Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs.
Geography
Denmark
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn)
Geographic coordinates:
56 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 43,094 sq km
land: 42,394 sq km
water: 700 sq km
note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 68 km
border countries: Germany 68 km
Coastline:
7,314 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
Terrain:
low and flat to gently rolling plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m
highest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m
flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes
Environment - current issues:
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
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen
total: 39.47 years
male: 38.55 years
female: 40.4 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.34% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:
11.36 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:
10.43 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:
2.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.56 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.62 years
male: 75.34 years
female: 80.03 years (2005 est.)
Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, Muslim 2%
Languages:
Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority)
note: English is the predominant second language
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
Government
Denmark
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark
conventional short form: Denmark
local long form: Kongeriget Danmark
local short form: Danmark
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Copenhagen
Administrative divisions:
metropolitan Denmark - 14 counties (amter, singular - amt) and 2 boroughs* (amtskommuner, singular - amtskommune); Arhus, Bornholm, Frederiksberg*, Frederiksborg, Fyn, Kobenhavn, Kobenhavn (Copenhagen)*, Nordjylland, Ribe, Ringkobing, Roskilde, Sonderjylland, Storstrom, Vejle, Vestsjalland, Viborg
note: since 2005 Bornholm may have become a borough; in the future the counties may be replaced by regions; see separate entries for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which are part of the Kingdom of Denmark and are self-governing overseas administrative divisions
Independence:
first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy
National holiday:
none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day
Constitution:
5 June 1849 adoption of original constitution; a major overhaul of 5 June 1953 allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state
Legal system:
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26 May 1968)
head of government: Prime Minister Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN (since 27 November 2001)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by parliament
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch
Legislative branch:
unicameral People's Assembly or Folketinget (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 8 February 2005 (next to be held February 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 29%, Social Democrats 25.9%, Danish People's Party 13.2%, Conservative Party 10.3%, Social Liberal Party 9.2%, Socialist People's Party 6%, Unity List 3.4%; seats by party - Liberal Party 52, Social Democrats 47, Danish People's Party 24, Conservative Party 18, Social Liberal Party 17, Socialist People's Party 11, Unity List 6; note - does not include the 2 seats from Greenland and the 2 seats from the Faroe Islands
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch for life)
Political parties and leaders:
Center Democratic Party [Mimi JAKOBSEN]; Christian Democrats (was Christian People's Party) [Marianne KARLSMOSE]; Conservative Party (sometimes known as Conservative People's Party) [Bendt BENDTSEN]; Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party (sometimes called the Radical Left) [Marianne JELVED, leader; Soren BALD, chairman]; Socialist People's Party [Villy SOEVNDAL]; Red-Green Unity List (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party) [collective leadership]
chief of mission: Ambassador Ulrik Andreas FEDERSPIEL
chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300
FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470
consulate(s) general: Chicago and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Sally M. LIGHT
embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen
mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716
telephone: [45] 35 55 31 44
FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23
Flag description:
red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
Anthem
Denmark
The
National Anthem of Denmark
The
Royal Anthem of Denmark
The
National Anthem of Denmark
"Der er et Yndigt Land"
("There is a Lovely Land") is the (civil) national
anthem of Denmark.
The lyrics were written in 1819 by Adam Oehlenschläger
and bore the motto: "Ille terrarum mihi praeter omnes
angulus ridet" (Horace; "This spot smiles at me
more than any other"). The music was composed in 1835
by H.E. Krøyer, later arranged by Th. Laub and Carl
Nielsen.
The Royal Anthem of Denmark
If the royal family is present, the royal anthem,
"Kong Kristian stod ved højen mast"
("King Christian stood by lofty mast"),
is used.
Adopted in 1780, it is one of the oldest in
the world. It was composed by Ditlev Ludvig Rogert. The lyrics
first appeared in Johannes Ewald's historical drama "The
Fishermen" in 1828. Der er et Yndigt Land is used as
the national anthem. Kong Kristian is usually played only
in the presence of a member of the royal family. Only the
first verse is commonly used.
Der er et yndigt land,
det står med brede bøge
nær salten østerstrand
Det bugter sig i bakke, dal,
det hedder gamle Danmark
og det er Frejas sal
Der sad i fordums tid
de harniskklædte kæmper,
udhvilede fra strid
Så drog de frem til fjenders mén,
nu hvile deres bene
bag højens bautasten
Det land endnu er skønt,
ti blå sig søen bælter,
og løvet står så grønt
Og ædle kvinder, skønne mø'r
og mænd og raske svende
bebo de danskes øer
Hil drot og fædreland!
Hil hver en danneborger,
som virker, hvad han kan!
Vort gamle Danmark skal bestå,
så længe bøgen spejler
sin top i bølgen blå
"There is a Lovely Land"
(translation in English)
There is a lovely country
it stands with broad beech
near the salty eastern beach
It winds itself in hill, valley,
it is called old Denmark
and it is Freja's hall
There sat in former times,
the armour-suited giants,
rested from confict
Then they journeyed forwards to their enemies' injury,
now their bones are resting
behind the small hill's menhir
That country is still lovely,
because the sea waves so blue frolic,
and the foliage stands so green
And noble women, beautiful maidens,
and men and brisk swains
inhabit the Danes' islands
Hail king and fatherland!
Hail every a townsman,
that works, what he can
Our old Denmark shall endure,
as long the beech reflects
its top in the wave so blue
Kong Kristian stod ved højen mast
i røg og damp;
hans værge hamrede så fast,
at gotens hjelm og hjerte brast.
Da sank hvert fjendtligt spejl og mast
i røg og damp.
Fly, skreg de, fly, hvad flygte kan!
hvo står for Danmarks Kristian
hvo står for Danmarks Kristian
i kamp?
Niels Juel gav agt på stormens brag.
Nu er det tid.
Han hejsede det røde flag
og slog på fjenden slag i slag.
Da skreg de højt blandt stormens brag:
Nu er det tid!
Fly, skreg de, hver, som véd et skjul!
hvo kan bestå mod Danmarks Juel
hvo kan bestå mod Danmarks Juel
i strid?
O, Nordhav! Glimt af Wessel brød
din mørke sky.
Da ty'de kæmper til dit skød;
thi med ham lynte skræk og død.
Fra vallen hørtes vrål, som brød
den tykke sky.
Fra Danmark lyner Tordenskjold;
hver give sig i himlens vold
hver give sig i himlens vold
og fly!
Du danskes vej til ros og magt,
sortladne hav!
Modtag din ven, som uforsagt
tør møde faren med foragt
så stolt som du mod stormens magt,
sortladne hav!
Og rask igennem larm og spil
og kamp og sejer før mig til
og kamp og sejer før mig til
min grav!
"King Christian stood by lofty
mast"
(translation in English)
King Kristian stood by the lofty mast
In mist and smoke;
His sword was hammering so fast,
Through Gothic helm and brain it passed;
Then sank each hostile hulk and mast,
In mist and smoke.
"Fly!" shouted they, "fly, he who can!
Who braves of Denmark's Kristian,
Who braves of Denmark's Kristian,
In battle?"
Nils Juel gave heed to the tempest's roar,
Now is the hour!
He hoisted his blood-red flag once more,
And smote upon the foe full sore,
And shouted loud, through the tempest's roar,
"Now is the hour!"
"Fly!" shouted they, "for shelter fly!
Of Denmark's Juel who can defy,
Of Denmark's Juel who can defy,
The power?"
North Sea! a glimpse of Wessel rent
Thy murky sky!
Then champions to thine arms were sent;
Terror and Death glared where he went;
From the waves was heard a wail, that rent
Thy murky sky!
From Denmark thunders Tordenskiol',
Let each to Heaven commend his soul,
Let each to Heaven commend his soul,
And fly!
Path of the Dane to fame and might!
Dark-rolling wave!
Receive thy friend, who, scorning flight,
Goes to meet danger with despite,
Proudly as thou the tempest's might,
Dark-rolling wave!
And amid pleasures and alarms,
And war and victory, be thine arms,
And war and victory, be thine arms,
My grave!
Economy
Denmark
Economy - overview:
This thoroughly
modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date
small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare
measures, comfortable living standards, a stable currency, and
high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is a net exporter
of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments
surplus. Government objectives include streamlining the bureaucracy
and further privatization of state assets. The government has
been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the economic
convergence criteria for participating in the third phase (a
common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary
Union (EMU), but Denmark has decided not to join 12 other EU
members in the euro; even so, the Danish krone remains pegged
to the euro. Growth in 2004 was sluggish, yet above the scanty
0.3% of 2003. Because of high GDP per capita, welfare benefits,
a low Gini index, and political stability, the Danish people
enjoy living standards topped by no other nation. A major long-term
issue will be the sharp decline in the ratio of workers to retirees.
GDP:
purchasing power
parity - $174.4 billion (2004 est.)
Danish kroner
per US dollar - 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947 (2002),
8.3228 (2001), 8.0831 (2000)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications
Denmark
Telephones -
main lines in use:
3,610,100 (2003)
Telephones -
mobile cellular:
4,785,300 (2003)
Telephone system:
general assessment:
excellent telephone and telegraph services domestic:
buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk
network, 4 cellular mobile communications systems international:
country code - 45; 18 submarine fiber-optic cables linking Denmark
with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth stations - 6
Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East);
note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway,
and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway,
station for worldwide Inmarsat access (1997)
Radio broadcast
stations:
AM 2, FM 355,
shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast
stations:
26 (plus 51 repeaters)
(1998)
Internet country
code:
.dk
Internet hosts:
1,219,925 (2004)
Internet Service
Providers (ISPs):
13 (2000)
Internet users:
2.756 million
(2002)
Transportation
Denmark
Railways:
total:
2,628 km standard gauge: 2,628 km 1.435-m gauge (595 km electrified)
(2004)
Highways:
total:
71,847 km paved: 71,847 km (including 918 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (2002)
Waterways:
417 km (2001)
Pipelines:
condensate 12
km; gas 3,892 km; oil 455 km; oil/gas/water 2 km; unknown (oil/water)
64 km (2004)
total:
287 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 6,952,473 GRT/9,030,444 DWT by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 67, chemical tanker 40,
container 79, liquefied gas 10, livestock carrier 2, passenger
1, passenger/cargo 42, petroleum tanker 25, refrigerated cargo
7, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 4 foreign-owned: 23 (Bahamas 14, France 1, Greece 1, Greenland
1, Norway 2, Sweden 2, UAE 1, Vietnam 1) registered in other countries: 487 (2005)
Airports:
97 (2004 est.)
Transnational Issues
Denmark
Disputes - international:
Iceland disputes the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue to study proposals for full independence; uncontested sovereignty dispute with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland
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