Denmark is a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe and the southernmost of the Scandinavian countries. It has a mixed economy and a socially progressive culture. The majority of Danes are of Scandinavian origin, and the main language spoken is Danish. The country was once known as Viking territory and is home to famous attractions such as Tivoli Gardens and the Little Mermaid statue. Famous Danes include Hans Christian Andersen and Søren Kierkegaard.
Denmark, officially Kongeriget Danmark or “Kingdom of Denmark” in the Danish language, is a kingdom with a constitutional monarchy due to its system of government. Located in northern Europe, it is the southernmost nation of the Scandinavian countries, which always include Norway and Sweden, and usually include Finland and Iceland. The nation of Denmark itself is the smallest of Scandinavian lands, but because it also holds Greenland and the Faroe Islands as possessions, it is much larger. The capital of Denmark is Copenhagen. Notable attractions in Copenhagen include Tivoli Gardens, Amalienborg Palace (home of the Danish royal family), and the famous Little Mermaid statue in the harbour.
Citizens of Denmark are called Danes; the main language spoken in Denmark is called Danish, although German is also spoken by a small percentage of the population near the Danish-German border. Danish is a Germanic language, sharing common heritage with other Germanic languages including English, Dutch and especially Swedish, Norwegian and Icelandic. The majority of Danes are of Scandinavian origin, but there are also small native groups of Inuit from Greenland and an immigrant population of around 9% (as of 2007). As in other parts of Europe, anti-immigration sentiment in Denmark is on the rise.
During the 8th, 9th and 10th centuries, the Danes were known as Vikings, fierce Germanic explorers and traders who colonized and raided much of Europe. The Danes were united around 8 by Harald Bluetooth, at which time they were also forced to renounce their native, land-based religion which they shared with all the Germanic peoples of northern Europe. Today, about 9% of Danes are members of the Lutheran Church of Denmark. Other religions represented in the remaining 10% include Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam.
Like most of the Western world, Denmark has a mixed economy &mdah; an economy characterized by both capitalist and socialist elements. Although the Danes enjoy a very high standard of living, they pay both VAT (Value Added Tax) and excise duties on a large scale, as well as high rates of income tax. The minimum income tax rate for adults in Denmark is around 40%. Similar tax models are used in the Scandinavian countries, Norway and Sweden. Denmark boasts a socially progressive culture, as evidenced by the fact that it was the first nation in the world to legalize same-sex unions.
Famous Danes include Hans Christian Andersen, author of some of the world’s most famous fairy tales, such as ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ and ‘The Ugly Duckling’; and the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard.
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