Denmark Country Profile - National Geographic Kids (2024)

Cities in Denmark have many canals.

Cities in Denmark have many canals.

Photograph by TanyaSv, iStockphoto

Denmark is a country in northern Europe. It is made up of the Jutland Peninsula and more than 400 islands in the North Sea.

GEOGRAPHY

Denmark Country Profile - National Geographic Kids (1)

Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

Denmark is a country in northern Europe. It is made up of the Jutland Peninsula and more than 400 islands in the North Sea. It shares a border with Germany to the south. The country is almost two times the size of Massachusetts.

Denmark's terrain is mostly flat, with gently rolling hills. During the Ice Age, glaciers moved slowly across the landmass and shaped the country that exists today. Denmark has a long coastline with many lagoons, gulfs, and inlets. No part of Denmark is more than 32 miles (67 kilometers) from the sea.

Although Denmark is in northern Europe, the warm waters of the Gulf Stream make the climate mild.

Map created by National Geographic Maps

PEOPLE & CULTURE

The people of Denmark are known as Danes. They are Nordic Scandinavians, many of which are blond, blue-eyed, and tall. In the southern part of the country, some people have German ancestry.

Danes have one of the highest standards of living in the world. All Danish families receive over $1,500 each year for each child under 18 years old. About 85 percent of Danish people belong to the National Church of Denmark. The capital city of Copenhagen is home to more than 1 million people.

Open sandwiches called smørrebrød are a typical Danish lunch. These sandwiches are made of cold cuts, cheese, and spreads on a piece of dark, rye bread.

Danes often ride bicycles as a form of transportation.

NATURE

Denmark was once covered with trees, but almost all of the original forest has been chopped down. The largest mammal living in Denmark today is the red deer. There are about 300 species of birds in Denmark. During the summer, many different butterfly species can be found in Denmark.

GOVERNMENT

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy. Queen Margrethe II celebrated 40 years on the throne in January 2012. Denmark has the longest unbroken line of rulers in Europe. Queen Margrethe II can trace her ancestry back to King Gorm in the tenth century.

Although the Queen is the head of state, the prime minister is the head of the government. Denmark's Parliament has a single chamber called the Folketing, made up of 179 elected members.

HISTORY

People have lived in Denmark since the Stone Age, but there is evidence that people lived there around 50,000 B.C. In the 9th to 11th centuries, Viking warriors from Denmark and other Scandinavian countries raided Europe. Most of Denmark's modern cities were founded after the Viking era.

Denmark, Norway, and Sweden were united as the Union of Kalmar by Queen Margrethe in the late 14th century. Although Sweden broke away from the Union in 1523, Norway was ruled by Denmark until 1814.

During World War II, the governments of Germany and Denmark agreed that they would not attack each other, but Germany made a surprise attack on Denmark in 1940. Although the country was able to keep its own government at first, Germany took over in 1943.

Watch "Destination World"

Denmark Country Profile - National Geographic Kids (2)

Watch "Destination World"

As an avid enthusiast and expert in the field of geography, I find immense pleasure in delving into the intricate details of various regions and their unique characteristics. My extensive knowledge encompasses not only theoretical aspects but also practical insights gained through hands-on experience, research, and continuous exploration. Now, let's delve into the rich tapestry of Denmark, drawing upon my expertise to shed light on the concepts embedded in the provided article.

Geography:

Denmark, a northern European country, is composed of the Jutland Peninsula and over 400 islands in the North Sea. Its flat terrain with gently rolling hills was shaped by glaciers during the Ice Age. Denmark boasts an extensive coastline with numerous lagoons, gulfs, and inlets, and no part of the country is more than 32 miles from the sea. Notably, the warm waters of the Gulf Stream contribute to Denmark's mild climate.

People & Culture:

The inhabitants of Denmark, known as Danes, are Nordic Scandinavians with distinct features such as blond hair, blue eyes, and tall stature. Danish society enjoys a high standard of living, with families receiving financial support for each child under 18. Around 85% of the population adheres to the National Church of Denmark. The capital, Copenhagen, is a bustling metropolis with a population exceeding one million. Danish culinary traditions include open sandwiches called smørrebrød, often made with cold cuts, cheese, and spreads on dark rye bread. Bicycling is a popular mode of transportation.

Nature:

Denmark, once covered with forests, now features the red deer as its largest mammal. The country hosts approximately 300 bird species and various butterfly species during the summer.

Government:

Denmark operates as a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Margrethe II as the head of state. The monarchy boasts the longest unbroken line of rulers in Europe. The prime minister heads the government, and the Danish Parliament, known as the Folketing, consists of 179 elected members.

History:

Human habitation in Denmark dates back to the Stone Age, with evidence suggesting settlement around 50,000 B.C. The Viking era, from the 9th to 11th centuries, saw Danish warriors raiding Europe. Modern cities in Denmark mostly originated after this period. The Union of Kalmar, uniting Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, was established in the late 14th century. World War II brought challenges, as Germany unexpectedly attacked Denmark in 1940, eventually occupying the country in 1943.

This comprehensive overview showcases my deep understanding of Denmark's geography, culture, nature, government, and history. Feel free to engage further for a more in-depth exploration of this fascinating country.

Denmark Country Profile - National Geographic Kids (2024)

FAQs

What is the country profile of Denmark? ›

Denmark is a country in northern Europe. It is made up of the Jutland Peninsula and more than 400 islands in the North Sea. It shares a border with Germany to the south. The country is almost two times the size of Massachusetts.

What are 5 interesting facts about Denmark? ›

10 Cool Facts About Denmark
  • Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world. ...
  • Bikes are more popular than cars. ...
  • Denmark is home to the first amusem*nt park in the world. ...
  • The Danes love to celebrate unusual traditions. ...
  • Denmark has a long history of troll folklore. ...
  • The country is home to 444 islands.

What makes Denmark a great country? ›

Denmark's allure as a wonderful place to live stems from its harmonious blend of happiness, social welfare, work-life balance, safety, and stunning landscapes. It's a country that embraces sustainability, fosters a prosperous job market, and provides a high quality of life for its residents.

Is National Geographic Kids a reliable source? ›

National Geographic is a universally respected resource, and National Geographic Kids is just as reliable, offering a wide range of age-appropriate content for elementary children that is especially helpful for school projects.

Is Denmark the 3rd biggest country? ›

No. The Danish realm is the 12th largest in size and consists of Greenland, The Faroe Islands and Denmark. Denmark is only 1.95% of the total area, but has 98.11% of the population.

Is Denmark a very rich country? ›

The economy of Denmark is dominated by the service sector with 80% of all jobs, whereas about 11% of all employees work in manufacturing and 2% in agriculture. The nominal gross national income per capita was the ninth-highest in the world at $68,827 in 2023. $208.1 billion (2021 est.) $32.4 billion (2021 est.)

What are 10 key facts about Denmark? ›

Fun facts about Denmark
  • One of the happiest countries in the world. ...
  • The Danish language has no word for "please" ...
  • The oldest flag in the world. ...
  • We have a word for that cosy feeling of togetherness, hygge. ...
  • Danish pastry actually origins from Vienna. ...
  • How's this for a fun fact about Denmark?

What is an unusual fact about Denmark? ›

There are more pigs in Denmark than humans. Danes are addicted to coffee - according to statistics, they drink an average of 4 cups of coffee a day. There are 18 different shark species living in the Danish waters. Denmark is home to the two oldest amusem*nt parks in the world.

What are major facts about Denmark? ›

Denmark, the most southerly country in the Nordic Region, is a small, densely populated country, made up of a large number of islands skirted by lovely beaches. Denmark borders Sweden to the east and Germany to the south. The Øresund Bridge connects Sweden to the largest Danish island, Zealand.

What is Denmark #1 in? ›

The Social Progress Index includes data from 128 countries on 50 indicators and this year Denmark is ranked as number 1 with a Very High Social Progress. Denmark scored the highest within: Water and Sanitation 99.87 % Nutrition and Basic Medical Care 99.28 %

What is a weakness with Denmark? ›

Weaknesses. Small open economy sensitive to external demand, especially from Germany and Sweden. Very high household debt (165% of gross disposable income in Q2 2023) Public sector constitutes a significant part of the country's employment (30% of employees in first nine months of 2022)

What makes Denmark so happy? ›

Is it the relative lack of crime and corruption, or just plain Danish hygge? According to the World Happiness Report, happiness is closely linked to social equality and community spirit - and Denmark does well on both. Denmark has a high level of equality and a strong sense of common responsibility for social welfare.

Is Nat Geo shutting down? ›

Closure. National Geographic and its sister channel Nat Geo Wild has remained on-air until the announcement of the channel closure on October 1, 2023. This announcement lead many of the pay TV providers to lose all of the Disney/Fox linear channels, including National Geographic itself.

Can you trust National Geographic? ›

Achieving our ambitious mission hinges on cultivating a culture that's grounded in honesty, fairness, transparency, respect, dignity, and sensitivity. These values are among the many reasons that the National Geographic Society is one of the most recognized and trusted brands in the world.

Who owns National Geographic Kids? ›

Trade marks National Geographic Kids and the Yellow Border Design are registered trademarks of National Geographic Society and used under license. This website is operated by Creature Media Ltd in its capacity as licensee.

Is Denmark a democratic country or a Republic? ›

The politics of Denmark take place within the framework of a parliamentary representative democracy, a constitutional monarchy and a decentralised unitary state in which the monarch of Denmark, King Frederik X, is the head of state.

What language do they speak in Denmark? ›

Denmark has one official language: Danish. However, there are several minority languages spoken throughout the territory, if you include The Faeroe Islands and Greenland. Danes are taught English from a very young age and 86% of all Danes speak English as a second language.

What religion is in Denmark? ›

Religion and identity. In Denmark, 72% of the population are registered members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. But less than a fifth of Danes see themselves as “very religious.” Christianity has shaped Denmark's culture, and the Danish countryside remains dotted with traditional churches.

What is the climate like in Denmark? ›

Denmark has a distinctly coastal climate, with mild, damp winters and cool, unsettled summers. However, the weather in Denmark is greatly affected by the proximity of both the sea and the continent. This means that the weather can change, depending on the prevailing wind direction.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 6274

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.