About Denmark
The Kingdom of Denmark consists of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
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 landscape is rather flat. The highest point is 180 meters high.
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 Liberal Party (Venstre) and the Conservative Party.
Prime Minister
Lars Loekke Rasmussen (Venstre) - since 5 April 2009
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Lene Espersen (Conservative 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 2010. 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 semimanufactures 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, Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kalundborg
Source: CIA World Factbook, 2010