“Economic and geographical characteristics of Denmark”

1. The main features of the EGP. ……………………………………………………………3

2. Economic assessment of natural resources. ………………………………..4

3. The main features of reproduction, the structure and distribution of the population. …5

4. The main features of the location of the industry. …………………………...6

5. The main features of the location of agriculture. ………………………..eight

6. The main features of the geography of transport. ……………………………………ten

7. Prospects for development, participation in the EU. ………………………………………eleven

8. Additional information. ………………………………………………12

The main features of the EGP.

Kingdom of Denmark, a state in the north of the Central European Plain.

Occupies a transitional position between mainland Europe and Scandinavia

p-th. It has existed as an independent kingdom since the 9th century. AD Denmark

extends from north to south for 360 km and from west to east for 480 km.

The area of ​​Denmark is 43,093 sq. km (excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands).

Most of the country (29,776 sq. km) is located on the Jutland Peninsula. Danish

archipelago with approx. 500 islands and located to the east of

Jutland between the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat, occupies 12,729 sq.

km, and the island of Bornholm on the Baltic Sea - 588 sq. km. km. coastline length

Denmark is 7438 km. There are no places in the country remote from the sea

more than 60 km. Denmark borders on land only with Germany;

the length of this border is 68 km. Maritime border with Germany follows

through the Kiel Bay, the Fehmarn-Belt and the Baltic Sea. On the

in the east, the border of Denmark with Sweden passes through the Øresund (Sund) and

Kattegat, and in the north the Skagerrak Strait separates Denmark from Norway. Denmark

belongs to the eastern part of the North Sea shelf. Into the state,

in addition to the territory of Denmark proper, includes former Danish colonies

Faroe Islands and Greenland, which received self-government and representation

in the Danish parliament. The Faroe Islands, 375 km north of

Scotland, occupy an area of ​​1399 sq. km. They were under Danish rule

from 1380, local government they were granted in 1948. Greenland -

the largest island in the world, its area is 2,175,600 sq. km, but only 341 of them

700 sq. km are ice-free. Greenland was a Danish colony from 1729 to 1953

was declared part of the country, and in 1979 acquired autonomy.

Economic assessment of natural resources.

Terrain relief. Most of Denmark is made up of vast

undulating plains and low, sometimes steep hills. The tallest

point of the country, Mount Yding-Skovhoy (173 m), located in eastern Jutland,

and the lowest point (12 m below sea level) is on the west coast of this

peninsulas. The landforms of Denmark arose as a result of the activities

ice sheets in the Pleistocene. Moraine plains predominate

hilly-morainic landscapes with numerous basins occupied

lakes and swamps. In some places, especially in West Jutland, flat

water-glacial plains - outlands. In the north of the country, under the influence

relatively recent uplift, stepped sea plains were formed.

Bedrock - mainly limestones of the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic -

overlain by a thin cover of Pleistocene sediments and are exposed only in

Northern Jutland and Bornholm Island. These breeds are associated with large

groundwater reserves. The eastern coasts of Denmark are heavily indented and abundant

bays; western and northern - mostly aligned and bordered

sand dunes; in the southwest of Jutland, wattled shores are represented,

influenced by sea tides. Along these low shores

dams have been erected to protect agricultural land from floods.

Denmark has a temperate maritime climate with mild winters, cool summers and long

transitional seasons. The influence of the ocean is most pronounced in winter.

strong winds predominate, predominantly from the west. Holds on in winter

cloudy weather, and in spring - sunny. Spring comes late. In summer it's worth

clear warm weather. The average annual rainfall ranges from 800

mm in the west of Jutland to 450 mm on the coast of the Great Belt.

The maximum amount of precipitation occurs in the autumn-winter period, and

minimum - for spring and early summer. Precipitation mainly falls in the form

Water resources. The surface of the country is covered with a network of short rivers with small

slopes and slow calm currents. Characterized by an abundance of meanders, stretches

and transitions. Floods occur in winter, in the summer months a stable

low water. The rivers are not navigable. The largest river is Gudeno in eastern Jutland

only 158 km long. The lakes of Denmark are small and do not have much

economic importance. Most of them are concentrated in

hilly areas of Central Jutland.

The soils of Denmark were formed mainly on moraine clayey

sediments, as well as on sandy coastal-marine sediments. in Western

Podzolic type soils are common in Jutland, in East Jutland and on

Danish islands - brown forest soils.

Vegetation and animal world. The forests of Denmark, occupying about 10% of the total

areas are small and scattered. In the east and north

separate massifs of indigenous beech forests have been preserved. In the west and north

Jutland as a result of centuries of deforestation spread

moorlands, which in the 19-20 centuries. were partially replaced by conifers

forest plantations (fir, spruce, larch and pine). Most of the area

countries occupy agricultural land. Therefore, the animal world is strongly

depleted. However, in some places in the forests there are red and sika deer,

roe deer, foxes, hares, squirrels, badgers. The fauna of birds is very rich, especially

on the coasts. The country has established the protection of nesting and resting places

migratory birds.

The main features of reproduction, the structure and distribution of the population.

Demography. The population of Denmark proper is 5414 thousand people (2004). In the 1980s

years, the population was stable, and in the 1990s there was

its slow growth, mainly due to immigration (about 11 thousand people

per year). In 2004, the birth rate per 1,000 people was 11.59, and

mortality - 10.53. Life expectancy in the country 77.1 (74.48

in men and 79.87 in women). In the capital city of Copenhagen, including

communes of Frederiksberg and Gentofte, inhabited by approx. 625.8 thousand people (1995).

Other large cities - Aarhus (275.5 thousand), Odense (182.6 thousand), Aalborg

(159 thousand), Esbjerg (82.6 thousand), Randers (64.4 thousand), Kolling (59.6 thousand),

Herning (57.7 thousand), Helsingør (56.9 thousand), Horsens (55.3 thousand) and Vejle

(52.3 thousand). 2 million people live in Copenhagen and its environs,

or approximately 26% of the total population of the country, and on the island of Zeeland (Shelland), on

where the capital is located - 42%. Per share of the urban population

accounts for 85%, dominated by cities with a population of less than 15 thousand people. On the

more than 570 thousand people live on the islands of Funen, Lolland and Falster, and

Bornholm - less than 50 thousand. Although the population of Jutland is 2.4 million.

people, the average density there is 81 people per 1 sq. km. km. Population

Greenland 59 thousand people (1997), of which approx. 5 thousand persons of European

origin, the rest - Inuit (Eskimos). Population of the Faroe Islands

50 thousand people (1997).

Ethnogenesis. Nomadic Germanic tribes - Angles, Saxons and Danes - settled

on the territory of Denmark in the first centuries of our era. From these tribes came

the population of modern Denmark, characterized by relative homogeneity.

Migrants from the south assimilated over the centuries, and as part of

of the country's population, only minor anatomical, linguistic and

ethnic differences. The official language is Danish. South of Jutland

they also speak German. Although there are many dialects of Danish

language, radio and television broadcasting contributes to the formation of a unified national

language norm. It is based on the Copenhagen dialect.

Confessional structure. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is

the official church of Denmark and enjoys the support of the state. However

freedom of religion is less guaranteed by law. lutheran church

supported by a special tax, which is levied on all

Lutherans of the country, constituting 87% of the population. However, all more

Danes formalize their departure from the official church legally in order to

avoid paying taxes. The most significant of the religious minorities

are Muslims (74 thousand people). Other minorities - Catholics (33

thousand), Baptists (6 thousand), Jews (5 thousand) and Jehovah's Witnesses.

Cities. Copenhagen and its surroundings form the largest urban

agglomeration in Scandinavian countries. This is an important port at the entrance to the Baltic

sea. Thanks to the numerous monuments of antiquity, chic shops and

the famous Tivoli Park, the capital of Denmark attracts many tourists.

Among the architectural monuments, graceful palace ensembles of the 17th century stand out.

Odense, the birthplace of fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen, is known as

a major industrial center and transport hub on the way from Scandinavia to

Jutland and Germany. In the university city of Aarhus, the largest on the peninsula

Jutland, developed industry related to processing

agricultural products. Located in the northeast of Zeeland

Helsingør ("city of Hamlet") is the center of trade with Sweden.

Every year in the summer here in the open air in Kronborg Castle they arrange

performance of Shakespeare's famous tragedy. Roskilde is located

majestic cathedral, consecrated in 1084. Buried here

kings of the country. This city is the historical center of the religious

activities in Denmark.

The main features of the location of the industry.

Like neighboring Scandinavian countries, Denmark has been fully influenced by

industrial revolution only at the end of the 19th century, mainly due to

lack of coal deposits. Industry Development Opportunities

in Denmark were much more limited than in any other country in the North

Europe. Unlike Sweden and Norway, Denmark has no major rivers and

significant reserves of hydropower. Oil and gas reserves in the Danish sector

The North Sea is smaller than in the Norwegian and British. Forests occupy less

10% of the area of ​​the country. The industrial structure of Denmark is based on its

agricultural products, limestone and clay resources and

a wide range of imported raw materials. An important factor is the presence

skilled workforce. In the 1990s, Denmark had

diverse industries, and none of the industries occupied

dominant position in the economy. In 1996, the number of people employed in

industry amounted to 485 thousand people and actually changed little from

1985. Approximately a quarter of employees are concentrated in metallurgy and

mechanical engineering. Nevertheless, in 1996 industrial enterprises produced

approximately 27% of Denmark's GDP and supplied approx. 75% export. The country has

as large plants for the production of iron and steel (the largest of them -

steel mill in Frederikswerk), as well as numerous small

enterprises for the production of milking machines and electronic

equipment. Industrial enterprises are located in many regions of the country

and provide jobs in almost every city. However, the largest and

the most famous industrial centers are Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense.

Shipbuilding was the most important industry in Denmark, but due to

foreign competition has been curtailed or completely stopped

activities of many major shipyards in Copenhagen, Helsingør and

Aalborg. However, there are shipyards in Odense and Frederikshavn. In 1912

at the shipyards in Copenhagen, a large

double-deck diesel ship "Zeeland". Danish shipyards

also specialize in the production of refrigerated ships, railway and

car ferries. Two other important industrial sectors in Denmark are

this is agricultural engineering (beet harvesters,

milking units, etc.) and the production of electrical goods (from

cables to TVs and refrigerators). Denmark has infiltrated the international

market, specializing in certain types of goods. stands out here

cement industry, which arose on the basis of limestone deposits in the area

Aalborg. Cement production expanded from 1945 to the 1970s, but

then decreased due to a decrease in the scale of construction in the

Denmark. The development of this industry has stimulated the production of appropriate

machines, and Denmark has exported finished cement plants to more than 70

countries. Another type of minerals in Denmark - clay - is used as

raw materials for the production of bricks and tiles. The main area of ​​this

production - northeast Zealand, located near

developed production of building materials in Greater Copenhagen.

Some Danish industries operate locally

agricultural raw materials. Sugar factories are concentrated on the islands,

mainly on Lolland and Falster, where sugar beets are grown. Waste

this production is an important source of feed for livestock; established

production of industrial alcohol, alcoholic beverages and yeast from

potatoes, molasses (a by-product of sugar production), cereals and

sugar beets. Most of these enterprises are located in Copenhagen,

Aalborg and Randers, some in Hobro and Slagels. breweries

use part of the barley harvest. About 90% of Danish beer is produced in

Copenhagen; large breweries are also located in OdeLegka

industry. A diverse light industry is developed in Denmark.

There is a small textile production, the size of which is determined

limited domestic market and the availability of relatively cheap

imported products. The city of Vejle in eastern Jutland is the main center

cotton spinning production. Weaving factories are located in Copenhagen and

Helsingor, on the island of Zeeland, in Greno, Aalborg, Fredericia and Herning in

Jutland. Half of the knitwear is made in Herning. AT

in contrast to the slow and limited development of the textile industry,

in Denmark there was a significant growth in the chemical industry, and in the 20th century.

large enterprises of this branch arose in seaports. seeds

oilseeds imported from tropical countries are processed into

factories in Aarhus and Copenhagen. Oil is used to make

margarine, soap and paints. Køge, Helsingør and Copenhagen are centers

production of rubber products. Pharmaceutical industry is also developed

industry.

industrial centers. Copenhagen is Denmark's largest industrial center with

the most diverse specialization of enterprises. This city has

such leading sectors of the country as electrical engineering, textile and

brewing industry. Developed printing and furniture

industry, production of highly artistic porcelain products.

Other important industrial centers are Aalborg, Aarhus, Esbjerg, Odense and

The main features of the location of agriculture.

Agriculture in 1995 used 55% of Denmark's area. From late 19

in. Danish agriculture specialized in animal husbandry,

predominantly cattle were bred (which provided large

supplies of dairy products for export) and pigs (which provided a large

export of bacon and pork). A significant part of crop production

used for animal feed. In general, the role of agriculture in Denmark

decreases. Debt crises and liberalization policies

led to a reduction in the number of farms by more than half compared to 1975,

there was a tendency to reduce the size of land plots (in practice

these are part-time farms) and the enlargement of farms. agricultural policy

falls under the purview of the EEC, which seeks to reduce subsidies and

overproduction.

Cereal crops and root crops. In 1995, grain crops accounted for 58% of the total

areas of cultivated land, and such root crops as fodder and

sugar beets, turnips, kohlrabi and potatoes, 6.5%. About 25%

agricultural land accounted for forage grasses, which

either sown in the order of crop rotation, or used on permanent

pastures. The 1990s saw a significant shift in production

Cereals: Barley, formerly the leading crop in Denmark, has given way to wheat. AT

1996 approx. 4 million tons of barley - 30% less than in

early 1980s, when it accounted for 80% of annual production

cereals. Barley is mainly used for fattening pigs, but some

its quantity is purchased for brewing and a significant part goes to

export. Wheat production continues to rise sharply and in 1995 reached 4.2

million tons. The average production of other crops is as follows: rye 429

thousand tons, oats 169 thousand tons, potatoes 1.6 million tons and sugar beet 3.5 million.

m. Wheat is grown mainly in areas of distribution

carbonate soils on the moraines of East Jutland, West Zealand and Funen.

Rye grows well in acidic sandy soils. Her crops are concentrated in

mainly in Central and Western Jutland, where since the 1860s

vast moorlands. Oats, like rye, are undemanding

culture adapted to soils of light mechanical composition and

cool damp conditions of the summer season. Oats are grown mainly

manner in North and West Jutland. In Denmark, root crops and

feed grains are placed depending on regional characteristics

climate and soils. Fodder and sugar beets are grown on the islands

Danish archipelago. On the other hand, kohlrabi grows well on sour

sandy soils prevailing in Jutland. Potatoes are also wide

common in Jutland. It is used for fattening pigs, producing

flour and industrial alcohol. Relatively recently began to grow

corn, which is entirely fed to livestock

Vegetable growing and gardening. Since the 1970s commodity production

fruit and vegetable crops in Denmark is declining. The area under these

crops decreased with the enlargement of farms, but the efficiency of production

grew. In the 1980s, there was a shift from the production of fruit and berry

crops (apples, strawberries) to the production of vegetables (zucchini, peas, carrots,

onion and leek). The collection of vegetables has increased by about 1/3 compared to

since 1978 and at the end of the 1980s it was 305 thousand tons; collection at the same time

fruit and berry crops (60% of it falls on the share of apples) decreased

half - up to 75 thousand tons. Approximately 25% of the total area under fruit and berry

and vegetable crops are concentrated in Jutland, the rest - on the islands.

Vegetable growing and horticulture are developing most intensively in the southeastern

Zealand. Their products are processed at nearby canning factories

Copenhagen and Slagels. Another important area for vegetable growing and horticulture is

o.Fun with canning factories in Odense and Svendborg. In 1995, 40

thousand tons of apples for sale, which is approx. 40% of domestic consumption. AT

In 1995, the value of food imports to Denmark was 5.1 billion.

dollars, and exports -11.6 billion dollars.

Livestock. From the end of the 19th century the Danish economy was dominated

animal husbandry. About 90% of the harvest of grains and root crops goes to feed

cattle, pigs and poultry. Since the 1960s, this

sector has undergone drastic changes. In 1967 approximately 92% of Danish farms

raised pigs or cattle, and in 1994 this figure

dropped to 65%.

In Denmark, the dairy direction of animal husbandry sharply prevails over meat.

In 1983, milk production reached a record high - 5.4 million tons, to

1995 it decreased to 4.6 million tons (below the level of 1978). Respectively

the number of livestock decreased from 3 million heads to 0.8 million.

milk is used to produce butter and cheese, which are mainly

are exported. In 1996, almost 1 billion rubles were received from cheese exports alone.

dollars 30% of beef and veal production is also exported - approx. fifty

thousand tons in 1996. The basis of the livestock population is made up of two breeds - black and white

Danish and Red Danish, with the latter accounting for 90%

dairy cows. The main livestock area is the Jutland Peninsula. Here

75% of the total number of cattle is concentrated. in Danish

on the islands, animal husbandry plays a smaller role than crop production.

For a long time, cattle dominated Danish farms, but from the beginning

In the 1970s, pigs took on almost the same importance. They are fattened

skimmed milk and whey (by-products of milk

industry), as well as barley, potatoes, rape seeds, sugar

beets and fishmeal. From 1950 to 1993, the pig population almost tripled and

amounted to 11.6 million heads. Annual production of pork, bacon and other

types of meat products (including poultry) increased over the same period from

300 thousand tons to 1.7 million tons, and the income from their exports in 1996 amounted to

3.4 billion dollars. Almost 3/4 of meat products are exported, which is all

more often goes to developing countries.

Employment and mechanization in agriculture. After 1945, an important

trend towards a gradual reduction in employment in agriculture. If in

In the 1930s, 0.5 million people were employed in this branch of the economy, then in

1993 number of persons fully employed in agriculture and forestry, and

also fishing, did not exceed 50 thousand. The growth of mechanization contributed

reduction of manual labor on farms while increasing output

products. Horses were replaced by tractors and combines; by 1965

electric milking machines have replaced manual milking.

The main features of the geography of transport.

Since the main territory of Denmark occupies a peninsular position, and

almost a third of it is located on the islands, including very remote ones,

shipping is vital for passenger and cargo

messages within the country and beyond. Connected daily

by sea between Copenhagen and major islands and major ports

eastern Jutland. The busiest of the Danish ferries runs along

the Great Belt between the islands of Funen and Zealand. Daily to Denmark

many buyers arrive from Sweden and Norway. Given the fragmentation

territory, a well-established public transport system and high

taxes on cars and gasoline, the number of private cars in Denmark is much

less than in other Nordic countries - about 1 for every 2.7

people (the corresponding figure in Sweden is 1:2.2, in Germany - 1:2.1).

Intercity buses make regular trips on an extensive system

highways. Over the past decades, many railway lines

were dismantled, and the total length of the railway network decreased.

Despite this, passenger traffic remained at the same level, and freight

traffic even increased. The quality of passenger service has improved

thanks to the electrification of railways and the emergence of comfortable

trains moving at a speed of 200 km/h. In 1997, traffic was opened on

railway line with a length of 18 km across the Great Belt,

connecting the islands of Zealand and Funen. This is where the freeway is being built. After

long discussions began the construction of a bridge and a tunnel between

Copenhagen and the Swedish city of Malmö across the Øresund Strait, 16 km wide.

Copenhagen Kastrup International Airport is expanding and is a hub

for Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS).

Prospects for development, participation in the EU.

Denmark provided strong support to the UN and was one of the host countries

NATO. The controversial attitude towards NATO since 1990 has been replaced by a more active one

position, including the presence of parts of the Danish army during the war in

Persian Gulf (1990-1991) and Balkan conflict, military support

cooperation in Eastern Europe and the Baltic countries. Occupying a loyal

position in the Nordic Council, Denmark since 1990 advocates expansion

cooperation with the Baltic countries. Although Denmark joined the EEC in

1973, she is skeptical of plans for European unification. On the

In a referendum in 1992, Danish voters rejected the terms of the Maastricht

treaty, but later accepted it with reservations, and in a referendum in 1998

approved the Amsterdam Agreement. Denmark has not signed the agreement

Western European Union on Defense, but supports the Organization for

cooperation and security in Europe, the NATO Partnership for

the world" and the International Trade Organization. In 1995, Denmark allocated almost

1% of the gross national product for humanitarian aid.

Additional Information.

CULTURE

Danish culture draws inspiration from local folk traditions

and is influenced by other European countries. Folk

traditions are manifested in handicrafts (for example, in textiles,

silver and ceramic); they are visible in music, dance and are reflected in

fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen. European influence can be seen in

tendencies of atonal music and jazz, abstract painting, modern

sculpture and realistic literature. The motives of folk music are very

skillfully woven into some of the works of contemporary composers, and

decorative elements of rural churches in Denmark are repeated in decoration

the monumental Grundtvig Church in Copenhagen. This church bearing the name

a prominent Danish educator and church reformer, was built according to

project of architects P.V. Jensen-Klint and K. Klint in 1921-1940. European

influence can also be seen in the architecture of modern high-rise buildings,

apartment buildings and private houses.

Science in Denmark has reached a high level of development. Some scientists of this

countries have become world famous. Niels Bohr made major discoveries in

areas of nuclear physics. H.K. Oersted did pioneering work on

electromagnetism. Rasmus Rask and Wilhelm Thomsen held important

research in Danish linguistics and philology.

Public education. Denmark is a country of almost universal literacy.

Among adults, the proportion of illiterates does not exceed 1%. All children over 9 years

visit comprehensive schools. Public schools also have

optional 10th grade. In the early 1970s, only 20% of students

secondary schools after passing the exam entered the gymnasium

(secondary schools) with a three-year term of study. However, according to the law

Education 1976, access to the gymnasium was open to all students. This law

also allowed parents and local authorities to have greater influence on

choice of a teenager's life path. The 1994 law provides even more

educational opportunities. Admission of high school graduates to

Universities depend on the results of competitive exams. To get higher

education, persons who do not have a high school diploma must

complete a two-year course of study and pass a special exam. Whole system

education, including private paid schools, is subsidized by the state.

Danish folk schools for adults are well known, in which people study

over 18 years old. They live at schools and take a course of study

up to 40 weeks. Upon completion of these schools, there are no

examinations and certificates are not issued. Such public schools began to be created in

mid 19th century in rural areas mainly for young farmers. However

in the 20th century many schools were opened in cities. into the system of professional

Denmark's education includes the Higher Schools of Economics, Management and Foreign

languages; pharmaceutical, library, pedagogical and dental

colleges and technical institutes, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and

Conservatory in Copenhagen. There are universities in Copenhagen, Aalborg,

Aarhus, Odense and Roskilde, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural

university, Danish Technical School and Danish Engineering

academy. In 1995, more than 155.7 students studied in higher educational institutions of the country

thousand students (approximately 45% of students), i.e. by 25%

more than in 1985. State spending on public education is

Literature and art. Denmark has given the world many talented writers, among

Soren Kierkegaard, Hans Christian Andersen, J.W. Jensen (Nobel Prize

1917). In the novels of Titus Jensen, Jens Peter Jacobsen and romantic

stories by Isaac Dinesen (Karen Blixen) capture significant

events in the life of the country. Novels by H.C. Brunner, Martin A. Hansen, Jacob

Paludan, Hans Kirk and Knud Sönnerby are outstanding examples of modern

realism. A special place is occupied by the work of the poet-philosopher Piet Hein.

New forms have established themselves in modern Danish poetry (Tom Christensen,

Paul La Cour, Nees Petersen).

Urgent problems of public life in the middle of the 20th century. raised prominent Danish

playwrights Kai Munch, Kjell Abell and Carl Soya. Their plays revealing

the inner world of a person and his relationship to society, were staged in theaters not

only in Denmark itself, but also beyond its borders. At the end of the 20th century a whole

a galaxy of outstanding writers such as Ole Wivel, Klaus Riefbjerg, Ulla

Rum, Stig Dalager, Inge Christensen, Henrik Norbrandt, Kirsten Thorup, Bo

Gren Jensen, Marianne Larsen, Susanna Brögger and Peter Höeg. Best Samples

Modern Danish architecture was created by Kai Fisker, Hak Kampman, Aage Rafn,

Arne Jacobsen, C.F. Möller and Poul Baumann, who designed the buildings

University of Aarhus and the police department in Copenhagen, a number of

apartment buildings and the seat of the Danish Broadcasting Company.

New forms were also used by Jørgen Bo and Vilhelm Wohlert, creators of

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art complex (in Humlebeck near

(Australia). In sculpture works by Adam Fischer, Gerhard Hening, Kai

Nielsen and others reflect abstract and modernist tendencies, very

far from the romantic traditions of Bertel Thorvaldsen and other Danish

masters of the early 19th century. First half of the 19th century - Danish "golden age"

painting. A galaxy of talented craftsmen (K.V. Eckersberg, K. Köbke, J.T. Lundby

etc.) left realistic canvases (portraits, landscapes, views of cities,

genre compositions). At the end of the century, a group of artists gained fame

(A. Anker, M. Anker, P.S. Kroyer and others), who worked in the area of ​​the Skagen Spit, on

the far north of Denmark. They depicted the nature and people of this region, using

richness of the color palette, but giving preference to light colors. Like

French Impressionists, they sought to know the harmony of human

being and convey a poetic perception of the world. In place of impressionism

modernist and abstract art appeared by such masters as

A.Jorn, K.-H.Pedersen, E.Jakobsen, R.Mortensen. Their work has reached

flourished in the 1920s and 1930s. Variety of genres of Danish painting

demonstrated by artists associated with the association "Korner":

W.Brockdorf, K.Bovin, O.Kielberg, E.Karlinski, N.Lergaard, E.Suberg, H.Scherfig

and others. Many of them became famous as masters of landscape painting,

recreating the image of their native country. Prominent place in the work of members

association is occupied by portraiture (V. Krag-Hansen). stands out

a group of landscape painters of the Funen School (Poul Sørensen and others),

who worked in the open air on the island of Funen. Danish artists have made great strides

in graphics and applied arts, especially in ceramic painting. Modern

Danish musicians were deeply influenced by earlier composers -

such as Carl Nielsen, Finn Hoefding, Ebbe Hamerik and Niels Viggo Bentson.

The influence of jazz and the style of Bela Bartok can be traced in the works of Herman

Koppel and Bernhard Christensen. Royal Danish Symphony Orchestra

and the Danish Radio Orchestra, along with the classical repertoire, often perform

works of contemporary composers. The Royal Ballet has a high

reputation since the 18th century. and reached the pinnacle of mastery in the first half of the 19th century,

when the artist and choreographer August Bournonville worked here. For development

Danish Opera big influence rendered by composer Haakon Borresen, author

Royal guest and Kadara.

Research work in Denmark is mainly carried out at the Royal

Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters and at universities. Many scientific

institutions are concentrated in Copenhagen, including the world famous

Institute for Theoretical Physics, where Niels Bohr worked. Carlsberg Foundations and

Rask-Oersted provide financial support to research areas and

projects that are not subsidized by universities or the state.

The Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and the Danish Institute provide assistance in

publication scientific papers. An extensive network of libraries has been created in the country.

The largest of them are the Royal Library, the library of the Copenhagen

university and university library in the city of Aarhus.

Museums. There are over 100 cultural and historical museums in Denmark. stand out

open-air museums, where samples of folk architecture and

antiquities - in Sorgenfri near Copenhagen and in Aarhus. National

Museum in Copenhagen has rich materials on archeology,

history of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and folk art. Museum

has a large collection of coins and medals. Fees are also shown

ethnographic and natural scientific expeditions from different regions of the world.

The richest collection of portraits, jewelry, weapons, furniture,

arts and crafts collected at Rosenborg Royal Palace in

Copenhagen, built in the early 17th century. The palace itself is a shining monument

Renaissance architecture, harmoniously integrated into the park landscape.

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Copenhagen has the most

a complete collection of paintings and sculptures by Danish masters. There are presented

as well as masterpieces of outstanding masters of world art. New Glyptothek

Carlsberg, founded in 1888, has rich archaeological

collections, works of French and Danish art.

The original Louisiana Museum housed in a former homestead 30 km north

from Copenhagen, is famous for its representative collection of works of the world

art of the 20th century

Publishing activity. Large publishing houses "Gullendal" and "Munksgaard"

reached a high level of skill in the field of book printing. Every year in

country issued approx. 1400 titles of books, not counting translations from

foreign languages ​​and reprints of the classics. Some writers receive

state grants for the publication of their works; besides,

subsidies are provided to publishers. In 1998 there were 37 dailies

newspapers (against 58 in 1970) with a total circulation of 1.6 million copies. Leading

daily newspapers - "Politiken" and "Berlingske Tidende" - have a total circulation

500 thousand copies.

Popular arts. Denmark has a long tradition in the area

cinematic art, dating back to the masterpieces of Carl Dreyer (The Passion of Joan of Arc,

1927; Vampire, 1931; Slovo, 1955). The outstanding

film actress Asta Nielsen (1881-1972). Danish films by Bille August (Feast

Babette, Pelle the Conqueror) were honored by the Royal Academy in

1987 and 1988, while the films of Lars Trier (Centrope, Kingdom) won

international recognition. State monopoly on activities in the field

broadcasting and television was abolished in the 1980s, and since then

dozens of new local and regional broadcasters and

television stations. Cable and satellite TV expanded to

viewers choice. Two state

television stations, one of which broadcasts commercials

The Danes enjoy the theatrical arts. Danish Royal Theater -

the largest theater group in the country. It has three troupes -

drama, ballet and opera. In addition, there are theaters in both

Copenhagen, and in other cities of the country, including common

so-called small and mobile theatres. Both national and local theaters

supported in part by government subsidies. On summer

venues, in particular in Tivoli Park in Copenhagen, etc., give concerts

symphony orchestras and theater, choral and dance performances

teams.

Sport. The national sport is football. Several teams compete in

national league, the best players form a team for international

competitions. Other popular sports are rugby, swimming, tennis,

hiking, cycling and gymnastics. The climate of Denmark

encourages winter sports, but many Danes travel

skiing in Sweden and Norway.

customs and holidays. The Danes are known for their hospitality and commitment.

old customs. Religious holidays are widely celebrated in the country:

Christmas, Easter, Ascension, Trinity, etc. Folk holidays are popular,

bonfires are lit and festivities are arranged). Summer in Frederiksssund on the island of Zeeland

the Viking festival takes place, and in the ancient cities of Ribe, Aarhus, Hobro,

Aalborg and Trelleborg host Viking fairs. For official holidays

applies New Year. National holidays in Denmark - Constitution Day (5

Work plan

1. General information……………………………………………………….3

2. Geographical location…………………………………………..4

3. Historical background:………………………………………………..6

4. General overview of the economy ……………………………………………..8

5. Population……………………………………………………………..23

6. Largest cities…………………………………………………..24

7. Interesting and entertaining facts………………………………..25

List of used literature……………………………………..26

1. General information:

Denmark, one of ancient states Northern Europe, occupies an important key position at the crossroads of busy trade routes from the Baltic Sea to the North, on the one hand, and between Central Europe and the Scandinavian Peninsula, on the other. The historical core of the Danish state consists of most of the Jutland Peninsula with adjacent islands, the Danish archipelago (the islands of Zeeland or Shelland, Fyn, Lolland, etc.) and the island of Bornholm. All these territories in official documents are united under the name "Denmark proper".

In addition, Denmark includes the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which enjoy internal self-government.

The capital of the state is the city of Copenhagen.

2. Geographic location

The area of ​​Denmark itself is about 43 thousand square meters. km, and it is inhabited by 5.12 million people. This is one of the small European countries. In size, it is significantly inferior to the neighboring states of the Scandinavian Peninsula, being 10 times smaller than Switzerland and 7.5 times smaller than Norway.

The land border of Denmark with Germany, 68 km long, crosses the Jutland Peninsula in its narrowest part and is not connected with major natural boundaries. The rest of the country's borders are by sea. In the west, the shores are washed by the North Sea, in the north by the Skagerrak Strait, in the east by the Kattegat and Øresund (Sund) straits, in the southeast by the Baltic Sea. The smallest width of the Øresund (eastern strait) is only 4 km, and in good weather you can see the coast of Sweden from the Danish coast.

Being on the peninsula of Denmark, nowhere can you be more than 52 km away from the sea. The total length of the coastline is 7300 km, half of this length falls on the islands (which occupy 2/5 of the country's area); in total there are about 500 islands (400 do not have a permanent population), most of them are concentrated in the east of the country, at the entrance to the Baltic Sea, and are combined into the Danish archipelago.

The climate of Denmark is determined by its geographical position. Throughout the year, air currents from the temperate and tropical latitudes of the Atlantic prevail, bringing a large amount of heat and moisture. Oceanic influence evens out the annual course of temperature and precipitation. Summer in Denmark is never particularly hot, while mild, steady weather prevails in winter. Transitional seasons are usually long.

The influence of the ocean is most pronounced in winter. The average temperature of the coldest month - February is about "0" degrees Celsius, the average temperature of July is about 15 - 16 degrees. In summer, the oceanic climate is less pronounced (anticyclones from Scandinavia and the Baltic). The average annual rainfall varies within 800 mm. Precipitation falls mainly in autumn and winter, with a small amount in spring and early summer. Snowfalls are rare, and the fallen snow immediately melts.

Denmark is covered with a dense network of small rivers with slight slopes and slow calm currents. The rivers are mainly fed by rainwater and, to a lesser extent, by groundwater. There are very few navigable rivers. Even on the largest river - Gudeno go only tourist boats.

This country is characterized by winter floods, when the bulk of precipitation falls.

Figure 1 – Map of Denmark

3. Historical background:

The ancient Danes - Danes - are first mentioned in the 6th century. At that time they were at the stage of disintegration of the primitive communal system. In the 9th - 11th centuries, the Danes raided the countries of Northern Europe. In the 10th century, a single Danish kingdom was formed. At the beginning of the 11th century, under the rule of the Danish king Canute I, Denmark, Norway and England were temporarily united. In 1397, under Margaret of Denmark, the Kalmar Union was concluded, which was headed by Denmark, uniting it with Sweden and Norway. Lutheranism was introduced in 1536. The Danish-Swedish wars of the 17th century for dominance in the Baltic Sea ended in defeat. The strengthening of Sweden, which finally separated from Denmark in 1523, and competition from maritime powers (Holland and England) in the 17th and 18th centuries caused the decline of Denmark. Denmark participated in the Napoleonic Wars on the side of France. As a result of the war, after the conclusion of the Kiel Peace Treaty in 1814, according to which Norway (without Iceland) passed to Sweden, and the island of Helgoland to England. The revolutionary upsurge of 1848 brought the National Liberals to power, in 1949 Denmark became a bourgeois-landlord constitutional monarchy, and King Frederik VII was forced to introduce a constitution. In 1864, as a result of the war with Prussia and Austria, Schleswig and Holstein departed from Denmark. In 1876 the Social Democratic Party was formed; it consisted largely of land-poor and landless peasants. The struggle for political power between the Conservative (founded in 1849) and Venstre (founded in 1870) parties brought the latter to power in 1901. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Denmark entered a period of imperialism. To the first world war Denmark declared neutrality. In 1916, under pressure from the United States, Denmark sold them its possessions in the West Indies. In 1918, Denmark was forced to grant independence to Iceland (as part of the Danish-Icelandic Union, dissolved in 1944). Diplomatic relations with Russia were concluded in 1924. In 1940-45 Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany. The resistance movement was led by the Freedom Council (since 1943 with the participation of the communists). The Soviet Army also participated in the liberation of Denmark (Bronholm Island). In the post-war period, the government was led by representatives of the Social Democratic Party or Venstre. Denmark has been a NATO member since 1949. Denmark has been a member of the EDC (European Defense Community) since 1973. Since 1982, a coalition government (Rigsdag) has been in power, consisting of two chambers: the lower - the Folketing and the upper - Landsting. But in 1990 the government became unicameral.

4. General overview of the economy

Denmark is a country with a highly developed economy. In terms of GDP per capita (more than 26 thousand dollars), Denmark ranks fourth in Europe (after Sweden, Luxembourg and Norway). Annual growth rate of GDP of the population in 1996-97. amounted to about 2% .The country's economic potential is based on industry and highly efficient agriculture. Denmark, along with this, is a fishing power, and also has one of the largest merchant marine fleets in the world. It has an extensive network of transport-forwarding and trade-industrial companies around the world, which largely determines the success in promoting Danish exports.

Denmark has a well-developed educational and research base, which allows it to stay at the forefront of technological frontiers in the world.

Denmark has one of the best social protection systems for the population. In total public spending, the costs of social protection, education and health care account for 70%, while defense, law enforcement and public administration - only 15%.

The high level of social spending, along with the presence of a significant public debt, built up mainly in the past 20 years due to the need to maintain the current level of social security, seriously limits the competitiveness of the Danish economy.

The bulk of the country's able-bodied population is employed in small and medium enterprises. In total, more than 430 thousand business entities are registered in Denmark. This business structure makes the Danish economy flexible and able to quickly respond to changing market conditions.

1997 was a mostly favorable year for the Danish economy. Slowdown economic development, which characterized the state of the Danish economy in 1995, was replaced in 1996 by a resumption of growth, which continued into 1997. The gross domestic product of Denmark in 1997 grew by 5.2% and reached 1121 billion crowns. Part of the growth can be explained by an increase in domestic demand, but Danish exports in 1997 also increased more markedly than the European average (by 7.2%).

The resumption of economic growth in Denmark occurred somewhat earlier than in other European countries.

The recovery in the economy contributed to the consolidation of positive changes in the labor market and the level of registered unemployment decreased to 7.8% of the total labor force.

Mineral resource base

Without a developed raw material base, Denmark imports significant amounts of industrial raw materials of both plant and animal, and mineral origin. The most notable is the supply of timber (3.5 billion kroons). The main timber suppliers are Sweden (1.5 billion kroons), Finland (0.7 billion kroons) and Germany (0.3 billion kroons). A prominent place in total imports is occupied by goods of the fuel and energy group, especially coal, oil and oil products. In 1996, thermal coal worth 2.9 billion crowns, oil and oil products worth 9 billion crowns were imported to Denmark. Russian firms are major partners for Danish importers. Their share in the import of goods of this group amounted to 12.5%.

Industry

The leading sectors of the Danish industry are metalworking, mechanical engineering and instrument making. About 34% of the total industrial production is created here. An important place is occupied by food - 26%, chemical - 16.5%, pulp and paper and printing - 8.5%, as well as woodworking and furniture - 7.8% industry.

All these sectors have a steady tendency to increase the production and export of their products. After several years of stagnation, there has been a rise in the textile and clothing industry. Currently, these industries provide about 3.5% of the total industrial production. The leather industry is in crisis.

The results of 1997, the situation in the Danish economy at the beginning of 1998, allow us to conclude that the country's economy is on the rise. Forecasts by Danish and international experts confidently portend moderate GDP growth for the Danish economy in the near future, further growth in agricultural and industrial production, moderate export growth and strengthening of the country's monetary and financial position.

According to experts from the International Monetary Fund and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the rate of economic growth in Denmark will decrease slightly and approach the European average (2.7%), inflation rates, according to- continue to exceed the European average (by 0.5%), and the unemployment rate will fall even moreto a record low of 6.9% by 1999.

In Denmark, 11% of the territory is occupied by forests, 2/3 of which is privately owned. Almost all of these are forest plantations produced over the past 200 years.

At present, 10% of all employed in industrial production in Denmark are in the timber industry. This is one of the fastest growing industries. The annual turnover of the woodworking industry in 1996 amounted to 10.1 billion kroons.

One of the most developed industries in Denmark is the furniture industry, which was defined as an industry back in the 17th century. Since then, the quality of Danish furniture has been maintained at a high level both by the Furniture Manufacturers Guild and government subsidies. Today, the furniture industry ranks 8th among the country's most important export industries.

The largest importer of furniture from Denmark is Germany. The United States has significantly reduced its imports in recent years. Danish manufacturers are showing increased interest in the Russian sales market, considering this market to be very promising.

In 1996, 6.4 billion kroons of furniture were sold on the domestic Danish market, in the first three quarters of 1997 - 5.2 billion.

The country's furniture industry has about 500 companies employing 19,500 people. Most of the enterprises are united in the Association of Danish Furniture Manufacturers. These are small and medium enterprises with a turnover of 10-100 million kroons.

A fundamental principle of the Danish government's domestic debt policy is to cover the government's total borrowings by issuing government securities to the domestic market. In 1997, the country's public debt amounted to 101.5 billion crowns.

In 1997, the average exchange rate of the Danish krone against the US dollar was 6.6 kroons per 1 dollar.

The transport industry in Denmark is traditionally considered one of the most important sectors of the economy and is the third largest export in the country. It remains a significant source of foreign exchange earnings (about 90% of earnings).

The share of maritime transport accounts for approximately 75% of all foreign trade transportation.

The Danes cover 5% of the global freight market.

The activity of the Danish merchant fleet is concentrated mainly on international lines. Domestic transportation takes only 10% of the turnover of shipping companies. Transportation of goods in Europe - is 25% of the turnover. Denmark's largest shipping market is the North American continent. It accounts for 50% of the total turnover of the Danish fleet. Within the Nordic countries, the Danes carry out only 5% of shipping. In 1997, Danish shipping companies transported about 360,000 tons of cargo to Russia.

Danish shipowners operate one of the most modern fleets, with an average ship age of less than 8 years, almost half the average age of the global merchant fleet. In 1997, the net income from the operation of the merchant fleet, which is mainly used for the transport of foreign trade cargo, amounted to 8 billion dollars.

Rail transport is concentrated mainly in the state company Danish National Railways (DSB). The total length of Danish railways is more than 3 thousand km, including 2344 km of roads electrified. By 2000, it was planned to fully electrify the entire railway network. Approximately 150 million passengers and more than 9 million tons of cargo are transported annually by rail, including about 65% of foreign trade cargo. About 20% of passenger traffic falls on this type of transport.

Road transport is important for passenger and freight transportation within the country. Annually, more than 75% of all domestic freight traffic and more than 80% of passenger traffic, as well as approximately 8% of foreign trade cargo transportation, are carried out by road.

Currently, most of the land traffic flows (both road and rail) coming from Central and Western Europe to Sweden, Norway and Finland, as well as in the opposite direction, converge to the Danish straits. On the shores of the Øresund and the Great Belt, numerous cars, buses and wagons must be loaded onto ferries in order to reach the opposite shore. Therefore, through these straits - Øresund, which separates Denmark and Sweden, and the Great Belt, which lies between the Danish islands of Zeeland and Fyn, the construction

bridges and tunnel crossings. These transport arteries are receiving great attention from the European Union, as together they should complete the unification of the road and rail network on the continent. These crossings will unleash traffic jams, the traffic will become uninterrupted and high-speed.

Air Transport. Central to this is SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System), a public-private joint venture between Sweden, Denmark and Norway. SAS handles all external air traffic, while its Danish division Danair handles domestic flights. More than 13 million passengers are transported annually by SAS, including about 2.5 million passengers by the Danair branch on Danish domestic routes.

In Denmark, a complex of industries has developed, specializing in the processing of agricultural products. In addition to mechanical engineering, which specializes in the production of equipment for agriculture and fishing, the leading industries include the chemical electrical industry, as well as precision engineering. At present, Denmark is an industrial-agrarian country with a high level of development of capitalism. It actively participates in international economic relations, acting primarily as an exporter of engineering products and foodstuffs, especially meat and dairy products. The economy is characterized by a high level of concentration and centralization of capital and production. Almost 3/4 of the capital is concentrated in the three largest banks: the Copenhagen commercial, agricultural and private banks. The large monopoly associations account for 4/5 of the country's entire industrial output. More than 30% of Danish companies are under the influence of foreign monopolies - American, West German, and Swedish. However, simultaneously with the import of capital, its export is growing rapidly.

The industrial structure of Denmark is dominated by industries closely related to the external market - with the import of raw materials and semi-finished products and the export of finished products.

In fact, many industries developed with the expectation of exports; these include, for example, metalworking, mechanical engineering, the meat and dairy industries. Some sectors of the light industry that work for the domestic market also supply large volumes of export products: shoes, fabrics, furniture, etc.

Industry

Denmark is characterized by a relatively small size of enterprises. Their placement is very uneven. Many industries and businesses are concentrated in the east, in the Greater Copenhagen area. The country does not have significant reserves of energy raw materials and is forced to import oil and coal. Imported raw materials are used by all thermal power plants in the country. The reserves of hydropower in the country are insignificant. Part of the electricity is transmitted from Sweden and Norway via submarine cables. Deposits of brown coal and natural gas in the country are insignificant and have local significance.

Of particular importance in the industrial profile of Denmark is the production of sets of equipment for entire enterprises: paint and varnish, cement, processing milk, meat, fish, etc. Tankers, bulk carriers, passenger and other vessels built in Denmark are in great demand. Small shipyards operate in many port cities. Factories producing engines, containers, cranes and other types of ship equipment are associated with them.

At present, a significant part of ships around the world are equipped with engines built in Denmark or under Danish licenses.

The food industry ranks second in terms of the cost of manufactured products and the number of employees. It is distinguished by a high level of mechanization and a wide production profile. Almost 3/4 of food industry products are exported. Denmark is also engaged in the production of sugar, this industry gravitates towards the sugar beet planting areas in the southeast of the country.

Relatively recently, a chemical industry has developed in Denmark, mainly using imported raw materials. Products are mainly produced organic synthesis, varnishes and paint, detergents and fertilizers.

Denmark has a well-developed glass and ceramics industry. Especially widely known is Danish porcelain, which is distinguished by its high quality. Favorite motives for painting porcelain dishes are seagulls, sailing ships, rural landscapes.

Danish furniture has also earned worldwide fame. The main center was Copenhagen, later this industry began to develop in other cities of Jutland. Furniture here is made in small factories using teak, rosewood and other tropical woods. Furniture is exported in large quantities.

Agriculture

Danish agriculture is one of the key sectors of the country's economy, and agricultural exports traditionally generate a significant share of foreign exchange earnings in the Danish trade balance. More than two thirds of agricultural products produced in the country are exported. The total value of agricultural exports in 1997 amounted to no less than 60 billion crowns.

Agricultural production in Denmark is characterized by a high level of technology and agricultural technology, which is achieved through the systematic use of the most advanced developments in this area, a high degree of mechanization and automation of work.

About 120 thousand people, or 5% of the country's able-bodied population, are employed in Denmark's agriculture, with a gradual reduction trend. The basis of agricultural production is the family farm. The total number of farms in the country is 68.8 thousand, with an average farm size of 40 hectares.

In Denmark, close attention is paid to protection environment. Current Laws tightly regulate the use chemical substances, dictate the order and scope of the use of organic fertilizers, and also exclude the discharge of agricultural waste into the environment. Clean technologies in Danish agriculture are successfully introduced not only under administrative pressure, but also because they have become economically beneficial for the farmers themselves. The state and cooperative associations finance the latest scientific developments in this direction, which not only eliminates environmental pollution, but also leads to an increase in the production of environmentally friendly products and increases the competitiveness of Danish agriculture.

With its own production of agricultural products, Denmark mainly satisfies its needs in fodder crops and grain production. The harvest in 1997 was: grain - about 9.2 million tons (leading crops: wheat - 4.8 million tons and barley - 3.9 million tons), potatoes - 1.4 million. tons, sugar beet - 3.1 million tons.

Exports of crop products are significant for such a small country. About 2.5 million tons of grain are exported annually.

Animal husbandry is Denmark's largest and most efficient agricultural sector. Livestock accounts for about three-quarters of total farm income.

The number of cattle in Denmark now stands at 2.1 million heads and has been declining for a number of years. In terms of milk production (4.7 million tons in 1997), Denmark is far ahead of Austria, Belgium, Portugal, Sweden and Finland.

Denmark is a major producer of butter. In 1997, 57 thousand tons were produced. This is more than in Spain and Portugal combined, twice as much as in Sweden. Denmark is one of the world's largest exporters of butter - 49 thousand tons in 1997 (the main buyer is England).

Denmark is the fourth largest exporter of cheese in the world. In 1997, Danish exports of cheese amounted to 236,000 tons worth over $1 billion (the main buyers are Germany, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the USA and Greece).

Denmark ranks 8th in the world in pork production and in 1996 became the world's largest exporter of pork meat. In 1997, 1.2 million tons were exported. In terms of per capita consumption of pork, Denmark ranks first in Europe.

Agriculture in Denmark is known for its high agrotechnical culture. Land reclamation is widely used, leading to the expansion and improvement of agricultural land. To withstand competition in foreign markets with their rapidly changing market conditions, Danish farmers are developing three industries - meat and dairy farming, pig breeding and poultry farming.

The leading branch of agriculture in Denmark is meat, dairy and bacon animal husbandry, which provides 80-90% of the commodity value of agricultural products. Simultaneously with the development of the dairy industry, pig breeding has become important. The feed base of pig breeding is mainly dairy waste.

The poultry industry in Denmark has long specialized in the production of eggs. In recent years, the broiler business has expanded significantly, with poultry being mainly exported.

The second branch of agricultural production - crop production - specializes in growing, mainly, fodder crops, which occupy the bulk of the sown area. Over half of the arable land is occupied by grain crops, mainly barley, which is used for fattening pigs. Of the other crops, the most common are oats, wheat, rye, sugar beet, and feed mixtures.

Rye and oats are grown mainly in the western, northern and central regions of Jutland, barley crops are fairly evenly distributed throughout the country, wheat is allocated to the most fertile lands in the Danish Islands and East Jutland. Crops of winter wheat predominate, as spring wheat yields smaller crops.

Fishing is carried out in the coastal waters of the North Sea. They catch herring and flounder. Most of the fish is delivered to the ports of the western and northern coasts: Esbjerg, Skagen, Hirtshals, Tyboron, Frederikshavn. Rainbow trout are bred in rivers and lakes. The country is the main world supplier of this fish. The development of fisheries is partly due to the advantageous position of Denmark in relation to fishing areas and markets. Fish and fish products are exported mainly to Western European countries such as Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Italy.

Export and import

In 1997, Denmark's foreign trade turnover amounted to 770 billion crowns. The share of foreign trade in the country's gross domestic product reached 68.7%.

The main foreign trade partners of Denmark are the EU countries: Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, Norway, the Netherlands, France. In 1997, they accounted for 68.5% of the total turnover of Denmark's foreign trade. On the American continent, Denmark's largest partner is the United States (4.4% of the total foreign trade turnover), in the Asia-Pacific region - Japan (2.9%) and China (1.2%). Russia accounts for a little over 1.2% of Denmark's foreign trade turnover.

In 1997, Denmark exported goods and services worth 403.6 billion crowns. The share of exports in GDP was 36%. Over the past four years, export growth rates have remained fairly stable.

Denmark's main export market remains Germany - 22% of all Danish exports. It is followed by Sweden and Great Britain - (by 9.1%), Norway (6.6%) and France, from overseas markets the USA, Japan are the most important for Danish exporters, South Korea and Hong Kong.

The share of Russia in Danish exports is 1.4% and according to this indicator it ranks 15th.

In the "Food and live animals" group, the most significant supplies are meat and meat products (to the amount of 19.9 billion kroons), fish and seafood (15 billion kroons), as well as dairy products and eggs (7.3 billion kroons) .

In the group "Non-food raw materials, except fuel" (12.2 billion kroons), the export of furs occupies a prominent place. Fur farming has become a major export industry for Denmark in recent years. The export of mink and fox skins in 1997 brought about 400 million dollars. The main buyer is Hong Kong (more than 30%), as well as Germany, Italy, Turkey, Finland and South Korea.

The export of mineral fuels, fuels and lubricants, gas and electricity in the amount of 13.5 billion kroons in 1996 for the first time exceeded Denmark's costs for imports of this group of goods. At the same time, the export of electricity increased especially significantly (by five times).

Denmark's significant exports are medical equipment and devices. Thus, the export of medical electrical appliances exceeds 1.2 billion kroons. Approximately the same amount is exported annually to other medical devices and instruments.

An important place in Danish exports is occupied by furniture. Today, Denmark produces more furniture than any other country in Europe, and about 80% of production is exported. During the first three quarters of 1997, Danish furniture was exported to the amount of 9.5 billion crowns. About half of all furniture exports (5.6 billion crowns) are sent to Germany. In general, almost 90% of Danish furniture exports go to Western European countries.

Import. In 1997, Denmark imported goods and services worth 366.4 billion crowns. The share of imports in GDP was 32.7%.

The main suppliers of goods to the Danish market are the EU countries, which account for 65.4% of the value of Danish imports. The largest suppliers are Germany (20.5%), Sweden (11.6%), Great Britain (6.8%), the Netherlands (6.6%), France (5.2%), Norway (5.1%) . Other major suppliers include the US (4.8%), Japan (2.3%) and China (1.7%). The share of Russia in Danish imports is only 0.9%. According to this indicator, Russia ranks only 19th among Denmark's foreign trade partners.

Denmark is a major importer of food products. In 1997, imports of goods under the heading "Food products and live animals" amounted to 23.6 billion kroons. The main place in this group is occupied by fish and seafood (7.4 billion kroons), which are mainly purchased for processing.

During the three years of economic recovery, furniture imports to Denmark increased by 40% and in 1996 amounted to 2.3 billion kroons. And already in the first three quarters of 1997, furniture worth 2.9 billion kroons was imported. The largest suppliers are Sweden, Germany, Italy and Norway. At the same time, Danish furniture imports account for only a quarter of exports.

Without having a comprehensively developed chemical industry, Denmark imports significant volumes of chemical products. In 1996, the goods of this group were imported in the amount of 26.3 billion kroons.

Machinery, equipment and vehicles are the largest group of Danish imports by value (81.2 billion crowns). The leading place in this group is occupied by cars (19.2 billion kroons), mainly cars.

Nearly two-thirds of GDP is generated by the private sector. The territorial industrial potential of Denmark is moving to the western regions of the country, which is caused by the growing interest of the Danes in the markets of Central Europe. Currently, two thirds of manufacturing companies are concentrated in these regions.

After a brief stagnation in the industry in 1995 and 1996, associated with the fall of the Danish krone against European currencies and the US dollar, 1997 showed an increase in production and exports. This trend is driven by increased demand in European markets and increased export potential in Denmark.

The total value of Danish industrial output in 1997 is about 400 billion crowns. Two thirds of the products produced are exported.

Relations with other countries

For Denmark, trade relations with other countries play a vital role, since its fuel needs are almost completely met by imported oil, agriculture is highly dependent on imported feed, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and industry on such raw materials as metals, timber, wool, cotton, etc. Also, international trade relations are important for the export of goods that were mentioned above, i.e. meat and dairy products and other agricultural and industrial products.

Because of the maritime environment for the Danish economy leading role maritime transport plays a role in the transportation system. It accounts for half of domestic cargo transportation and about 80% of external. The country has an extensive system of inland sea routes serving transportation between individual islands and Jutland. Denmark is connected by permanent maritime cargo and passenger lines with the USA, Great Britain, the countries of the Baltic Sea, France, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Communication with Western Europe is maintained mainly through the port of Esbjerg, and with the Baltic countries and America through the largest Danish port of Copenhagen. Other significant ports of the country are Aalborg, Fredericia, Obenro, Nyborg, Randers and some others. Due to competition from the United States, Great Britain, Japan and other countries, the importance of the maritime fleet in the Danish economy has decreased, although a significant part of the traffic is foreign cargo. The network of railways and roads is also well developed.

5. Population

The population is very homogeneous in terms of ethnic composition. 98% are Danes. In terms of language and culture, they have many features in common with the Norwegians and Swedes, as well as with the Icelanders and Farriers, making up with them a single group of Scandinavian peoples. As part of this group, the Danes early took shape as an independent nation. Among the Scandinavian languages, Danish is second only to Swedish in distribution. In the population of Denmark, there are slightly more women than men (50.3 and 49.7%). The ratio of urban and rural population is approximately 1/4.

In the highly developed agriculture of Denmark, male labor is widely used, and the migration of men to the cities is small, unlike in a number of other Western states. Denmark is a densely populated country. In terms of population density, it is ahead of other states of Northern Europe. The Danish archipelago is the most densely populated, where 2/3 of all the inhabitants of the country are concentrated.

Denmark is a state with a system of government based on a constitutional monarchy. According to the constitution, the head of state is the monarch, who exercises legislative power together with the unicameral parliament (Folketing); executive power belongs to the king and is carried out by the government (council of ministers) on his behalf. The Danish Parliament is elected for a term of 4 years.

Administrative territorial division - 14 autonomies.

The monetary unit of Denmark is the Danish krone.

6. Major cities

The largest city is Copenhagen (Kobenhavn) - the capital of Denmark, translated as Merchant's Harbor. It is located on the islands of Zeeland and Amager. Copenhagen is a major port on the Øresund Strait, between the Baltic and North Seas. The population is 1.6 million people. First mentioned in 1043, in 1167 a castle and fortifications were built (there is a version that the monk Apsalon founded this city in 1158). In 1254 he received the status of a city. Becomes the capital of Denmark in 1416. In the 17th century, according to the designs of Christian IV, the residence of the kings was built. Currently, it is a major commercial, industrial, economic and cultural center.

7. Interesting and entertaining facts

In Jutland there is an extraordinary "atlas of the world". On the surface of the lake looms the continents and the largest islands made of stones and earth. The length of the "atlas" 100m, width 50 l. On the picture:

Denmark is also the birthplace of the great storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. The storyteller lived and worked all his life in Copenhagen, and in his honor on the city's embankment there is a sculpture of the Little Mermaid, unique in beauty and engineering design, one of Andersen's favorite characters in fairy tales.

drawing – Sculpture of the Little Mermaid

Bibliography:

Treasures of mankind 1997

V.P. Maksakovskiy. Geographical picture of the world.. - Yaroslavl: - 1995.

Scientific - popular geographic and ethnographic publication "Countries and peoples", M .: - 1992.

Brief geographical guide "Countries and peoples"., M .: - 1992.

Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary 1997.

Great Soviet Encyclopedia.

Small atlas of the world 1997

Children's encyclopedia. M.: - 1988

A capitalist state in Northwestern Europe, a member of an aggressive bloc. Remaining a member of this bloc, it also refused to deploy nuclear weapons and foreign troops on its territory in peacetime and declared its desire to promote detente and cooperation between East and West. However, Denmark supports all measures connected with the preparation of the country's territory for its possible use by the combined armed forces of NATO in the event that the imperialists unleash an aggressive war against the Soviet Union and the countries of the socialist community.

Denmark is an active member of the European trade and economic grouping "Common Market".

In this article, based on foreign press data, we will briefly review geographical conditions, population and government, natural resources, industry and agriculture, as well as some elements of the Danish infrastructure.

Geographic conditions of Denmark

Denmark (see figure) occupies most of the Jutland Peninsula and the islands of the Danish archipelago: Zealand, Fyn, Lolland, Falster, Mön. It also owns the islands of Bornholm (in the Baltic Sea), the North Frisian (in the North Sea), the Faroe Islands (in the Atlantic Ocean) and the largest island in the world, Greenland (2.17 million sq. km.). The area of ​​Denmark proper with about. Bornholm reaches 43 thousand square kilometers, the length of the coastline is about 7500 km, of which 3700 km falls on the Jutland Peninsula. The length of the land border (s) - 68 km. The Danish shores are washed by the North Sea, the Skagerrak, Kattegat, Øresund, Greater and Lesser Bela straits.

The western and northwestern coasts of Jutland are inconvenient for navigation due to shallow water. The eastern coast of Jutland and the coasts of the Danish Islands are strongly dissected, precipitous in places, and have many bays and inlets that form good natural harbors.

Denmark is a predominantly flat country with hilly terrain in the north and east. Soils in the west are mostly podzolic, in the east - brown forest. Summers occupy about 10% of the territory.
The climate is temperate, maritime, with mild, unstable winters and cool summers. The average temperature in February is 0°С, and in July +15°С. The average annual rainfall is 600 mm in the east and 750-800 mm in the west. The country abounds in short, unnavigable rivers, as well as lakes and swamps. The most significant rivers are Gudeno (158 km) and Suso (82 km). The main lake areas: the eastern part of the Jutland Peninsula (lakes Mossø, Yulsø and others) and the northern part of the island. Zealand (Lakes Arresø, Esrumsø, Furesø).

Assessing the military geographical position Denmark, Western military experts consider it strategically advantageous and convenient, primarily as a springboard for deploying the bloc's air and naval forces. They emphasize that Denmark, located at the junction of the North European and, as well as on the sea routes leading from the Baltic Sea to the Atlantic, is the most important link between the main groupings of the land and sea forces of the bloc located in Europe and the Atlantic.

Population and state system of Denmark

The population of the country as of January 1, 1975 reached 5,054 thousand people, its annual growth over the past decade has been 30-35 thousand. The national composition is homogeneous - 99% of Danes.

Germans (about 40 thousand people), Swedes (10 thousand), Finns live in the south of the country. The population density is 118 people per 1 sq. km. km. (the highest in Northern Europe), and on about. Zealand it reaches 250 people. Over 2/3 of Denmark's population lives in cities, including 26% in Greater Copenhagen (1.3 million people, including the suburbs of Frederiksberg, Gentofte and others). Large settlements also include the cities of Aarhus (245 thousand inhabitants), Odense (167 thousand), Aalborg (151 thousand).

The number of unemployed, which reached 150,000 in January-February 1976, is not decreasing, but is expected to increase significantly with the completion of summer seasonal work.

State system of Denmark

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy. According to the current constitution (adopted in 1953), the head of state is the king (the queen, since 1972 Queen Margrethe II), who exercises supreme power through the government. Legislative power is vested in the king (queen) and the Folketing (parliament). The king is also the supreme commander of the armed forces and the head of the official state church (Lutheran). To discuss the most important bills and measures of the government, it is convened state council- a meeting of all members of the government in the presence of the king (queen) and the heir to the throne.

The supreme legislative power belongs to the unicameral Folketing, whose decisions, signed by the king, acquire the force of law. The Folketing is elected by the people for a term of four years and has 179 members.

Administratively, the whole country is divided into 14 acts (provinces), headed by amtmans, appointed by the king. In cities, city councils are elected, headed by a burgomaster, and in rural communes, councils headed by an elected chairman.

Political parties in Denmark

The Communist Party of Denmark stands for the democratic rights of workers, for the country's exit from NATO (seven mandates in the Folketing); the social-democratic (170,000 members, 53 mandates) unites mainly workers, office workers and the petty-bourgeois intelligentsia; Venstre liberal (113 thousand members, 42 mandates) reflects the interests of large and medium landowners, as well as part of the industrial bourgeoisie; The Progress Party (23 seats) unites mainly the conservative circles of the urban petty bourgeoisie; Radical Venstre (25 thousand members, 13 mandates); The Conservative People's Party (92,000 members, ten mandates) expresses the interests of the big bourgeoisie and landlords; the Socialist People's Party (7,000 members, nine mandates) unites part of the workers, employees and intellectuals, the Democrats of the Center (four mandates); Left Socialists (four mandates) and others.

Branch trade unions (56 trade unions) are united in the Central Association of Trade Unions of Denmark, numbering over 900 thousand members. It is this union of workers' unions that is the political backbone of the Danish Social Democrats. Their support among young people is the All-Danish Youth Council (about 500 thousand people), which unites over 35 different political, religious, cultural and other youth organizations of the country.

Natural resources, industry and agriculture in Denmark

Denmark is an industrial-agrarian country. In terms of gross national product per capita, it ranks fifth or sixth among the capitalist states.

In economic and geographical terms, there are five main areas: about. Zealand is the main industrial and agricultural region (about 1/5 of the country's total area), where over 2/5 of the population and about 1/2 of industrial production are concentrated, including all metallurgy and about 3/5 of metalworking and engineering; East Jutland and about. Funen is the second most important economic region of the country; Western Jutland and the islands of Lolland, Falster and Mön are the main agricultural regions: the Faroe Islands - the region of fishing and the fish processing industry; Greenland - a region of fishing and cryolite mining (Ivigtut region).

Denmark is poor in minerals. In limited quantities, there is brown coal, rock salt, kaolin, peat. Oil is extracted from the seabed near the western coast (100-135 thousand tons per year). Uranium, oil, molybdenum, silver, and chromites have been found in Greenland.

The need for fuel is covered mainly by importing oil and oil products. The annual capacity of oil refineries (in the cities of Kalundborg, Fredericia) reaches 10 - 12 million tons. Electricity is generated mainly at thermal power plants. The largest of them with a capacity of 500 MW is located in Asnesverhet, near Kalundborg. On the river Gudeno built a hydroelectric power station.

The leading place in the industry belongs to mechanical engineering. In terms of production scale, shipbuilding, including military, stands out in the group of engineering and metalworking industries. The export of ships in 1970 amounted to 487 thousand reg. tons (4.8% of world exports, in 1960 153 thousand registered tons). The largest shipyards are located in Copenhagen, Odense, Helsingor and Nakskov.

Denmark can produce warships and light weapons. Electrical engineering and instrument making, production of equipment for the meat and dairy industry, counting and copying machines are well developed. The chemical industry specializes in the production of phosphate (Copenhagen) and nitrogen (Grenault) fertilizers, synthetic resins, plastics, perfumery and pharmaceutical products.

Agriculture is different a high degree productivity, mechanization and chemicalization. The fleet of tractors in 1974 consisted of 179 thousand, grain harvesters - 45 thousand. The share of livestock in the total marketable agricultural output is about 90%.

In per capita milk, butter and meat production, Denmark ranks second among the capitalist countries of the world after New Zealand.

Communications and means of communication in Denmark

Highways are divided into state, provincial, communal and private. The total length of the road network reaches 65,000 hm, of which 11,000 km are hard-surfaced, providing traffic with an axle pressure of 8-9 tons. 1,265 thousand cars.

According to the long-term plan for the development of the road network for 1970-1985, it is planned to build 1,000 km of motorways and 3,000 km of first-class roads. In accordance with this plan, bypass roads have already been built around the cities of Copenhagen, Odense and Aalborg, an automobile tunnel has been built under the Limfjord Bay and one of the largest bridges in Europe across the Small Belt Strait, which connected the Jutland Peninsula with about. Fyn.

According to foreign military experts, the main road directions that are of more importance are the highways: Flensburg (Germany) - Vejle - Aalborg - Frederikshavn - Skagen (more than 400 km long); Esbjerg - Kolding - Odense - Nyborg, connecting the western coast of Jutland with the eastern coast of about. Fyn; Geser - Vordinborg - Koge - Copenhagen with a total length of 150 km; Copenhagen - Ringsted - Korsør (connects the east and west coasts of Zealand). The Jutland peninsula and the islands of the Danish archipelago are connected by a rail ferry service. The total length of ferry lines reaches 208 km. Individual islands are connected by bridges or dams.

The railway network in Denmark, like in a number of other European countries, tends to be curtailed. So, in 1955 its length reached 4575 km. currently the length of public roads is 2000 km and private 494 km.

As of 1974, the transport fleet of state railways had 15 steam locomotives, 373 diesel locomotives, 382 railcars and motor cars, 10.2 thousand freight cars with a total carrying capacity of about 250 thousand tons and 1150 passenger cars for 100 thousand seats.

In the railway network, Danish military experts attach great importance to the routes Copenhagen - Odense - Esbjerg (314 km); Frederikshavn - Randers - Kolling - Flensburg (Germany); Viborg - Horning - Grister - Tönner and Thuboren - Esbjerg. The main railway junctions of the country include: Copenhagen, Nykobing, Odense, Aalborg, Aarhus, Fredericia, Kolding. characteristic feature the railway network of Denmark is considered to be the presence of large maritime railway inter-island ferry crossings, the most important of which are Zeeland - Jutland (ports of Kalunborg, Aarhus), Zeeland - Funen (Korsør, Nyborg); Fyn - Als (Foborg, Mommart). Denmark is also connected by rail ferry crossings with Sweden (Copenhagen - Malmö, Frederikshavn - Gothenburg), Germany (Nykobing - Puttgarden (Fehmarn Island), and with the GDR (Geser - Warnemünde).

Despite the rather dense network of roads and railways, the leading role in the country's freight traffic belongs to maritime transport. It provides over half of domestic and 4/5 of foreign trade transportation. According to the Danish press, by the beginning of 1976, the country's navy had 3,047 ships with a total displacement of 4.7 million tons, of which 1,098 merchant ships with a displacement of 4.3 million tons.

They increase annually. Denmark, along with Norway and Sweden, is a co-owner of Scandinavian Airlines ("CAC"), which serves international routes. Copenhagen (Kastrug airfield) is one of the centers of international air traffic. Major airports are also Tirstrup, Aalborg, Odense, Esbjerg and Rönne (Bornholm Island). Powerful radio stations are located in the cities of Copenhagen, Kalundborg, Tönner, Esbjerg, Skive, Aalborg, Scambleback. In total, the country has about 2 million telephones, over 1.5 million radios and about the same number of televisions.

Command posts, airfield network, naval bases and pipelines in Denmark

In accordance with NATO infrastructure plans and national programs, Denmark, since the 1950s, has been investing heavily in the creation of a system of command posts and communication centers, the construction of new and improvement of existing airfields, naval bases and ports, pipelines, navigation and electronic systems , training fields and training grounds, as well as warehouses for various purposes. Over 70 million kroons are spent annually on these activities under the national program and up to 90 million kroons under the NATO infrastructure program, of which about 75 million kroons are contributed by Denmark. The share of Denmark's participation in the financing of NATO's infrastructure programs, as reported by the foreign press, is continuously increasing. So, if in 1951-1957 it was 2.7%, in 1965-1969 - 3%, then in 1970-1974 - 3.5%.

To date, a wide network of joint and national headquarters has been deployed on the territory of the country, including the headquarters of the commands of the joint armed forces and the combined NATO Air Force in the zone of the Baltic Straits (Karup, Jutland Peninsula); the headquarters of the combined ground forces of NATO on about. Zealand (Copenhagen); three headquarters of branches of the armed forces; two headquarters of military commands (Western and Eastern, respectively in Aarhus and Copenhagen); seven states of military districts; over 30 headquarters of combat and training and mobilization units and subunits of the ground forces; Air Force Tactical Aviation Command Headquarters (Karup); headquarters of the operational command (operational forces) of the fleet (Aarhus); five headquarters of the naval regions - Sound (headquarters in Steven), Big Belt (Korsør), Kattegat (Frederikshavn), Langeland (headquarters in Langeland) and Bornholm (headquarters in Rönne). For most of these central, district and local headquarters, as noted in the foreign press, field command posts are equipped, used in the course of command and staff exercises and troop exercises.

Combat aviation of the Air Force is based at the airfields of Karup, Aalborg, Skryudstrup, Verlose. In order to disperse aviation during a threatened period and increase the operational capacity of the airfield network, a network of alternate airfields was created on Danish territory under the NATO infrastructure program. In recent years, the force has deployed and modernized the NATO Page command and control system for air defense forces and means.

There are three naval bases on the Danish coast (Copenhagen, Frederikshavn, Korsør), two fleet bases and a significant number of loading and unloading points.

The so-called "NATO Jutland Pipeline System" has been built on the Jutland Peninsula, connecting fuel unloading points with some air and naval bases. The main line of this system runs from the unloading point in the Frederikshavn Naval Base area and further through the entire Jutland Peninsula to the Eggebek airfield (Germany). The main pipeline is also connected by the Wandel-Esbjerg route with a fuel unloading point on the east coast of the Jutland Peninsula near Ebeltoft Bay and with a fuel unloading port on its western coast. Branches depart from the main pipeline to supply fuel to the airfields of Karup, Wandel, Aalborg, Tirstrup and Lek (FGG). Several military fuel depots have been built on the main highway. Pipes with a diameter of 1.12 mm were laid along the route (305 mm in the fuel unloading areas). The capacity of the pipeline system, according to foreign experts, is 2000-2700 cubic meters. m. of fuel per day.

As noted in the foreign press, the main task of the Danish armed forces in the event of war is to provide cover for the left flank of NATO and, in close cooperation with the West German naval forces, block the zone of the Baltic Straits and provide antiamphibious defense of the coast of Denmark before the arrival of troops from other NATO countries. . It is planned to block the zone of the Baltic Straits and defend the islands through active joint actions of the Danish and German navies to destroy the enemy fleet in the Baltic Sea. If necessary, for this purpose, it is also planned to use part of the forces of the NATO naval forces in the North Sea. In order to effectively carry out the blockade of the strait zone, it is planned to lay mines in advance on landing-accessible sections of the Danish coast. The antiamphibious defense of the Jutland Peninsula and the islands of the Danish archipelago is assigned directly to the Danish ground forces. This task will also be performed by the Danish Air Force, the German naval aviation and its airfields based in Schleswig-Holstein. Western European military observers, when assessing NATO's capabilities in providing assistance to Denmark with ground forces, usually indicate that, in addition to West German formations, it will be reinforced by units of the British and Canadian marines.

After the 2007 reform, Denmark was divided into 5 main regions:

• Southern Denmark;
• Central Jutland;
• North Jutland;
• Zealand;
• Hovedstaden.

Each of the regions was, in turn, divided into cities and communes, life in which is regulated by city councils and communal boards. The exception is the Ertholmen archipelago, which is not included in any of the regions and is subordinate to the state ministry of defense. Greenland and the Faroe Islands enjoying the status of autonomies have their own legislatures in the form of a unicameral parliament. In Greenland it is Landsting, in the Faroe Islands it is Løgting.

Economy

Denmark is a state that, if not bathed in prosperity, then, in any case, stands firmly on its feet. Low inflation, minimal unemployment rates, developed production, gas and oil fields - all this makes the life of the local population comfortable and consistently respectable. At the same time, the kingdom still continues to be industrial-agrarian, exporting agricultural products, furniture, and all kinds of equipment. In general, the leading positions in the country are occupied by the food, engineering, pulp and paper and chemical industries.

In 2009, according to statistical agencies, Denmark was recognized as the most expensive country in Europe. The local taxation system also helps to maintain this status, thanks to which the traditional "contributions" to the state here can grow to astronomical amounts.

Good to know: Denmark is still not part of the Eurozone, so the Danish mark continues to be the main currency in the kingdom.

Population and language

In total, about 5.7 million people live in the Kingdom of Denmark, with more than a million of them in the capital of the state - Copenhagen. The vast majority of the population are native Danes, and small folk groups are formed, as a rule, by Faroese, Frisians, Germans and Inuit, while the number of immigrants in the country does not exceed 6%.

The official language of the kingdom is Danish, but each region has its own dialect variations. The overwhelming majority of residents of the capital use the literary form of the language - Rigsdansk.

In the southern regions of the country, located on the border with Germany, they speak more German, and most residents of large cities speak English quite well. By the way, despite the fact that the lexical composition of the Danish language is very similar to other languages ​​​​of the Scandinavian group, few people understand it in the same Sweden or Norway.

Landmarks of Denmark

When you come to Denmark, you get the feeling that the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen live in this country to this day. In any case, the castles and elegant residences that were once inhabited by cutesy princesses and brave princes have not disappeared anywhere. Moreover, now these beautiful fragments of the past are successfully "working" for the state, taking a generous tribute from the endless flow of tourists in favor of the Danish budget.

Castles and fortresses

You can feel the real spirit of the gloomy Middle Ages, and at the same time get acquainted with the history of some knightly orders on the island of Bornholm, where the ruins of one of the oldest castles in Denmark, Hammershus, have been preserved.

For those who are not indifferent to the work of the immortal classic English Literature W. Shakespeare, it is worth a trip to Elsinore, where the legendary Kronborg Castle is located. According to the poet, it was in the walls of Kronborg that Hamlet suffered from black melancholy, and the beautiful Ophelia went crazy. But local residents have a different legend associated with this gloomy building. They say that somewhere in the secret cellars of the palace, the main defender of the country, Ogier the Dane, is dozing, who will wake up only at the moment when trouble threatens his homeland.

Not far from Copenhagen, in the town of Hillerod, one of the most prominent representatives of the Dutch Renaissance, Frederiksborg Castle, is located. In the middle of the 19th century, the building was badly damaged by fire, but thanks to the initiative of the beer magnate Jacobsen, who organized a fundraiser for the reconstruction of Frederiksborg, the castle looks like new again.

If your plans include not only admiring the objects of ancient architecture, but also getting to know the life of the royal people, welcome to the Amalienborg Palace Complex, where the family of the Queen of Denmark, Margrethe, lives. Of course, the entrance to the private chambers of the Empress is closed for tourists, but no one is forbidden to visit the other two buildings of the complex, which house the historical museum.

On the island of Funen, there is a record for attendance among Danish palaces - Egeskov Castle. The reason for such popularity is not so much the unique architecture of the building, but the picturesque surroundings in which it fits well. There is something to see in the former residence of the Danish monarchs - Christianborg Palace, which today belongs to the Parliament.

Sonderborg Castle, on the island of Alt, stands out noticeably from a harmonious row of luxurious architectural monuments. The conciseness of the rectangular construction of the structure is explained by the fact that initially the building served as a fortress. In comparison with this ascetic giant, the Zeelandian castle of Valle looks like an intricate, but completely fragile toy. However, this view is easy to explain: from the very beginning, the owners of Valle were exclusively women.

In the Royal Garden of Copenhagen, another residence of Danish monarchs lurks - Rosenborg Castle. Today, anyone can walk through the halls of the palace and see the imperial regalia stored here.

Attractions and amusement parks

After walking through medieval castles, it may seem that the Danes are frozen in their distant past and are not interested in anything but history. To break this stereotype, go to Billund and visit the dream of all children - Legoland. The country's main water park, Lalandia, is also located here. Even if you're in Copenhagen for a few days, find an hour to visit Denmark's main park, Tivoli, whose rides have been entertaining visitors for over 160 years.

Museums in Denmark

Quiet contemplation in Denmark is loved no less than noisy entertainment, so those who love museum excursions will always find something to do here. Start at the National Gallery in Copenhagen, home to amazing Pre-Raphaelite and English Impressionist paintings. To see for yourself the originality of Rodin's creations, go to the New Carlsberg Glyptothek. You can get acquainted with the history of Denmark and learn interesting facts from the life of the Vikings in the National Museum. Well, you can have fun from the heart, filling your brain with curious, albeit absolutely useless information, to the eyeballs, in the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum.

If you grew up on the wonderful stories of Hans Christian Andersen, then in Denmark you have a unique opportunity to see not only the famous (and to someone pretty fed up) monument to the little mermaid, but also the house itself, where the great storyteller spent his childhood. Those who are not enthusiastic about standard museum displays should go to Andersen's World. In this small cottage, beloved heroes of fairy tales come to life and childhood dreams come true.

You can move from the fantasy world of fairy tales to the universe of "adult" entertainment in the Copenhagen Museum of Erotica. Just don't get too carried away, because the most unusual museum of the capital is ahead - the Experimentarium. Yes, yes, this is the very place where you can touch and set in motion any exhibit without fear that you will be put out the door of the institution.

A funny exposition awaits tourists in the Funen village. This unusual open-air museum will clearly demonstrate the life of the Danes in the 17th-19th centuries, and at the same time introduce you to ancient crafts.

Among the country's most modern attractions include the bridge across the Øresund Strait, which connected Denmark with Sweden. There is a fee to travel on it, so if you are planning an introductory tour from Copenhagen to Malmö, get ready to unfasten a tidy sum of 370 Danish kroner (about 50 euros) for pleasure.

For bright (in the literal sense) impressions, it is better to go to Nyhavn or New Harbor, known for its colorful houses and crowds of tourists taking traditional selfies against the backdrop of old buildings.

You can take a break from the perfect order and cleanliness of Copenhagen streets in Christiania (Free City). A small quarter, positioning itself as an independent state, lives by its own laws, often running counter to social norms. Free rebellious spirit, free hemp trade, filthy streets - all this contrasts sharply with the respectable metropolitan quarters.

To get into the spirit of ancient Scandinavia, and at the same time puzzle over the great mysteries of the past, go to Jelling and find the old church there. Enter the churchyard and walk among the legendary runestones set here in those ancient times when Gorm the Old ruled the country.

Sights of Denmark on our website

All sights of Denmark

shopping

It would not be an exaggeration to say that shopping in Denmark is an entertainment designed for lucky gold card holders. If for some reason you did not bring a couple of extra thousand euros with you, visiting Danish boutiques and outlets will turn into a standard sightseeing tour, since the prices in them are far from democratic. In cases where the desire to take possession of a thing is so strong that common sense has won, try to get information about upcoming sales. It is possible that you will be lucky and become the proud owner of a stylish branded item for a symbolic (for Denmark) price.

The most popular hangout place for Copenhagen shopaholics is the Stroget pedestrian shopping area. Only here you can get hold of a handbag from the latest collection of Louis Vuitton and grab the legendary Louboutins, never doubting the authenticity of the purchased items. By the way, please note that on Friday and Saturday, most stores work on a reduced schedule, that is, they close earlier than usual.

For budget tourists and connoisseurs of vintage things, Copenhagen flea markets will be a good alternative, the oldest of them is Copenhagen Flea Market. Here you can buy everything from collectible porcelain to cute and often useless knick-knacks.

Traditional holidays

On the one hand, tolerance in Denmark has almost become a cult: what is worth the permission to register same-sex marriages, which has been issued in the kingdom since 2012. On the other hand, here, as nowhere else, they honor ancient traditions, jealously guarding their past. An example is the small town of Frederikssund, where the Viking festival has been held for more than half a century. A funny and colorful action, in which several hundred bearded warriors take part, is more a costume production than a full-fledged festival. But the feast that is organized after this unpretentious celebration is the most real.

On June 23, all of Denmark celebrates the day of St. Hans (the Russian equivalent of Ivan Kupala Day). In honor of the holiday, noisy festivities are organized, and giant symbolic bonfires are lit on the shores of the bays, as a reminder of the times when the local fishermen sent boats that had outlived their lives into the fire.

Maslenitsa or, as they say here, Fastelavn is a holiday on which the younger generation of Danes “breaks away”. On this day, all the fools of the kingdom at the age of 3 years old take carnival costumes from the wardrobes and terrorize the inhabitants of the neighboring cottages with demands to give them all the sweets available in the house.

Christmas in Denmark is not much different from Christmas in any other corner of Europe: traditional bazaars, coniferous wreaths on the doors, Christmas trees sparkling with lights and tons of gifts for loved ones. Unless there are two notorious Santa Clauses here and their names are Yulemanden and Yulenisse.

Danish New Year is the traditional kransekage cake and amazing fireworks at midnight. And also - congratulations from the Queen, tracking the last seconds before the New Year by the clock of the Copenhagen City Hall and an indispensable hot mulled wine in Tivoli Park for those who celebrate the holiday in the capital.

Customs and features of the national character

The everyday life of the Danes can be described as “cozy”: it is customary here to love your home and ennoble it as much as possible. Well, for the peace and stability that the state gives, it is supposed to pay without further ado. national pride for the local population - is also not an empty phrase. The statement that Europe is a bowl of rice pudding, and Denmark is a recess in this rice mass full of butter, is taken almost literally here. However, unlike the Swedes, humor is loved here and even sometimes understood.

Punctuality and respect for nature for the Danes is akin to a fixed idea. For those who are late and do not bother to care about the preservation of the environment and energy resources, trust disappears almost immediately. And in Denmark they love to stand up for human rights. Well, or at least argue on this eternal topic.

5 little Danish oddities

Spice punishment. Any Dane who has lived a quarter of a century and has not tied the knot, on his 25th birthday, is subjected to a comic shower of cinnamon. So don't be surprised if you come across one of these "victims" on the streets of Copenhagen, accompanied by a crowd of gleefully laughing friends taking pictures against the background of the birthday boy.

Politeness is implied. No, they are not rude here in response to requests and always let pedestrians through at the crossing. They just don't use the word "please".

Ecomania. Every resident of the Kingdom of Denmark is sure that natural resources must be protected, no matter how your actions look from the side of others. Instead of turning on the heating harder, they insulate the house itself, hand over the bottles so as not to overload the city dumps, walk the dogs with a plastic bag at the ready, and also do a bunch of other things that are incomprehensible to us, but useful for the environment.

Down with snobbery! Financial well-being is something that 99% of the local population has. If you are a little more fortunate than your friends and colleagues, find a way to hide it - braggarts who show their wealth too clearly are not liked in Denmark.

Hygge. A term truly understood only by the Danes, often translated as "coziness" or "comfort zone". In fact, this is a feeling of community with someone, a kind of emotional nirvana, which every local resident aspires to. Maybe that's why an invitation to a family dinner in this country still needs to be earned.

Danish cuisine

If there was a sandwich paradise in the world, it would be in Denmark. Even the best hamburgers can't be compared with the multi-story buildings of the local culinary specialists, called smorrebrod. Not only are these mouth-watering designs radically different from the stereotypical sandwich, they sometimes contain completely incompatible components. By the way, the only correct way to eat smorrebrod is in layers. However, nothing else remains, since the height of this Scandinavian snack is usually at least 10 cm.

Traditional Danish cuisine is based on simple yet hearty dishes. This is explained, first of all, by a cool climate and, as a result, by a high consumption of calories. Fried pork, sausages, veal schnitzels, meatballs - all this is complemented by side dishes of potatoes or stewed cabbage and is eaten in huge quantities. And, of course, herring: smoked, pickled, fried, with curry sauce and mustard - not a single feast is complete without it. Other marine life, such as shrimp, crabs, eels and flounder, are not ignored.

Dairy products in the kingdom are mainly of their own production, so that local residents can not limit themselves to eating cheeses, yogurts and other yummy products made from milk.

Modern Danes do not deny themselves morning pastries, which are called wienerbrod here, that is, “Viennese bread”. Well, as desserts, traditional apple pies according to great-grandmother's recipes, kissels and sweet berry "soups" with a cap of heavy whipped cream are used.

As for catering points, even here the brave descendants of the Vikings do not change themselves, preferring establishments with eco-cuisine and gluten-free products. It can range from ostentatious establishments like the Noma restaurant, famous for its fantastic culinary variations on the theme of Scandinavian dishes, to unpretentious places like Harrys Place, where prices are democratic and portions do not need to be examined under a microscope. Fans of American and Italian fast food will also find where to eat: there are plenty of pizzerias and cafes serving burgers and pizza in Copenhagen.

Beer in Denmark

If the main edible symbol of Denmark is the smörrebrod, then among the drinks, the first place belongs to beer, which has been brewed here for 500 years. In addition to the world-famous Carlsberg and Tuborg, there are not so famous, but no less tasty Faxe and Ceres. Mini-breweries, whose production is not exported, but which perfectly satisfies the need of the Danes for a foamy drink, are scattered throughout the country. This means that you can find local beer even in the most seedy rural pub, not to mention city bars, which sometimes have their own breweries.

Transport

Public transport in Denmark is presented for every taste and budget: buses, taxis, trains, electric trains, metropolitan metro and even ferries running between the islands.

If you are in Copenhagen on business and do not wish to complex system local transport zones, it is better to get a FlexCard in advance, which will give you the opportunity to ride city buses and the subway for a whole week.

Especially for tourists, there is a variation on the theme of the ticket - Copenhagen Card. This small rectangle will provide you not only with free travel on any type of public transport, but also with admission to several metropolitan museums, as well as a decent discount on visiting other entertainment places.

AT recent times the so-called Rejsekort are rapidly gaining momentum - cards that can be used in any type of transport and the balance of which can be replenished if necessary. Rejsekort usually pay at special terminals with a blue light signal.

In cases where you do not want to depend on the schedule of public transport, a personal (or rented) bicycle will help out. By the way, most of the inhabitants of Copenhagen prefer this environmentally friendly, and most importantly, maneuverable vehicle to their own car. You can get a two-wheeled friend at one of the bike rental shops. Provide a similar service in most metropolitan hotels.

Where to stay: hotels and hostels in Denmark

As in any European country, there are enough hotels in Denmark of any degree of “star rating”. True, in comparison with the same Sweden or Norway, housing prices in Danish cities are much higher.

The cheapest, or rather, completely free option is to register on the social network of couchsurfers and live for free with one of the participants in this popular tourist movement.

For those who are not attached to amenities and are ready to sacrifice comfort for reasonable economy, there are campsites like Lokken Klit Camping, Frigaard Camping, Egtved Camping & Cottages and others. Most of them are groups of wooden houses located outside the city limits. As a rule, everywhere there is electricity, hot water, and in some places even pools and playgrounds.

If you don’t want to leave the city, but a modest budget doesn’t allow you to stay in a hotel, you can pick up a decent hostel, of which there are about 95 in Denmark. For example, the capital’s Urban House and Copenhagen Downtown Hostel have a good reputation. If you are staying in Aarhus, check out Aarhus Hostel, but for those who decide to get to know Esbjerg better, it is recommended to take a closer look at Danhostel Ribe.

It is customary to include B&B (Bed&Breakfast) and Farm Holliday hotels as inexpensive accommodation methods. The latter are a kind of hybrid of a farm and a boarding house. The advantage of such "agricultural hotels" is that tourists here will be fed not with some semi-finished products, but with natural eco-products.

When the soul yearns for poetry and the eye for grace, you can afford to splurge on a historic hotel. Only in Denmark you will have a unique opportunity to live in a real old castle or an aristocratic cottage of the last century, which has preserved its magnificent interiors.

As for four- and five-star hotels, everything here is predictably luxurious and just as expensive. Royal apartments, well-appointed spa areas, satisfaction of even the most unusual desires of clients, hypoallergenic rooms - the advantages of Danish hotels can be listed endlessly. If you suddenly really want to play Russian oligarch, try to check into one of these elite places - Nimb, Radisson Blu Royal.

What to bring from Denmark

Lego". You can buy the dream of all little builders right in its homeland - in the city of Billund or in a company store next to Lego Park.

Marzipan from Odense (Odense Marcipan). A delicious almond delicacy in the homeland of H. H. Andersen has been elevated to a cult, and therefore looks like a real work of art.

Chocolate set Anthon Berg. This private Danish confectionery brand dates back to 1884.

Porcelain Royal Copenhagen. For any product of a world-famous brand, you will have to unfasten an impressive amount, so if you are not ready for such expenses, you can limit yourself to cheaper analogues, which are also in short supply in Denmark.

Alcohol (Gammel Dansk tincture, Akvavit vodka, Tuborg beer). You can buy any of the drinks in liquor stores or in a standard supermarket.

Brownie Nisse. The figurines of these domestic pranksters have become a real national souvenir. You can distinguish the “correct” Nisse from ordinary dolls by the red pointed cap.

How to get there

You can get to the southernmost part of Scandinavia by plane. Direct flights Moscow - Copenhagen are offered by two carriers at once: Aeroflot and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). Another option for transport links is comfortable buses that depart twice a week to the capital of Denmark from Moscow.

In cases where you want to start your journey not from the glossy Copenhagen, but from the Danish province, get ready to get around in a roundabout way through Germany or the Netherlands. You can, for example, take a train ticket Moscow - Berlin, and upon arrival, transfer to the Eurolines bus, which will take you to Vejle or Aarhus. To get to know the sights of Aalborg and Rodby, it is better to ride the railway to Amsterdam, and then choose a direct bus route passing through the cities you need.

For lovers of sea travel, there are ferry crossings in Norwegian Oslo, Swedish Helsingborg and German Putgarten.

Introduction
1. EGP
2. Population

4.1 Leading industries
4.2 Leading branches of agriculture
4.3 Transport
4.4 International connections
4.5 Tourism
Conclusion
Introduction
1. EGP

Denmark is a state in Northern Europe, on the Jutland peninsula and the islands of the Danish archipelago.
Geographical coordinates
56 degrees north latitude, 10 degrees east longitude
Territory (marine boundaries on the Rockal Shelf remain disputed between Britain, Iceland and Ireland).
Total area - 43,094 sq. km*
Land area - 42,394 sq. km.
The area of ​​rivers and lakes is 700 sq. km.*) Including the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea, but excluding the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
Borders
Land borders: Germany 68 km. The length of the coastline is 7,314 km. Territorial waters - 12 nautical miles. Economic zone - 200 nautical miles. Continental shelf - 200 nautical miles or the edge of the shelf.
The capital is Copenhagen. Kingdom of Denmark, a state in the north of the Central European Plain. It occupies a transitional position between mainland Europe and the Scandinavian Peninsula. It has existed as an independent kingdom since the 9th century. AD
Denmark stretches from north to south for 360 km and from west to east for 480 km. The area of ​​Denmark is 43,093 sq. km (excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands). Most of the country (29,776 sq. km) is located on the Jutland Peninsula. The Danish archipelago, numbering approx. 500 islands and located to the east of Jutland between the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat, it occupies 12,729 sq. km. km, and Bornholm Island on the Baltic Sea - 588 sq. km. km. The Danish coastline is 7438 km long. There are no places in the country that are more than 60 km away from the seashore.
Denmark borders on land only with Germany; the length of this border is 68 km. The maritime border with Germany follows through the Kiel Bay, the Fehmarn Belt and the Baltic Sea. In the east, Denmark's border with Sweden runs along the Øresund (Sund) and Kattegat straits, and in the north, the Skagerrak separates Denmark from Norway. Denmark owns the eastern part of the North Sea shelf.
The state, in addition to the territory of Denmark proper, includes the former Danish colonies of the Faroe Islands and Greenland, which received self-government and representation in the Danish parliament. The Faroe Islands, located 375 km north of Scotland, cover an area of ​​1399 sq. km. They have been under the rule of Denmark since 1380, they were granted local self-government in 1948. Greenland is the largest island in the world, its area is 2,175,600 square meters. km, but only 341,700 sq. km are ice-free. Greenland has been a Danish colony since 1729, was declared part of the country in 1953, and acquired autonomy in 1979.

2. Population

A) demographics. The population of Denmark proper is 5220 thousand people (1997). In the 1980s, the population was stable, and in the 1990s it grew slowly, mainly due to immigration (about 11 thousand people a year). The capital city of Copenhagen, including the communes of Frederiksberg and Gentofte, has a population of approx. 625.8 thousand people (1995). Other large cities are Aarhus (275.5 thousand), Odense (182.6 thousand), Aalborg (159 thousand), Esbjerg (82.6 thousand), Randers (64.4 thousand), Kolling (59 .6 thousand), Herning (57.7 thousand), Helsingor (56.9 thousand), Horsens (55.3 thousand) and Vejle (52.3 thousand). 2 million people, or approximately 26% of the total population of the country, live in Copenhagen and its environs, and 42% live on the island of Zeeland (Shelland), on which the capital is located. The urban population accounts for 85%, dominated by cities with a population of less than 15 thousand people. More than 570 thousand people live on the islands of Funen, Lolland and Falster, and less than 50 thousand on Bornholm. Although the population of Jutland is 2.4 million people, the average density there is 81 people per 1 sq. km. km. The population of Greenland is 59 thousand people (1997), of which approx. 5 thousand persons of European origin, the rest are Inuit (Eskimos). The population of the Faroe Islands is 50 thousand people (1997).
b) Ethnogenesis. Ethnic composition: Danes 98%, Eskimos, Faroese, Germans. Evangelical Lutherans make up 91% of believers, other Protestant communities and Catholics make up 2%. Denmark is almost entirely a mono-ethnic country. A small number of Faroese and Greenlandic Eskimos live on the continent, despite their status as subjects of the Danish crown. The small German, Jewish and Polish communities are mostly assimilated. Growth in production in the 1960s demanded an influx of additional labor, which the country itself was not able to provide. The so-called "gastearbejdere" - guest workers - emigrant workers were allowed to enter the country. In the late 1980s the most numerous communities were formed by Turks, Yugoslavs, Iranians, Pakistanis. The official language - Danish is similar to Norwegian, especially in the form of writing. Quite a lot of Danes are learning a second language. English is replacing German in popularity. Nomadic Germanic tribes - Angles, Saxons and Danes - settled in Denmark in the first centuries of our era. From these tribes came the population of modern Denmark, which is distinguished by relative homogeneity. Migrants from the south have been assimilated over the centuries, and only minor anatomical, linguistic and ethnic differences remain in the composition of the country's population. The official language is Danish. German is also spoken in the southern part of Jutland. Although there are many dialects of the Danish language, radio and television broadcasting contributes to the formation of a single national language norm. It is based on the Copenhagen dialect.
c) Confessional composition. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is the official church of Denmark and enjoys the support of the state. However, freedom of religion is guaranteed by law. The Lutheran Church is supported by a special tax imposed on all the country's Lutherans, who make up 87% of the population. However, an increasing number of Danes are formalizing their departure from the established church legally in order to avoid paying taxes. The most significant of the religious minorities are Muslims (74 thousand people). Other minorities are Catholics (33,000), Baptists (6,000), Jews (5,000) and Jehovah's Witnesses.

3. natural conditions and resources

A) surface structure. Most of the territory of Denmark consists of vast undulating plains and low, sometimes steep hills. The highest point in the country, Mount Yding-Skovhoy (173 m), is located in eastern Jutland, and the lowest point (12 m below sea level) is on the western coast of this peninsula. Landforms in Denmark arose as a result of the activity of ice sheets in the Pleistocene. Morainic plains and hilly-morainic landscapes with numerous basins occupied by lakes and swamps predominate. In some places, especially in Western Jutland, flat water-glacial plains - outlands are developed. In the north of the country, under the influence of a relatively recent uplift, stepped sea plains were formed. The bedrocks, predominantly Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic limestones, are overlain by a thin cover of Pleistocene sediments and are exposed only in North Jutland and Bornholm Island. These rocks are associated with large reserves of groundwater. The eastern shores of Denmark are strongly indented and abound in bays; western and northern - mostly leveled and bordered by sand dunes; in the southwest of Jutland, wattled coasts are represented, which are influenced by sea tides. Dams have been erected along these low-lying banks to protect agricultural land from floods.
b) The climate of Denmark is temperate maritime with mild winters, cool summers and long transitional seasons. The influence of the ocean is most pronounced in winter. The average temperature in February is 0°С, in July 15–16°С. Strong winds prevail most of the year, mainly from the west. The weather is cloudy in winter and sunny in spring. Spring comes late. In summer the weather is clear and warm. The average annual rainfall ranges from 800 mm in the west of Jutland to 450 mm on the coast of the Great Belt. The maximum amount of precipitation occurs in the autumn-winter period, and the minimum - in the spring and early summer. Precipitation mostly falls in the form of rain.
c) Rivers and lakes. The surface of the country is covered with a network of short rivers with slight slopes and slow calm currents. The abundance of meanders, reaches and rifts is characteristic. Floods occur in winter, in the summer months a stable low water is expressed. The rivers are not navigable. The largest river is Gudeno in eastern Jutland, only 158 km long. The lakes of Denmark are small and not of great economic importance. Their greatest number is concentrated in the hilly areas of Central Jutland.
d) The soils of Denmark were formed mainly on moraine clay deposits, as well as on sandy coastal-marine sediments. Podzolic soils are common in Western Jutland, and brown forest soils are common in Eastern Jutland and the Danish Islands.
Flora and fauna. The forests of Denmark, occupying approx. 10% of the entire territory, small in size and dispersed. Separate massifs of primary beech forests have been preserved in the east and north. In the west and north of Jutland, as a result of centuries of deforestation, heathlands spread, which in the 19th-20th centuries. were partially replaced by coniferous forest plantations (fir, spruce, larch and pine). Most of the country's area is occupied by agricultural land. Therefore, the animal world is very depleted. However, in places in the forests there are red and sika deer, roe deer, foxes, hares, squirrels, badgers. The bird fauna is very rich, especially on the coasts. The country has established the protection of nesting and resting places for migratory birds.

4. General characteristics of the economy

Leading Industries
Like neighboring Scandinavian countries, Denmark only fully felt the impact of the industrial revolution at the end of the 19th century, mainly due to the lack of coal deposits. Opportunities for industrial development in Denmark were much more limited than in any other Nordic country. Unlike Sweden and Norway, Denmark does not have large rivers and significant hydropower reserves. There are fewer oil and gas reserves in the Danish sector of the North Sea than in the Norwegian and British ones. Forests occupy less than 10% of the country's area. Denmark's industrial structure is based on its agricultural products, limestone and clay resources, and a wide range of imported raw materials. An important factor is the availability of a skilled workforce. In the 1990s, Denmark had a diverse industry, with no single industry dominating the economy. In 1996, the number of people employed in industry was 485,000 and has in fact changed little since 1985.
Approximately a quarter of the employed are concentrated in metallurgy and mechanical engineering. Nevertheless, in 1996, industrial enterprises produced approximately 27% of Denmark's GDP and supplied approx. 75% export. The country has both large iron and steel plants (the largest of them is the steel plant in Frederikswerk) and numerous small enterprises for the production of milking machines and electronic equipment. Industrial enterprises are located in many parts of the country and provide jobs in almost every city. However, the largest and most famous industrial centers are Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense. Shipbuilding was the most important industry in Denmark, but due to foreign competition, the activities of many large shipyards in Copenhagen, Helsingor and Aalborg were curtailed or completely stopped. However, there are shipyards in Odense and Frederikshavn. In 1912, at the shipyards in Copenhagen, the large double-deck diesel ship Zeeland was launched for the first time. Danish shipyards also specialize in the production of refrigerated ships, rail and car ferries. Two other important industrial sectors in Denmark are agricultural engineering (beet harvesters, milking units, etc.) and the production of electrical goods (from cables to televisions and refrigerators).
Denmark has entered the international market, specializing in certain types of goods. Here the cement industry stands out, which arose on the basis of limestone deposits in the Aalborg region. Cement production expanded from 1945 until the 1970s, but then declined due to a decrease in construction in Denmark itself. The development of this industry has stimulated the production of related machines, and Denmark has exported finished cement plants to more than 70 countries. Another type of minerals in Denmark - clay - is used as a raw material for the production of bricks and tiles. The main area of ​​this production is northeast Zealand, located close to the developed production of building materials in Greater Copenhagen.
Some Danish industries rely on local agricultural raw materials. Sugar factories are concentrated on the islands, mainly on Lolland and Falster, where sugar beets are grown. Waste from this production is an important source of feed for livestock; the production of industrial alcohol, alcoholic beverages and yeast from potatoes, molasses (a by-product of sugar production), cereals and sugar beets has been established. Most of these enterprises are located in Copenhagen, Aalborg and Randers, some in Hobro and Slagels. Breweries use part of the barley harvest. About 90% of Danish beer is produced in Copenhagen; large breweries are also located in Odense, Aarhus and Randers.
a) Light industry. A diverse light industry is developed in Denmark. There is a small textile industry, the size of which is determined by the limited domestic market and the availability of relatively cheap imported products. The town of Vejle in eastern Jutland is the main center of cotton spinning. Weaving factories are located in Copenhagen and Helsingor, on the island of Zeeland, in Greno, Aalborg, Fredericia and Herning in Jutland. Half of the knitwear is made in Herning. In contrast to the slow and limited development of the textile industry, there was a significant growth in the chemical industry in Denmark, and in the 20th century. large enterprises of this branch arose in seaports. Oilseeds imported from tropical countries are processed at factories in Aarhus and Copenhagen. The oil is used to make margarine, soaps and paints. Køge, Helsingør and Copenhagen are centers for the production of rubber products. The pharmaceutical industry is also developed.
b) Oil refining and chemical industries in Denmark. The oil refining and chemical industries in Denmark are not distinguished by a wide variety of products and the complexity of technologies. A large share in this sector is accounted for by refined products. Compared to 1996, sales of petroleum products fell by 16% and amounted to 11.9 billion kroons. Statoil and Dansk Shell. At present, work has been completed on the liquidation of the oil refinery owned by Kuwait Petroleum.
The share of Denmark in the European chemical production is about 1%. The turnover of the production of chemicals and chemical fibers in 1996 amounted to 35.6 billion dates. kr., rubbers and plastics -15.8 billion dates. cr.
The volume of sales of manufacturers of refined products, chemicals and artificial fibers and rubbers and plastics in 1997 amounted to 63.6 billion dates. cr.
Manufacturers of chemical products are united in the Association of the Danish Chemical Industry, which includes enterprises specializing in the production of the following product categories: inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, pharmaceutical products, enzymes, chemicals used in agriculture, mixed.
The number of people employed in this industry is more than 45 thousand people. The largest companies in this industry: Novo Nordisk is a world leader in the production of insulin and industrial enzymes. In addition, the company produces drugs for hormone replacement therapy and human growth hormones. About 15% of the company's turnover comes from the research sector.
"X. Lundbeck" is the world's largest company for the production and sale of psychotropic substances, antidepressants, and other drugs for the treatment of diseases of the central nervous system as well as pain relievers. The turnover of the company in 1996 amounted to 2.3 billion kroons. 90% of the company's exports go to European countries. The number of employees is 1800 people. In 1996, 14% of the company's turnover was spent on research and development of existing products. "X. Lundbeck" belongs to the "Lundbeck Foundation", which annually allocates significant grants for research work to universities and institutes in the country. The widow of the founder of the company, Grete Lundbeck, established an award of 300,000 crowns for the most outstanding Scientific research of the year.
Danisco Ingredient is one of the largest manufacturers of functional food ingredients in the world. Among the company's products are emulsifiers, stabilizers, flavors, antioxidants, enzymes and other substances used in the food industry, as well as meprobamates and barbiturates for the pharmaceutical industry. More than 2,400 people are employed at the company's production facilities. It has production and sales divisions in 23 countries, including Eastern Europe. The company's sales volume in 1996 amounted to 2.4 billion kroons.
An important area of ​​chemical production in Denmark is the production of mineral fertilizers and agrochemicals. The largest producer of mineral fertilizers is the Superphos concern, most of whose products are used on the foreign market. The group's turnover is about 10 billion kroons.
In the production of plant protection products, the leading role belongs to the Keminova group, which consists of the company itself, which produces pesticides, a manufacturer of aerosols and spray equipment, and a manufacturer of heat-insulating and heat-resistant materials. In 1996, the turnover of the pesticide division of the group amounted to 1.5 billion kroons. The concern produces insecticides, phosphoric acid and other products. As elsewhere in Denmark, great attention is paid here to environmental protection, so all the company's enterprises operate a biological water treatment plant, a waste incineration plant, and a plant for burning gases generated in the main production in their cycle.
In Denmark, priority is given to the environmental aspect. A number of companies are exclusively engaged in the development and implementation of industries aimed at improving the environmental situation. Thus, the well-known company "Haddor Topsø", which accounts for 25% of the world's sulfuric acid, has developed processes for the waste-free production of sulfuric acid; as a result of production, practically no waste and wastewater is generated. In addition, the company has developed processes for the combined removal of sulfur and nitrogen oxides, as well as a process for the catalytic combustion of organic solvents contained in exhaust air.
Company "Komunekemi" is engaged in the treatment of especially hazardous waste (burning, cleaning of polluted soil). The company employs over 200 people. The subsidiaries include K. K. Milioteknik, a manufacturer of thermal equipment for chemical tillage, and Soil Rykaveri, a company specializing in the rental of tillage equipment. One such installation is in operation in Norway and two others in Holland, where their productivity in 1996 was 20,000 tons of cultivated land.
A relatively young area of ​​Danish industry is the production of plastics. In 1995, plastics accounted for over 27% of all chemical industry sales. The largest importers of the industry's products are Sweden, Germany and the UK. Among the largest manufacturers of this type of product is the world famous Lego concern, which consists of 30 companies and has subsidiaries in Western Europe and the USA.
Approximately 10% of chemical production is accounted for by varnishes and paints. Denmark specializes in the production of marine paints. Here the largest producers are the companies "Sadolin and Holmbdad" (the number of employees - more than 2 thousand people), as well as "Hempel Marine Paints" (the number of employees - 450 people).
c) Danish textile and timber industry. Its chronology as a branch of industry, the production of ready-made clothing begins in the 30s of this century, when a number of enterprises of this profile were formed. Then, as a result of the economic crisis, the government decided to adopt a new tax law that would protect the domestic producer. During this period, the main enterprises of the modern textile industry and the strong infrastructure of the territory were established. The second impetus to the development of the industry was the post-war industrial boom. In 1973, with the entry of Denmark into the Common Market, all restrictions on imports were lifted. However, almost immediately after that, by decision of the EU member states, new ones were introduced in the form of import quotas for the countries of the Far East and Southern Europe.
Currently, the industry's enterprises are concentrated in the central and western parts of Jutland. 30% of all companies (and almost 100% of all knitwear) are located in Rinkøbing. The largest centers of ready-made clothes are the cities of Ikaet and Herning.
Since each company specializes in one or more stages of the production of finished products, a wide network of sub-suppliers and service companies has been created. Previously, companies often combined the production of fabrics and tailoring of ready-to-wear, but now only the largest of them carry out all stages of the production process themselves. Most companies have between 25 and 100 employees, and only a few large enterprises employ 300-500 people. In the 1990s, there was a trend towards the merger of companies into large economic divisions.
One of the trends in the industry in recent years has been the location of the actual production phase in the countries of the Far East, Southern, and later Eastern Europe. This is due to the low cost of labor in these regions. Another trend is that the production of knitwear is developing at a faster pace than the tailoring of ordinary clothes. This is due to the fact that the production of knitwear requires less time, it is produced in larger batches (especially underwear). In addition, the changed technology for the manufacture of knitted fabric has improved the characteristics of the fabric, and as a result, expanded the scope.
In 1997, after two difficult years, an upsurge in production in the industry began, which continued into 1998.
d) Forest industry. In Denmark, 11% of the territory is occupied by forests, 2/3 of which is privately owned. Almost all of these are forest plantations produced over the past 200 years. On average, one Dane has 1 square. km. forest lands. Two-thirds of them are coniferous forests, with 41% of all forest plantations in spruce forests. Of the broad-leaved species, beech is the most widely represented - 17% of the total forest area, then oak - 7%. The total area under broad-leaved species has not changed over the past hundred years and is approximately 140 thousand hectares.
There are about 20,000 forest estates in the country, 18,000 of which cover an area of ​​less than 20 hectares; a 130 - more than 500 ha. 5,000 hectares are forests, which it was decided to leave intact until the year 2000. Neither logging nor new plantings are allowed here. On another 6,000 hectares of state forest land, ancient and now rarely used methods are used: cutting trees, selective felling, grazing.
There is a forest law that confirms the inviolability of forest areas. Privately owned forests are supervised by state inspectors to prevent violations of the Forest Law. State-owned forests are managed by the National Forest and Nature Agency. In 1994, the Danish government introduced the "Sustained Forestry Strategy". In accordance with this program, a number of measures were taken, in particular, aimed at the cultivation of hardwood trees: planting the latter in spruce forests, special government grants for planting hardwood plantations. The Danish Parliament adopted a resolution according to which it is planned to double the number of forest plantations in the country by the end of the next century.
Much attention is paid to the protection of nature in private forests. For these purposes, 2 million crowns are allocated annually.
The country's environmental legislation provides for the allocation of significant subsidies for the conservation of large lakes, springs, cultural monuments, etc.
There is a special law that regulates the future greening of the country's territory, the selection of suitable areas, etc. Approximately 200,000 hectares have already been selected for this purpose. Law structural development aims to encourage private forest owners to plant forests on agricultural land and improve the structure of forests (thinning, planting broad-leaved areas, repairing roads, etc.) Approximately 25 million kroons are allocated for this purpose annually.
At present, 10% of all employed in industrial production in Denmark are in the timber industry. This is one of the fastest growing industries. The annual turnover of the woodworking industry in 1996 amounted to 10.1 billion kroons.
In Denmark, only a small number of woodworking companies have large specialized windows, doors, flooring and ceiling panels. The vast majority has insignificant production capabilities, a limited number of employees (5-10 people) and is, in fact, specialized carpentry workshops.
The woodworking industry includes about 400 enterprises, of which 50 sawmills specialize in sawing softwood and about 20 factories engaged in sawing hardwood.
One of the most developed industries in Denmark is the furniture industry, which was defined as an industry back in the 17th century. Since then, the quality of Danish furniture has been maintained at a high level both by the Furniture Manufacturers Guild and government subsidies. Until the beginning of this century, European style prevailed in Danish furniture, but in the 1920s, the Furniture School was formed at the Royal Danish Academy of Arts, through the efforts of which the products of local furniture makers acquired original, only inherent features. This allowed Danish manufacturers to enter the world market at the end of the 40s, a strong place in which they occupy to this day. Today, the furniture industry ranks 8th among the country's most important export industries.
Danish furniture is extremely diverse in style and purpose. About a third of manufacturers work in the so-called specialized areas - "furniture for the elderly", furniture made from biologically processed wood, furniture for tools.
The largest importer of furniture from Denmark is Germany. The United States has significantly reduced its imports in recent years. Danish manufacturers are showing increased interest in the Russian sales market, considering this market to be very promising.
In 1996, furniture worth 6.4 billion kroons was sold on the domestic Danish market, in the first three quarters of 1997 - 5.2 billion. The share of Danish products in 1997 was 44%.
The country's furniture industry has about 500 companies employing 19,500 people. Most of the enterprises are united in the Association of Danish Furniture Manufacturers. These are small and medium enterprises with a turnover of 10-100 million kroons. Most of them supply their products to trading firms that provide export and marketing services to manufacturers.
There are also a number of large furniture manufacturers in Denmark, such as the Marka Farniche Export Group, which has branches in Sweden, Norway, Great Britain, France, Germany, Japan and Hong Kong.
e) Electrical engineering in Denmark. The Danish communications industry has traditionally been strong in the field of radio communications systems. Historically based on the production of maritime radio communication systems, Denmark is also actively developing cellular communications, wireless information transmission systems, and terrestrial satellite communication terminals. Most Danish companies in the telecommunications equipment industry are small and therefore quickly adapt to ongoing changes in communications and market requirements. They have highly qualified specialists "know-how" in this sector of the economy and good connections in the markets of Western European countries and the Baltic states, which makes them attractive as partners in joint ventures with foreigners.
Denmark develops and manufactures various telecommunications equipment. A number of Danish companies are at the forefront of the T&M market for the telecommunications sector. Danish fiber optic technologies are well known in the world as well. The Danes have extensive experience in the production and maintenance of cellular networks and maritime radio systems.
The electronics industry occupies a rather narrow segment of the Danish manufacturing market. There are 2,233 officially registered companies operating in this area, which is only 0.52% of the total. They account for 16.3 billion crowns, or 0.92%, of manufactured products and 2% (6.8 billion crowns) of Danish exports in the manufacturing sector.
Denmark is a net importer of electronic products: out of 40 TN VED items related to electronics, only 10 of Denmark have a positive trade balance. The total deficit of trade in electronic products is 7.4 billion kroons (42.3% of the industry's turnover).
A significant part of the trade turnover of electronic products (66.9%) falls on five commodity items (namely: 8471. 50. 90, 8471. 60. 40, 8471. 60. 90, 8473. 30. 10 and 8473. 30. 90 ), that is, machines for automatic processing, encoding, recording and reading of information, and spare parts and accessories for them, as well as for other office equipment.
The Danish state sets as one of its goals the creation of a highly developed technological society in the country while maintaining human, social and cultural values. The Ministry of Research and Information Technology bears political responsibility for the formation of technology policy and development in this direction. Information technology was taken over by the Ministry of Research in mid-1994 to increase the political profile of the field. The staff of the ministry is more than 130 people, the annual budget is about 1.9 billion kroons.
The Ministry is guided by an action plan up to the year 2000, the main provisions of which are as follows:
Consolidation of the public sector into a single electronic network.
Rationalization of the use of information contained in state registers and protection of confidential information.
Increasing the efficiency and efficiency of medical services.
Getting the maximum benefit from the use of the Internet and national electronic networks for the exchange of scientific information.
Further introduction of information technologies into the system of primary and secondary education.
Connecting all cultural institutions to a common electronic network, using libraries as basic centers for the dissemination of information about culture.
Support for the production and dissemination of Danish educational programs on radio, television and electronic channels.
Maximum use of information technologies that facilitate the adaptation of disabled people in society.
The use of information technology to optimize traffic flows.
Consolidation of Danish companies into a single network for the exchange of electronic documentation. Implementation of information technology in the workplace.
Creation of an effective and inexpensive system of telecommunication services.
Creation of a single public electronic network.
Increasing influence on EU information technology policy, making maximum use of relevant EU programs.
The programs indicated in the plan are financed within the framework of budget appropriations by the central and local governments. The Ministry of Research and Information Technology is annually allocated about 35 million kroons (more than 5% of the total budget) for the implementation of this plan.
More than 5 billion kroons are allocated annually for the purchase of IT equipment and software in the public sector.
Connection. Denmark has one of the best telecommunications infrastructures in Europe and companies in this sector of the economy offer a wide range of services. Maintenance of wired communication lines and the provision of telephone, telex and other services, as well as mobile communication services of the NMT standard, is carried out by Tele-Danmark. There are 35 other competing companies.
In the GSM mobile sector, service is provided by several competing operators - Tele-Danmark Mobile, Sonophone, Mobilix, Telia and Telia I. The last three companies entered the telecommunications market in 1997. There are 26.5 mobile phones per 100 inhabitants of the country. In terms of saturation with this type of communication, Denmark is in fourth place in Europe after Finland, Norway and Sweden.
Historically, the GN Great Northern Telegraph Company has been represented on the Russian market. It cooperates with the Russian company Rostelecom and is a joint operator of a fiber-optic submarine cable between Denmark and Russia, commissioned in 1993. In addition, the Danes have a 25.5% stake in JSC "NEDA" (St. Petersburg) - paging; 25.5% of shares in St. Petersburg Taxophone JSC - a network of pay phones in St. Petersburg with payment by cards.
This Danish company is involved in the laying of a submarine fiber-optic cable between the cities of Sochi and Poti, together with the Russian Westelcom and the Georgian Foptnet. Completion of the work was scheduled for December 23, 1998.

Leading branches of agriculture
Agriculture is highly marketable. The leading industry is meat and dairy farming. It gives 9/10 of all marketable agricultural products. The main crops grown are potatoes, sugar beets and wheat. Developed fishing. Fish catch 1.6 million tons (1986). Denmark has the most favorable conditions for agricultural production, because due to the existing terrain, 64% of all land can be used in agricultural production. About 80% of all marketable products are created by cooperatives.
Agriculture in 1995 used 55% of Denmark's area. From the end of the 19th century Danish agriculture specialized in animal husbandry, mainly cattle (which provided large supplies of dairy products for export) and pigs (which ensured large exports of bacon and pork). A significant part of crop production is used for animal feed. In general, the role of agriculture in Denmark is decreasing. Current debt crises and liberalization policies have reduced the number of farms by more than half since 1975, and there has been a trend towards a reduction in the size of land plots (in practice, these are part-time farms) and the consolidation of farms. Agricultural policy falls within the purview of the EEC, which seeks to reduce subsidies and overproduction.
a) Cereals and root crops. In 1995, grain crops accounted for 58% of the total cultivated land, and root crops such as fodder and sugar beets, turnips, kohlrabi and potatoes, 6.5%. About 25% of agricultural land was forage grasses, which were either sown in crop rotation or used on permanent pastures. The 1990s saw a major shift in cereal production as barley, formerly the leading crop in Denmark, gave way to wheat. In 1996, the country produced approx. 4 million tons of barley - 30% less than in the early 1980s, when it accounted for 80% of the annual grain production. Barley is mainly used for fattening pigs, but some is purchased for brewing and a significant amount is exported. Wheat production continues to grow sharply and reached 4.2 million tons in 1995. The average production of other crops is as follows: rye 429 thousand tons, oats 169 thousand tons, potatoes 1.6 million tons and sugar beet 3.5 million. m. Wheat is grown mainly in the areas of distribution of carbonate soils on the moraines of East Jutland, West Zealand and Fyn. Rye grows well in acidic sandy soils. Its crops are concentrated mainly in Central and Western Jutland, where vast moorlands have been developed since the 1860s. Oats, like rye, are an undemanding crop that has adapted to light textured soils and the cool, wet conditions of the summer season. Oats are grown mainly in North and West Jutland. In Denmark, crops of root crops and fodder grains are placed depending on regional climate and soil characteristics. Fodder and sugar beets are grown on the islands of the Danish archipelago. On the other hand, kohlrabi grows well in the acidic, sandy soils that prevail in Jutland. Potatoes are also widespread in Jutland. It is used for fattening pigs, making flour and industrial alcohol. Relatively recently, they began to grow corn, which is entirely fed to livestock.
b) Vegetable growing and horticulture. Since the 1970s, the commercial production of fruits, berries and vegetables in Denmark has been declining. The area under these crops has decreased with the enlargement of farms, but the efficiency of production has increased. In the 1980s, there was a shift from the production of fruit crops (apples, strawberries) to the production of vegetables (zucchini, peas, carrots, onions and leeks). The collection of vegetables has increased by about 1/3 compared with 1978 and at the end of the 1980s it amounted to 305 thousand tons; at the same time, the harvest of fruit and berry crops (60% of it falls on the share of apples) decreased by half - to 75 thousand tons. Approximately 25% of the total area under fruit and berry and vegetable crops is concentrated in Jutland, the rest - on the islands. Vegetable growing and horticulture are developing most intensively in southeast Zealand. Their products are processed in the nearby canneries of Copenhagen and Slagelse. Another important area for vegetable growing and horticulture is Fyn with canneries in Odense and Svendborg. In 1995, 40 thousand tons of apples were harvested for sale, which is approx. 40% of domestic consumption. In 1995, the value of Danish food imports was $5.1 billion and exports were $11.6 billion.
c) Animal husbandry. From the end of the 19th century The Danish economy was dominated by animal husbandry. About 90% of the harvest of grains and root crops goes to feed cattle, pigs and poultry. Since the 1960s, there have been dramatic changes in this area. In 1967 approximately 92% of Danish farms raised pigs or cattle, but in 1994 this figure had dropped to 65%. In Denmark, the dairy direction of animal husbandry sharply prevails over meat. In 1983, milk production reached a record high - 5.4 million tons, by 1995 it had decreased to 4.6 million tons (below the 1978 level). Accordingly, the number of livestock decreased from 3 million heads to 0.8 million. Most of the milk is used for the production of butter and cheese, which are mainly exported. Only from the export of cheese in 1996 almost 1 billion dollars was received. 30% of the production of beef and veal is also exported - approx. 50 thousand tons in 1996. The basis of the livestock population is made up of two breeds - black and white Danish and red Danish, and the latter account for 90% of dairy cows. The main livestock area is the Jutland Peninsula. 75% of the total number of cattle is concentrated here. In the Danish Islands, animal husbandry plays a smaller role than crop production. For a long time, cattle dominated Danish farms, but since the early 1970s pigs have taken on almost the same importance. They are fed skim milk and whey (by-products of the dairy industry), as well as barley, potatoes, rapeseed, sugar beets and fishmeal. From 1950 to 1993, the number of pigs almost tripled and amounted to 11.6 million heads. The annual production of pork, bacon and other types of meat products (including poultry) increased over the same period from 300,000 tons to 1.7 million tons, with revenues from their exports in 1996 amounting to $3.4 billion. Almost 3 /4 meat products are exported, which are increasingly directed to developing countries.
d) Employment and mechanization in agriculture. After 1945, there was an important trend towards a gradual reduction in employment in agriculture. If in the 1930s 0.5 million people were employed in this sector of the economy, then in 1993 the number of people fully employed in agriculture and forestry, as well as fishing, did not exceed 50 thousand. The growth of mechanization contributed to the reduction of manual labor on farms while increasing output. Horses were replaced by tractors and combines; by 1965 electric milking machines had replaced manual milking.
e) Fishing. In 1978-1987, the Danish fishing fleet supplied an average of 1.83 million tons of products per year, in 1995 - 1.53 million tons. Fish exports brought the country an income of $ 2.1 billion in 1993, which was one of world records, but in 1995 it was reduced to 520 million dollars. The catch consisted mainly of northern gerbil, which is used as fertilizer and for livestock feed. Much more valuable was cod, which by value accounted for more than 1/3 of the total cost of the catch. Among other seafood, flounder, shrimp and herring stand out. Only 1/3 of the catch has nutritional value. The main fishing areas are the banks of the North Sea and the Skagerrak, and the main ports are on the west coast of Jutland. Esbjerg is the base for many North Sea vessels, while Frederikshavn, located in the north of Jutland, serves other fishing vessels. The fishing fleet in Denmark is modernized and efficient, there in 1993 there were 8 thousand full or part-time employees. The export of fish is favored by the presence of direct rail and road links with Germany. Since the early 1980s, due to overexploitation of resources and pollution in the North Sea, fish catches by Danish vessels have declined.

Transport
The transport industry in Denmark is traditionally considered one of the most important sectors of the economy and is the third largest export in the country. It remains a significant source of foreign exchange earnings (about 90% of earnings). Maritime transport. It accounts for approximately 75% of all foreign trade traffic.
The merchant fleet under the Danish flag today includes more than 1,656 vessels with a total tonnage of 5.9 million tons, of which half are employed in liner shipping, about 20% in tramp shipping, and a third are used to transport tanker cargo. The Danes cover 5% of the global freight market. The activity of the Danish merchant fleet is concentrated mainly on international lines. Domestic transportation takes only 10% of the turnover of shipping companies. Transportation of goods in Europe - is 25% of the turnover. Denmark's largest shipping market is the North American continent. It accounts for 50% of the total turnover of the Danish fleet. Within the Nordic countries, the Danes carry out only 5% of shipping. In 1997, Danish shipping companies transported about 360,000 tons of cargo to Russia. Danish shipowners operate one of the most modern fleets, with an average ship age of less than 8 years, almost half the average age of the global merchant fleet. In 1997, the net income from the operation of the merchant fleet, which is mainly used for the transport of foreign trade cargo, amounted to 8 billion dollars. The merchant fleet employs 20,000 people.
There are more than 300 shipping companies in Denmark, the largest of which are owned by the A.P. Müller and Lauritzen concerns. The former holds the world's leading position in the transportation of standard 20-foot containers. If in 1990 this company already owned the two largest container ships in the world, Zeeland and Jutland, capable of simultaneously transporting 3600 standard 20-foot containers each, then in 1996 A.P. Muller received the first of 12 ordered giant container ships, each of which is capable of carrying up to 6,000 standard 20-foot containers, making such ships the largest in the world today.
In 1997, cargo with a total tonnage of 80 million tons passed through 48 Danish ports. Cargo transportation to Russia is mainly handled by the shipping company DFDS Transport and Containerships. The main ports used by the Danes are the Baltic terminals, Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad. The ports of the Baltic and Finland are highly preferred by shippers to Russia compared to Russian ports. The Danes attribute this to the poor performance of customs posts at Russian sea terminals, the difficulty of using the TIR procedure, and the low speed of cargo handling in Russian ports.
Rail transport is concentrated mainly under the state-owned company Danish National Railways (DSB). In addition, there are 13 small railways in Denmark that carry out transportation on the island of Zeeland. The total length of Danish railways is more than 3 thousand km, including 2344 km of roads electrified. By the year 2000, it is planned to fully electrify the entire railway network. Approximately 150 million passengers and more than 9 million tons of cargo are transported annually by rail, including about 65% of foreign trade cargo. About 20% of passenger traffic falls on this type of transport.
DSB owns not only railways, but also 283 stations, as well as rolling stock, which includes about 200 mainline and more than 200 shunting electric and diesel locomotives, more than 6.5 thousand cars of various types. In addition, DSB operates about 30 large ferries, carrying out crossings on 304 ferry lines. Every day, DSB ferries carry out more than 275 waste-calls. 600 DSB buses serve 7373 km of bus routes between stations on various lines.
In 1996, DSB employed more than 15.5 thousand people, the profit amounted to 7.3 million kroons, of which 2.6 million kroons accounted for passenger transportation and 1 million kroons for freight.
Road transport is important for passenger and freight transportation within the country. Annually, more than 75% of all domestic freight traffic and more than 90% of passenger traffic, as well as approximately 8% of foreign trade cargo transportation, are carried out by road.
Currently, most of the land traffic flows (both road and rail) coming from Central and Western Europe to Sweden, Norway and Finland, as well as in the opposite direction, converge to the Danish straits. On the shores of the Øresund and the Great Belt, numerous cars, buses and wagons must be loaded onto ferries in order to reach the opposite shore. Therefore, through these straits - Øresund, which separates Denmark and Sweden, and the Great Belt, which runs between the Danish islands of Zeeland and Funen, the construction of bridges and tunnel crossings is in full swing. These transport arteries are receiving great attention from the European Union, as together they should complete the unification of the road and rail network on the continent. These crossings will unleash traffic jams, the traffic will become uninterrupted and high-speed.
Russian exporters and importers are increasingly using the transport route through Finland, Sweden, Denmark, so Russia will also benefit from the acceleration of transportation in this direction.
The total length of the Øresund crossing will be 16 km. and will be ready in 2000. It is built between major city southern Sweden Malmö and the Danish capital Copenhagen on the basis of an intergovernmental agreement between Denmark and Sweden. The builders of the Great Belt were supposed to commission a crossing between the island of Zealand and the island of Funen on June 15, 1998. The total length of the crossing will be 18 km.
The cost of building both crossings is estimated at more than 10 billion dollars. These costs in the future should pay for themselves not only through the collection of tolls on bridges. Sweden and Denmark hope to win big as a result of the fact that the Malmö-Copenhagen region, connected by high-speed highways, will receive a powerful incentive for further economic development.
Economists estimate that the bridge between Malmö and Copenhagen will be used by 10,000 vehicles per day after it is put into operation. In the future, traffic flows may increase to 30-40 thousand.
In addition, in accordance with an agreement between the governments of Denmark and Germany, projects have been launched on a feasibility study for the construction of a crossing between the two countries across the Fehmern Strait.
Air Transport. Central to this is SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System), a public-private joint venture between Sweden, Denmark and Norway. SAS handles all external air traffic, while its Danish division Danair handles domestic flights. More than 13 million passengers are transported annually by SAS, including about 2.5 million passengers by the Danair branch on Danish domestic routes.
In addition to SAS and Danair, Denmark has the world's largest charter airline, Sterling Airways, and about 10 smaller airlines operating domestic and short-haul international flights (eastern Sweden, southeastern England and northern Germany).
SAS is taking all necessary measures to survive in the competition, which, according to experts, will lead to the fact that by the year 2000 only 5 strongest airlines will remain in Western Europe. SAS has close contacts with Texas Air (USA), Swissair (Switzerland), Finnair (Finland), Lan Chile (Chile), Thai (Thailand) and Ana-All-Nippon Airlines "(Japan) and exchanged shares with them in order to more successfully withstand competition from more powerful Western European companies.
Denmark has 34 airports capable of handling modern jetliners. The largest of them, Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport (15 million passengers served per year, including transit ones), ranks fifth in Western Europe. At the airport, work is underway to expand it in order to bring throughput by 2000 to 20 million people.
Pipeline transport has become important since the beginning of the development (mid-1980s) of oil and gas fields in the Danish sector of the North Sea.
At present, the country has the necessary network of gas and oil pipelines. The Dansk Olierer State Pipeline Transport Company, which is part of the Dong Concern, operates 200 km. underwater and 110 km. land oil pipelines, as well as 200 km. underwater and 760 km. land main gas pipelines. The gas distribution pipeline network of the country has a length of more than 14 thousand km.
Denmark is one of the few countries that are engaged in maritime shipbuilding. In 1997, 16 ships of various classes with a total displacement of 414,000 tons and a carrying capacity of 375,000 tons, which corresponds to 2% of the world shipbuilding market, went ashore in Danish docks.
High production costs make it difficult to attract foreign customers. In the context of increased competition in the global shipbuilding market, the main customers for Danish shipyards are currently Danish shipping companies.
Danish shipyards are building maritime standard ships, namely universal cargo container ships, chemical tankers with stainless steel cargo tanks and double hulls. Experimental work is being carried out on the construction of specialized ships - cement carriers, passenger and car ferries, transport ships and tugboats.
In recent years, there has been a constant decrease in the order book of Danish shipbuilders. So, if in 1993 it was 51 vessels with a deadweight of almost 3000 thousand tons and a carrying capacity of about 1800 thousand tons, then in 1997 Danish companies were fulfilling orders for the construction of 28 vessels with a deadweight of 1043 thousand tons and a carrying capacity of 867 thousand tons. , of which new contracts were only for 9 vessels.
The problems in shipbuilding, which also affect the subcontracting companies that traditionally supply components to this industry, Danish firms are trying to overcome by expanding ship repair services and diversifying production. In 1996, the turnover of the shipyards only for repairs almost doubled and amounted to about 900 million kroons. The fulfillment of orders not directly related to shipbuilding increased to almost 4 billion kroons and accounted for 30% of the total turnover of the industry.
The total turnover of shipbuilders in 1996 amounted to more than 11 billion crowns, which is equal to 3% of the total turnover of the Danish industry. It should be noted that according to this indicator, shipbuilders approached the figures of the best year(1991) in their history. The annual investments of shipbuilding companies in their production have been constant for five years already and amount to 250-270 million kroons. Denmark adheres to EU rules excluding subsidies for the shipbuilding industry. Nevertheless, there is hidden support for domestic shipbuilders by issuing orders for the repair and reconstruction of warships of the country's Navy with the allocation of additional financial resources for these purposes from the budget.
The Odense Stalskibsverf shipyard in Odense is the largest shipyard in Denmark and participates in the European Union's Esprit programs. These programs bring together European companies and research institutes to work together to develop new technology and improve the shipbuilding industry.
The application of such a strategy was a decisive factor for the shipyard. Over the past 5 years, productivity has increased by more than 20% and continues to grow. The shipyard now employs about 2,600 people, with a turnover of 2.9 billion kroons. In 1997, the shipyard launched 3 vessels with a total displacement of 274.5 thousand tons and a carrying capacity of 255 thousand tons. The shipyard builds container ships that can carry up to 6,000 standard 20-foot containers, making them the largest ships in the world today.
Shipyard "Danyard" unites all shipbuilding activities of the Danish concern "Lauritzen". At one time, this shipyard supplied a series of modern refrigerator ships to the USSR, and in 1989-90. supplied fish protection vessels with a helicopter on board for the USSR Ministry of Fisheries. Dunyard, together with a number of Russian shipping companies, also participated in projects to modernize fishing vessels in Russia. In addition, Dunyard's state-of-the-art docks and high-capacity repair shops provide routine repairs and maintenance for all types of ships. The Dunyard shipyard at Frederikshavn in Jutland has 2,000 employees and a turnover in 1996 of 1.2 billion crowns.
In 1997, the shipyard delivered 3 vessels with a carrying capacity of 64.5 thousand tons and has orders for the construction of 4 more vessels with a deadweight of 148 thousand tons. Currently, "Danyard" is in a difficult financial situation. "Lauritzen" put up for sale this division of the concern.
Of particular note is the Aarhus Fluedok shipyard, which signed a contract for 770 million kroons with the Russian organization Dalmoreprodukt for the construction of 7 ships. At the same time, 20% of the amount is paid Russian side as an advance payment, and the remaining 80% should be credited by the "Danish Ship Credit Fund" under guarantees of loan repayment from the Central Bank of Russia. Two vessels have already been handed over to the customer.
The shipyard "Aarhus Fluedok" (staff - 700 people, annual turnover - 700 million kroons) has the most modern equipment for the repair and construction of sea ships and is able to fulfill orders in the following areas: construction of serial cargo ships; construction of sea liners; re-profiling of existing vessels, modernization in order to increase their potential; repair of ships of various types.
In 1997, the company built 5 vessels with a total deadweight of 18.5 thousand tons. The shipyard's portfolio of orders includes 8 more vessels with a deadweight of 48,000 tons.
The Erskov shipyard in Frederikshavn also signed a contract with the Russian company Sevryba (Murmansk) for the supply of four fishing trawlers. The contract amount is 450 million kroons. The first ship was commissioned in November 1997.
Erskov was founded in 1958 and is a joint stock company with an authorized capital of 15 million kroons. The turnover of the shipyard is 1 billion kroons, the number of employees is 770 people. The shipyard specializes in the production of various passenger class ships, tankers and dry cargo ships. In 1997, the company delivered 2 vessels with a carrying capacity of 30,000 tons. The portfolio of orders includes the construction of 7 more vessels with a carrying capacity of 13.9 thousand tons, including a small ferry worth 20 million kroons.
Assessing the shipbuilding industry in Denmark, it can be noted that, in general, it has not lost its competitiveness in the world market. The portfolio of Danish shipbuilders includes 10 tankers and 8 ships for the transport of chemical cargo, as well as 5 fishing trawlers. This shows that even in the face of fierce competition, the Danes, thanks to their high qualifications, continue to play a significant role in the shipbuilding market and arouse the interest of foreign entrepreneurs in investing.
A characteristic feature of the Danish transport infrastructure is the presence of many bridges and ferry services. The main ferry routes are: Funen Island - Zeeland Island, Sound Strait (route connecting Denmark with Sweden). Two bridges connect Funen with Jutland. The longest bridge in Denmark connects the Islands of Zeeland and Falster.

International connections
d) Financial and investment climate. Denmark is a country with a highly developed economy. In terms of GDP per capita (more than 26 thousand dollars), Denmark ranks fourth in Europe (after Sweden, Luxembourg and Norway). Annual growth rate of GDP of the population in 1996-97. amounted to about 2%. The basis of the country's economic potential is industry and highly efficient agriculture. Denmark, along with this, is a fishing power, and also has one of the largest merchant marine fleets in the world. It has an extensive network of transport-forwarding and trade-industrial companies around the world, which largely determines the success in promoting Danish exports.
Denmark has a well-developed educational and research base, which allows it to stay at the forefront of technological frontiers in the world. So, in terms of saturation with personal computers, Denmark ranks second in the world. The country has 33 PCs per 100 inhabitants. Trade in software, informatics and maintenance of computers have become an important sector of the economy in Denmark, which employs 8.5 thousand firms and the volume of sales of services which exceeds 17.5 billion kroons.
Denmark has one of the best social protection systems for the population. In total public spending, the costs of social protection, education and health care account for 70%, while defense, law enforcement and public administration - only 15%.
The high level of social spending, along with the presence of a significant public debt, built up mainly in the past 20 years due to the need to maintain the current level of social security, seriously limits the competitiveness of the Danish economy.
The bulk of the country's able-bodied population is employed in small and medium enterprises. In total, more than 430 thousand business entities are registered in Denmark. This business structure makes the Danish economy flexible and able to quickly respond to changing market conditions.
1997 was a mostly favorable year for the Danish economy. The economic slowdown that characterized the Danish economy in 1995 was replaced in 1996 by a resumption of growth that continued into 1997. The gross domestic product of Denmark in 1997 grew by 5.2% and reached 1121 billion crowns. Part of the growth can be explained by an increase in domestic demand, but Danish exports in 1997 also increased more markedly than the European average (by 7.2%). The resumption of economic growth in Denmark occurred somewhat earlier than in other European countries.
The recovery in the economy contributed to the consolidation of positive changes in the labor market and the level of registered unemployment decreased to 7.8% of the total labor force. In both 1996 and 1997 wage growth was higher than in other EU countries. Annually, wages increased by about 4%. The growth of inflation by the end of the year amounted to 2.2%.
The Danish government intends to consistently pursue a tough financial policy aimed at limiting public spending and maintaining a stable exchange rate of the Danish krone against major European currencies.
In 1995, foreign trade accounted for 54% of GDP (in Sweden - 63.5%, in the USA - 18%). Until 1945, Danish exports were dominated by agricultural products - butter, bacon, meat, cheese and eggs. After 1945, the composition of Danish exports became more balanced, and in the 1990s manufactured goods such as ships, machinery, food and chemicals accounted for almost half of the value of exports. Imports consisted mainly of raw materials for the manufacturing industry: fuels and lubricants, food and livestock, chemicals, textiles, automobiles, iron and steel. Imports of oil, coal and coke were vital to Denmark's industry. From the 1960s to 1986, Danish imports outnumbered exports in value. Then, from 1987, the opposite trend was noted for a decade, and in 1996 the positive balance of the foreign trade balance amounted to approx. $7.6 billion
Such changes occurred due to the fact that Denmark had to import less energy, and world oil prices fell. In the 1980s, Denmark ran a small annual deficit in services such as insurance, shipping and tourism, which did not have a significant impact on the total amount of debt. Denmark's leading foreign trade partners in 1995 were Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Norway. The EEC countries accounted for 68.8% of foreign trade turnover, while the US accounted for approx. 4%.
Although in 1960-1972 Denmark benefited from participation in the European Free Trade Association, the entry of Great Britain into the EEC in 1973 served as an example for Denmark. Efforts have been made to create an area of ​​Scandinavian trade on the basis of European and global trade agreements.

The country is located in the north-west of Europe, on the Jutland peninsula and the islands of the Danish archipelago - Zeeland, Bornholm, Lesø, Lolland, Mön, Storström, Funen, Falster and others (more than 400 in total). The only land border of the country is in the south - with Germany. From the west, the coast of Denmark is washed by the waters of the North Sea, from the east - by the Baltic. The Øresund (Sund), Skagerrak and Kattegat straits separate the country from Norway and Sweden. The relief of the country is flat (the highest point is the city of Iding-Skovkhoy, 173 m), formed by the activity of glaciers, which leads to the presence of numerous basins with lakes and swamps, as well as flat outwash plains. The eastern shores of the country are heavily indented and abound in bays, while the western and northern coasts are quite flat and bordered by sand dunes. Numerous dams have been erected along the low-lying shores, as well as in the neighboring Netherlands.
The country also includes the volcanic Faroe Islands (1399 sq. km.) Lying in the northeast of the Atlantic, as well as about. Greenland is the largest island in the world (2.17 million sq. km.). The total area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe "mainland" part of the country is 42.9 thousand square meters. km.
Conclusion
List of used literature

Christensen S.K. Danish Literature 1918-1952. M., 1963
Silver L.R. Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology of Denmark. M., 1967
In the land of Gefion. A word about Denmark. M., 1990
History of Denmark from ancient times to the beginning of the 20th century. M., 1996
History of Denmark. XX century. M., 1998