Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs.

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes several major islands (Sjaelland, Fyn, and Bornholm)

slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts

temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers

low and flat to gently rolling plains

petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand

flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes

air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides

controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen

Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali

Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority)

Evangelical Lutheran (official) 95%, other Christian (includes Protestant and Roman Catholic) 3%, Muslim 2%

5,543,453 (July 2012 est.)

10.22 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

10.19 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

COPENHAGEN (capital) 1.174 million (2009)

12 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

1.74 children born/woman (2012 est.)

3.419 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

3.57 beds/1,000 population (2008)

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

constitutional monarchy

metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark

ca. 965 (unified and Christianized under HARALD I Gormson); 5 June 1849 (became a constitutional monarchy)

none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day

5 June 1953; note - constitution allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state

civil law; judicial review of legislative acts

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

18 years of age; universal

unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier)

Supreme Court (judges are appointed for life by the monarch)

Danish People's Party (Dansk Folkeparti) or DF [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Alliance or LA [Anders SAMUELSEN]; Liberal Party (Venstre) or V [Lars LOKKE RAMUSSEN]; Red-Green Alliance (Enhedslisten) [collective leadership, spokesperson Johanne SCHMIDT-NIELSEN]; Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokratiet) or SDP [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party (Det Radicale Venstre) or SLP [Margrethe VESTAGER]; Socialist People's Party (Socialistisk Folkeparti) or SF [Villy SOVNDAL]

Confederation of Danish Employers or DA [President Jorn Neergaard LARSEN]; Confederation of Danish Industries [CEO Karsten DYBVAD]; Confederation of Danish Labor Unions (Landsorganisationen) or LO [President Harald BORSTING]; Danish Bankers Association [CEO Joergen HORWITZ]; DaneAge Association [President Bjarne HASTRUP]; Danish Society for Nature Conservation [President Ella Maria BISSCHOP-LARSEN]

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle; caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, this heavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victory; in actuality, the flag may derive from a crusade banner or ensign

This thoroughly modern market economy features a high-tech agricultural sector, state-of-the-art industry with world-leading firms in pharmaceuticals, maritime shipping and renewable energy, and a high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is a member of the European Union (EU); Danish legislation and regulations conform to EU standards on almost all issues. Danes enjoy among the highest standards of living in the world and the Danish economy is characterized by extensive government welfare measures and an equitable distribution of income. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus but depends on imports of raw materials for the manufacturing sector. Within the EU, Denmark is among the strongest supporters of trade liberalization. After a long consumption-driven upswing, Denmark's economy began slowing in 2007 with the end of a housing boom. Housing prices dropped markedly in 2008-09 and, following a short respite in 2010, continued to decline in 2011 though at a slower pace. The global financial crisis has exacerbated this cyclical slowdown through increased borrowing costs and lower export demand, consumer confidence, and investment. The global financial crises cut Danish real GDP by 0.8% in 2008 and 5.8% in 2009. Denmark made a modest recovery in 2010 with real GDP growth of 1.3%, in part because of increased government spending; however, the country experienced a technical recession in late 2010-early 2011. Historically low levels of unemployment rose sharply with the recession and have remained at about 6% in 2010-11, based on the national measure, about two-thirds average EU unemployment. An impending decline in the ratio of workers to retirees will be a major long-term issue. Denmark maintained a healthy budget surplus for many years up to 2008, but the budget balance swung into deficit in 2009. In spite of the deficits, the new coalition government plans to deliver a modest stimulus to the economy in 2012. Nonetheless, Denmark's fiscal position remains among the strongest in the EU at 46.5% of GDP in 2011. Despite previously meeting the criteria to join the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), so far Denmark has decided not to join, although the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro. Denmark held the EU presidency during the first half of 2012; priorities included promoting a responsible, dynamic, green, and safe Europe, while working to steer Europe out of its euro zone economic crisis.

$209.2 billion (2011 est.)

$207.1 billion (2010 est.)

$204.4 billion (2009 est.)

$333.2 billion (2011 est.)

2.853 million (2011 est.)

17.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

35.5% of GDP (2011 est.)

-2.8% of GDP (2011 est.)

44.2% of GDP (2011 est.)

43.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

0.75% (31 December 2011 est.)

0.75% (31 December 2010 est.)

4.3% (31 December 2011 est.)

4.3% (31 December 2010 est.)

$134.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$156.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$230.8 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$178.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$706.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$679.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$179.5 billion (31 December 2011)

$231.7 billion (31 December 2010)

$186.9 billion (31 December 2009)

barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish

iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment

$21.64 billion (2011 est.)

$17.13 billion (2010 est.)

$111.7 billion (2011 est.)

$95.77 billion (2010 est.)

machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills

Germany 16.9%, Sweden 13.2%, UK 9.9%, Norway 5.7%, US 5.5%, Netherlands 4.9%, France 4.4% (2011)

$102.1 billion (2011 est.)

$87.13 billion (2010 est.)

machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods

Germany 20.8%, Sweden 13.6%, Netherlands 7.1%, UK 6.3%, China 6.3%, Norway 5.8% (2011)

$85.05 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$76.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$626.9 billion (30 June 2011)

$559.5 billion (30 June 2010)

$121.4 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$106.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

$211.3 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$187.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -

36.39 billion kWh (2010 est.)

32.42 billion kWh (2009 est.)

11.73 billion kWh (2010 est.)

10.6 billion kWh (2010 est.)

13.42 million kW (2009 est.)

65.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

0.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

34.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

221,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)

171,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)

70,220 bbl/day (2009 est.)

900 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

158,500 bbl/day (2009 est.)

160,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)

93,890 bbl/day (2010 est.)

177,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)

7.069 billion cu m (2011 est.)

4.179 billion cu m (2011 est.)

3.126 billion cu m (2011 est.)

369 million cu m (2011 est.)

51.99 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

45.96 million Mt (2010 est.)

2.515 million (2011)

7.047 million (2011)

strong public-sector TV presence with state-owned Danmarks Radio (DR) operating 4 channels and publicly-owned TV2 operating roughly a half dozen channels; broadcasts of privately-owned stations are available via satellite and cable feed; DR operates 4 nationwide FM radio stations, 15 digital audio broadcasting stations, and about 15 web-based radio stations; approximately 250 commercial and community radio stations (2007)

4.285 million (2010)

gas 2,858 km; oil 107 km (2010)

Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kalundborg

Defense Command: Army Operational Command, Admiral Danish Fleet, Arctic Command, Tactical Air Command, Home Guard (2010)

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months according to specialization; reservists are assigned to mobilization units following completion of their conscript service; women eligible to volunteer for military service (2004)

1.3% of GDP (2007 est.)

Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue to study proposals for full independence; sovereignty dispute with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission