One of the five Nordic states. The people are descended from one of the Germanic tribes which migrated to northern Europe in the early centuries of the Christian era. The kingdom of Denmark at one time controlled parts of northern Germany (Schleswig-Holstein) and also parts of southern Sweden (Skåne - Scania) and all of Norway and Iceland. Greenland has been a Danish colony but is now an Associated State (Denmark manages foreign relations and defense, which means being responsible for Arctic relations - increasingly important). The Faeroe islands are in a similar relation to Denmark. Norway was lost to Sweden, which also conquered Scania.

The modern state dates from 1864 when the old kingdom lost Schleswig-Holstein to the new German Empire and German troops occupied briefly much of the rest of the country. This experience of defeat led to the formation of a new small neutral state with a tradition of social democracy, education and efficient agriculture. They were neutral during the first world war but occupied by the Nazis during the second world war. This led to a new reconstruction.

Denmark has been a member of the European Community since 1973 and of NATO since 1949. It also cooperates closely with Norway and Sweden fellow members of the Nordic Union. From time to time there are proposals to make a closer union of the Scandinavian states. However, as Sweden has joined the European Union the existing cultural co-operation is likely to remain the limit of union.

In June 1992 a referendum narrowly voted against ratifying the Maastricht treaty but a renegotiated agreement in December 1992 was approved in May 1993 and therefore brings Denmark back in, but only as a semi-detached member like Britain: no support for the Common Currency or Defense Community. Some lawyers believe, however, that these exclusions will prove unconstitutional at the European level.

Danish

Symbolic monarchy with a parliamentary system - prime minister responsible to an elected assembly, using proportional representation.

Multi-party system with Right of Center coalition government.

The 2002 election ended a long period of Social Democrat dominance when an anti-immigration party gained many seats. A Rightwing coalition took office with a policy of reducing immigration and welfare provisions.

Gwyn Jones - History of the Vikings (1984)

An efficient agriculture is the backbone of the economy but there is also industry and a highly trained and educated population.

An undersea rail tunnel and bridge between the mainland and the larger islands is part of an important program of expenditure on transport links with Sweden and the rest of Europe.

Denmark has not joined the euro zone, but its currency remains linked to the euro, as it was previously to the Deutschemark.

Denmark has the largest amount of installed wind power in Europe per capita - though Germany has more absolutely. It has no coal or hydro power, but a small share of the North Sea oil province.

Main problem is about immigration. Objections by Muslims to press freedom have made them very unpopular and led to demands for restrictions on immigration, especially from Muslim countries.