Religion

Religion does not play a big part in the life of most Danish people. Most are members of the Protestant Church of Denmark. Other than Christianity, Islam is the second most practised religion. Many Danes are atheists (meaning they do not believe in God).

Country regions

Denmark is 43,094 square km in size. It is called the Kingdom of Denmark and also includes the Faroe Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, and Greenland in North America. Denmark is also made up of more than 400 islands in the North Sea. Zealand is the largest island in Denmark.

The island of Bornholm is Denmark's most densely forested area. 

Denmark is divided into five regions, each region is in charge of hospitals and health care. The regions are then subdivided into municipalities. The five regions are Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjælland and Syddanmark.

The flag

The flag of Denmark is a red background with a white cross. The right arm of the cross is longer than the left. The flag was first acknowledged in 1219 and is the oldest state flag in the world still in use by an independent nation.

National symbols and holidays

The national bird of Denmark is the Mute Swan. The national flower of Denmark is the Marguerite Daisy. Denmark doesn’t really have a national holiday but it is generally considered Constitution Day, 5 June.

Government and Economy

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy. It is a country of Kings and Queens and has the oldest monarchy in Europe. The current Queen Margrethe has ancestors as far back as the tenth century to King Gorm, this is the longest line of unbroken rulers in Europe.

Denmark is in the European Union but does not use euros. It has its own currency called the Danish krone (DKK).

The country is rich in natural resources such as petroleum, natural gas, salt, limestone and lots of fresh fish.

Its major industries are machinery and instruments, food products, iron, steel, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, windmills, furniture and wood products.

Denmark is interested in ecology and was the first country to have onshore and offshore wind power in the world. Because of the amount of wind they have, they use many windmills to get natural energy. The windmills give them around 30% of their electrical energy!

Around 65% of the country is farmland and farming has always been important. Because of its climate and soil, it’s great for agriculture and many of the foods the country produces are sold to neighbouring countries. Danish hams and cookies are exported throughout the world.