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Denmark

✨ The land of colored bricks and the little mermaid

Denmark is a country in Northern Europe and the southernmost of the Nordic countries. It consists of the Jutland Peninsula and hundreds of islands, although only a smaller number are permanently inhabited. Denmark borders Germany to the south and is surrounded by the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The country covers about 43,000 square kilometres, excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands, which are self-governing parts of the Kingdom of Denmark.

The landscape is mostly low and gently rolling, with fertile farmland and a long coastline. Copenhagen, the capital and largest city, lies on the islands of Zealand and Amager. Danish is the official language, and the country is known for its many bridges and connections between islands. Denmark is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy.

Its modern political system developed gradually, while the Danish monarchy is one of the oldest in the world. The country has been a member of the European Union since 1973, although it does not use the euro and retains the Danish krone as its currency. Denmark has a highly developed economy based mainly on services, manufacturing, trade and agriculture. It is also an important maritime nation, with a long history of shipping and fishing.

Wind energy plays a significant role in its electricity system, reflecting strong investment in renewable energy. Denmark is known for its historic towns, Viking heritage and cultural traditions. Its geography, with many islands and a position between the North Sea and Baltic Sea, has strongly influenced its history and connections with the rest of Europe.

💡 Did you know?

Did you know that LEGO bricks were invented in a small carpentry workshop in Denmark? The name comes from the Danish words 'Leg Godt', which mean 'play well'. At first, the toys were made of wood! It was only later that they became the famous colorful plastic bricks. Today, there are so many LEGO bricks in the world that if they were lined up, they could circle the Earth ten times!

If you go to Copenhagen, you can see the statue of the Little Mermaid, sitting on a rock by the water. It is inspired by the tale of Hans Christian Andersen, the most famous Danish writer. But beware, it is much smaller than one might imagine (only 1.25 meters)! It is the symbol of the city, much like the Eiffel Tower is for Paris, and millions of people come to greet it every year.

Do you know the secret of Danish happiness? It's 'Hygge' (pronounced 'hoo-ga'). It's a word that only exists in Danish and expresses a feeling of comfort, warmth, and conviviality. For example, it's the pleasure of drinking a hot chocolate by the fire, wrapping up in a soft blanket, or sharing a good meal with friends while it's cold outside. Thanks to Hygge, Denmark is often ranked among the happiest countries in the world!