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Table of Contents
Denmark, officially known as “Kingdom of Denmark”, is a country in northern Europe that consists of the Jutland Peninsula, north of Germany, and close to 406 islands, about 80 of which are inhabited. Along with Norway and Sweden, Denmark is a part of the northern European region known as Scandinavia.
See the fact file below for more information on the Denmark or alternatively, you can download our 27-page Denmark worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
Historical Background
- Denmark is one of the oldest states in Europe and the oldest kingdom in the world.
- Its name most likely means “Land of the Danes.”
- It has been inhabited by the Danes since the Stone Age with hunters and fishermen.
- Danish craftsmen became expert at making goods from bronze when it was introduced to them in 1,800 B.C.
- By 500 B.C., iron was introduced into Denmark. The Iron Age Danes had contact with the Romans and sold them slaves, furs, skins, and amber.
- During the 9th century, the Vikings rose to power when the Viking warriors from Denmark and other Scandinavian countries raided Europe.
- By 878, the Danes had conquered northern and eastern England, and by the 11th century, King Canute ruled over a vast kingdom that included present-day Denmark, England, Norway, southern Sweden, and parts of Finland.
- After King Canute’s death, England became independent in 1042 and Norway became independent in 1047.
- Gorm the Old was the first historically recognized ruler of Denmark, reigning from c. 936 until his death c. 958.
- His rule marked the start of the Danish monarchy and royal house.
- The Danes were united and officially Christianized in 965 AD by Gorm’s son Harald Bluetooth.
- In 1047, Sweyn Estridson became king of Denmark.
- Valdemar, the son of Canute, became king of Denmark in 1157.
- In the late 14th century, Denmark dominated northwestern Europe through the Union of Kalmar by Queen Margrethe. This unity lasted until 1520 when Sweden and Finland left the union. Norway left in 1814.
- One of the more famous kings was King Christian IV, who ruled Denmark for 59 years. He brought many reforms to the country and also built many structures and towns.
Flag
- Denmark’s flag is known as the Dannebrog, or Danish Cloth.
- First acknowledged in 1219, the Danish flag remains the oldest state flag in the world that is still in use by an independent nation.
- According to the legend, on 15 June 1219, the flag fell from the sky motivating the Danish forces and resulting in a Danish victory against the battle with Estonians, who were not Christians. Since then, every year, the flag’s birthday is celebrated on that day.
- For Danes, the flag is a symbol of the people and is a sign of happiness and celebration. It is used for all kinds of celebrations – such as birthdays, weddings, and Christmas.
Geography and Climate
- Denmark occupies 43,094 square kilometers (16,621 square miles), a little less than twice the size of Massachusetts.
- The Kingdom of Denmark also includes the self-governing territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland in the north Atlantic Ocean. They have their own distinctive history, language, and culture.
- On 1 July 2000, the Øresund Bridge was completed, connecting Denmark and southern Sweden.
- Denmark is low-lying country, with its highest point only 173 metres above sea level, which is the Yding Forest Hill in east-central Jutland.
- Most of the country is surrounded by sea.
- Denmark has a long coastline with many lagoons, gulfs, and inlets.
- The largest of the country’s islands is Zeland, where the capital, Copenhagen, is situated.
- The Danish landscape was shaped by the movement of the glaciers across landmasses during the Ice Age.
- The Gulf Stream encircling the islands tempers the climate.
- The weather in Denmark is quite windy and rainy. Most of their summers are not very hot.
- Lakes normally freeze and snow frequently falls during cold winters.
- The best time of the year for outdoor activities is May/June until midsummer.
People and Culture
- The population of Denmark is 5,761,601 as of November 6, 2018, based on the latest United Nations estimates.
- The people of Denmark are known as Danes.
- Their official language is Danish, which is a language similar to Norwegian and Swedish.
- Denmark is nationally and culturally a very homogeneous country.
- Around 85 percent of the population live in towns, and the greater Copenhagen region comprises approximately 1.6 million inhabitants.
- With historical palaces, gardens, and the world-famous Tivoli amusement park in downtown Copenhagen, it is the most visited of all Nordic cities.
- The country’s official currency is the Danish Krone (DKK).
- Danes often ride bicycles as a form of transportation.
- Denmark’s national sport is football (soccer). However, sailing, swimming, and other water sports are also very popular because of the long coastline.
- Danes main religion is Evangelical Lutheran, but there are also Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Muslims.
- LEGO was invented in Denmark. Legoland and the company headquarters are located in Billund, on the Jutland peninsula.
- Jørn Utzon was a famous Danish architect who designed the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
- Danish author and poet Hans Christian Andersen wrote notable fairy tales such as “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, “The Little Mermaid”, and “The Ugly Duckling”.
Politics and Government
- Denmark became a constitutional monarchy in 1849, which means it has a king or queen.
- The current monarch is Queen Margrethe II.
- The Danish monarchy is the oldest continuing monarchy in the world and has existed for over 1,000 years.
- Queen Margrethe II can trace her lineage back to the Viking kings Gorm the Old and Harald Bluetooth from this time.
- Denmark is a parliamentary state, which is called Folketing, meaning the people appoint a parliament to make decisions for them.
- Elections to the parliament are held every four years.
- The current Prime Minister of Denmark is Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who was elected in June 2015.
Denmark Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Denmark across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Denmark worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Denmark, officially known as “Kingdom of Denmark”, which is a country in northern Europe that consists of the Jutland Peninsula, north of Germany, and close to 406 islands, about 80 of which are inhabited. Along with Norway and Sweden, Denmark is a part of the northern European region known as Scandinavia.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Denmark Facts
- Scandinavian Cross
- Timeline
- Denmark Overview
- Thumbs Up or Down?
- Dane’s Trademarks
- Denmark’s Cross
- Come & Visit!
- Fill in the Gap
- The Culture of Denmark
- All About Denmark
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Link will appear as Denmark Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, November 12, 2018
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.