Country Information on Denmark 

Terrain

Denmark is dominated by lowland areas, with its highest elevation being Yding Skovhoy (173 m) in the east of the country. The last glacial age has made a lasting mark on the country's landscape. Even today, moraines give evidence of areas covered by huge glacial mass back then.

Sand and dunes are typical for Western Denmark, with the east of the country being slightly more elevated. Eastern Denmark features fiords and smooth hills. The country is rich in arable land consisting of claylike soils. Steep, rocky coasts consisting of Creataceous formations can be found on some islands.

Climate

Denmark's predominantly maritime climatic conditions account for cool summers and mild, humid winters. Average temperatures reach about 16°C in summer, average annual precipitation is around 600 mm.

Fauna/Flora

Only 10% of Denmark's original woodland are left due to the effects of human activity. The country's forested areas (with coniferous trees, beech, oak, and ash being predominant) are still a suitable habitat for animals like deer, red deer, fox, wild hares, and squirrels. These forests were being declared protected areas by the government.

Denmark is a bird life paradise with 300 bird species having been recorded so far. Sea waters around Denmark are abounding with fish, however, water pollution has led to a decline in fish population.

History/Politics

First, the Danes settled in the Southern Scandinavian Peninsula, only moving to the area of present-day Denmark in the 5th and 6th centuries AD. The Christian faith was introduced in the 10th century, and Danish Kings ruled over England, Denmark, and Norway. However, the death of King Knut II marked the beginning of disintegration, with England and Norway refusing to remain within the Danish Kingdom.

The two centuries to follow saw the kingdom expand to the east, coinciding with Denmark becoming a wealthy country. By the end of the 13th century, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden all became part of a union. Simultaneously, Iceland and the Faroe Islands became Danish territories. In the early 16th century, an independent Sweden was established with Gustav I Wasa as king. In Denmark, the Lutheran faith was introduced as state religion by the mid-16th century. Given King Christian's support for German Protestants, Denmark became involved in the Thirty Years War in the early 17th century.

In the 18th century, Denmark started the colonization of Greenland. Domestic politics were characterized by land reform, with aristocratic estates being distributed among peasants given the right to own land. As a consequence of the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark had to cede Norway, but received territories formerly ruled by Germany in return.

Economic boom by the mid-19th century was to be the breeding ground for working class movements fighting for a democratic constitution. During World War I, Denmark remained neutral. After the war, universal suffrage was introduced. In spite of a ten-year non-aggression pact concluded between Denmark and Germany, German troops invaded the country after the outbreak of World War II.

Iceland became independent in 1944. In 1948, the Faroe Islands became independent regarding domestic affairs. Denmark became a member of NATO and the European Union in the years to follow. In 1972, Queen Margarete II ascended the throne. In 1979, Greenland was awarded autonomous rule. The following years saw consecutive governments dominated by Social Democratic, Liberal, and Conservative parties. Denmark has not joined the first group of participants in the European Monetary Union.

Economy

Highly successful in the economic field, Denmark's population can be sure of a high standard of living. According to estimates of 2000, 79% of the active population is employed in the services sector, 17% in manufacturing, and 4% in agriculture. Denmark's agricultural sector is still highly productive, the country is rating first in pork products. Major crops are barley, oat, wheat, and rye.

Denmark has an important fishing fleet, with fishing grounds predominantly being located in the North Sea area. Major industries are food processing, metalworking, machinery for shipping, clothes, furniture, and chemical products. Further, natural gas and oil resources in the North Sea are being exploited. Denmark also plays an important role on a world-wide scale when it comes to wind power. The country's consumer price index amounted to 2.5% in 2000, with a gross domestic product of 1.5%.

Culture

Literature is an important part of Danish culture. Ludvig Holberg became a world-famous author with his plays and poems. Nineteenth century author Hans Christian Andersen created children's books that became literary classics. Writing Ballad poetry is another important feature of Danish culture. Predominantly performed at dancing events, ballad singing was first accompanied by violin playing, later also by accordionists. Denmark is famous for ceramics, porcelain, and furniture. Works of respective artists are featured as part of a permanent exhibition in Copenhagen.