A Briefing on Denmark

The next 25 min.

Geography History Politics Economy Military Religion Education Every Day Life My life in Denmark

Geography

Area 43.000 sq. km. 16,368 sq. miles

More than 400 Islands. 7300 km Coastline. Flat landscape Capital: Copenhagen Autonomous Regions:

Greenland and the Faeroe Islands.

Population

Population

Language

Official language: Danish. Understand Norwegian and Swedish. English widely understood and spoken. German widely comprehended.

Faroe Islands

Geography

Greenland

History 1013-1035 Vikings Conquered England 1397 Unification of Denmark, Norway

and Sweden 1658 Loss of Sweden 1814 Loss of Norway 1864 Loss of Schleswig-Holstein 1940-45 German occupation 1945-50 Joined UN and NATO 1973 Joined EC (later EU)

1013 - 1035 AD

1397 AD

1658 AD

1814 AD

1921 AD

1940-1945 AD

1945 - 1997 AD

UNNATO

EU

World’s Oldest Monarchy

Direct line of 54 monarchs with ancestral links stretching back 1000 years. – Gorm the Old d. 940– Harald Bluetooth 940-985– Margrethe I 1387-1412– Christian IV 1588-1648– Frederik VII 1848-1863– Margrethe II since 1972

Photos by Steen Evald & Steen Brogaard

Government Constitutional monarchy. Constitution from 1849: Monarchy and

Parliament joint legislative authority. Parliament: “Folketinget”; 179 members. Elections at least every four years. (min. age

18 years).

Constitution

Signed by King Frederik VII on June 5th 1849. Stating:

– Influence by vote.– Liberty of political and religious convictions.– Liberty of speech and writing.

Any changes: National referendum

Constitution (continued)

Shared power

– Executive authority:The Government

– Legislative authority: The Parliament

– Judicial authority:The Courts of justice

Current Situation

Seven parties in “Folketinget”. Coalition Government - headed by the

Modern Liberals (Venstre). Opposition by Social Democrats and

others.

Economy

Traditionally agricultural– 100.000 farms - “Danish bacon”– 3.300 boats/10.000 fishermen

Industry : – Shortage of Natural resources – Mainly light industry, like furniture, medical

goods, beer, and toys.– Furthermore North Sea Oil and Shipping.

Economy (continued)

Inflation less than 2%. Unemployment about 4%. High living standards +

high taxes

Defense

Forces:– Royal Danish Army.– Royal Danish Air Force.– Royal Danish Navy.

34,000 in peacetime. 85,000 in event of war. Additional 66,000 in

the Home Guard.

Religion

Lutheran Church. Automatic enrollment on birth. 92% are members of the state church. Normal church attendance low - less than 5%. Great tolerance towards most other religious

groups.

Education

Compulsory schooling, ten years. English from fourth grade. After basic schooling:

– 2/3 : Practical Training.– 1/3 : Secondary schools.

5 universities:– Oldest :Copenhagen

from 1479.

Danish Society Traditionally agricultural and fishing

Mainly light industry

Social welfare has high priority– public health system free of charge– state pension for everybody over 67– insurance scheme for unemployed

1/3 of total expenditure to social welfare

Every Day Life Common names: ……sen. Average lifetime: Male 71 years and female 77

years. 30,000 marriages yearly (about 50% divorces). Main sports: Soccer and Handball. Values of life:

– Jokes on parliament and taxes.– Family celebrations.– Danish “hygge”.

My Life in Denmark

Herfra og fremefter opfordrer vi dig til atfortælle om dig selv, familie og venner og dit liv i Danmark. Sæt også gerne billederind.

Any Questions ?