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.
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)
Area:
43,094 sq km
Border countries:
Germany 68 km
Climate:
temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy
winters and cool summers
Geography:
controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and
Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of
the population lives in greater Copenhagen
Population:
5,450,661
Nationality:
Dane(s)
Ethnic groups:
Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German,
Turkish, Iranian, Somali
Religions:
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
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Copenhagen
Time zone:
GMT/UTC +01:00
National holiday:
none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June
(1849) is generally viewed as the National Day
Currency:
Danish krone (DKK)
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use: 3.35 million,
Telephone system: excellent telephone and telegraph services
Transportation:
Airports: 92, Railways: 2,673 km, Roadways:
72,257 km, Waterways: 400 km