DENMARK

COPENHAGEN OLD HARBOUR --
 NYHAVN -- 17TH CENTURY

Denmark is not only the birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson but also has a very long history back to Vikings and further. The country has a long peninsular called Jutland and 500 islands. It is the link between Scandinavia and Northern Europe. It owns the Faeroe Islands and Greenland. Denmark is surrounded by sea apart from the southern side of Jutland where it borders with Germany.

Denmark has a mild and moist climate. The countryside is flat and the few hills never reach further than 150m. All this makes it a perfect farming country. Denmark is also reclaiming land from the sea. The fields are well kept and the farmhouses are half-timbered and whitewashed with thatched roofs. They export agricultural products such as butter, condensed milk, beet sugar, ham, bacon and beer.

Since they have 500 islands and the mainland is mostly surrounded by sea they have an important fishing and shipbuilding industry. Each year they fish millions of tonnes of cod, herring and shellfish.

The Danes also developed their sophisticated electrical machinery industry which includes stereo systems and airport landing systems.

On the island of Bornholm is a world-wide known production of fine china. Danish glassware made a name of very high standard.

In spite of all this, Denmark's agriculture is most important. 75% of the people live in Town. Of that 25% in Copenhagen which is the capital. In Copenhagen you still can find old styled houses and old narrow, cobbled streets with an ancient castle in the countryside. Fresh, warm Danish pastries and morning coffee fill the street with their aroma. Polser, a grilled or fried sausage like a hot dog, are also to be found in these street cafes.

Denmark's population have a high standard of living. Medical care is free, handicapped people and pensioners receive a state pension. Education is compulsory from the age of seven to 15 and mostly free. The first Danish University was founded in 1479 in Copenhagen. Other universities are in Aarhus, Odense and Roskilde.

The Danish language derived from Norwegian and Swedish. Famous Danish people are Arne Jacobson and Jorn Utzon, architects, who designed the opera house in Sidney, Australia. The most famous authors are Karen Blixen and Hans Christian Anderson, the children's story teller. One of his best characters 'Little Mermaid', a statue was erected.

THE LITTLE MERMAID

Hans Christian Anderson wrote 168 fairy stories from 1835 to 1872. The most famous are 'The Emperor's New Clothes' -- 'The Ugly Dugling' -- and 'The Little Mermaid'. To begin with he wrote childrens' stories but later on he also wrote tales more for adults and with a deeper meaning.

THE GILDED SITE
OF THE TRUNDHOLM
SUN CHARIOT

HISTORY

The earliest archaeological find in Denmark dates back to the Eem interglacial times 130,000 to 110,000 BC. Agriculture had been there since 3,900 BC.

From the North Bronze Age 1,800-600 BC a number of burial mounds have been found and they contained an enormous amount of artefacts, including Lurs and the Sun Chariot.

During the Pre-Roman Iron Age from 500 to 1 AD native migrated south. The first Danish came between Pre-Roman and Germanic Iron Age -- in the Roman Iron Age between 1 to 400 AD.

Roman coins had been found which proved that Roman provinces had a trade route and contact with the native tribes of Denmark.

There were many finds, especially the world oldest musical instrument. The ancestors of the Danes were the Vikings who terrorized their neighbours and it is assumed they most properly discovered America.  During the Middle Ages, the monarchy of Denmark controlled Sweden, Norway, Iceland and parts of Northern Germany. It was a very strong monarchy.

THE LADBY SHIP
 THE LARGEST SHIP 
BURIED IKN DENMARK.

In 1849 the constitution was changed to a monarchy and elected representatives of the people. During the World War I Denmark was neutral.  In the Second World War II Denmark was occupied by Germany.  After that it joined NATO and was part of the European Community. No nuclear weapons are allowed on Danish soil.

RECONSTRUCTED
HOUSES IN HEDEBY

COPENHAGEN -- CHRISTIANSBORG PALACE -- THE SEAT OF THE DANISH GOVERNMENT

HOLIDAY TIPS ON SIGHT SEEING

Denmark is legendary for cleanliness and pollution free. You can swim in the rivers.

Denmark was also the birthplace of Lego.  For a family holiday there is the city of Billund with the Legoland Theme Park. It doesn't only have a miniland but offers train rides, boat rides and a popular Pirate Land. A Mindstorm Centre was technology and innovation collide and children can use computers to build their own Lego robots.

Copenhagen offers a lot of sight seeing such as museums with many interesting exhibits, the old harbour with 17th century houses, the Tivoli Gardens with an all year round fan fair, the Freestone Christiana and the Little Mermaid.

Take the old road north from Copenhagen to Helsinger and you follow a scenic coastline passing through Klampenborg with the huge Dyrehave Park and the Bakken amusement fair, Rungsted with the Karen Blix Museum and Humlebrek with the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.

HELSINGER --
KRONEBORG CASTLE

In Helsinger is a most famous castle the Kroneborg Castle which was made even more known by Shakespeare's Hamlet.

For lover of fish it is an absolute paradise. The choice is unbelievable. Freshly caught fish made into mouth-watering dishes.

LEGOLAND