Area

Denmark: 43,094 sq. km. The Faroe Islands: 1,399 sq. km. Greenland: 2,175,600 sq. km.

Geography

Denmark is situated in Northern Europe between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, between continental Europe and the Scandinavian Peninsula. Denmark consists of the Jutland peninsula, two major islands (Funen and Zealand) and 404 other islands, connected by numerous bridges and ferries.
No Dane lives more than 52 km. from the sea.
The total length of the coastline is 7,314 km.
The capital is Copenhagen on the island of Zealand.
The Jutland peninsula is connected to continental Europe, bordering on Germany to the South. The length of the border is 68 km. To the east, the international waterway of the Sound provides the border to Sweden.

The climate is temperate, generally with mild winters and cool summers.

Parliament and Government

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy. The monarch is Queen Margrethe II (since 14 January 1972)

Parliament

The Folketing has 179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands. Eight political parties are represented in the parliament. Government coalition of the Social Democrats, the People's Socialist Party (Socialistisk Folkeparti) and the Social Liberal Party (De Radikale Venstre).
Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt (Social Democrats) - since 3 October 2011
Minister of Foreign Affairs Villy Soevndal (People's Socialist Party)

Population

Denmark: 5,515,575 (2010 est.) The Faroe Islands: 48.570 (2008 est.) Greenland: 56.648 (2007)

Ethnic groups

Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Christian (includes Protestant and Roman Catholic) 3%, Muslim 2%

Languages

Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority)
note: English is the predominant second language

Flag description

Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle; caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, this heavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victory.

Economy

This thoroughly modern market economy features a high-tech agricultural sector, state-of-the-art industry with world-leading firms in pharmaceuticals, maritime shipping and renewable energy, and a high dependence on foreign trade.
The Danish economy is also characterized by extensive government welfare measures, an equitable distribution of income, and comfortable living standards.
Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus.
After a long consumption-driven upswing, Denmark's economy began slowing in early 2007 with the end of a housing boom. The global financial crisis has exacerbated this cyclical slowdown through increased borrowing costs and lower export demand, consumer confidence, and investment.
The global financial crises cut Danish GDP by 0.9% in 2008 and 4.3% in 2009.
Historically low levels of unemployment have risen sharply with the recession.
Denmark is likely to make a slow and modest recovery, though unemployment is likely to rise through 2011.
An impending decline in the ratio of workers to retirees will be a major long-term issue.
Denmark maintained a healthy budget surplus for many years up to 2008, but the budget balance swung into deficit during 2009. Nonetheless, Denmark's fiscal position remains among the strongest in the EU.
Despite previously meeting the criteria to join the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), so far Denmark has decided not to join, although the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro.

GDP (purchasing power parity) $198.6 billion (2009 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) $311.9 billion (2009 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -4.3% (2009 est.) -0.9% (2008 est.) 1.7% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP) $36,000 (2009 est.) $37,800 (2008 est.) $38,300 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector
agriculture: 1.2% industry: 23.8% services: 74.9% (2009 est.)

Unemployment rate 4.3% (2009 est.)

Agriculture

Products barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, pork, dairy products; fish

Natural resources

Petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand

Industries

Iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment

Exports – Commodities

Machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills

Exports - main partners

Germany 17.8%, Sweden 14.5%, UK 8.1%, Norway 5.7%, US 5.4%, Netherlands 4.8%, France 4.7% (2008)

Imports - commodities

Machinery and equipment, raw materials and semi-manufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - main partners

Germany 21.1%, Sweden 13.9%, Netherlands 6.7%, Norway 6.3%, China 5.7%, UK 5% (2008)

Exchange rates Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.4742 (2009), 5.0236 (2008), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005) note: the Danish krone is pegged to the euro

Transportation

Airports with international scheduled airline services:
Copenhagen, Billund, Aalborg, Aarhus, Esbjerg

Ports and terminals:
Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kalundborg

Source: CIA World Factbook, 2011