeg.
Danish philosophy has a long tradition as part of Western philosophy. Perhaps the most influential Danish philosopher was Søren Kierkegaard, the creator of Christian existentialism. Kierkegaard had a few Danish followers, including Harald Høffding, who later in his life moved on to join the movement of positivism. Another Danish philosopher of note is Grundtvig, whose philosophy gave rise to a new form of non-aggressive nationalism in Denmark, and who is also influential for his theological and historical works.
Painting and photography
Main articles: Danish art and Photography in DenmarkWhile Danish art was influenced over the centuries by trends in Germany and the Netherlands, the 15th and 16th century church frescos, which can be seen in many of the country's older churches, are of particular interest as they were painted in a style typical of native Danish painters.
The Danish Golden Age, which began in the first half of the 19th century, was inspired by a new feeling of nationalism and romanticism, typified in the later previous century by history painter Nicolai Abildgaard. Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg was not only a productive artist in his own right but taught at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts where his students included Wilhelm Bendz, Christen Købke, Martinus Rørbye, Constantin Hansen, and Wilhelm Marstrand.
In 1871, Holger Drachmann and Karl Madsen visited Skagen in the far north of Jutland where they quickly built up one of Scandinavia's most successful artists' colonies specialising in Naturalism and Realism rather than in the traditional approach favoured by the academy. Hosted by Michael and his wife Anna, they were soon joined by P.S. Krøyer, Carl Locher and Laurits Tuxen. All participated in painting the natural surroundings and local people. Similar trends developed on Funen with the Fynboerne who included Johannes Larsen, Fritz Syberg and Peter Hansen, and on the island of Bornholm with the Bornholm school of painters including Niels Lergaard, Kræsten Iversen and Oluf Høst.
Painting has continued to be a prominent form of artistic expression in Danish culture, inspired by and also influencing major international trends in this area. These include impressionism and the modernist styles of expressionism, abstract painting and surrealism. While international co-operation and activity has almost always been essential to the Danish artistic community, influential art collectives with a firm Danish base includes De Tretten (1909–1912), Linien (1930s and 1940s), COBRA (1948–1951), Fluxus (1960s and 1970s), De Unge Vilde (1980s) and more recently Superflex (founded in 1993). Notable Danish painters from modern times representing various art movements include Theodor Philipsen (impressionism and naturalism), Anna Klindt Sørensen (expressionism), Franciska Clausen (Neue Sachlichkeit, cubism, surrealism and others), Henry Heerup (naivism), Robert Jacobsen (abstract painting), Carl Henning Pedersen (abstract painting), Asger Jorn (Situationist, abstract painting), Bjørn Wiinblad (art deco, orientalism), Per Kirkeby (neo-expressionism, abstract painting), Per Arnoldi (pop art), and Michael Kvium (neo-surrealism).
Danish photography has developed from strong participation and interest in the very beginnings of the art of photography in 1839. Pioneers such as Mads Alstrup and Georg Emil Hansen paved the way for a rapidly growing profession during the last half of the 19th century. Today Danish photographers such as Astrid Kruse Jensen and Jacob Aue Sobol are active in key exhibitions around the world.
Cuisine
Main article: Danish cuisine See also: Faroese cuisine and Greenlandic cuisineThe traditional cuisine of Denmark, like that of the other Nordic countries and of Northern Germany, consists mainly of meat, fish and potatoes. Danish dishes are highly seasonal, stemming from the country's agricultural past, its geography, and its climate of long, cold winters.
The open sandwiches on rye bread, known as smørrebrød, can be considered a national speciality. Hot meals traditionally consist of ground meats, such as frikadeller (meat balls of veal and pork) and hakkebøf (minced beef patties), or of more substantial meat and fish dishes such as flæskesteg (roast pork with crackling) and kogt torsk (poached cod) with mustard sauce. Denmark is known for its Carlsberg and Tuborg beers and for its akvavit and bitters.
Since around 1970, chefs and restaurants across Denmark have introduced gourmet cooking, largely influenced by French cuisine. Also inspired by continental practices, Danish chefs have recently developed a new innovative cuisine and a series of gourmet dishes based on high-quality local produce known as New Danish cuisine. As a result of these developments, Denmark now has a considerable number of internationally acclaimed restaurants of which several have been awarded Michelin stars. This includes Geranium and Noma in Copenhagen.
Sports
Main article: Sport in Denmark Also related: Sport in the Faroe Islands and Sport in GreenlandSports are popular in Denmark, and its citizens participate in and watch a wide variety. The national sport is football, with over 320,000 players in more than 1600 clubs. Denmark qualified six times consecutively for the European Championships between 1984 and 2004, and were crowned European champions in 1992; other significant achievements include winning the Confederations Cup in 1995 and reaching the quarter-final of the 1998 World Cup. The Denmark women's national handball team celebrated great successes during the 1990s and has won a total of 13 medals—seven gold (in 1994, 1996 (2), 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2004), four silver (in 1962, 1993, 1998 and 2004) and two bronze (in 1995 and 2013). On the men's side, Denmark has won 12 medals—four gold (in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2019), four silver (in 1967, 2011, 2013 and 2014) and four bronze (in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007)—the most that have been won by any team in European Handball Championship history. In 2019, the Danish men's national handball team won their first World Championship title.
In recent years, Denmark has made a mark as a strong cycling nation, with Michael Rasmussen reaching King of the Mountains status in the Tour de France in 2005 and 2006. Other popular sports include golf—which is mostly popular among those in the older demographic; tennis—in which Denmark is successful on a professional level; basketball—Denmark joined the international governing body FIBA in 1951; rugby—the Danish Rugby Union dates back to 1950; ice hockey—often competing in the top division in the Men's World Championships; rowing—Denmark specialise in lightweight rowing and are particularly known for their lightweight coxless four, having won six gold and two silver World Championship medals and three gold and two bronze Olympic medals; and several indoor sports—especially badminton, table tennis and gymnastics, in each of which Denmark holds World Championships and Olympic medals.
See also
Portals:Explanatory notes
- Kong Christian has equal status as a national anthem but is generally used only on royal and military occasions.
- German is recognised as a protected minority language in the South Jutland area of Denmark.
- including Faroese, Indigenous group Inuit, and minority group German
- ^ This data is for Denmark proper only. For data relevant to Greenland and the Faroe Islands see their respective articles.
- In the Faroe Islands the currency has a separate design and is known as the króna, but is not a separate currency.
- The top-level domain name .eu is shared with other European Union countries.
- Danish: Kongeriget Danmark, pronounced [ˈkʰɔŋəʁiːð̩ ˈtænmɑk] .
- ^ The Kingdom of Denmark's territory in continental Europe is referred to as "metropolitan Denmark", "Denmark proper" (Danish: egentlig Danmark), or simply "Denmark". In this article, usage of "Denmark" excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
- The island of Bornholm is offset to the east of the rest of the country, in the Baltic Sea.
- Denmark has a codified constitution. Changes to it require an absolute majority in two consecutive parliamentary terms and the approval of at least 40% of the electorate through a referendum.
- The Constitution refers to "the King" (Danish: kongen), rather than the gender-neutral term "monarch". In light of the restriction of powers of the monarchy, this is best interpreted as referring to the government Cabinet.
- The Economist Intelligence Unit, while acknowledging that democracy is difficult to measure, listed Denmark 5th on its index of democracy.
- The Faroese declined membership in 1973; Greenland chose to leave the EEC in 1985, following a referendum.
- As measured in official development assistance (ODA). Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom exceeded the United Nations' ODA target of 0.7% of GNI.
- The Church of Denmark is the established church (or state religion) in Denmark and Greenland; the Church of the Faroe Islands became an independent body in 2007.
Citations
- "Not one but two national anthems". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- ^ Stone et al. (2008), p. 31.
- "Bekendtgørelse af ILO-konvention nr. 169 af 28. juni 1989 vedrørende oprindelige folk og stammefolk i selvstændige stater". Retsinformation.dk. 9 October 1997. Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
- "Den dansk-tyske mindretalsordning". UM.dk. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
- "Denmark". Central Intelligence Agency. 21 November 2023. Archived from the original on 5 July 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- "Surface water and surface water change". Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Archived from the original on 24 March 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ "Development in the number of inhabitants month by month". www.dst.dk. Statistics Denmark. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- ^ "World Economic Outlook Database, October 2024 Edition. (Denmark)". www.imf.org. International Monetary Fund. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
- "Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income – EU-SILC survey". ec.europa.eu. Eurostat. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- "Human Development Report 2023/24" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. 13 March 2024. p. 288. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
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{{cite book}}
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- Stone, Andrew; Bain, Carolyn; Booth, Michael; Parnell, Fran (2008). Denmark (5th ed.). Footscray, Victoria: Lonely Planet. p. 31. ISBN 978-1-74104-669-4.
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- (in Swedish) Nationalencyklopedin, vol. 4, Bokförlaget Bra Böcker, 2000, ISBN 978-91-7024-619-7.
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External links
Scholia has a country profile for Denmark.- Denmark.dk Archived 11 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine "The site is the official site of Denmark and is edited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark."
- Denmark. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.
- Denmark entry at Britannica.com.
- Gosse, Edmund William (1878). "Denmark" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. VII (9th ed.). pp. 80–94.
- Gosse, Edmund William (1911). "Denmark" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 8 (11th ed.). pp. 23–44.
- Kristiansen, M. (1922). "Denmark" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 30 (12th ed.).
- Denmark profile from the BBC News.
- Key Development Forecasts for Denmark from International Futures.
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56°N 10°E / 56°N 10°E / 56; 10
Categories:- Denmark
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