Denmark country profile

27 August 2006
by eub2 -- last modified 02 June 2012

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, ruled today under the 1953 constitution. Denmark has been a member state of the European Union since 1973.

Kongeriget Danmark

Denmark consists of the peninsula of Jutland (Jylland) and some 400 named islands. Of these, 82 are inhabited, with the largest being Funen (Fyn) and Zealand (Sjælland).

Denmark has a large fishing industry, and possesses a merchant fleet of considerable size. The leading manufactures include food products, chemicals, machinery, metal products, electronic and transport equipment, beer and paper and wood products. Tourism is also an important economic activity.

From the 8th to the 10th century, the Danes were known as Vikings. Together with Norwegians and Swedes, they colonised, raided and traded in all parts of Europe. Modern-day Danes pride themselves in their country’s welfare state with its widespread social protection for everyone.

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, ruled today under the 1953 constitution. The single-chamber parliament or Folketing consists of 179 elected members.

Among the best-known Danes are the writer Hans Christian Andersen, famous for his fairy tales, the author Karen Blixen and the designer Arne Jacobsen. Danish cinema has gained international recognition thanks largely to the experimental film director Lars von Trier.

Specialities of Danish cooking include open sandwiches, smørrebrød, boiled or sugar browned potatoes, boiled red cabbage, roast pork or roast duck.

Area: 43 098 km² Population: 5.54 million (July 2012 est.)
Capital city: Copenhagen
Currency: 1 Danish crown = 100 øre, 1 euro = 7.46 Danish crowns (DKK)
National day: 5 June
EU-membership: 1 January 1973

Head of State: Queen Margrethe II
Head of Government: Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt(since 3 October 2011)
Parliament: Unicameral: Folketing, 179 members, elections every 4 years

GDP: € 219.5 billion (2006)

GDP per capita in PPS: € 40 300 (2006)
Economic growth in real terms: + 1% (2011)