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The Kingdom of Denmark is a small western European Scandinavian nation. It is to the north of Germany, south of Sweden and Norway, east of the United Kingdom and west of the Baltic Republics and Russia. The population is about 5.3 Million people.
The Danish people enjoy a high standard of living, a low crime
rate (22 murders in 1998, an alarmingly high number for the Danes) and
social-political stability. Danes are highly educated and many speak both
English and German as well as their native Danish (a Germanic language).
They are highly paid and highly taxed, but enjoy a security found in only a
handful of other nations due to the institutions of the Welfare State.
The Kingdom of Denmark includes Denmark, the Faeroe Islands
and Greenland. Strangely enough, were one to combine
these territories, Denmark would be one of the largest countries in the
world!
Government
Denmark is a modern nation-state with a parliamentary democracy. The Queen
(Margrethe II)is the nominal Head of State. The Prime Minister, his cabinet
and the newly elected conservative coalition are the actual Government of Denmark. In the December 2001 elections, a conservative party coalition (composed of the Conservative (K) and Agrarian (V) Parties) defeated the long-in-power Social Democrats.
The
Social Democratic Party has had the leading role in establishing the modern
Welfare State as it now exists in Denmark, which is one of many reasons
why the Danes enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world;
in 1996, the Danish GDP Per Capita was US$22,400.
A recent report by the OECD rated Denmark as one of the five most successful nations in the world - the report cited the strong work ethic and productivity of Danish workers as the primary cause of Danish affluence.
However, this affluence
has a price; among European Community members, Danes have been found to have
the poorest health - beer and cigarettes are seen as the culprits.
The new Conservative government is expected to freeze taxes and promises to lower them by 2004 - it is also expected to be less hospitable to foreign workers - a sensitive subject in Danish politics.
The Danish royal family traces
its lineage back to the first Viking chieftain to establish his dominance in
Denmark, Gorm the Old (died approx.940AD). Denmark has been a monarchy ever
since. Many colorful characters have worn the crown over the years; one killed his
brothers to become King, Queen Margrethe I wore the unified crown of Sweden, Denmark and
Norway during the Kalmar Union and another King was certifiably insane.
The present monarch, Queen Margrethe II (known as 'Daisy' by other European
royals, a translation of her name), has reigned since her father's death
in 1973. She has two sons, Crown Prince Frederick and Prince Joachim.
Crown Prince Frederick, the future King of Denmark, was recently married to an Australian. Frederick likes to live a bit on the wild side. He is a graduate of the Danish equivalent of the Navy 'S.E.A.L.s' here in the U.S.. Nicknamed "Pingo" during his time in the military, Frederick likes to drive fast, very fast. In the Spring of 2000, he went on a dog-sled expedition in northern Greenland.
Should 'Freddy' manage to kill himself while
having fun, his younger brother Joachim would inherit the crown when
their mother either abdicates or dies.
Prince Joachim married a commoner from Hong Kong, who then became the newest member of the
Royal Family; Princess Alexandra. They had a country estate and no longer
lived in the royal residence in Copenhagen; Amalienborg Castle(above).
In late August of
1999, they had their first child, a baby boy. This was the first royal birth in Denmark
since the birth of Prince Joachim. The little prince is now third in line for the throne. Unfortunately, this royal pair was divorced in 2005.
The Danish royal family is very secure as it has avoided the type of scandals which have plagued the English House of Windsor. It is said that in Denmark, even the Republicans are Monarchists!
Members of the royal family can often
be seen on the streets of the nation's capitol, Copenhagen. They walk alone and
unafraid, something of which few royals can boast. The Queen's Grandfather once said; "Bodyguards! We have no need for bodyguards. The Danish people are our bodyguards."
One day while walking past
the Royal Palace in Copenhagen (above), I met the late Queen Mother (Ingrid), We exchanged
greetings like old friends.
In the summer of 1997, United States President William Jefferson Clinton visited Denmark as a
guest of Queen Margrethe II. Danes waving American and Danish flags were the norm
wherever the President traveled, though there were a few minor demonstrations.
Clinton is the first sitting U. S. President to have visited Denmark. In an
open-air speech on Amager Square (below) in Copenhagen, the President spoke highly of the
close bonds between the two countries.
The Kingdom of Denmark is a member of NATO as well as the European Union.
Its foreign policy is characterized by its engagement in the LDCs (Less
Developed Countries, formerly called the "Third World"),where (measured in GNP)
it is the single most generous contributor to development projects.
Denmark has also become (in)famous for its "footnote" policy of exceptions
when dealing with the European Union. This is due to a section of the
Danish Constitution that prohibits the government from signing any treaties or
agreements that might threaten the nation's independence. Denmark has also been a strong critic of human rights violations around the world,
most recently those occurring in the People's Republic of China.
So far, the Danes have
decided not to take full part in the EMU (European Monetary Union), due to the loss
of national control such a union would result in as well as fears that joining the Euro-group would result in cuts in social spending, most notably old-age pensions. There is a certain amount
of irony in this due to the fact that Denmark's economy is one of the soundest
in Europe and one of the few that has already met the strict economic
objectives set for the creation of the monetary union and the implementation
of the new currency, the Euro. On September 28th 2000, the Danes voted against the Euro -
a Gallup poll on Sept. 18th 2000 indicated that the Danes would vote against
membership - No: 48% - Yes: 37%. By the 28th, 53% of the Danes had decided against the
Euro and further integration into Europe. It remains to be seen how the Danish vote will
affect voters in Sweden and the U.K..
Also, recent polls have shown a more positive look on the Euro - prompting pro-euro pols to push for a re-vote. (For more on the European Union and the Euro, visit my Rantings)
Sports
Danes excel in football (soccer), badminton, yachting, road cycling, and handball
(a sport invented in Denmark) and have done well in swimming and track. Ice
Hockey, Basketball and American Football don't have much of a following, but are slowly growing.
In the European Cup held in the spring of 2000,Denmark landed in the toughest group with the two teams favored to play in the final - the Netherlands and France, the World Cup winner.
Denmark lost all its games and the Danish side returned to Denmark having been eliminated in the first round without having scored even a single goal. France went on to win the European Cup as well.
The national team qualified for the next World Cup (2002 hosted jointly by Korea and Japan)by winning its group (Group 3). Along with Denmark, Group 3 included Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Iceland, Malta and Northern Ireland. First, Denmark beat Iceland 2-1. Then Denmark tied both Northern Ireland and Bulgaria. Things continued nicely with a 5-to-nothing victory over Malta. This surely had the Danes singing 'Og det var Danmark - Det var Danmark - Ole, Ole, Ole!" - Our victory hymn.
Then Denmark played the Czech Republic in Prague and got away with a 0-0 score, seen as a Danish win as the Czech side had home-field advantage. The Danes then beat the Czechs 2-1 on June 2nd - this time in Copenhagen. Denmark then hosted Malta in Copenhagen and beat the ill-fated Maltese 2-1. On September 1st, Northern Ireland escaped Copenhagen with a 1-1 tie...the luck of the Irish perhaps? The Danish side finished strong with a 0-2 victory over Bulgaria and a merciless 6-0 thrashing of their Icelandic cousins.
The defeat of the Czechs and the two bashings of Malta and Iceland secured Denmark's first place and relegated the Czech Republic to second fiddle.
The Danish National Team is now ranked #17 in the world.
Hopefully, Denmark's winning ways will continue throughout the 2002 World Cup! For the Danes, a dream final would be Denmark vs. Sweden for the cup. To do so, the Danes had to get past Senegal, Uruguay, and France (ranked #1 in the world) - and Sweden had to move forward out of its group (which the Swedes did by tying Argentina, sending the World Cup favorites packing).
So far, the Danish side has beaten Uruguay 2-1 and on June 6th met surprising Senegal (who had just beaten World and European champions France in a 3-2 shocker),that game ending in a tie. Denmark then won its group and moved on to the second round by dismantling France 2-0.
Now the Danes face England in the sudden-death second round.
Tourism
Denmark is a beautiful pastoral country of rolling fields and thousands of
miles of beaches. It has many interesting buildings ranging from the traditional
style straw-roofed homes of its farmers to magnificent baroque castles.
Kronborg, located on the north-eastern tip of Zeeland, combines the pomp of a
royal castle with the utility of a fortress. Kronborg is said to have been
the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet.
The troubled Prince was a fictional figure, but Kronborg is very real. Another castle,
Fredriksborg (pictured above), features amazing decorations and artwork and is a
'must-see'.
Wonderful Copenhagen abounds with attractions for the tourist.
The Parliament building vies with the twisted
spire of the Stock Exchange (pictured above)for your attention.
Huge churches and elegant fountains are scattered throughout the city.
Children will enjoy Copenhagen's two amusement parks: the world famous Tivoli Gardens(above) in
the center of Copenhagen, said to have inspired Walt Disney, and Bakken (in Klampenborg), a
bustling scene in the middle of a wonderful park, which used to serve as the Royal Hunting
Grounds, noted for rare albino deer. The hunting lodge, actually a small palace, can still
be seen there. Take a horse-drawn carriage tour of the park if the weather allows. Only
minutes from Bakken is Bellevue Beach, Copenhagen's premier tanning spot on sunny summer
days. Beaches throughout Europe tend to be topless, at Bellevue it’s sometimes bottomless
as well - the prudish are hereby warned.
The Botanical Gardens near Norreport Station are beautiful during the spring and summer.
There are also many small parks with excellent sculpture and lots of hungry ducks, swans and coots looking for a handout.
You'll find world-class museums as well. Museums of note are Rosenborg Castle (where the
Royal Jewels are kept), the National Museum, Arken and Louisiana (museums of modern art),
the Carlsberg Glyptotech (world renowned for its superb sculpture collection), and the
Frilands Museum (in Lyngby), which contains a collection of farmhouses from all over Denmark
(incl. a few from other parts of Northern Europe)and spanning many hundreds of years - it is
particularly excellent during the summer, but any time is a great time to visit.
And don't forget 'The Little Mermaid' statue in Copenhagen Harbor, a tour boat is available which
will take you around central Copenhagen's scenic canals and out to see the Mermaid.
Tours are also available of the Copenhagen Town Hall (Raadhuset). They involve a lot of stairs and are
thus not recommended for the elderly or the lazy. Another trip involving some walking is
getting to the top of Rundtaarnet - the Round Tower. Originally built as a Royal
Observatory, the tower provides excellent views of Copenhagen.
Watch the changing of the Royal Life Guards at Amalianborg Castle at midday.
The guards (pictured below) wear blue jackets on normal days and red on holidays or special gala
events like Royal marriages or State visits.
Copenhagen has top-notch hotels and a wide array of fine restaurants. Reservations during the
summer are advised. Remember, no tipping in Denmark, it's included in your bill along
with taxes. So the price you see is the price you pay. Copenhagen also has many
nightclubs, bars and discos - so the nightlife is never dull. There's even a
casino or two if that's your style. During the summer, the world famous Copenhagen
Jazz Festival takes over the town squares and the normally reserved Danes can
be seen dancing in the streets.
Currently, one U.S. Dollar is worth about 8.35 Danish Kroner (DKr). Travelers Checks should
be in large denominations as the banks charge a fee of around $3 US to cash each check. English
newspapers are easily available and Danish television is dominated by American
and English programming with Danish sub-titles.
Just west of Copenhagen is the city of Roskilde, Denmark's capitol city before the capitol was moved to Copenhagen. Roskilde has a great Viking Ship Museum as well as a Cathedral (Roskilde Domkirke) where the monarchs of Denmark have been buried since the year 1412. Roskilde is also the site of one of the world's largest music festivals during the summer featuring top-notch rock/pop/alternative bands like Metallica and Ozzy Osbourn.
South of Roskilde is Lejre, a working re-creation of a Viking village.
The beautiful island of Funen (Fyn) is the birthplace of Hans Christian
Andersen.
Both his childhood home and that of his middle years can be seen in the city
of Odense. Also worth a visit is Egeskov Castle south of Odense. The small farm town of Ringe becomes a Danish Woodstock as it hosts 'Midtfyns Festivalen' every summer.
On the mainland, Jutland (Jylland), you can visit The Old City (Den Gammle By) in Aarhus and Legoland in Billund. At the northern tip of Jutland is Skagen, a spit of land that sticks out where the North Sea meets the Baltic - see, you can be in two places at once! Many tourists like to rent summer-houses along Jutland's west coast - contact your travel agent if that sounds like something you might like to do as well.
No trip to Denmark is complete without a trip to a cafe. Have a real Danish
pastry (called Vienna Bread) and some coffee. This might make you thirsty.
Danish beer is the best in the world...if the bottle says Tuborg, drink
it! Feel free to smoke, Denmark has yet to cave in to the anti-smoker
police so common in the United States.
Though reserved, the Danes are generally friendly and they are eager to show-off their
language skills (esp. English and German), this is a boon for the tourist. For a good (hard copy) introduction to Danish society, I suggest "Culture Shock!: Denmark" , a book by Morten Strange.
Enjoy your visit to the center of Europe and the capitol of Scandinavia!
Well Known Danes
Hans Christian Andersen, Author of Fairy Tales.
Morten Andersen, NFL kicker, New York Giants.
Billie August, Movie Director House of the Spirits.
Karen Blixen, Author Out of Africa.
Tycho Brahe, Astronomer.
Niels Bohr, Physicist.
Victor Borge, Comidian.
Helena Christiansen, Supermodel (semi-retired?).
C. W. Eckersberg, Painter.
Peter Hoeg, Author Smilla's Sense of Snow.
Asger Jorn, Artist.
Soren Kirkegaard, Philosopher.
Brian Laudrup, Soccer Player, Ajax (retired).
Micheal Laudrup, Soccer Player, Ajax (retired), Asst. Coach - Danish National Team.
Miklos Molnar, Soccer Player, Kansas City Wizards (MLS).
Gitte Nielsen (aka Stallone), Actress Red Sonya.
Poul Nielson , Member of the European Commission.
Bjarne Riis, Winner 'Tour de France', 1996.
Jacob A. Riis, Social Reformer.
Peter Schmeichel, Soccer Goalkeeper, Aston Villa.(Retired)
Allan Simonsen, Soccer Player, Barcelona / Borussia Monchengladbach (retired).
Lars von Trier, Movie Director Breaking the Waves.
Lars Ulrich , Drummer, 'Metallica'.
Whigfield, Pop Singer.
Aqua, Pop Band.
Safri Duo, Pop Band.
Many people who have visited this page have told me that they are looking for relatives
in Denmark, if you're looking for a not-so-famous Dane try this (good luck)...
Danish Links
Please note: Danish Language only sites denoted by red bullets.
The Danish Government
Folketinget
The Danish Parliament.
Kongehuset
The Danish Royal Family.
The Danish Royal Family Ingeborg B. Gastel's photo page. Ministry of the Interior. Diplomats The Royal Danish Consulate General in New York City. The European Union. NATO.
General Information
Denmark CIA-Fact book : Denmark.
News Sources
DR
Denmark's Radio News Site.
Forum Forum News Service. Ekstra Bladet B.T. Online Berlingske Tidende Politikens Hus - Weekly Jyllands-Posten
Education
DIS Study abroad
program in Denmark.
Uddannelse Ministry of Education. SUS SU-Styrelsen (Financial Aid). UoCPH University of Copenhagen.
Tourism
Sports
Other interesting links to Denmark
The Faeroe Islands and Greenland
Visit Denmark! The Danish Tourist Board's official website.
TravelCity More on Denmark.
Danops
Danops Denmark.
SimaDK Holiday in Denmark.
InfoVision InfoVision Denmark.
West Zealand Tourism.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines.
DIF Danish Soccer Association.
Brondby Brondby I.F. (The soccer club I hate).
FCK F.C. Copenhagen (The best soccer club in Denmark!).
FIFA
UEFA
The Karen Blixen Museum
Randers Art Museum
The Tycho Brahe Planetarium and Omnimax Theater.
Carlsberg Breweries
Faxe Breweries
Lego
Novo Nordisk
TeleDanmark Denmark's largest telephone company.
Tuborg Breweries
SAS Scandinavian Airlines.
Faeroe Islands CIA-Fact book : The Faeroe Islands.
Faeroe Islands
FarNet - Sleipnir.
Faeroe Islands Faeroe Islands Travel Guide.
Faroe Islands A Lonely Planet review.
Greenland CIA-Fact book : Greenland.
Greenland
The Greenland Guide.
