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Denmark
Physical. Denmark is located in Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea
to the west, the Baltic Sea to the east, and Germany to the south. It covers an
area nearly twice the size of Massachusetts. Greenland and the Faeroe Islands
are island possessions of Denmark, self-governing on internal affairs. The
climate is temperate with mild, windy winters and cool summers. Low, flat to
gently rolling plains cover much of Denmark. Some natural resources are
petroleum, natural gas, stone, salt, fish, gravel and sand, and limestone.
People. Over 5,369,000 people live in Denmark. The primary language is
Danish. Ethnically, the main groups in the population are Scandinavian, Inuit,
Faroese, and German. Religiously, Denmark is overwhelmingly Evangelical Lutheran
(95%), other Protestant and Roman Catholic (3%), and Muslim (2%).
Government. In 2001, the Social Democrats were swept out of power,
replaced by a center-right coalition led by Prime Minister Anders Fogh
Rasmussen.
Denmark has one of the highest human rights ratings in the world. Its extremely
liberal political asylum policy has changed recently due to a popular backlash
in response to the tide of refugees. An anti-immigration right wing party has
emerged. In 2002, the new government enacted Europe’s most restrictive
immigration law to date. This law allows citizenship for all non-EU and Nordic
country residents only after seven years and denies social benefits to
foreigners for that time. Applicants for citizenship must pass advanced Danish
language and civic knowledge tests.
Economy. Since 62% of the land is arable, Denmark is among the world’s
foremost agricultural countries. The absence of raw materials has slowed
progress in industry, but industry has still overtaken agriculture in exports.
Although the economy is sound, unemployment in the 1990's was high but it has
now been lowered to 5.1%. The growth of the GDP has slowed. It is hoped that the
2000 opening of the Oresund (a bridge/tunnel/artificial island link for cars,
trucks and trains) that now links Copenhagen with Malmö, Sweden will strengthen
cross-border economic ties and allow the region to rival Hamburg, Berlin and
Amsterdam as an economic powerhouse.
The first few years of membership in the European Union were disappointing for
Denmark since that period coincided with a severe recession. Economic recovery
has been progressing but is not complete. Denmark meets the criteria for
membership in the Euro Zone but has not chosen to join despite support from its
leading politicians. In September 2000, Danes voted to reject joining the Euro
Zone.
Areas of Concern. A leader in environmental protection, Danish government
is concerned about air and water pollution in the North Sea and pollution of
surface and drinking water. Economic recovery and concerns over the cost of
Denmark’s comprehensive health and welfare system are other areas of concern.
Denmark statistics
Geography
Area: 16,638 square miles
Capital: Copenhagen (pop 496,000)
Environmental concerns: air pollution; North Sea pollution; water pollution
Geographical features: low and flat to gently rolling plains
Climate: temperate with mild winters and cool summers
People
5,369,000 people; Scandinavian; Inuit (Eskimo); Faroese; German
Annual growth rate: 0.3%
Major language is Danish
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran (95%); other Christian (3%); Muslim (2%)
Health and social issues
Life expectancy: Men, 74 years; women, 79 years
Infant mortality: 5.1 deaths per 1000 live births
There is not a full percentage point of the population living in poverty
1 physician per 358 people
HIV/AIDS rate in adults: 0.17%
100% of adults are literate
Compulsory education (ages): 7-15 years
Communication and transportation
4,785,000 main telephone lines
3,370,000 Internet users (2002)
42,960 miles of highway
1,773 miles of railroad
119 airfields
2,097,000 motor vehicles
Government
Denmark’s government became a constitutional monarchy in 1849
Queen Margrethe II is the head of state and Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen
is the head of government
9 major political parties
Universal suffrage at 18
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