Facts about Denmark

Area Coastline Population Capital FlagLanguage Currency Time difference Constitution Parliament Chief of State Prime Minister State Religion 43,092 square kilometres (app. 16 600 square miles)7,313 km5,2 million people (Jan. 1991)Copenhagen (København)Red with a white crossDanish1 krone = 100 øre, DKK (1US$ is app. 7 DKK)GMT+1 (daylight savings time from March till October)Constitutional monarchyFolketinget, 179 members Direct election every fourth yearQueen Margrethe II (reigning since 1972)Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (Social Democrat)Evangelical LutheranHistoryViking era: 793-1066The Viking era dates back to the first half of the 8th century. During the following three hundred years, Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden and Denmark) played a prominent part in many dramatic events in Europe. The Viking era ended around the middle of the 11th century.The three Viking centuries changed Denmark fundamentally. From being an almost unknown heathen area, Denmark became a well-defined kingdom belonging to the European Christian Societies.MonarchyThe Danish Monarchy is Europe’s oldest. The first members of the Danish royal family, Gorm the Old and Tyra, are known to have lived around the middle of the 10th century. His son Harald, also known as Harald Bluetooth succeeded Gorm as king. The Danish monarchy has existed since then. The Danish monarchic line, stretching from Gorm the Old to the currently reigning Queen Margrethe II (1972) includes 54 names.GeographyDenmark is located in northern Europe, between the North Sea and the Baltic and between Continental Europe and the Scandinavian Peninsula. The total area of the country is about 44,000 square kilometres.An island kingdomAside from the Jutland peninsula, Denmark consists of 406 islands connected by numerous bridges and ferries, with a total coastline length of 7,300 km, or one-sixth of the circumference of the earth. No one in Denmark lives more than 52 km from the sea.The Kingdom of Denmark also includes the world’s largest island, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. Both area located in the North Atlantic and both have home rule.LandscapeThe Danish countryside is rather flat. The highest point is 180 metres above sea level, and bedrock is found only on the island of Bornholm. Characteristic of the countryside is agricultural land with numerous cultivated areas, groves, forests and streams. About 65 per cent of the country is farmland, 12 per cent is woodlands and the remaining 23 per cent consist of towns, roads and lakes.ClimateFebruary is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, and July is the warmest, with an average of 16.6 degrees Celsius - a typical island climate. However, there may be short periods of cold weather, down to minus 5 degrees Celsius, and of hot weather, up to about 30 degrees Celsius.There is usually a brisk breeze blowing in Denmark; the average wind speed throughout the year is 7.6 m/sec. The autumn, especially October/November, often brings storms with violent winds. The old saying "if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes" certainly applies to Denmark. A sunny day can quickly change from sun to rain and then back to sun again - especially in the autumn. The Danish climate varies so much that it is wise to bring a raincoat and warm winter clothes.ReligionIn terms of race and religion, Denmark is one of the most homogenous populations in the world. For every 100 Danes, 90 are members of the state Lutheran Evangelical Church (Protestant).There are also various other religions with their own houses of worship. Only one per cent are Catholics.CapitalThe Danish capital is Copenhagen (in Danish København), a city known to tourists for its Tivoli Gardens and the statue of the little Mermaid. Copenhagen has 1.4 million inhabitants. Copenhagen was the European City of Culture in 1996.The political systemDenmark is a constitutional monarchy and has a single-chamber parliamentary system, supplemented with referendums. The Folketing (parliament) has 179 members, including two from the Faroe Islands and two from Greenland. Christiansborg Palace in the city of Copenhagen is the seat of the Parliament.The voting age is 18, and elections are decided by proportional representation with a lower limit of 2% of the vote. There are currently eight political parties. Danes are active participants in parliamentary elections: up to 90% of the population vote.InternationalisationWith its small population of five million people, Denmark resembles a postage stamp beside other, larger nations. Its dimensions make it difficult for Denmark to draw attention to itself, which may be the reason why Danes are strongly inclined to seek contacts beyond their country’s borders. This is also true at an official level, where Denmark participates in practically all forms of international co-operation.OrganisationsDenmark is a member of the European Union, the United Nations, NATO and the Nordic Council. Danes often also have the urge to travel and discover as their Vikings forefathers did, although in an absolutely peaceful manner.Industry and service sectorsChildren and young people are often called Denmark’s raw materials. Whatever one thinks of this description, it may be attributed to the fact that Denmark is extremely poorly endowed with raw materials. Apart from fertile soil (agriculture), chalk (cement, clay, bricks) and oil and gas in the North Sea, its only resources are education, ideas and a talent for commerce. At present, the most rapidly expanding industrial sectors are biotechnology, information technology and software, food and beverages, and the development of technology for environmental protection and energy conservation.ShippingThe long ocean voyages by the Vikings marked the start of Denmark’s proud seagoing tradition and the growth of an industry of shipbuilding and marine equipment. Denmark is an island kingdom with an extensive fishing industry. The Danish shipbuilding industry produces every type of vessel, from pleasure yachts to supertankers.CompaniesSmall and medium-sized companies (77% employ less than 50 people) dominate the Danish business community. The typical Danish industrial concern has a single owner and is based on that person’s ideas and savings. If his or her ideas are good, the firm sometimes grows and becomes an international business.ProductsThe Danes love their food - a fact which helps explain the success of their products on the world market. Quality control, hygiene, skill and knowledge make Denmark - a small nation of just 5.2 million people - the fifth largest exporter of food in the world. Famous Danish foodstuffs are herring (fish), Carlsberg and Tuborg (beer), snaps (aquavit/bitter), Danablu and Esrom cheeses, bacon, marzipan confectionery, pastry, butter cookies and other products. Foods and beverages constitute the largest industrial sector in Denmark.Among famous Danish manufacturers are Bang & Olufsen (consumer electronics), LEGO (toys), Novo Nordisk (pharmaceuticals), Danfoss and Grundfoss (pumps), the A.P. Møller Co.(a conglomerate of shipbuilders and transport companies), Oticon (hearing aid technology), Tele Danmark (telecommunications), SAS (the airline, a company owned by Norway, Sweden and Denmark), Dandy and Stimorol (chewing gum), and MD foods (dairy products).ServicesThe service sector is the largest economic sector today, counting for 66% of the labour market (1988). Denmark does not differ significantly from other western countries in this respect. Important service areas are tourism, marine transport, insurance, patents, software, cleaning etc.The educational systemEducationAll children in Denmark can read and write. Compulsory education was introduced as early as 1814. Education has always been free, and even private schools are eligible for state subsidies. Nowadays there are nine years of compulsory primary education.Primary and lower secondary schoolPrimary and lower secondary school starts at the age of 6/7 and continues for 9 or 10 years to the age of 16 years. About 93 per cent continue their education at upper secondary level.Upper secondary educationDenmark offers a great variety of academically and vocationally oriented upper secondary educations.Vocationally orientatedVocationally orientated education is either a form of apprenticeship, basic training lasting two to four years, or one year of basic studies (the so-called HG) plus two years of apprenticeship (HH; see below).General educationUpper secondary school (gymnasium), which takes three years is generally divided into two courses of study: 1) maths and sciences and 2) languages will allow students to apply for admission to institutions of higher and further education.Higher educationStudents who wish to continue studying after secondary school can continue at university or college level. The minimum age of such students is 18.University sectorDenmark’s university sector consists of five multi-faculty universities; ten universities specialising in fields such as engineering, veterinary science, pharmacy, art, architecture and business studies; and six music academies. The university sector offers both undergraduate and graduate courses up to the highest academic level, including doctorates.College sectorThe college sector comprises more than 100 specialised colleges of higher education, offering two- or four-year professional courses of study in fields such as education (teaching), social work, physiotherapy, nursing and engineering. About 35 per cent obtain a higher education degree or diploma and about 35 per cent take vocational training.Higher education is generally divided into three cycles:Short: two-year higher education coursesMedium: three- or four-year higher education courses leading to diplomas or degrees at the BA or BSc level.Long: higher education lasting five, six or six and one-half years leading to Master’s degrees.CopenhagenThis subject could fill a whole book and space here is limited. The following is just a general introductory guide to Copenhagen. We recommend that you take advantage of the Buddy Reception Programme at DTU. Your buddy can give you current information on what is happening, show you around town and tell you where to find the good deals.RestaurantsIt is rather expensive to go out for dinner in Copenhagen - if you don’t know where to go. If you want to eat in Copenhagen try going out for lunch instead: it is usually about half of what you pay in the evening. Of course, you can also settle for a hot dog at one of the many stands or try a kebab, a filled pita bread which costs around DKKb25. There are many pizza restaurants with all-you-can-eat deals for about DKK 50 Vesterbro has many ethnic restaurants, which are quite inexpensive - also in the evening. There are quite a few ethnic restaurants on Vesterbrogade and Nørrebrogade, especially with Turkish and Pakistani cuisine. They often have a buffet for around DKK 60-70.Cafés/barsOne thing you’ll never have problems finding in Copenhagen is a cafe. While there, stock up on Go Cards, which are free postcards with many interesting and odd motifs, although they are basically advertising. On a warm, sunny day go down to Nyhavn, a small harbour which consists of one long row of bars, cafés and restaurants. Many bars have a happy hour (usually called "Double Up") a couple of afternoons or evenings a week.At Studenterhuset, located at Købmagergade 52 (near the Round Tower), Wednesday nights are International Night. This is a great opportunity to meet students from all parts of the world, including Denmark! Drinks are relatively cheap here - compared to the cafés - and it is possible to become a member of Studenterhuset, which gives you a discount on drinks. You can also work as a bartender - no pay, but great fun.MoviesForeign films are never dubbed (except children’s films) but have Danish subtitles. Monday through Thursday, tickets are about DKK 20 off the regular price. The normal price for an evening is about DKK 65, but prices vary. Tickets do sell out sometimes, especially when there’s a new, ‘big’ movie out, so you may want to call ahead and make a reservation, which is free. All you have to do is pick up the ticket around an hour before the show. Matinées (daytime showings) are usually cheaper and less crowded. The newspapers have daily listings.ConcertsThe S-Huset at DTU often holds concerts, and Copenhagen certainly has a great deal to offer in this department. Again, check the newspapers to find out what’s happening or check out the Web sites listed below. There are lots of outdoor concerts during the summer, e.g. Femøren on Amager, Grøn Koncert, Copenhagen Jazz Festival (always starts the first Friday in July; goes on for 10 days), Roskilde Festival (always the last weekend in June), and Midfyns Festival (always first weekend in July).Meeting the DanesIt may seem difficult to come into contact with the Danes. This may be because Danes are generally reserved, afraid of bothering other people and not wanting to impose themselves on strangers. However, do not hesitate to talk to them. Most Danes will be happy to help you and to practice their English.LifestylesA Dane will usually fulfil his social needs in a narrow circle of family, colleagues and a couple of close friends. The home is a central concept in the life of a Dane, and the Danes put a lot of effort and money into making their homes comfortable and "hyggelige" (cosy). "Hygge" is a key word in the Danish way of life, which generally means focusing on forgetting daily problems for a while and enjoying the simple things in life. Young people like to meet their friends in one of the many cafés for a cup of coffee or a beer.LanguageThe most obvious distinction Danes make among themselves is their language. Regional accents reveal where people are from, although social class is less marked by accent than in countries such as Britain.Danes have not had to deal with major ethnic or cultural differences in Denmark, which may explain why they are curious about other countries. Almost all Danes speak some English (their principal second language), and they often speak German or French as well. Many have some acquaintance with one of the Romance languages, and with Swedish and Norwegian, which resemble Danish quite a bit.Further InformationStudents interested in studying in Denmark can find comprehensive further information about the Technical University of Denmark on their website: www.dtu.dk