Denmark

Denmark is a Nordic country located in Northern Europe and is the most populous and metropolitan part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The Danish Realm also includes the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland, situated in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Metropolitan Denmark, often referred to as Denmark proper, consists of the Jutland Peninsula and an archipelago of over 400 islands. It is the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries, bordering Germany to the south, Sweden to the northeast, and Norway to the north. Denmark lies between the North Sea to the west and the Baltic Sea to the east.

Geography & Population

The Kingdom of Denmark contains approximately 1,400 islands larger than 100 square metres, with 443 officially named and 78 inhabited. Denmark has a population of over 6 million people, with around 40% residing on the island of Zealand (Sjælland), the largest and most populated island.

Copenhagen, the capital and largest city, is located on Zealand and is the political, cultural, and economic centre of the country. Denmark’s landscape is predominantly flat and fertile, characterised by sandy coastlines, low elevation, and a temperate climate.

Political Structure

Denmark is a constitutionally unitary state that exercises authority over the Danish Realm while granting extensive self-governance to its autonomous territories. The Faroe Islands gained home rule in 1948, while Greenland achieved home rule in 1979 and further autonomy in 2009.

Historical Overview

The unified Kingdom of Denmark emerged in the 8th century as a maritime power in the Baltic Sea region. In 1397, Denmark formed the Kalmar Union with Norway and Sweden, which lasted until Sweden’s secession in 1523.

Following a series of wars in the 17th century, Denmark ceded territory to Sweden. The adoption of the Danish Constitution on 5 June 1849 ended absolute monarchy and laid the foundation for modern democracy. In 1920, Northern Schleswig was reunified with Denmark.

Modern Development

Denmark industrialised during the mid-19th century and became a major agricultural exporter. Early 20th-century social and labour reforms formed the foundation of Denmark’s modern welfare state and mixed economy.

Denmark remained neutral during World War I but was occupied by Germany during World War II. After liberation in 1945, Denmark re-established itself as a stable democracy and later joined the European Union in 1973, while retaining its own currency, the Danish krone.

Culture & International Relations

Denmark is a highly developed country with a high standard of living, strong social welfare system, and progressive social values. It was the first country in the world to legally recognise same-sex partnerships.

Denmark is a founding member of NATO, the United Nations, the Nordic Council, and several other international organisations. The country maintains close cultural, linguistic, and political ties with its Scandinavian neighbours.