Denmark: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
mNo edit summary
←Replaced content with 'Denmark is #1'
Tag: blanking
Line 1: Line 1:
Denmark is #1
{{about|the European country}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2013}}

{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Infobox country
|conventional_long_name = Kingdom of Denmark
|native_name = {{native name|da|Kongeriget Danmark|icon=no}}
|common_name = Denmark
|image_flag = Flag of Denmark.svg
|alt_flag = Dannebrog
|image_coat = National Coat of arms of Denmark.svg
|national_motto = {{small|([[Royal mottos of Danish monarchs|royal]])}}
{{unbulleted list
| {{nowrap|"Guds hjælp, Folkets kærlighed, Danmarks styrke"{{efn|''Guds hjælp, Folkets kærlighed, Danmarks styrke'' has been adopted by Margrethe II as her personal motto.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kongehuset.dk/Den-kongelige-familie/Regentparret/HM-Dronningen/hm-dronningen |title=Hendes Majestæt Dronning Margrethe II |publisher=kongehuset.dk (Danish monarchy official website) |accessdate=4 February 2012 |language=Danish}}</ref>}}}}
| {{small|"God's Help, the People's Love, Denmark's Strength"}}
}}
|national_anthem = <br />"[[Der er et yndigt land]]"<br />"{{small|There is a lovely country}}"
|royal_anthem = <br />"[[Kong Christian stod ved højen mast]]"<br />"{{small|King Christian stood by the lofty mast}}"
|image_map = EU-Denmark.svg
|map_width = 260px
|map_caption = {{map caption |location_color=dark green |country='''Denmark'''{{efn|name="proper"|The Kingdom of Denmark's territory in [[continental Europe]] (i.e. Jutland and the proximate surrounding islands) is referred to as "Denmark [[wikt:proper#Adjective|proper]]", "[[wikt:Metropolitan|metropolitan]] Denmark"{{#tag:ref|[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2051.html#da Administrative divisions – Denmark] [[The World Factbook]]. Access date: 14 April 2012}} or simply (and most commonly) "Denmark". In the main body of this article, "Denmark" refers to the European territory excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands.}} |region=Europe |region_color=dark grey |subregion=the [[European Union]] |subregion_color=green |legend=EU-Denmark.svg}}
|image_map2 = Kingdom of Denmark (orthographic projection).svg
|map2_width = 255px
|map_caption2 = Dark green: Greenland, the Faroe Islands (circled) and Denmark.
|official_languages = [[Danish language|Danish]]
|regional_languages = {{unbulleted list |[[Faroese language|Faroese]]|[[Greenlandic language|Greenlandic]]|German{{efn|name="lang"|Danish is official in Denmark proper and co-official in the Faroe Islands, but not in Greenland; Greenlandic is the sole official language in Greenland. German is recognised as a protected minority language in the South Jutland area of Denmark.}}}}
|demonym = {{unbulleted list |Danish |[[Danes|Dane]]}}
|capital = [[Copenhagen]]
|latd=55 |latm=43 |latNS=N |longd=12 |longm=34 |longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|government_type = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[constitutional monarchy]]
|leader_title1 = [[Monarchy of Denmark|Monarch]]
|leader_name1 = [[Margrethe II of Denmark|Margrethe II]]
|leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of Denmark|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name2 = [[Helle Thorning-Schmidt]]
|leader_title3 = [[Folketing#List of Speakers of the Folketing|Speaker of the ''Folketing'']]
|leader_name3 = [[Mogens Lykketoft]]
|legislature = ''[[Folketing]]''
|area_rank = 133rd
|area_label = Denmark{{efn|name="proper"}}
|area_km2 = 42,915.7
|area_sq_mi = 16,562.1<!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|area_footnote = <ref>[http://www.statistikbanken.dk Statistics Denmark]</ref>
|area_label2 = Greenland
|area_data2 = {{convert|2,166,086|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sigfig=6}}
|area_label3 = Faroe Islands
|area_data3 = {{convert|1,399|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sigfig=5}}
|population_estimate_year = {{nowrap|Jan 2012}}
|population_estimate = 5,580,413<ref>[http://www.noegletal.dk Danish Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Interior]</ref> ([[List of countries by population|111th]])
|population_label2 = Greenland
|population_data2 = 57,695<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gl.html "Greenland"] – ''The World Factbook''. Retrieved 6 June 2012</ref>{{efn|name="2011 est."|2011 estimate}}
|population_label3 = Faroe Islands
|population_data3 = 49,483<ref name="faroes pop">[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fo.html "Faroe Islands"] – ''The World Factbook''. Retrieved 6 June 2012</ref>{{efn|name="2011 est."}}
|population_density_km2 = 130 |FR_foot5 = &nbsp;<small>(Denmark)</small>
|GDP_PPP_year = 2012
|GDP_PPP = $210.147&nbsp;billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2013/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=55&pr.y=16&sy=2009&ey=2012&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=128&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a= |title=Denmark |publisher=International Monetary Fund |accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref>{{efn|name="denonly"|This data is for Denmark proper only. For data pertaining to [[Greenland]] and the [[Faroe Islands]], see their respective articles.}}
|GDP_PPP_rank = 52nd
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $37,657<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 20th
|GDP_nominal = $313.637&nbsp;billion<ref name=imf2/>{{efn|name="denonly"}}
|GDP_nominal_rank = 32nd
|GDP_nominal_year = 2012
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $56,202<ref name=imf2/>
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 8th
|Gini_year = 2009
|Gini_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
|Gini = 24.7 <!--number only-->
|Gini_ref = {{efn|name="denonly"}}
|Gini_rank = 1st
|HDI_year = 2013
|HDI_change = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
|HDI = 0.901 <!--number only-->
|HDI_ref = <ref name="HDI">{{cite web |url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2011_EN_Table1.pdf |title=Human Development Report 2011 |year=2011 |publisher=United Nations |accessdate=8 December 2012}}</ref>{{efn|name="denonly"}}
|HDI_rank = 15th
|sovereignty_type = Consolidation
|sovereignty_note = 8th century
|currency = [[Danish krone]]{{efn|name="faroes"|In the Faroe Islands the currency has a separate design and is known as the [[Faroese króna|króna]], but is not a separate currency.}}
|currency_code = DKK
|time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
|utc_offset = +1{{efn|name="denonly"}}
|time_zone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|drives_on = right
|calling_code = [[Telephone numbers in Denmark|+45]]{{efn|name="cc"|The [[Faroe Islands]] ([[Telephone numbers in the Faroe Islands|+298]]) and [[Greenland]] ([[Telephone numbers in Greenland|+299]]) have their own country calling codes.}}
|cctld = [[.dk]]{{efn|name="tld"|The [[Top-level domain|TLD]] [[.eu]] is shared with other [[European Union]] countries. Greenland ([[.gl]]) and the Faroe Islands ([[.fo]]) have their own TLDs.}}
}}

'''Denmark''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=en-us-Denmark.ogg|ˈ|d|ɛ|n|m|ɑr|k}}; {{lang-da|Danmark}}, {{IPA-da|ˈd̥ɛnmɑɡ̊|pron|DA-Danmark.ogg}}), officially the '''Kingdom of Denmark''' ({{lang-da|Kongeriget Danmark}}, {{IPA-da|ˈkɔŋəʁiːəð ˈd̥ɛnmɑɡ̊||Kongeriget Danmark.ogg}}), is a [[sovereign state|state]] in the [[Scandinavia|Scandinavian region]] of [[Northern Europe]] with the two autonomous [[constituent country|constituent countries]] in the north [[Atlantic Ocean]], the [[Faroe Islands]] and [[Greenland]]. Denmark is the southernmost of the [[Nordic countries]], located southwest of Sweden, south of [[Norway]] and bordered to the south by [[Germany]]. Denmark consists of a peninsula, [[Jutland]], and the Danish archipelago of [[List of islands of Denmark|407 islands]], comprising of [[Zealand]], [[Vendsyssel-Thy]], [[Funen]], [[Lolland]], [[Falster]], [[Bornholm]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Denmark in numbers 2010|url=http://www.dst.dk/pukora/epub/upload/14847/dkital.pdf|publisher=Statistics Denmark|accessdate=2 May 2013}}</ref> The national language, [[Danish language|Danish]], is [[North Germanic languages|closely related]] to [[Swedish language|Swedish]] and [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]].

The Kingdom of Denmark is a unitary [[constitutional monarchy]], organised in a [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[democracy]]. Ending [[absolute monarchy]] introduced in 1660, the [[Constitution of Denmark]] was signed on 5 June 1849, only to be rewritten four times; the [[Constitution_of_Denmark#Changes|latest revision]] in 1953. Women's [[Women's_suffrage#Denmark|right to vote]] was granted in 1915. The unicameral parliament, the [[Folketing]], resides in [[Copenhagen]], together with the [[Courts of Denmark|judicial]], [[Cabinet of Denmark|executive]], and [[Folketing|legislative]] powers. Denmark exercises [[Hegemony|hegemonic]] influence in the [[Danish Realm]], [[devolution|devolving]] political powers to handle internal affairs to the [[Faroe Islands]] and [[Greenland]]. Denmark became a member of the [[European Union]] in 1973, maintaining [[Opt-outs in the European Union|four opt-outs]] from European Union policies, as outlined in the 1992 [[Edinburgh Agreement (1992)|Edinburgh Agreement]]. Both the [[Faroe Islands and the European Union|Faroe Islands]] and [[Greenland_and_the_EU#Outside_the_EU|Greenland]] remain outside the Union.

Home of the [[Vikings]], Denmark emerged as a [[History of Denmark|unified kingdom]] in the 8th century as a proficient seafaring nation to be the centre of the mutual struggle for the [[Dominium maris baltici|control of the Baltic Sea]]. Establishing the personal [[Kalmar Union]] in 1397, it ended with [[Sweden|Swedish]] secession in 1523; one year later, Denmark entered [[Denmark-Norway|union with Norway]] until its dissolution in 1814. Several cessions of Danish territory had begun in the 17th century; after the 1864 [[Second Schleswig War]], Denmark sought a new European outlook, resulting in the adjustment and cooperation policy. Denmark remained neutral during [[World War I]] and the [[German invasion of Denmark (1940)|German invasion]] in April 1940 saw brief, military skirmishes while the [[Danish resistance movement]] remained active until the [[Occupation of Denmark#Hardship and the end of the war|German surrender]] in May 1945.

An exporter of agricultural produce in the 19th century, Denmark introduced [[Kanslergade Agreement|social and labour-market reforms]] in the early decades of the 20th century, making the basis for the present [[Nordic model|welfare state]] with a highly developed [[mixed economy|mixed market]] economy. The [[Danish krone]] has been pegged to the [[euro]] since since 1 January 1999. Denmark ranks as having the world's highest <!--not lowest--> level of [[List of countries by income equality|income equality]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI/ |title=1997–2001 |work=GINI index |publisher=[[The World Bank]] |year=1997 |accessdate=11 November 2012}}</ref> and has one of the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|highest per capita income]]. For 2013, Denmark is listed 15th on the [[Human Development Index]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Denmark Country Profile: Human Development Indicators|url=http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/DNK.html|publisher=United Nations Development Programme|accessdate=19 April 2013}}</ref> and 9th on the [[List of countries by inequality-adjusted HDI|inequality-adjusted HDI]]. Denmark ranks highly positive on the [[Corruption Perceptions Index]] and the [[Legatum Prosperity Index]], and as a full democracy on the [[Democracy Index]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Burnett|first=Stephy|title=Denmark|url=http://www.transparency.org/country#DNK|publisher=Transparency International|accessdate=19 April 2013}}</ref><ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2227334/Scandinavian-countries-list-worlds-prosperous-nations--U-S-drops-time.html Scandinavian countries top the list of world's most prosperous nations... but U.S. drops out of top ten for the first time]. [[Daily Mail]]. 3 November 2012</ref><ref>Kavitha A. Davidson. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/21/democracy-index-2013-economist-intelligence-unit_n_2909619.html Democracy Index 2013: Global Democracy At A Standstill, The Economist Intelligence Unit's Annual Report Shows]. [[The Huffington Post]]. March 21, 2013.</ref> It is frequently ranked as the happiest country in the world.<ref name="Levy_article">Francesca Levy, [http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/14/world-happiest-countries-lifestyle-realestate-gallup.html "The World's Happiest Countries"], ''[[Forbes]]'' 14 July 2010</ref><ref name="Levy_table">Francesca Levy, [http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/14/world-happiest-countries-lifestyle-realestate-gallup-table.html "Table: The World's Happiest Countries"], ''[[Forbes]]'' 14 July 2010</ref><ref>Michael B. Sauter [http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-happiest-countries-in-the-world.html?page=all The Happiest Countries in the World]. Yahoo! Finance. May 22, 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_jo69ZTwbE Happiest place on earth]. [[20/20 (U.S. TV series)|20/20]], [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. 16 September 2008 (on [[YouTube]]).</ref>

Denmark is among the founding members of the [[NATO]], [[Nordic Council]], [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]], [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]] and the [[United Nations]]. There are three Danish heritage sites inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] [[List of World Heritage Sites in Northern Europe|World Heritage list in Northern Europe]].

==Etymology==
{{Main|Etymology of Denmark}}
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 which attracts debate.<ref>Kristian Andersen Nyrup, Middelalderstudier [http://www.nyrups.dk/Historie/MiddelalderIndex.htm Bog IX. Kong Gorms Saga]</ref><ref>''Indvandrerne i Danmarks historie'', Bent Østergaard, Syddansk Universitetsforlag 2007, ISBN 978-87-7674-204-1, pp. 19–24</ref> This is centered primarily around the prefix ''"Dan"'' and whether it refers to the [[Danes (Germanic tribe)|Dani]] or a historical person [[Dan (king)|Dan]] and the exact meaning of the -''"mark"'' ending. The issue is further complicated by a number of references to various Dani people in Scandinavia or other places in Europe in [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] and [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] accounts (like [[Ptolemy]], [[Jordanes]], and [[Gregory of Tours]]), as well as [[mediaeval literature]] (like [[Adam of Bremen]], [[Beowulf]], [[Widsith]] and [[Poetic Edda]]).

Most handbooks derive<ref>[[Jan de Vries (linguist)|J. de Vries]], ''Altnordisches etymologisches Wörterbuch'', 1962, 73; [[:da:Niels Åge Nielsen|N. Å. Nielsen]], ''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 German ''Tenne'' "threshing floor", English ''den'' "cave", [[Sanskrit]] ''dhánuṣ-'' (धनुस्; "desert"). The ''-mark'' is believed to mean woodland or borderland (see [[march (territory)|marches]]), with probable references to the border forests in south [[Duchy of Schleswig|Schleswig]],<ref>Navneforskning, Københavns Universitet [http://web.archive.org/web/20060716144406/http://navneforskning.ku.dk/stednavne.doc/betydninger.doc Udvalgte stednavnes betydning].</ref>

The first recorded use of the word ''Danmark'' within Denmark itself is found on the two [[Jelling stones]], which are [[runestone]]s believed to have been erected by [[Gorm the Old]] (c. 955) and [[Harald I of Denmark|Harald Bluetooth]] (c. 965). The larger stone of the two is popularly cited as Denmark's baptismal certificate (''dåbsattest''), though both use the word "Denmark", in the form of [[accusative case|accusative]] {{runic|ᛏᛅᚾᛘᛅᚢᚱᚴ}} "tanmaurk" ({{IPA|[danmɒrk]}}) on the large stone, and [[genitive case|genitive]] "tanmarkar" (pronounced {{IPA|[danmarkaɽ]}}) on the small stone.<ref>The [[dative case|dative]] form ''tąnmarku'' (pronounced {{IPA|[danmarkʊ]}}) is found on the contemporaneous Skivum stone.</ref> The inhabitants of Denmark are there called "tani" ({{IPA|[danɪ]}}), or "Danes", in the accusative.

==History==
{{Main|History of Denmark}}
{{See also|History of Greenland|History of the Faroe Islands}}

===Prehistory===
The earliest [[Archaeology of Denmark|archaeological findings in Denmark]] date back to the [[Eemian|Eem interglacial period]] from 130,000–110,000 BC.<ref>Michaelsen (2002), p. 19.</ref> 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|month=May |year=2003|url=http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/kap6/6-1.asp|title=Denmark: History, Prehistory|publisher=Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs|accessdate=1 May 2006 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20051122020555/http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/kap6/6-1.asp |archivedate=22 November 2005}}</ref> The [[Nordic Bronze Age]] (1800–600 BC) in Denmark was marked by [[Tumulus|burial mounds]], which left an abundance of findings including [[lur]]s and the [[Trundholm sun chariot|Sun Chariot]].

During the [[Pre-Roman Iron Age]] (500 BC&nbsp; – 1 AD), native groups began migrating south, although<ref name="foreign ministry"/> the first Danish people came to the country between the Pre-Roman and the [[Germanic Iron Age]],<ref>Busck and Poulsen (ed.) (2002), p. 20.</ref> in the [[Roman Iron Age]] (1–400 AD). The [[Roman province]]s maintained [[trade route]]s and relations with native tribes in Denmark, and [[Roman currency|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]].

[[File:Trundholm.jpg|thumb|The gilded side of the [[Trundholm sun chariot]] dating from the [[Nordic Bronze Age]].]]
Historians believe that before the arrival of the precursors to the Danes, who came from the east [[List of islands of Denmark|Danish islands]] ([[Zealand (Denmark)|Zealand]]) and [[Scania|Skåne]] and spoke an early form of [[North Germanic languages|North Germanic]], most of [[Jutland]] and the nearest islands were settled by [[Jutes]]. They were later invited to Great Britain as mercenaries by [[Brythonic languages|Brythonic]] King [[Vortigern]] and were granted the southeastern territories of [[Kent]], the [[Isle of Wight]] among other areas, where they settled. They were later absorbed or [[ethnic cleansing|ethnically cleansed]] by the invading [[Angles]] and [[Saxons]], who formed the [[Anglo-Saxons]]. The remaining population in Jutland assimilated in with the [[Danes (Germanic tribe)|Danes]].

A short note<ref>{{cite web|author=Jordanes|coauthors=translated by [[Charles C. Mierow]]|date=22 April 1997|url=http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~vandersp/Courses/texts/jordgeti.html#III |title=The Origin and Deeds of the Goths, chapter III|accessdate=1 May 2006}}</ref> about the ''Dani'' in "[[Getica]]" by historian [[Jordanes]] is believed by some{{Who|date=June 2012}} to be an early mention of the Danes,<ref>Busck and Poulsen (ed.) (2002), p. 19.</ref> one of the [[ethnic group]]s from whom the modern [[Danes|Danish people]] are descended. The [[Danevirke]] defence 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 [[Younger Futhark|new runic alphabet]] was first used around the same time, and [[Ribe]], the oldest town of Denmark, was founded about 700.

===Viking and Middle Ages===
{{Main|Viking Age|Kalmar Union}}

[[File:Ladbyskibet.jpg|thumb|The [[Ladby ship]], the largest ship burial found in Denmark]]
From the 8th to the 10th century, the [[Danish people|Danes]] were known as [[Vikings]]. Together with [[Norwegians]] and [[Swedes]], they colonised, raided and traded in all parts of Europe. Viking explorers first discovered [[Iceland]] by accident in the 9th century, on the way towards the [[Faroe Islands]] and eventually came across "[[Vinland]]" (Land of wine) also known today as [[Newfoundland (island)|Newfoundland]], in [[Canada]]. The Danish Vikings were most active in the [[British Isles]] and [[Western Europe]]. They temporarily conquered and settled parts of England (known as the [[Danelaw]]), [[Ireland]] and France where they founded [[Normandy]]. More [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] [[pence]] of this period have been found in Denmark than in England.<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| archiveurl =http://web.archive.org/web/20060510174200/http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/kap6/6-2.asp| archivedate =10 May 2006| title =Denmark – History – The Viking Age| work =Denmark| publisher =Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs| accessdate =24 June 2012 }}
* [http://www.tacitus.nu/historical-atlas/scandinavia/denmark.htm Historical Atlas of Denmark]</ref>

As attested by the [[Jelling stones]], the Danes were united and [[Christianised]] about 965 by [[Harald Bluetooth]]. It is believed that Denmark became Christian for political reasons so as not to get invaded by the rising [[Holy Roman Empire|Christian power]] in Europe, [[Germania]], which was an important trading area for the Danes. In that case Harald built six [[fortresses]] around Denmark called [[Viking ring fortress|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.<ref name="Lund"/>

Throughout the [[High Middle Ages|High]] and [[Late Middle Ages]], Denmark also included [[Skåneland]] ([[Skåne]], [[Halland]] and [[Blekinge]]) and Danish kings ruled [[Danish Estonia]], as well as the [[duchy|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]] with [[Norway]] and [[Sweden-Finland|Sweden]], united under Queen [[Margaret I of Denmark|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.<ref name="Lauring">Palle Lauring, ''A History of the Kingdom of Denmark'' (Host & Son Co.: Copenhagen, 1960) p. 108.</ref> Thus, much of the next 125 years of [[History of Scandinavia|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 [[List of Swedish monarchs|Swedish King]] [[Gustav I of Sweden|Gustav Vasa]] conquered the city of [[Stockholm]].

The [[Protestant Reformation]] came 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 [[Denmark-Norway|union with Norway]].

=== Early modern history (1536&ndash;1849)===
{{main|Denmark–Norway}}

[[File:Slaget ved oland maleri av claus moinichen 1686.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Battle of Öland]] between an allied [[Denmark–Norway|Dano-Norwegian]]-[[Dutch Republic|Dutch]] fleet and the Swedish navy, 1 June 1676.]]
After Sweden permanently broke away from the Kalmar Union in 1523, Denmark tried on two occasions to reassert control over Sweden. The first was in the [[Northern Seven Years War]] which lasted from 1563 until 1570. The second occasion was the [[Kalmar War]] when King [[Christian IV of Denmark|Christian IV]] attacked Sweden in 1611 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 [[war reparations|war indemnity]] of 1&nbsp;million silver [[Swedish riksdaler|riksdaler]] to Denmark, an amount known as the ''[[Treaty of Stettin (1570)|Älvsborg ransom]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smb.nu/svenskakrig/1611.asp|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071011111014/http://smb.nu/svenskakrig/1611.asp|archivedate=11 October 2007 |title=Kalmarkriget 1611–1613 |accessdate=4 May 2007 |publisher=Svenskt Militärhistoriskt Bibliotek}}</ref>

King Christian used this money to found several towns and fortresses, most notably [[Glückstadt]] (founded as a rival to [[Hamburg]]), [[Oslo|Christiania]] (following a fire destroying the original city of [[Oslo]]), [[Christianshavn]], [[Kristianstad|Christianstad]] and [[Kristiansand|Christiansand]]. Christian also constructed a number of buildings, most notably [[Børsen]], [[Rundetårn]], [[Nyboder]], [[Rosenborg Castle|Rosenborg]], a [[Kongsberg|silver mine]] and a [[Kupfermühle|copper mill]].<!--less important were Christianspris (near Kiel) and Christianopel (near Brømsebro in Blekinge) --> Inspired by the [[Dutch East India Company]], he founded a similar [[Danish East India Company|Danish company]] and planned to claim [[Sri Lanka|Ceylon]] as a colony, but the company only managed to acquire [[Tharangambadi|Tranquebar]] on India's [[Coromandel Coast]]. Denmark's large [[Danish colonial empire|colonial aspirations]] were limited to a few key [[trading posts]] in Africa and India.

In the [[Thirty Years' War]], Christian tried to become the leader of the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] [[States of Germany|states in Germany]] but suffered a crushing defeat at the [[Battle of Lutter]].<ref>Parker, pp. 69–70.</ref> The result was that the Catholic army under [[Albrecht von Wallenstein]] was able to invade, occupy and pillage Jutland,<ref>Parker, p. 70.</ref> forcing Denmark [[Treaty of Lübeck|to withdraw from the war]]. Denmark managed to avoid territorial concessions, but [[Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden|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 [[Torstenson War|invaded Jutland]] in 1643 and claimed Skåne in 1644. According to [[Geoffrey Parker (historian)|Geoffrey Parker]], "The Swedish occupation caused a drop in agricultural production and a shortage of capital; harvest failure and [[Black Death|plague]] ravaged the land between 1647 and 1651; Denmark's population fell by 20 per cent."<ref>Geoffrey Parker (2001). "''Europe in crisis, 1598–1648''". Wiley-Blackwell. p.205. ISBN 0-631-22028-3</ref>

In the 1645, [[Second Treaty of Brömsebro (1645)|Treaty of Brømsebro]], Denmark surrendered Halland, [[Gotland]], the last parts of Danish Estonia, and several provinces in Norway. In 1657, king [[Frederick III of Denmark|Frederick III]] declared war on Sweden and marched on [[Bremen-Verden]]. This led to a massive Danish defeat and the armies of King [[Charles X Gustav]] of Sweden conquered both [[Jutland]], [[Funen]] and much of [[Zealand]] before signing the [[Treaty of Roskilde|Peace of Roskilde]] in February 1658 which gave Sweden control of [[Skåne]], [[Blekinge]], [[Trøndelag]] and the island of [[Bornholm]]. Charles X Gustav quickly regretted not having destroyed Denmark completely and in August 1658 he began a two-year long siege of [[Copenhagen]] but failed to take the capital. In the following peace settlement, Denmark managed to maintain its independence and regain control of Trøndelag and Bornholm.

Denmark tried to regain control of Skåne in the [[Scanian War]] (1675–79) but this attempt was a failure. Following the [[Great Northern War]] (1700–21), Denmark managed to restore control of the parts of [[Schleswig]] and [[Holstein]] ruled by the house of [[Holstein-Gottorp]] in 1721 and 1773, respectively. In the [[Napoleonic Wars]], Denmark originally tried to pursue a policy of neutrality and trade with both [[First French Empire|France]] and the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] and joined the [[Second League of Armed Neutrality|League of Armed Neutrality]] with [[Russian Empire|Russia]], Sweden and [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]]. The British considered this a hostile act and attacked Copenhagen in both [[Battle of Copenhagen (1801)|1801]] and [[Battle of Copenhagen (1807)|1807]], in one case carrying off the [[Royal Danish Navy|Danish fleet]], in the other, burning large parts of the Danish capital.

This led to the so-called Danish-British [[Gunboat War]]. The British control of the waterways between Denmark and Norway proved disastrous to the union's economy and in 1813, Denmark-Norway went [[bankruptcy|bankrupt]]. The Danish-Norwegian union was dissolved by the [[Treaty of Kiel]] in 1814. Norway entered a new union with Sweden which lasted until 1905. Denmark kept the colonies of [[Iceland]], [[Faroe Islands]] and [[Greenland]]. Apart from the Nordic colonies, Denmark ruled over [[Danish India]] ([[Tranquebar]] in India) from 1620 to 1869, the [[Danish Gold Coast]] ([[Ghana]]) from 1658 to 1850, and the [[Danish West Indies]] (the [[United States Virgin Islands|U.S. Virgin Islands]]) from 1671 to 1917.

===Constitutional monarchy (1849&ndash;present)===
[[File:Grundlovgivende rigsforsamling - Constantin Hansen.jpg|thumb|''Den Grundlovsgivende Rigsforsamling'' (The founding fathers of the [[Constitution of Denmark|Danish constitution]]), 1860–1864 painting by [[Constantin Hansen]].]]
The Danish liberal and national movement gained momentum in the 1830s, and after the European [[Revolutions of 1848]] Denmark peacefully became a [[constitutional monarchy]] on 5 June 1849. A two-chamber parliament was established. After the [[Second Schleswig War|Second War of Schleswig]] in 1864, Denmark was forced to cede [[Province of Schleswig-Holstein|Schleswig and Holstein]] to [[Prussia]], in a defeat that left deep marks on the Danish national identity.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}} After these events, Denmark pursued a policy of neutrality in Europe.

Denmark remained neutral during [[World War I]]. After the defeat of Germany, the [[Treaty of Versailles|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, respectively. On 10 July 1920, Northern Schleswig (Sønderjylland) was recovered by Denmark, thereby adding 163,600 inhabitants and 3,984&nbsp;km². The reunion day (Genforeningsdag) is celebrated every year 15 June on Valdemarsdag.

Denmark signed a 10-year non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany in 1939. Germany's [[invasion]] of Denmark on 9 April 1940&nbsp; – code named [[Operation Weserübung]]&nbsp; – 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 [[Royal Danish Navy|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 helpful towards the Danish Jewish minority, and the Danish resistance performed a [[Rescue of the Danish Jews|rescue operation]] that managed to get most of them to Sweden and safety shortly before the Germans planned to round up the Danish Jews. Danish doctors refused to treat German citizens fleeing from Germany, which resulted in the deaths of 13,000 people.<ref>Manfred Ertel. [http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,355772,00.html A Legacy of Dead German Children] Spiegel Online, 16 May 2005</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lindbjerg|first=Søren|title=IMDB - Kun en tysker|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0351197/|accessdate=30 January 2013}}</ref> Danish citizens volunteered to fight Russia in cooperation with Germany as part of [[Frikorps Danmark]].<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|publisher=Cophenagen Post|accessdate=30 January 2013}}</ref> [[Iceland]] severed ties to Denmark and became an independent republic in 1944, and in 1948, the [[Faroe Islands]] gained [[home rule]].

==== Post War ====
[[File:Tratado de Lisboa 13 12 2007 (081).jpg|thumb|Denmark became a member of the [[European Union]] in 1973 and signed the [[Lisbon Treaty]] in 2007.]]

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 [[Social Democrats (Denmark)]] led a string of coalition governments for most of the second half of the 20th century in a country generally known for its liberal traditions. [[Poul Schluter]] then became the first Danish prime minister from the [[Conservative People's Party (Denmark)]] in 1982, leading a centre-right coalition until 1993, when he was succeeded by the Social Democrat [[Poul Nyrup Rasmussen]].

A new centre-right coalition headed by [[Anders Fogh Rasmussen]] came to power in 2001 promising tighter immigration controls. A third successive centre-right leader, [[Lars Løkke Rasmussen]], was prime minister from 2009 to 2011. His government, dependent as it was on the right-wing populist People's Party to push through legislation, witnessed immigration and integration emerge as major issues of public debate. Social Democrat [[Helle Thorning-Schmidt]], Denmark's first female prime minister, took office in 2011, ending a decade of centre-right rule.

After the war, Denmark became one of the founding members of the [[United Nations]], [[NATO]] and [[EFTA]]. During the 1960s the [[EFTA]] countries were often referred to as the ''Outer Seven'', as opposed to the [[Inner Six]] of the then-[[European Economic Community]] (EEC).<ref>{{cite news |title=Finland: Now, the Seven and a Half |publisher=TIME |date=7 April 1961 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,874317,00.htm |accessdate=18 July 2009 }}</ref>

In 1973, along with Britain and Ireland, joined the [[European Economic Community]] after a [[Danish European Communities membership referendum, 1972|public referendum]]. The [[Maastricht treaty]] involving further European integration was rejected by the Danish people in 1992. It was only accepted after a second referendum in 1993 and the addition of certain opt-out concessions for Denmark. The Danes rejected the euro as the national currency in a referendum in September 2000. [[Greenland]] gained [[home rule]] in 1979 and was awarded [[self-determination]] in 2009. Neither Greenland nor the Faroe Islands are members of the European Union, the Faroese declined membership of the EEC in 1973 and Greenland in 1986, in both cases because of fisheries policies.

Despite its modest size, since World War II, Denmark has participated in generally UN sanctioned, and often NATO led, military and humanitarian operations, including: [[Cyprus dispute|Cyprus]], [[Bosnian War|Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Korean War|Korea]], [[Suez Crisis|Egypt]], [[Croatian War of Independence|Croatia]], [[Kosovo War|Kosovo]], Ethiopia, [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Afghanistan]], Iraq, [[Somali Civil War|Somalia]] and recently Libya. In 2009, [[Anders Fogh Rasmussen]] resigned as Prime Minister of Denmark to become the Secretary General of NATO.

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Denmark}}
[[File:Da-map.png|thumb|A map of Denmark.]]
[[File:Satellite image of Denmark in July 2001.jpg|thumb|A satellite image of metropolitan Denmark.]]

Located in [[Northern Europe]], Denmark consists of the [[List of peninsulas|peninsula]] of [[Jutland]] and 443 named islands (1,419 islands above 100&nbsp;m² in total).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.kms.dk/C1256AED004EA666/(AllDocsByDocId)/1D7EE8822587E667C1256AEF0030ABF6?open&page=strste&omr=KORT_DK_I_TAL |title=Landet i tal&nbsp; – Største øer |accessdate=14 July 2007 |date=23 September 2003 |publisher=[[National Survey and Cadastre of Denmark]]}}</ref> Of these, 72 are inhabited,<ref>Statistikbanken.dk/bef4</ref> with the largest being [[Zealand (Denmark)|Zealand]] and [[Funen]]. The island of [[Bornholm]] is located east of the rest of the country, in the [[Baltic Sea]]. Many of the larger islands are connected by bridges; the [[Øresund Bridge]] connects Zealand with Sweden; the [[Great Belt Fixed Link|Great Belt Bridge]] connects Funen with Zealand; and the [[Little Belt Bridge (1970)|Little Belt Bridge]] connects Jutland with Funen. [[Ferry|Ferries]] or [[small aircraft]] connect to the smaller islands. The largest cities with populations over 100,000 are the capital [[Copenhagen]] on Zealand; [[Aarhus]] and [[Aalborg]] in Jutland; and [[Odense]] on Funen.

Denmark occupies an area of {{convert|43,094|km2|sqmi|lk=in|sigfig=7}}.<ref name="mundi">[http://www.indexmundi.com/denmark/area.html Denmark Area] – Geography – Index Mundi. Retrieved 5 June 2012.</ref><ref name="factbook">{{cite web|date=19 January 2012|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/da.html|title=Denmark|work=The World Factbook|publisher=CIA|accessdate=4 February 2012}}</ref> 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). It shares a border of 68 kilometres with Germany to the south and is otherwise surrounded by {{convert|7314|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} of tidal [[shoreline]] (including small [[bay]]s and [[inlet]]s).<ref name="Nature and 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=3 April 2007 |title=Nature & Environment |accessdate=3 February 2007 |work=Denmark.dk}}</ref> No location in Denmark is further from the coast than {{convert|52|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}. On the southwest 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 northernmost point is [[Skagen]]'s 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 archipelago [[Ertholmene]] 18&nbsp;kilometres northeast of [[Bornholm]]. The distance from east to west is {{convert|452|km|mi|0}}, from north to south {{convert|368|km|mi|0}}.

The country is flat with little elevation; having an average height [[above mean sea level|above sea level]] of {{convert|31|m|ft|0}}. The highest natural point is [[Møllehøj]], at {{convert|170.86|m|ft|2}}. The area of inland water is {{convert|700|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}.

[[Phytogeography|Phytogeographically]], the Kingdom of Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands) belongs to the [[Boreal Kingdom]] and is shared between the [[Arctic]], Atlantic European and Central European provinces of the [[Circumboreal Region]]. According to the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]], the territory of Denmark can be subdivided into two [[ecoregion]]s: the Atlantic mixed forests and Baltic mixed forests. The Faroe Islands are covered by the Faroe Islands boreal grasslands, while Greenland hosts the ecoregions of Kalaallit Nunaat high arctic tundra and Kalaallit Nunaat low arctic tundra.

===Climate===
Denmark has a [[Temperateness|temperate]] climate, characterised by mild winters, with mean temperatures in January and February of {{convert|0.0|°C|°F|1}}, and cool summers, with a mean temperature in August of {{convert|15.7|°C|°F|1}}.<ref name="Denmark climate">{{cite web |url=http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/index/danmark/oversigter/klimanormaler.htm |title=Climate Normals for Denmark |accessdate=28 October 2008 |work=[[Danish Meteorological Institute]]}} 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> Denmark has an average of 121 days per year with precipitation, on average receiving a total of {{convert|712|mm|in|0}} per year; autumn is the wettest season and spring the driest.<ref name="Denmark climate"/>

Because of Denmark's northern location, there are large seasonal variations in daylight. There are short days during the winter with sunrise coming around 8:45&nbsp;am and sunset 3:45&nbsp;pm (standard time), as well as long summer days with sunrise at 4:30&nbsp;am and sunset at 10&nbsp;pm ([[daylight saving time]]).<ref name="sunrise sunset">{{cite web|url=http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/kobenhavn.html|title=Copenhagen, Denmark&nbsp; – Sunrise, sunset, dawn and dusk times for the whole year|work=Gaisma|accessdate=24 June 2012}}</ref>

===Environment===
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=vertical
|width=150
|image1=Baltic sea coast of skagen.JPG
|caption1=The Danish landscape is characterised by flat, [[arable land]] and sandy coasts.
|image2=Grib skov.jpg
|caption2=[[Fagus sylvatica|Beech trees]] are common throughout Denmark, especially in the sparse woodlands.
|image3=Vor Frelsers Kirke-view10.jpg
|caption3=Much of Denmark is highly [[urbanised]], such as [[Copenhagen]], the capital city.
}}

Denmark has historically taken a progressive stance on [[environmental preservation]]; in 1971 Denmark established a Ministry of Environment and was the first country in the world to implement an [[environmental law]] in 1973.<ref>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=NHxwtVy9MKMC&pg=PA323&lpg=PA323&dq=denmark+1973+environmental+laws&source=bl&ots=4Ev_AGmjqf&sig=4Ff7Qdae-i-6V1RTPjelOWwGuNE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8StdT9aeJtDZ8QOayLSKDw&ved=0CF0Q6AEwCA The law of environmental damage: liability and reparation]. Marie-Louise Larsson.</ref> To mitigate environmental degradation and [[global warming]] the Danish Government has signed the following international agreements: Antarctic Treaty; [[Kyoto Protocol|Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol]]; [[Endangered Species Act]].<ref name="factbook" />

Copenhagen is the spearhead of the [[bright green environmentalism|bright green]] [[environmental movement]] in Denmark.<ref>[http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=f12sS0_touYC "The clean tech revolution"]. Ron Pernick, Clint Wilder. Pg. 265.</ref> Copenhagen's most important environment research institutions are the [[University of Copenhagen]], [[Copenhagen Business School]],<ref>{{cite web |title=The win-win ways of Cleantech business |publisher=CBS Observer |date=26 March 2009 |url=http://cbsobserver.dk/win-win-ways-cleantech-business |accessdate=24 July 2009}}</ref> [[Risø DTU National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy]] and the [[Technical University of Denmark]], which Risø is now part of. Leading up to the [[2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] (Copenhagen Summit), the University of Copenhagen held the [[Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges and Decisions]] conference where the need for comprehensive action to mitigate [[climate change]] was stressed by the international [[scientific community]]. Notable figures such as [[Rajendra K. Pachauri]], Chairman of the IPCC, Professor [[Nicholas Stern, Baron Stern of Brentford|Nicholas Stern]], author of the [[Stern Review|Stern Report]] and Professor [[Daniel Kammen]] all emphasised the good example set by Copenhagen and Denmark in capitalising on cleantech and achieving economic growth while stabilising [[Greenhouse gas|carbon emissions]].

Denmark's green house gas emissions per dollar of value produced has been for the most part unstable since 1990, seeing sudden growths and falls. Overall though, there has been a reduction in gas emissions per dollar value added to its market.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www02.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=denmark+green+house+gas+emission+per+denmark+gdp |title=Denmark – Wolfram Alpha |publisher=2.wolframalpha.com |accessdate=20 August 2009}}</ref> It lags behind other Scandinavian countries such as Norway<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www03.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=norway+green+house+gas+emission+per+norway+GDP |title=Norway – Wolfram Alpha |publisher=3.wolframalpha.com |accessdate=20 August 2009}}</ref> and Sweden.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www03.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Sweden+green+house+gas+emission+per+Sweden+GDP |title=Sweden – Wolfram Alpha |publisher=3.wolframalpha.com |accessdate=8 July 2009}}</ref>

==Governance==
{{Main|Politics of Denmark}}
{{multiple image
|align=right
|direction=vertical
|width=150
|image1=Queen Magrethe sep 7 2005.png
|caption1=[[Margrethe II of Denmark|Margrethe II]] has been the queen regnant of Denmark since 1972.
|image2=Helle Thorning-Schmidt-2.jpg|
|caption2=[[Helle Thorning-Schmidt]] became Denmark's first female prime minister in 2011.
}}
The Kingdom of Denmark is a [[constitutional monarchy]], in which Queen [[Margrethe II of Denmark|Margrethe II]] is head of state, but royal power has long been limited to ceremonial functions.<ref>[http://kongehuset.dk/english/the-monarchy-in-denmark/the-monarchy-today The Monarchy today] – ''The Danish Monarchy'' (kongehuset.dk). Access date: 16 June 2012</ref> The monarch is not answerable for his or her actions, and the monarch's person is sacrosanct.<ref>"The King shall not be answerable for his actions; his person shall be sacrosanct." [http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html The Constitution of Denmark – Section 13.]</ref>

The Danish political system operates under a framework laid out in the [[Constitution of Denmark]]. Changes to it require an absolute majority in two consecutive parliamentary terms and majority approval through a referendum (and the referendum majority constitutes at least 40 per cent of the electorate).<ref>{{cite web|author=Prof. Dr. Axel Tschentscher, LL.M. |url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html |title=The Constitution of Denmark – Section 88 |publisher=Servat.unibe.ch |date= |accessdate=5 July 2012}}</ref> The Constitution lays out a political system based on the separation of powers into the three branches of government; the legislative, the executive and the judiciary branches.

===Political system===
[[File:Kbh IMG 6504.JPG|thumb|left|[[Christiansborg Palace]], where the [[Folketing|parliament]] and the [[Courts of Denmark|courts]] meet.]]
The [[Folketing]] is the national [[parliament]], the supreme [[legislative body]] of the kingdom. In theory it has the ultimate legislative authority according to the doctrine of [[parliamentary sovereignty]], it is able to legislate on any matter and not bound by decisions of its predecessors. However questions over sovereignty have been brought forward because of Denmark's entry into the [[European Union]]. Parliament consists of 175 members elected by proportional majority, plus two members each from Greenland and the Faroe Islands.<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 [[Motion of no confidence|vote of no confidence]], the parliament may force a single minister or the entire government to resign.<ref>"A Minister shall not remain in office after the Parliament has passed a vote of no confidence in him." [http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html The Constitution of Denmark – Section 15.]</ref>

The Danish political system 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.b.dk/din-mening/radikale-ved-historisk-skillevej|title=Radikale ved historisk skillevej|publisher=[[Berlingske Tidende]]|date=17 June 2007|accessdate=17 August 2007}}</ref>

The [[Prime Minister of Denmark|prime minister]] is formally appointed by the monarch, on the advice of party leaders following an election or collapse of a government. In practice the prime minister is chosen through negotiation between the parliament party leaders, customarily with the leader of the largest party in a coalition being appointed. Executive authority is exercised on behalf of the monarch by the prime minister and other [[Cabinet of Helle Thorning-Schmidt|cabinet ministers]] who head [[List of Danish government ministries, past and present|departments]]. The cabinet, prime minister and other ministers collectively make up the government of Denmark.

[[Lars Løkke Rasmussen]] was the prime minister from April 2009 until September 2011. He headed a right-wing government coalition consisting of [[Venstre (Denmark)|Venstre]] (a [[Conservative liberalism|conservative liberal]] party) and the [[Conservative People's Party (Denmark)|Conservative People's Party]], with parliamentary support from the national-conservative [[Danish People's Party]]. Following the [[Danish parliamentary election, 2011|September 2011 election]] the right wing lost by a small margin to the opposing left-wing coalition, led by [[Helle Thorning-Schmidt]] who on 3 October 2011 formed a [[Cabinet of Helle Thorning-Schmidt|new government]] consisting of the [[Social Democrats (Denmark)|Social Democrats]], the [[Danish Social Liberal Party]] and the [[Socialist People's Party (Denmark)|Socialist People's Party]]. Helle Thorning-Schmidt became the first female prime minister in Denmark.

===Judicial system===
{{Main|Courts of Denmark}}
Judicial authority remains separate from the executive and legislature and lies with the [[Courts of Denmark|courts of justice]]. The Kingdom of Denmark does not have a single unified judicial system – Denmark proper 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 [[Supreme Court of Denmark|Danish Supreme Court]] is the highest civil and criminal court responsible for the administration of justice in the kingdom.

Articles 62 and 64 of the [[Danish Constitution]] ensure [[judicial independence]] 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&nbsp;..." [http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html The Constitution of Denmark – Sections/Articles 62 and 64.]</ref>

===Foreign relations and military===
{{Further|Foreign relations of Denmark|Danish Defence|Military history of Denmark}}

Danish foreign policy is based on its identity as a sovereign nation in Europe. As such its primary foreign policy focus is on its relations with other nations as a sovereign independent nation. Denmark has long had good relations with other nations. It has been involved in coordinating Western assistance to the Baltic states ([[Estonia]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ambtallinn.um.dk/en/menu/TheEmbassy/DanishEstonianDefenceCooperation/DanishEstonianDefenceCooperation.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20090309101430/http://www.ambtallinn.um.dk/en/menu/TheEmbassy/DanishEstonianDefenceCooperation/DanishEstonianDefenceCooperation.htm|archivedate=9 March 2009|title=Danish – Estonian Defence Cooperation|author=Danish embassy in Tallinn, Estonia|accessdate=22 February 2011}}</ref> [[Latvia]], and [[Lithuania]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://litauen.um.dk/en/about-us/defence/newsletters/newsdisplaypage/?newsid=00f13429-6dd9-484e-9646-4aa73b9040ba |title=Danish – Latvian Defence Cooperation|author=Danish embassy in Riga, Latvia|accessdate=8 June 2012}}</ref>

Following [[World War II]], Denmark ended its two-hundred-year policy of neutrality. Denmark has been a member of [[NATO]] since its founding in 1949, and membership in NATO remains highly popular.<ref name="stategov">{{cite web |url= http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3167.htm|title= US Department of State: Denmark|author= Government of the United States|accessdate=16 June 2012}}</ref> There were several serious confrontations between the U.S. and Denmark on security policy in the so-called "footnote era" (1982–88), when an alternative parliamentary majority forced the government to adopt specific national positions on nuclear and arms control issues.<ref name="stategov"/> With the end of the [[Cold War]], however, Denmark has been supportive of U.S. policy objectives in the Alliance.

[[File:Danish Military Police.JPG|thumb|left|Danish MP-soldiers conducting advanced law enforcement training.]]
Denmark's armed forces are known as the [[Danish Defence]] ({{lang-da|Forsvaret}}). During peacetime, the [[Ministry of Defence (Denmark)|Ministry of Defence in Denmark]] employs around 33,000 in total. The main military branches employ almost 27,000: 15,460 in the [[Danish Army|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]] ({{lang|da|''Beredskabsstyrelsen''}}) employs 2,000 (including conscripts), and about 4,000 are in non-branch-specific services like the [[Defence Command (Denmark)|Danish Defence Command]], the [[Danish Defence Research Establishment]] and the [[Danish Defence Intelligence Service]]. Furthermore around 55,000 serve as volunteers in the [[Home Guard (Denmark)|Danish Home Guard]] ({{lang|da|''Hjemmeværnet''}}).

The country is a strong supporter of international [[peacekeeping]]. The Danish Defence has around 1,400<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forsvaret.dk/FMN/Verdenskort/ |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071227125607/http://forsvaret.dk/FMN/Verdenskort/ |archivedate=27 December 2007 |title=Forsvarsministerens Verdenskort |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=27 December 2007 |accessdate=20 August 2009}}</ref> staff in international missions, not including standing contributions to [[Standing NRF Mine Countermeasures Group 1|NATO SNMCMG1]]. The three largest contributions are in [[Afghanistan]] ([[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]]), [[Kosovo]] ([[Kosovo Force|KFOR]]) and [[Lebanon]] ([[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|UNIFIL]]). Between 2003 and 2007, there were approximately 450 Danish soldiers in [[Iraq]].<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 |accessdate=20 August 2009}}</ref>

Denmark is today pursuing an active foreign policy, where human rights, democracy and other crucial values are to be defended actively. In recent years [[Greenland]] and [[The Faroe Islands]] have been guaranteed a say in foreign policy issues such as fishing, [[whaling]], and geopolitical concerns.

===Administrative divisions===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break|width=70%}}
{{Main|Regions of Denmark|Municipalities of Denmark}}
Denmark proper is divided into five [[regions of Denmark|regions]] ({{lang-da|regioner}}, singular: ''region'') and a total of 98 [[List of municipalities of Denmark|municipalities]]. The regions were created on 1 January 2007 to replace the [[Counties of Denmark|former counties]]. At the same time, smaller municipalities were merged into larger units, cutting the number of municipalities from 270 to 98. Most municipalities have a population of at least 20,000 people to give them financial and professional sustainability, although a few exceptions were made to this rule.<ref>[http://www.citypopulation.de/Denmark.html Denmark: Regions, Municipalities, Cities & Major Urban Areas] – Statistics and Maps on ''City Population''.</ref>

The most important area of responsibility for regions is the national health service. Unlike the former counties, the regions are not allowed to levy taxes, and the [[health care|health service]] is primarily financed by a national health care contribution of eight percent ({{lang-da|sundhedsbidrag}}) combined with funds from both government and municipalities.<ref name=expat>[http://expatindenmark.com/infocentre/forexpats/Pages/Taxes.aspx Taxes] – Expat In Denmark. Retrieved 13 March 2012.</ref> Municipalities and regions are led by directly elected councils, elected every four years. The last [[Danish local elections, 2009|Danish local elections]] were held on 17 November 2009.

The [[Ertholmene]] archipelago, with a population of 96 (2008), is neither part of a municipality nor a region but belongs to the [[Ministry of Defence (Denmark)|Ministry of Defence]].<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 |accessdate=12 August 2007}}{{da icon}}</ref>
{{col-break|width=30%}}

<div style="float:right">{{Danish regions}}</div>
{{Col-end}}

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"
|-
! colspan=7 |Regions
! rowspan="2"|Number of<br> Municipalities
|- style="background:#ccc;"
! Danish name !! English name !! Seat of administration !! Largest city <small>(populous)</small>|| Population<br><small>(January 2012)</small> !! Area<br/><small>(km²)</small> !! Density<br><small>(pop. per km²)
|-
|| Region Hovedstaden || [[Capital Region of Denmark]] || [[Hillerød]] || [[Copenhagen]] || style="text-align:right;"| 1,714,486 || style="text-align:right;"| 2,546.3 || style="text-align:right;"| 673.32 ||style="text-align:right;"| 29 [[List of municipalities of Denmark#Capital Region of Denmark|(list)]]
|-
|| Region Midtjylland || [[Central Denmark Region]] || [[Viborg, Denmark|Viborg]] || [[Aarhus]] || style="text-align:right;"| 1,266,682 || style="text-align:right;"| 13,000.2|| style="text-align:right;"| 97.44 ||style="text-align:right;"| 19 [[List of municipalities of Denmark#Central Denmark Region|(list)]]
|-
|| Region Nordjylland || [[North Denmark Region]] || [[Aalborg]] || [[Aalborg]] || style="text-align:right;"| 579,996 || style="text-align:right;"| 7,874.0|| style="text-align:right;"| 73.66 ||style="text-align:right;"| 11 [[List of municipalities of Denmark#North Denmark Region|(list)]]
|-
|| Region Sjælland || [[Region Zealand]] || [[Sorø]] || [[Roskilde]] || style="text-align:right;"| 817,907 || style="text-align:right;"| 7,217.8 || style="text-align:right;"| 113.32 ||style="text-align:right;"| 17 [[List of municipalities of Denmark#Region Zealand|(list)]]
|-
|| Region Syddanmark || [[Region of Southern Denmark]] || [[Vejle]] || [[Odense]] || style="text-align:right;"| 1,201,342 || style="text-align:right;"| 12,191 || style="text-align:right;"| 98.02 ||style="text-align:right;"| 22 [[List of municipalities of Denmark#Region of Southern Denmark|(list)]]
|}

====Greenland and the Faroe Islands====
{{Further|Danish Realm}}
The Kingdom of Denmark is a [[unitary state]], however the [[Faroe Islands]] and [[Greenland]] were granted [[home rule]] (political autonomy)<ref>{{cite web|title=Constitution of Denmark Ch 1 Sec 1|url=http://www.thedanishparliament.dk/Publications/My%20Constitutional%20Act%20with%20explanations/Chapter%201.aspx}}</ref> in 1948 and 1979 respectively, having previously had the status of counties.<ref>[http://www.gfbv.it/3dossier/eu-min/autonomy.html The working autonomies in Europe] – Gesellschaft für bedrohte Völker (GFBV). Retrieved 13 March 2012.</ref><ref name=stm>[http://www.stm.dk/_p_10988.html The unity of the Realm] – Statsministeriet – stm.dk. Retrieved 13 March 2012.</ref> Extensive powers have been [[devolution|devolved]] to the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which have their own governments and legislatures and are effectively [[self-governing]] in regards to domestic affairs.<ref name=stm /> However, the devolved legislatures are subordinate to the [[Folketing]] where the two territories are represented by two seats each. [[High Commissioner]]s ({{lang-da|Rigsombudsmand}}) act as representatives of the Danish government.<ref name=stm /> The Faroe Islands are defined to be a community of people within the kingdom, and the Greenlandic people are defined as a separate people with the right to [[self-determination]].<ref>[https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=45897&exp=1 ''Lov om Færøernes Hjemmestyre''] {{da icon}}. Retsinformation.dk. "§ 1. Færøerne udgør inden for denne Lovs Rammer et selvstyrende Folkesamfund i det danske Rige. I Henhold hertil overtager det færøske Folk ved sin folkevalgte Repræsentation, Lagtinget, og en af dette oprettet Forvaltning, Landsstyret, inden for Rigsenheden Ordningen og Styrelsen af færøske Særanliggender som angivet i denne Lov."</ref><ref>[https://www.retsinformation.dk:443/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=125052 ''Lov om Grønlands Selvstyre''] {{da icon}}. 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>

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Denmark}}
[[File:Sow with piglet.jpg|thumb|right|Denmark is a leading producer of pork, and the largest exporter of pork products in the EU.<ref>[http://www.cecmanitoba.ca/resource/hearings/22/21.pdf ''An Overview of Danish Pork Industry: Integration and Structure''] by Karen Hamann – The Institute for Food Studies & Agroindustrial Development. Access date: 23 July 2012.</ref>]]
Denmark has a modern, prosperous and [[developed economy|developed]] [[mixed economy|mixed market]] economy, ranking 21st in the world in terms of [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|GDP (PPP) per capita]] and 10th in [[List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|nominal GDP per capita]]. A liberalization of import tariffs in 1797 marked the end of [[mercantilism]] and further liberalization in the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century established the Danish liberal tradition in international trade that was only to be broken by the 1930s.<ref>[http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/henriksen.denmark An Economic History of Denmark]. Ingrid Henriksen, University of Copenhagen</ref><ref>Peter Mathias, Sidney Pollard: The Cambridge Economic History of Europe. p. 22.</ref> [[Property rights]] have enjoyed strong protection. Denmark's economy stands out as one of the most free in the [[Index of Economic Freedom]]<ref>[http://www.heritage.org/index/Ranking "Country Ratings"], 2012 Index of Economic Freedom. Retrieved 12 January 2012.</ref> and the [[Economic Freedom of the World]].<ref name="2011-09-20_fraserinstitute" >{{cite web | url = http://www.freetheworld.com/2011/reports/world/EFW2011_complete.pdf | title = Economic Freedom of the World: 2011 Annual Report Complete Publication (2.7 MB) | work = [[freetheworld.com]] | publisher = [[Fraser Institute]] | year = 2011 | format = PDF | accessdate =20 September 2011 }}</ref> The economy has high levels of [[international trade]] and Denmark is known as a free trade advocate in the European Union. Denmark is one of the most competitive economies in the world according to [[World Economic Forum]] 2008 report, IMD and [[The Economist]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investindk.com/About-us/For-the-press |title=For the press |publisher=Investindk.com |accessdate=5 May 2009}}</ref>

As a result of its acclaimed "[[flexicurity]]" model, Denmark has the most free [[labour economics|labour market]] in Europe, according to the World Bank. Employers can hire and fire whenever they want (flexibility), and between jobs, unemployment compensation is very high (security). The World Bank ranks Denmark as the easiest place in Europe to do business. Establishing a business can be done 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 |date= |accessdate=5 July 2012}}</ref> Denmark has a competitive [[Corporate tax|company tax]] rate of 25% and a special time-limited tax regime for expatriates.<ref>[http://www.investindk.com/Establishing-a-business-in-Denmark Business Environment], Invest in Denmark</ref> The Danish taxation system is broad based, with a 25% [[VAT]], in addition to excise taxes, income taxes and other fees. The overall tax burden (sum of all taxes, as a percentage of GDP) is estimated to be 46% in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skm.dk/tal_statistik/skatter_og_afgifter/510.html |title=Skattetrykket |publisher=Danish Ministry of Taxation |accessdate=24 June 2012}}</ref>

Denmark has a [[labour force]] of about 2.9&nbsp;million. Denmark has the fourth highest ratio of [[tertiary education|tertiary degree]] holders in the world.<ref>[http://www.uis.unesco.org/Library/Documents/ged09-en.pdf UNESCO 2009 Global Education Digest], Shared fourth with Finland at a 30.3% ratio. Graph on p28, table on p194.</ref> [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per hour worked|GDP per hour worked]] was the 13th highest in 2009. Denmark has [[List of countries by income equality|the world's lowest level of income inequality]], according to the World Bank Gini (%),<ref name="wbg">{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi-data/#/2010/GINI|title=Gini Coefficient|publisher=Vision of Humanity.org|accessdate=23 January 2011}}</ref> and [[List of minimum wages by country|the world's highest minimum wage]], according to the IMF.<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.org |date=6 October 2010 |accessdate=5 July 2012}}</ref> As of June 2010 the unemployment rate is at 7.4%, which is below the EU average of 9.6%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/table.do?tab=table&language=en&pcode=teilm020&tableSelection=1&plugin=1|title=Harmonised unemployment rate by gender|publisher=[[Eurostat]]|accessdate=4 February 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Euro accession.svg|thumb|Denmark is part of the Schengen Area and the EU single market, although it has opted out of the [[Eurozone]].]]
Denmark's currency, the ''[[Danish krone|krone]]'', is [[Fixed exchange rate|pegged]] at approximately 7.46 kroner per euro through the [[European Exchange Rate Mechanism|ERM]]. Although a [[Danish euro referendum, 2000|September 2000 referendum]] rejected adopting the euro,<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=3 February 2007 |date=17 November 2006 |publisher=[[Danmarks Nationalbank]]}}</ref> the country in practice follows the policies set forth in the [[Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union]] and meets the economic [[Euro convergence criteria|convergence criteria]] needed to adopt the euro. The majority of the political parties in the parliament are for the euro, but as yet a new referendum has not been held, despite plans;<ref>{{cite news |title=Denmark to have second referendum on euro |date=22 November 2007 |url=http://euobserver.com/18/25202|accessdate=22 November 2007}}</ref> skepticism of the EU among Danish voters has historically been strong. Denmark is known for the [[Danish cooperative movement]] within among others farming, the [[food industry]] ([[Danish Crown AmbA|Danish Crown]]), dairy production ([[Arla Foods]]), retailing ([[Brugsen]]), [[Community wind energy|wind turbine cooperatives]] and co-housing associations.

Support for [[free trade]] is high – in a 2007 poll 76% responded that globalisation is a good thing.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1684528,00.html Why Denmark Loves Globalisation], Time Magazine</ref> 70% of trade flows are inside the European Union.
Denmark has the 9th highest [[List of countries by exports per capita|export per capita in the world]]. Denmark's main exports are: industrial production/manufactured goods 73.3% (of which machinery and instruments were 21.4%, and fuels, chemicals, etc. 26%); agricultural products and others for consumption 18.7% (in 2009 meat and meat products were 5.5% of total export; fish and fish products 2.9%).<ref name="factbook" /> 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 [[External debt|foreign debt]] or more than 300&nbsp;billion DKK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://liveweb.archive.org/http://www.dst.dk/pukora/epub/upload/16217/headword/dk/407.pdf|title=Statens Gæld og Låntagning |publisher=Statistics Denmark}}</ref>

[[StatBank]] is the name of a large statistical database maintained by the central authority of statistics in Denmark. Online distribution of statistics has been a part of the dissemination strategy in Denmark since 1985. By this service, Denmark is a leading country in the world regarding electronic dissemination of statistics. There are about 2&nbsp;million hits every year.

===Energy===
[[File:DanishWindTurbines.jpg|thumb|Offshore wind turbines near [[Copenhagen]]]]
{{Main|Energy in Denmark}}

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 [[Petroleum|crude oil]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/country/country_energy_data.cfm?fips=DA |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100304094837/http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/country/country_energy_data.cfm?fips=DA |archivedate=4 March 2010 |title=EIA – International Energy Data and Analysis for Denmark |publisher=Tonto.eia.doe.gov |date=15 May 2009 |accessdate=29 May 2009}}</ref> and was producing 259,980 barrels of crude oil a day in 2009.<ref>[http://www.indexmundi.com/energy.aspx?country=dk Denmark Crude Oil Production and Consumption by Year (Thousand Barrels per Day)] – indexmundi.</ref> Most electricity is produced from coal, but 25–28% of electricity demand is supplied through wind turbines.<ref>[http://www.ens.dk/da-DK/Info/TalOgKort/Statistik_og_noegletal/Noegletal/Samlet_energiproduktion_forbrug/Sider/Forside.aspx Danske nøgletal]. www.ens.dk (2010).</ref> Denmark is a long-time leader in wind energy, and {{as of|2011|05|lc=y}} Denmark derives 3.1% of its gross domestic product from renewable (clean) energy technology and energy efficiency, or around €6.5&nbsp;billion ($9.4&nbsp;billion).<ref>[http://news.yourolivebranch.org/2011/05/10/denmark-invests-the-most-in-clean-energy-per-gdp/ Denmark Invests the Most in Clean Energy per GDP] – yourolivebranch.org. Retrieved 3 January 2012</ref> Denmark is connected by [[electric transmission lines]] to other European countries. On 6 September 2012, Denmark launched the biggest wind turbine in the world, and adding four more the next four years.

[[Electricity sector in Denmark|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 ([[Vehicle-to-grid|V2G]]) and [[Electric vehicle|plug-in vehicles]] in the transport sector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.energymap.dk/Technology-Areas/Intelligent-Energy/Plug-in-and-Electrical-Vehicles |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110719122621/http://www.energymap.dk/Technology-Areas/Intelligent-Energy/Plug-in-and-Electrical-Vehicles |archivedate=19 July 2011 |title=Plug-in and Electrical Vehicles |publisher=EnergyMap.dk |accessdate=10 October 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.energymap.dk/Profiles/Department-of-Energy-Technology-Aalborg-University/Projects/The-Future-High-Efficiency-Electric-Car--Integrate |title=The Future High-Efficiency Electric Car, Integrated into the Electricity Supply Network |publisher=EnergyMap.dk |accessdate=10 October 2009}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

===Transport===
{{Main|Transport in Denmark}}
[[File:Copenhagen Airport Mai 2009 PD 131.JPG|thumb|[[Copenhagen Airport]] is the largest airport in Scandinavia and 15th busiest in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cph.dk/CPH/UK/INVESTOR/Traffic |title=Copenhagen Airport Traffic Statistics |publisher=Cph.dk |date= |accessdate=5 July 2012}}</ref>]]

Significant investment has been made in building road and rail links between regions in Denmark, most notably the [[Great Belt Fixed Link]], which connects [[Zealand (Denmark)|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 (railway company)|DSB]] for passenger services and [[DB Schenker Rail]] for freight trains. The railway tracks are maintained by [[Banedanmark]].

Copenhagen has a small Metro system, the [[Copenhagen Metro]], and the [[Greater Copenhagen]] area has an extensive electrified suburban railway network, the [[S-train]]. Denmark's [[Flag carrier|national airline]] (together with Norway and Sweden) is [[Scandinavian Airlines]] (SAS), and [[Copenhagen Airport]] is the [[List of the largest airports in the Nordic countries|largest]] in Scandinavia. A ferry link to the [[Faroe Islands]] is maintained by [[Smyril Line]]. Other international ferry services are mainly operated by [[DFDS]] (to Norway and the UK), [[Scandlines]] (to Germany and Sweden), [[Stena Line]] (to Norway, Sweden, and Poland), Color Line (to Norway), and FjordLine (to Norway).

Private vehicles are increasingly used as a means of transport. Because of the high registration tax (180%), [[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. The car fleet has increased by 45% over the last 30 years.
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 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 |accessdate=29 November 2010 |language=Danish}}</ref> primarily from Germany, as the cost for older cars—including taxes—keeps them within the budget of many Danes.
The average car age (year 2011) is 9.2 years.<ref>{{cite news |title=dst.dk |date= |url=http://www.dst.dk/pukora/epub/upload/16251/13tra.pdf |accessdate=3 September 2012 }}</ref>

[[Bicycling in Denmark]] is a common form of transportation, particularly for the young and for city dwellers. With a network of bicycle routes extending more than 12,000&nbsp;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 |accessdate=16 August 2011 |publisher=Visitdenmark.com |language=Danish}}{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref> and an estimated 7,000&nbsp;km<ref name="vcta">{{cite web |url=http://www.vcta.dk/OmVCTA.aspx |title=Vi cykler til arbejde 2011 |accessdate=16 August 2011 |publisher=[[Dansk Cyklist Forbund]] |language=Danish}}</ref> of [[Segregated cycle facilities|segregated dedicated bicycle paths and lanes]], Denmark has a solid [[cycling infrastructure|bicycle infrastructure]].

=== Technology ===
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 [[Mærsk E class container ship|the largest and most energy efficient container ships in the world]], 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 Telephone]]s, and the now-defunct Danish company [[DanCall]] was among the first to develop [[GSM]] mobile phones.<ref>[http://www.investindk.com/Clusters/ICT/Wireless-and-mobile-technology Danish wireless and mobile industry is among the world's strongest in communication technology and software engineering]</ref>

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]].<ref>[http://www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&Itemid=132&id=3101 Novozymes, the world's leading provider of enzymes to the biofuels industry]</ref> ''[[Medicon Valley]]'', spanning the [[Øresund Region]] between Zealand and Sweden, is one of Europe's largest [[life science]] clusters, containing a large number of life science companies and research institutions located within a very small geographical area. Danish software engineers have taken leading roles in some of the world's important programming languages: [[Anders Hejlsberg]], ([[Turbo Pascal]], [[Embarcadero Delphi|Delphi]], [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]]); [[Rasmus Lerdorf]], ([[PHP]]); [[Bjarne Stroustrup]], ([[C++]]); [[David Heinemeier Hansson]], ([[Ruby on Rails]]); [[Lars Bak (computer programmer)|Lars Bak]] pioneer in virtual machines, ([[V8 (JavaScript engine)|V8]], [[Java virtual machine|Java VM]], [[Dart (programming language)|Dart]];) [[Lene Vestergaard Hau]] (physicist) the first person to stop light, leading to advances in [[quantum computing]], [[nanoscale engineering]] and [[linear optics]].

===Public policy===
{{See also|Flexicurity}}
[[File:Denmark Confirms Participation in E-ELT.jpg|thumb|With an investment of 8.5 million euros over the ten-year construction period, Denmark confirms participation in [[E-ELT]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Denmark Confirms Participation in E-ELT|url=http://www.eso.org/public/announcements/ann13033/|accessdate=17 April 2013|newspaper=ESO Announmentes}}</ref> ]]

After deregulating the labour market in the 1990s, Denmark has one of the most free labour markets in European countries. According to World Bank labour market rankings, the [[labour 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. Labour market policies are mainly determined in negotiations between the workers' unions and employers' unions, and the government only interferes if labour strikes extend for too long.

Despite the success of the trade unions, a growing number 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. The average employee receives a benefit at 47% of their [[wage|wage level]] if they have to claim benefits when unemployed. With low unemployment, 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 [[retirement|early retirement]] pay (''efterløn''), which is possible from the age of 60 provided an additional earmarked contribution is paid to the unemployment fund.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ugebreveta4.dk/2008/200826/Baggrundoganalyse/LoenmodtagereKlarTilNyeDagpengeregler.aspx |title=LO's ugebrev/2008 |publisher=Ugebreveta4.dk |accessdate=20 August 2009}}</ref>

The [[unemployment|unemployment rate]] 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|accessdate=24 July 2009}}</ref> The [[Eurostat]] unemployment number for August 2008 is 2.9%. Another measure of the situation on the labour market is the [[employment rate]], that is the percentage of people aged 15 to 64 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 [[Switzerland]] with 78.% and [[Iceland]] with 85.1% had a higher employment rate. Of the employed more than 38% (800,000 people)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20090430160644/http://www.dst.dk/Statistik/seneste/Arbejdsmarked/ATP.aspx Beskæftigelsesindikator på grundlag af ATP-indbetalinger (foreløbige tal)]. DST.dk. 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)))--> work in public sector jobs.

The number of unemployed is forecast to be 65,000 in 2015. The number of people in the [[Legal working age|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 |coauthors=Svend Lundtorp |title=Arbejdsmarkedet på Sjælland og øerne i 2015 |page=10|year=2006 |publisher=Akf forlaget |url=http://www.akf.dk/udgivelser/2006/pdf/arbejdsmarkedet_sjaelland_oeer.pdf/ |accessdate=3 February 2007|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 time|working hours]] have risen, especially compared with the [[recession]] 1987–1993.<ref name="BusinessDK">{{cite news |first=Jens |last=Nüchel |coauthors=Lars Erik Skovgaard |title=Danskere arbejder mere og mere |date=13 December 2006 |publisher=[[Berlingske Tidende]] |url=http://www.business.dk/karriere/artikel:aid=2014652 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071011104002/http://www.business.dk/karriere/artikel:aid=2014652 |archivedate=11 October 2007 |work=Business.dk |accessdate=3 February 2007}}</ref> Increasingly, service workers of all kinds are in demand, i.e. in the [[Mail|postal services]] and as bus drivers, and academics.<ref>{{cite news |first=Annette |last=Bonde |title=Virksomheder foretrækker tysk arbejdskraft |date=24 September 2007 |publisher=[[Berlingske Tidende]] |url=http://www.business.dk/karriere/virksomheder-foretraekker-tysk-arbejdskraft |work=Business.dk |accessdate=23 September 2007}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://politiken.dk/erhverv/article441694.ece |title=Udlændinge passer hvert 10. job |language={{da icon}} |publisher=Politiken.dk |date=19 June 2009 |accessdate=20 August 2009}}</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 [[Business cycle|economic cycle]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Af Eva Jung |url=http://www.business.dk/finans/arbejdsmarkedets-most-wanted |title=Arbejdsmarkedets most wanted |date=11 August 2008|publisher=Business.dk |accessdate=29 April 2010}}</ref>

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 unemployment fund, 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 [[home equity]] ({{lang|da|''friværdi''}})), as the marginal tax rate on capital income from housing savings is around 0%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dors.dk/sw5855.asp |title=Danish Economic Council Spring Report 2008 English Summary,p. 11 |publisher=Dors.dk |accessdate=20 August 2009}}</ref> In 2011, 13.4% of Denmark's population was reported to live below the poverty line.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2046.html |title=CIA World Factbook. "Percentage of Population Below Poverty Line by country" |publisher=Cia.gov |date=20 October 2009 |accessdate=5 July 2012}}</ref>

Denmark follows the [[Nordic model]] of a [[mixed economy]], characterised by a large [[welfare state]], a high level of public expenditure and a universal social system (including [[#Health care|health care]]), financed by taxes and not by social contributions. The 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 tax|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 [[Ertholmene]] that escape the otherwise ubiquitous 8% healthcare tax fraction of the income taxes<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skat.dk/SKAT.aspx?oId=133800 |title=Skattesatser; bundgrænser, procenter og fradrag |publisher=Skat.dk |accessdate=29 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skm.dk/tal_statistik/kommuneskatter/procenter/?year=2009 |title=Kommuneskatter 2007, 2008 og 2009 |publisher=Skm.dk |accessdate=29 April 2010}}</ref>). 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 efficiency|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|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070927035651/http://www.skm.dk/foreign/english/taxindenmark2007/5344/#104|archivedate=27 September 2007 |title=Registration tax for cars |date=24 March 2008 |publisher=Skatteministeriet}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Denmark|Languages of Denmark}}
[[File:Population of Denmark 1.January 2012 by ancestry and continents of origin..gif|thumb|Population by ancestry and continents of origin, 2012.]]
[[File:Ærøskøbing 1.jpg|thumb|[[Ærøskøbing]], a traditional Danish town]]
According to 2012 figures from [[Statistics Denmark]], 89.6% of Denmark's population of over 5,580,516 is of [[Danes|Danish]] descent.{{#tag:ref|Immigrants and their descendants and foreign nationals - ''Statistics Denmark''.<br> [http://www.statsbank.dk/FOLK2 Official data] from 1 January 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
*[http://www.statbank.dk/statbank5a/Graphics/MakeGraph.asp?gr_type=5&gr_width=600&gr_height=600&gr_fontsize=11&menu=y&PLanguage=1&pxfile=201282423219110521660FOLK2.px Pie chart]
*[http://www.statbank.dk/statbank5a/Graphics/MakeGraph.asp?gr_type=1&gr_width=850&gr_height=600&gr_fontsize=11&menu=y&PLanguage=1&pxfile=201282423219110521660FOLK2.px Bar chart]
*[http://www.statbank.dk/statbank5a/SelectOut/PxSort.asp?file=201282423219110521660FOLK2&PLanguage=1&MainTable=FOLK2&MainTablePrestext=Population%201.%20January&potsize=3 Figures]
{{efn|name="denonly"}}|name="Ethnic groups"}} Many of the remaining 10.4% are immigrants—or descendants of recent immigrants—from neighboring countries, [[Turkish people|Turkey]], [[Iraqi people|Iraq]], [[Somali people|Somalia]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[South Asia]] and the [[Middle East]]. Of the 10.4%, approximately 200,000 (34%) are of a [[Western world|Western]] background, and approx. 390,000 (66%) have a non-Western background.<ref>[http://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/emner/indvandrere-og-efterkommere/indvandrere-og-efterkommere.aspx Immigrants and their descendants] - ''Statistcs Denmark''. Published: 1 January 2012. Accessed: 25 August 2012.</ref>

The [[median]] age is 39.8 years, with 0.98 males per female. 98.2% of the population (age 15 and up) is literate. The [[birth rate]] is 1.74 children born per woman (2006 est.). Despite the low birth rate, the population is still growing at an average annual rate of 0.33%.<ref name="factbook"/> An international study conducted by Adrian White at Leicester University in 2006 showed that the population of Denmark had the highest life satisfaction in the world.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://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 |accessdate=5 May 2009 |first=Jerome |last=Taylor}}</ref>

[[Danish language|Danish]], [[Faroese language|Faroese]], and [[Greenlandic language|Greenlandic]] are the [[official language]]s of mainland Denmark, the Faroes, and Greenland, respectively; German is an official minority language in the former [[South Jutland County]] near the German border. Danish is spoken throughout the kingdom and is the [[national language]] of Denmark. English and German are the most widely spoken foreign languages.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-first=M. Paul |editor1-last=Lewis |year=2009 |title=Ethnologue: Languages of the World |edition=16th |publisher=SIL International. |location=Dallas, Tex. |isbn= 978-1-55671-216-6 |url=http://www.ethnologue.com/ |accessdate=27 August 2012}}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Denmark}}

[[File:Roskilde mpazdziora.JPG|thumb|left|[[Roskilde Cathedral]] has been the burial place of Danish royalty since the 15th century. In 1995 it became a [[World Heritage Site]].]]
{{As of|January 2013}}, 79.1%<ref name="church stats">[http://www.kyrkanstidning.se/utrikes/fler-lamnade-kyrkan-i-danmark Church membership 2013] 3.1.2013 Kyrkans tidning {{da}}</ref><ref>[http://www.statistikbanken.dk/statbank5a/default.asp?w=1920 Statistics Denmark] Statistikbanken.dk</ref> of the population of Denmark were members of the [[Church of Denmark]] ({{lang|da|''Den danske folkekirke''}}), the [[state religion|officially established]] church, which is [[Lutheran]] in tradition.<ref>[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html Denmark – Constitution] – Part I – Section 4 [State Church]: "The Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the Established Church of Denmark, and, as such, it shall be supported by the State."</ref> This is down 0.7% compared to the year earlier and 1.3% down compared to two years earlier. Despite the high membership figures, only 3% of the population regularly attend Sunday services.<ref name="report 2009">{{cite web |url=http://www.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 |accessdate=23 August 2012}}</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=[[The Gallup Organization]] |accessdate=23 August 2012}}</ref>

The [[Constitution of Denmark|Constitution]] states that a member of the [[Danish Royal Family|Royal Family]] must be a part of the Church of Denmark, though the rest of the population is free to adhere to other faiths.<ref>[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html Denmark – Constitution] – Part II – Section 6 .</ref><ref>[http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/da00000_.html Denmark – Constitution] – 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>[http://www.km.dk/fileadmin/share/Trossamfund/Freedom_of_religion.pdf Freedom of religion and religious communities in Denmark] – The Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs – May 2006. km.dk</ref> In 1682 the state granted limited recognition to three religious groups dissenting from the Established Church: [[Roman Catholicism in Denmark|Roman Catholicism]], [[Reformed Synod of Denmark|the Reformed Church]] and [[History of the Jews in Denmark|Judaism]],<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 [[royal decree]]. Today, religious groups do not need official government recognition in Denmark, they can be granted the right to perform weddings and other ceremonies without this recognition.<ref name=FoR />

[[Islam in Denmark|Denmark's Muslims]] make up approximately 3% of the population and form the country's second largest religious community and largest minority religion.<ref name="report 2009" /><ref name="muslimpopulation">[http://www.muslimpopulation.com/pdf/Denmark_Countryprofile_Euro_Islam.pdf Denmark country profile]- ''[Euro-Isalm.info]'' and ''Muslimpopulation.com'' – Retrieved 8 June 2012.</ref> As of 2009 there are nineteen recognised Muslim communities in Denmark.<ref name="muslimpopulation" /><ref>[http://www.ambdhaka.um.dk/en/menu/Denmark/Facts+about+Denmark/FactsAboutIslamInDenmark/ Facts about Islam in Denmark]{{dead link|date=June 2012}} – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Published/Last edited 10 May 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2012. www.ambdhaka.um.dk</ref> As per an overview of various religions and denominations by the Danish Foreign Ministry, other religious groups comprise less than 1% of the population individually and approximately 2% when taken all together.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20060208030036/http://www.um.dk/Publikationer/UM/English/Denmark/kap1/1-14.asp Religion in Denmark] – From the [[Danish Foreign Ministry]]. Archive retrieved on 3 January 2012.</ref>

A new religious group, [[Forn Siðr — Ásatrú and Vanatrú Association in Denmark|Forn Siðr]], describes itself as a revival of the [[Norse paganism]] prevalent in Denmark before [[Christianization of Scandinavia|Christianization]]. It gained state recognition in November 2003.<ref>{{cite web|author=Torben Sørensen|url=http://www.fornsidr.dk/dk/17 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110726151328/http://www.fornsidr.dk/dk/17 |archivedate=26 July 2011 |title=Forn Siðr – the Asa and Vane faith religious community in Denmark – Forn Siðr |publisher=Fornsidr.dk |date=19 April 2007 |accessdate=5 May 2009}}</ref>

According to a 2010 [[Eurobarometer|Eurobarometer Poll]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf|title=Special Eurobarometer, biotechnology, page 204|date=Fieldwork: Jan-Feb 2010|format=PDF}}</ref> 28% of Danish citizens 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 [[wikt:Savior|saviour]] of the world.<ref>Poll performed in December 2009 among 1114 Danes between ages 18 and 74, [http://www.kristeligt-dagblad.dk/artikel/350709:Kirke---tro--Hver-fjerde-dansker-tror-paa-Jesus ''Hver fjerde dansker tror på Jesus''] (One in four Danes believe in Jesus), Kristeligt Dagblad, 23 December 2009 {{dk icon}}</ref>

=== Education ===
{{Main|Education in Denmark}}
[[File:Copenhagen Rundetårn street left.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Rundetårn]] (Round Tower), an old observatory in the [[University of Copenhagen]], Denmark's oldest and largest university.]]

The Danish education system provides access to [[Danish Folkeskole Education|primary school]], [[Secondary education in Denmark|secondary school]] and [[higher education]]. All college and university education in Denmark are free of charges; there are no tuition fees to enroll in courses. Students in secondary school or higher and aged 18 or above may apply for student support which provides fixed financial support, disbursed monthly. As of 2012 it is approximately 6000 DKR or $1000 pr. month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.su.dk/SU/satserSU/Sider/default.aspx |title=SU rates 2011|language=Danish|publisher=Su.dk |date= |accessdate=5 July 2012}}</ref> The [[Education Index]], published with the [[United Nations|UN]]'s [[Human Development Index]] in 2008, based on data from 2006, lists Denmark as 0.993, amongst the highest in the world, tied for first with Australia, [[Canada]], [[Finland]] and New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDI_2008_EN_Tables.pdf|title=Human development indices|accessdate=16 February 2010|date=18 December 2008|publisher=Human Development Reports}}</ref>

Primary school in Denmark is called "Public School" ({{lang|da|''[[Danish Folkeskole Education|Folkeskole]]''}}). Attendance at primary school is not compulsory, but most Danish children go to primary school for 10 years, from the age of 6 to 16. Whilst attending a primary school is not compulsory, receiving education at primary school-level is and must be provided for nine years. There are no final exams, but pupils in primary schools can choose to go to a test when finishing ninth grade. The test is obligatory if further education is to be attended. Pupils can alternatively attend "free schools" ({{lang|da|''Friskole''}}), or private schools ({{lang|da|''Privatskole''}}) – schools that are not under the administration of the [[List of municipalities of Denmark|municipalities]], such as [[Christian school]]s or [[Waldorf education|Waldorf schools]].

Following graduation from Public School, there are several other educational opportunities, including ''[[Gymnasium (Denmark)|Gymnasium]]'' (academically oriented upper secondary education), [[Higher Preparatory Examination (HF)]] (similar to ''Gymnasium'', but one year shorter), [[Higher Technical Examination Programme (HTX)]] (with focus on [[mathematics]] and engineering), and [[Higher Commercial Examination Programme]] (with a focus on trade and business), as well as [[Vocational secondary education in Denmark|vocational education]], training young people for work in specific [[trade (occupation)|trades]] by a combination of teaching and [[apprenticeship]].

Danish universities and other higher education institutions offer international students a range of opportunities for obtaining an internationally recognised qualification in Denmark. Many programmes are taught in English, including Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, exchange and summer school programmes<ref>{{cite web|url=http://studyindenmark.dk/ |title=Study in Denmark, official government website on international higher education in Denmark}}</ref>

=== Health care ===
{{Main|Health care in Denmark}}

Along with Sweden and Norway, Denmark has a [[universal health care]] system, financed by taxes and not by social contributions. This system is largely financed through local (county and municipal) taxation with integrated funding and provision of [[health care]] at the local (county) level. It is the most important area of responsibility for the local regions. Unlike the former counties, the regions are not allowed to levy taxes, and the health service is primarily financed by a national health care contribution of 8 percent ({{lang-da|sundhedsbidrag}}) combined with funds from both government and municipalities.<ref name=expat/> Denmark spends 9.8 percent of GDP on healthcare. The life expectancy in Denmark is 78.6 years, and there is one doctor for every 294 persons in Denmark.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://floathaven.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=179|title=Social responsibility in a technocracy|publisher=FloatHaven/TEL|year=2011}}</ref>

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Denmark}}
{{See also|Law of Jante|Culture of Denmark#Science|l2=Scientific achievements of Danes}}
[[File:Krøyer Sommeraften Skagen Sønderstrand.jpg|thumb|''Summer Evening on the [[Skagen]] Southern Beach with Anna Ancher and Marie Krøyer'' by [[P.S. Krøyer]], 1893]]
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&nbsp; – An Overview |date=22 September 2007 |accessdate=22 September 2007|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080122084309/http://www.um.dk/publikationer/um/english/factsheetdenmark/denmarkanoverview/html/chapter05.htm|archivedate=22 January 2008}}</ref> and in 2012, Denmark replaced its "[[Registered partnership in Denmark|registered partnership]]" laws, which it had been the first country to introduce in 1989,<ref>Sheila Rule: [http://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/02/world/rights-for-gay-couples-in-denmark.html Rights for Gay Couples in Denmark] – ''[[New York Times]]''. 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 |accessdate=5 May 2009}}</ref> with [[gender-neutral marriage]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Rainbow wedding bells: Denmark allows gay marriage in church |url=http://www.rt.com/news/denmark-same-sex-marriage-church-283/ |publisher=''[[RT (TV network)|RT]]'' |date=7 June 2012 |accessdate=7 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Denmark passes bill allowing gays to marry in church |author=AFP |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/390257/denmark-passes-bill-allowing-gays-to-marry-in-church/ |newspaper=[[The Express Tribune]] |date=7 June 2012 |accessdate=7 June 2012}}</ref> Modesty, punctuality but above all [[Social equality|equality]] are important aspects of the Danish way of life.<ref>[http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/denmark-country-profile.html Denmark – Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. From Kwintessential]. Retrieved 4 December 2008.</ref>

The astronomical discoveries of [[Tycho Brahe]] (1546–1601), [[Ludwig A. Colding]]'s (1815–1888) neglected articulation of the principle of [[conservation of energy]], and the brilliant contributions to atomic physics of [[Niels Bohr]] (1885–1962) indicate the range of Danish scientific achievement. The fairy tales of [[Hans Christian Andersen]] (1805–1875), the philosophical essays of [[Søren Kierkegaard]] (1813–1855), the short stories of [[Karen Blixen]] (penname [[Isak Dinesen]]), (1885–1962), the plays of [[Ludvig Holberg]] (1684–1754), and the dense, aphoristic poetry of [[Piet Hein (Denmark)|Piet Hein]] (1905–1996), have earned international recognition, as have the symphonies of [[Carl Nielsen]] (1865–1931). From the mid-1990s, Danish films have attracted international attention, especially those associated with [[Dogme 95]] like those of [[Lars Von Trier]].

===Architecture===
{{Main|Architecture of Denmark}}
[[File:Pv jensen-klint 05 grundtvig memorial church 1913-1940.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Grundtvig's Church]] in Copenhagen. An example of expressionist architecture.]]

Denmark's architecture became firmly established in the [[Middle Ages]] when first [[Romanesque style|Romanesque]], then [[Gothic style|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 architecture|Renaissance]] style.
During the 17th century, many impressive buildings were built in the [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] style, both in the capital and the provinces. [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassicism]] from France was slowly adopted by native Danish architects who increasingly participated in defining architectural style. A productive period of [[Historicism (art)|Historicism]] ultimately merged into the 19th century [[National Romantic style]].<ref>[http://www.visitdenmark.com/irland/en-ie/menu/turist/inspiration/detkulturelledanmark/arkitektur/danish-architecture-an-overview.htm "Danish Architecture: An Overview"]{{dead link|date=June 2012}}, ''Visit Denmark''. Retrieved 3 September 2011.</ref>

The 20th century brought along new architectural styles; including [[expressionist architecture|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 [[Functionalism (architecture)#Danish Functionalism|Functionalist architecture]]. This, in turn, has evolved into more recent world-class masterpieces including [[Jørn Utzon]]'s [[Sydney Opera House]] and [[Johann Otto von Spreckelsen]]'s [[Grande Arche|Grande Arche de la Défense]] 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.<ref>[http://www.ambhanoi.um.dk/en/menu/InfoDenmark/Danish+Culture/Architecture/ "Architecture"]{{dead link|date=June 2012}}, Embassy of Denmark, Hanoi. Retrieved 3 October 2011.</ref>

===Cuisine===
{{Main|Danish cuisine}}
[[File:Smørrebrød-01.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Smørrebrød]] - a variety of Danish open sandwiches piled high with delicacies.]]
The [[cuisine]] of Denmark, like that of the other Nordic countries and of [[Northern Germany]], consists mainly of meat and fish. This stems from the country's agricultural past, its geography, and its climate of long, cold winters. With 145.9&nbsp;kg of meat per person consumed in 2002, Denmark has the highest consumption of meat per person of any country in the world.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/datablog/2009/sep/02/meat-consumption-per-capita-climate-change |title=Meat consumption per capita |publisher=guardian.co.uk |accessdate=10 May 2012 |first=Felicity |last=Brown |date=2 September 2009}}</ref>

The open sandwiches, known as ''[[smørrebrød]]'', which in their basic form are the usual fare for lunch, can be considered a national speciality when prepared and decorated with a variety of fine ingredients. Hot meals traditionally consist of [[ground meat]]s, such as ''[[frikadeller]]'' (meat balls), or of more substantial meat and fish dishes such as ''[[flæskesteg]]'' (roast pork with crackling) or ''kogt torsk'' (poached cod) with mustard sauce and trimmings. Denmark is known for its [[Carlsberg Group|Carlsberg]] and [[Tuborg]] beers and for its [[akvavit]] and [[bitters]] although imported wine is now gaining popularity.

Danish chefs, inspired by continental practices, have in recent years developed an innovative series of [[gourmet]] dishes based on high-quality local produce. As a result, Copenhagen and the provinces now have a considerable number of highly acclaimed restaurants of which several have been awarded [[Michelin Guide|Michelin stars]].

===Design===
[[File:The Swan&The Egg.jpg|thumb|150px|Arne Jacobsen's ''[[Swan (chair)|Swan]]'' and ''[[Egg (chair)|Egg]]'' chairs]]
{{Main|Danish design}}

Danish design is a term often used to describe a style of [[Functionalism (architecture)|functionalistic]] design and architecture that was developed in 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 Danish Porcelain Factory ("[[Royal Copenhagen]]") is famous for the quality of its ceramics and export products worldwide. Danish design is also a well-known brand, often associated with world-famous designers and architects such as [[Børge Mogensen]] (1914–1972), [[Finn Juhl]] (1912–1989), [[Hans Wegner]] (1914–2007), [[Arne Jacobsen]] (1902–1971), [[Poul Kjærholm]] (1929–1980), [[Poul Henningsen]] (1894–1967) and [[Verner Panton]] (1926–1998).<ref>[http://en.ddc.dk/denmarkbydesign "Danish by Design"], ''DDC''. Retrieved 4 September 2011.</ref> [[Georg Jensen]] (1866–1935) is noted for his modern design in silver.

Other designers of note include [[Kristian Solmer Vedel]] (1923–2003) in the area of industrial design, [[Jens Harald Quistgaard]] (1919–2008) for kitchen furniture and implements and [[Ole Wanscher]] (1903–1985) who had a classical approach to furniture design.

===Literature and philosophy===
{{Main|Danish literature}}
[[File:Constantin Hansen 1836 - HC Andersen.jpg|thumb|150px|A portrait of [[Hans Christian Andersen]] (1836), by [[Christian Albrecht Jensen]].]]
The first known Danish literature is myths and [[Danish folklore|folklore]] from the 10th and 11th century. [[Saxo Grammaticus]], normally considered the first Danish writer, worked for bishop [[Absalon]] on a chronicle of [[History of Denmark|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 [[Jens Peter Jacobsen|J.&nbsp;P. Jacobsen]]. [[Romanticism]] influenced the renowned writer and poet [[Hans Christian Andersen]], known for his stories and [[fairy tale]]s, 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 story|short stories]]. Other Danish writers of importance are [[Gustav Wied]], [[William Heinesen]], [[Martin Andersen Nexø]], [[Piet Hein (Denmark)|Piet Hein]], [[Hans Scherfig]], [[Klaus Rifbjerg]], [[Dan Turèll|Dan Turéll]], [[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 Hoffding|Harald Høffding]], who later in his life moved on to join the movement of [[positivism]]. Among Kierkegaard's other followers include [[Jean-Paul Sartre]] who was impressed with Kierkegaard's views on the individual, and [[Rollo May]], who helped create [[humanistic psychology]]. Another Danish philosopher of note is [[Nikolaj Frederik Severin Grundtvig|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.

===Media===
<!--linked from {{main|Media of Denmark}}-->
Danish mass media is dominated by a few large corporations. In printed media [[JP/Politikens Hus]] and [[Berlingske Media]], between them, control the largest news papers [[Politiken]], [[Berlingske Tidende]] and [[Jyllands-Posten]] and major tabloids [[B.T. (tabloid)|B.T.]] and [[Ekstra Bladet]]. [[Television in Denmark|In television]], publicly owned stations [[DR (broadcaster)|DR]] and [[TV 2 (Denmark)|TV 2]] have large shares of the viewers.<ref>[http://tvm.gallup.dk/tvm/pm/default.htm ''TNS-Gallup'' meter]; Television station viewer statistics, figures for July 2012 (week 28). Retrieved 20 July 2012.</ref> In radio, DR has a near monopoly, currently broadcasting on all four nationally available [[FM broadcasting|FM]] channels, competing only with local stations. The [[mainstream media]] is still very much dominant in Denmark, but the share of Danes going online for news is steadily growing.

[[Cinema of Denmark|Danish cinema]] dates back to 1897 and since the 1980s has maintained a steady stream of product due largely to funding by the state-supported [[Danish Film Institute]]. The three big internationally important waves of Danish cinema have been the erotic melodrama of the [[silent film|silent era]], the increasingly explicit sex films of the 1960s and 1970s, and lastly, the [[Dogme 95]] movement of the late 1990s. Danish films have been noted for their realism, religious and moral themes, sexual frankness and technical innovation. The Danish filmmaker [[Carl Theodor Dreyer|Carl Th. Dreyer]] (1889–1968) is considered one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema.<ref>
*[http://www.brightlightsfilm.com/29/carldreyer.html [[Bright Lights Film Journal]] review of Day of Wrath, Order and Gertrud]
*[http://www.kamera.co.uk/features/carl_dreyer.php Kamera.co.uk: Carl Dreyer]
*[http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=2:88264~T1 Allmovie: Carl Theodor Dreyer]
*[http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19970216/REVIEWS08/401010350/1023 The Passion of Joan of Arc review by [[Roger Ebert]]]</ref>

Other Danish filmmakers of note include the creator of the popular ''[[Olsen Gang|Olsen-banden]]'' films [[Erik Balling]]; [[Gabriel Axel]], an [[Academy Award|Oscar]]-winner for ''[[Babette's Feast]]'' in 1987; and [[Bille August]], the [[Academy Award|Oscar]]-, [[Palme d'Or]]- and [[Golden Globe Award|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|Dogme film movement]], and multiple award-winners [[Susanne Bier]] and [[Nicolas Winding Refn]].

===Music===
{{Main|Music of Denmark}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right; float:right; margin-left:1em"
|-
! align=center |[[Carl Nielsen]]<br /><small>[[Wind Quintet (Nielsen)|Wind Quintet]], Op. 43<br> 1st movement</small>
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#dcdcdc;"| [[File:Carl Nielsen - Wind Quintet - 1. Allegro ben moderato.ogg|120px]]
|}

Copenhagen and its multiple outlying islands have a [[Danish traditional music|wide range of folk traditions]]. The [[Royal Danish Orchestra]] is among the world's oldest orchestras. Denmark's most famous classical composer is [[Carl Nielsen]], especially remembered for his six symphonies and his [[Wind Quintet (Nielsen)|Wind Quintet]], while the [[Royal Danish Ballet]] specializes in the work of Danish choreographer [[August Bournonville]]. Danes have distinguished themselves as [[jazz]] musicians, and the [[Copenhagen Jazz Festival]] has acquired an international reputation.

[[Victor Borge]], Danish comedian and musician, achieved world renown in stage, radio and television appearances spanning 60 years, with his unique blend of comedy and piano playing.

In the early days of rock and beat, some{{Who|date=June 2012}} Danish artists quickly adapted this new type of music with success and jazz's popularity waned. The modern [[pop music|pop]] and rock scene has produced a few names of note, including [[Aqua (band)|Aqua]], [[Volbeat]], [[D-A-D]], [[Dizzy Mizz Lizzy]], [[The Raveonettes]], [[Michael Learns to Rock]], [[Alphabeat]], [[Efterklang]], [[Medina (singer)|Medina]], [[Oh Land]], [[Kashmir (band)|Kashmir]], [[Mew (band)|Mew]] and [[Dúné]]. All together, [[Lars Ulrich]], drummer of the band [[Metallica]], has become the first Danish musician to be inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].

===Painting and photography===
{{main|Danish art|Photography in Denmark}}
[[File:C W Eckersberg 1841 - Kvinde foran et spejl.jpg|thumb|right|upright|''Woman in front of a Mirror'', (1841), by [[Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg]]]]

While Danish art was influenced over the centuries by trends in Germany and the Netherlands, the 15th and 16th century [[church frescos in Denmark|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.<ref>[http://www.panoramas.dk/kalkmalerier/ Wall Paintings in Danish Churches from Panoramas.dk]. Retrieved 12 August 2009. Adopting the [[Biblia pauperum]] approach, they present many of the most popular stories from the [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament]]s.</ref>

The [[Danish Golden Age]], which began in the first half of the 19th century, was inspired by a new feeling of nationalism and romanticism. [[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 notable painters such as [[Wilhelm Bendz]], [[Christen Købke]], [[Martinus Rørbye]], [[Constantin Hansen]], and [[Wilhelm Marstrand]]. The sculpture of [[Bertel Thorvaldsen]] was also significant during this period.<ref>[http://www.guldalder.dk/show.asp?id=219 "Guide to the Danish Golden Age"]. Retrieved 4 September 2011.</ref>

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 [[Skagen Painters|artists' colonies]] specializing in [[Naturalism (arts)|Naturalism]] and [[Realism (arts)|Realism]] rather than in the traditional approach favored by the Academy. Hosted by [[Michael Ancher|Michael]] and his wife [[Anna Ancher|Anna]], they were soon joined by [[P.S. Krøyer]], [[Carl Locher]] and [[Laurits Tuxen]]. All participated in painting the natural surroundings and local people.<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/skagen Art Encyclopedia: Skagen.] Retrieved 9 December 2008.</ref> Similar trends developed on Funen with the ''[[Fynboerne]]'' who included [[Johannes Larsen]], [[Fritz Syberg]] and [[Peter Hansen (painter)|Peter Hansen]],<ref name=Funish>[http://www.johanneslarsenmuseet.dk/page.asp?sideid=2301&zcs=2200 "The Funish Art Colony"], ''Johannes Larsen Museet''. Retrieved 12 August 2011.</ref> and on the island of Bornholm with the [[Bornholm school of painters]] including [[Niels Lergaard]], [[Kræsten Iversen]] and [[Oluf Høst]].<ref>[http://www.roughguides.com/travel/europe/denmark/introduction-to-denmark.aspx The Bornholm School from the Rough Guide to Denmark.] Retrieved 10 December 2008.</ref>

Danish photography has developed from strong participation and interest in the very beginnings of the [[history of photography|art]] in 1839 to the success of a considerable number of [[Danes]] in the world of [[photography]] today. 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 while both artistic and press photographers made internationally recognised contributions. Today Danish photographers such as [[Astrid Kruse Jensen]] and [[Jacob Aue Sobol]] are active both at home and abroad, participating in key exhibitions around the world.<ref>[http://www.photography-now.com/popup_ausst_5.php?id_ausstellungen=T50624 Contemporary Danish Photography. From Photography-Now]. Retrieved 28 January 2010.</ref>

Collections of modern art enjoy unusually attractive settings at the [[Louisiana Museum of Modern Art]] north of [[Copenhagen]] and at the North Jutland Art Museum in [[Aalborg]]. Notable artists include the [[neo-expressionism|Neo-Expressionist]] [[Per Kirkeby]], [[Tal R]] with his wild and colorful paintings,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.camdenartscentre.org/exhibitions/?id=100436 |title="Tal R: The Sum", Camden Arts Gallery |publisher=Camdenartscentre.org |accessdate=31 October 2011}}{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref> [[Olafur Eliasson]]'s space exhibitions<ref>[http://media.moma.org/subsites/2008/olafureliasson/#/intro/ Take Your Time. Olafur Eliasson. From MoMA]. Retrieved 27 January 2010.</ref> and [[Jeppe Hein]]'s installations.<ref>[http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=35739 "Exhibition of Interactive Work by Artist Jeppe Hein Announced in Indianapolis", Artdaily.org]. Retrieved 4 March 2010.</ref>

===Sports===
{{Main|Sport in Denmark}}
[[File:US Open 2009 4th round 156.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Caroline Wozniacki]], professional women's tennis player and former [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|world no. 1]] on the [[WTA Tour]].]]

Sports are popular in Denmark, and its citizens participate in and watch a wide variety. The [[national sport]] is [[association football|football]] (soccer). Denmark qualified six times in a row between 1984 and 2004 for the [[UEFA European Football Championship|European Championships]], and won the [[1992 UEFA European Football Championship|Championship in 1992]]. Other significant achievements include winning the Confederations Cup in 1995 and reaching the quarter-final of the 1998 World Championships. Notable Danish footballers include [[Peter Schmeichel]], named the "World's Best Goalkeeper" in 1992 and 1993, and [[Michael Laudrup]], named the best Danish player of all time by the [[Danish Football Association]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Laudrup bedste spiller gennem tiderne |publisher=DBU |date=13 November 2006 |url= http://www.dbu.dk/news/newsShow.aspx?id=235647 |accessdate=18 November 2012}}</ref>

In recent years, Denmark has made a mark as a strong [[cycling]] nation, with [[Bjarne Riis]] winning [[Tour de France]] in 1996 and [[Michael Rasmussen]] reaching [[King of the Mountains]] status in the Tour in 2005 and 2006. In [[motorcycle speedway|speedway racing]] Denmark has won several world championships, including the [[Speedway World Cup]] in [[2006 Speedway World Cup|2006]] and [[2008 Speedway World Cup|2008]].

Other popular sports include golf—which is mostly popular among those in the older demographic;<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070716195104/http://www.dif.dk/OmDIF/Forside/Idraetten%20i%20tal/medlemstal.aspx Om DIF – Medlemstal] {{Language icon|da}}, ''The National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark''</ref> tennis—in which Denmark is successful on a professional level; rugby—the [[Danish Rugby Union]] dates back to 1950;<ref>Bath, Richard (ed.) ''The Complete Book of Rugby'' (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 ISBN 1-86200-013-1) p66. Archived from July 2007 and Retrieved June 2012.</ref> rowing—Denmark specialize in light-weight rowing and are particularly known for their light-weight 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]], [[team handball|handball]], [[table tennis]] and gymnastics, in each of which Denmark holds World Championships and Olympic medals. Denmark's numerous beaches and resorts are popular locations for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and many other water-themed sports.

{{As of|2012|01}}, the [[Denmark national handball team|national handball team]] are the current reigning European champions. On the men's side, they have won five medals—two gold (in 2008 and 2012) and three bronze (in 2002, 2004 and 2006)--the most that have been won by any team in European Championship history.

{{clear}}

== See also ==
{{portal|European Union|Denmark|Faroe Islands|Greenland}}

* [[Index of Denmark-related articles]]
* [[Outline of Denmark]]
{{-}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist|30em}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

;Bibliography
*{{da icon}} Busck, Steen and Poulsen, Henning (ed.), "Danmarks historie&nbsp; – i grundtræk", Aarhus Universitetsforlag, 2002, ISBN 87-7288-941-1
*{{da icon}} {{Cite book|last1=Gammelgaard |first1=Frederik |last2=Sørensen |first2=Niels
|year=1998
|title=Danmark – en demokratisk stat
|publisher=Alinea
|isbn=87-23-00280-8|ref=harv}}
*{{da icon}} {{Cite book|last=Jørgensen |first=Gitte
|year=1995
|title=Sådan styres Danmark
|publisher=Flachs
|isbn=87-7826-031-0|ref=harv}}
*{{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.

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|Denmark|b=no|q=no|v=no|voy=Denmark}}
* [http://www.denmark.dk/ Denmark.dk]
*{{CIA World Factbook link|da|Denmark}}
*[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/157748/Denmark Denmark] entry at ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''.
*[http://www.denmark.net/denmark-guide/danish-culture.html A guide to Danish Culture] at ''Denmark.net''.
*[http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/denmark.htm Denmark] at ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''.
*{{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Denmark}}
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17929661 Denmark profile] from the [[BBC News]].
*[http://www.visitdenmark.com/ Tourism portal] at ''VisitDenmark''.
*[http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=DK Key Development Forecasts for Denmark] from [[International Futures]].

;Government
*[http://www.um.dk/en Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark]
*[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/world-leaders-1/world-leaders-d/denmark.html Chief of State and Cabinet Members]
*[http://statistikbanken.dk/statbank5a/SelectVarVal/Define.asp?Maintable=HISB3&PLanguage=1 Summary vital statistics about Denmark] from ''Statistikbanken''.

;Maps
*{{wikiatlas|Denmark}}
*{{osmrelation-inline|50046}}
*[http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=3389 Satellite image of Denmark] at the [[NASA Earth Observatory]].

; News and media
*[http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&ie=UTF-8&q=denmark%2F&btnG=Search Google news Denmark]
*[http://eudocs.lib.byu.edu/index.php/History_of_Denmark:_Primary_Documents History of Denmark: Primary Documents]
*{{da icon}} [http://kort.krak.dk/borgerdk.kortsoegning/imapDKbig.asp Krak printable mapsearch]
*{{sv icon}} {{en icon}} [http://www2.kms.dk/C1256AED004EA666/(AllDocsByDocld)/B825612735012CB1C1256AEF002C0B2C Ministry of the Environment National Survey and Cadastre]
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20060208174808/http://olddenmark.dk/ Old Denmark in Cyberspace – Information about Denmark – the Danes]

;Other
*[http://www.vifanord.de/index.php?id=1&L=1&rd=243343734 Vifanord.de] – library of scientific information on the Nordic and Baltic countries.

{{Navboxes
|title = Articles related to Denmark
|list =
{{Denmark topics}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[File:Gnome-globe.svg|25px]]{{nbsp}}Geographic locale
|list =
{{Geographic location
|North = {{flag|Norway}}{{·}}''[[Skagerrak]]''
|West = {{flag|Great Britain}}{{·}}''[[North Sea]]''
|Centre = {{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Outline of Denmark|Denmark]]
|East = {{flag|Sweden}}{{·}}''[[Øresund]]''{{·}}''[[Kattegat]]''
|South = {{flag|Germany}}
|Southeast = {{flag|Poland}}{{·}}''[[Baltic Sea]]''
}}
{{Sovereign states of Europe}}
{{Countries bordering the Baltic Sea}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title = International organizations
|list =
{{Denmark ties|state=expanded}}
{{EU members}}
{{Council of Europe members}}
{{Nordic Council}}
{{Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development}}
{{North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)}}
{{United Nations}}
{{World Trade Organization}}
}}
{{Monarchies}}
}}

{{Coord|56|N|10|E|type:country_scale:3000000_region:DK|display=title}}

[[Category:Denmark| ]]<!--leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Constitutional monarchies]]
[[Category:Countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Countries bordering the Baltic Sea]]
[[Category:Danish-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Countries in Europe]]
[[Category:Liberal democracies]]
[[Category:Member states of NATO]]
[[Category:Member states of the European Union]]
[[Category:Member states of the Union for the Mediterranean]]
[[Category:Member states of the United Nations]]
[[Category:Nordic countries]]
[[Category:Northern Europe]]
[[Category:NUTS 2 statistical regions of the European Union]]
[[Category:Scandinavia]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1814]]
[[Category:Germanic countries and territories]]

{{Link FA|be-x-old}}
{{Link FA|no}}
{{Link FA|vi}}
{{Link FA|af}}
{{Link GA|ar}}

Revision as of 09:20, 3 May 2013

Denmark is #1

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Denmark&oldid=553323813"