Denmark (ˈdɛnmɑ:k;
Danmark, ˈd̥ɛnmɑɡ̊pron), officially the
Kingdom of Denmark (
Kongeriget Danmark, ˈkɔŋəʁiːəð ˈd̥ɛnmɑɡ̊), is a
state in the
Scandinavian region of
Northern Europe with the two autonomous
constituent countries in the north
Atlantic Ocean, the
Faroe Islands and
Greenland. It is the southernmost of the
Nordic countries, located southwest of Sweden, south of
Norway and bordered to the south by
Germany. Denmark consists of a peninsula,
Jutland, and the Danish archipelago of
407 islands, which includes
Zealand,
Vendsyssel-Thy,
Funen,
Lolland,
Falster and
Bornholm. Denmark has close cultural, historical and economic ties with its Scandinavian neighbours, and the national language,
Danish, is
closely related to
Swedish and
Norwegian.
The Kingdom of Denmark is a unitary
constitutional monarchy, organised in a
parliamentary democracy. Ending
absolute monarchy introduced in 1660, the
Constitution of Denmark was signed on 5 June 1849, only to be rewritten four times; the latest revision in 1953. Women's right to vote was granted in 1915. The unicameral parliament, the
Folketing, resides in
Copenhagen, together with the
judicial,
executive, and
legislative powers. Denmark exercises
hegemonic influence in the Danish Realm,
devolving political powers to handle internal affairs to the
Faroe Islands and
Greenland. Denmark became a member of the
European Union in 1973, maintaining
four opt-outs from European Union policies, as outlined in the 1992 Edinburgh Agreement. Both the
Faroe Islands and Greenland remain outside the Union.
Home of the
Vikings, Denmark emerged as a
unified kingdom in the 8th century as a proficient seafaring nation to be the centre of the mutual struggle for the
control of the Baltic Sea. Establishing the personal
Kalmar Union in 1397, it ended with Swedish secession in 1523; one year later, Denmark entered
union with Norway until its dissolution in 1814. Several cessions of Danish territory had begun in the 17th century caused a surge of nationalist movements that gained momentum in the 1830s, concluded with a defeat in the 1864
Second Schleswig War. Hereafter, a new European outlook was sought, resulting in adjustment and cooperation. Denmark remained neutral during
World War I and the German invasion in April 1940 saw brief, military skirmishes while the
Danish resistance movement remained active until the German surrender in May 1945.
An industrialized exporter of agricultural produce in the second half of the 19th century, Denmark introduced
social and labour-market reforms in the early decades of the 20th century, making the basis for the present
welfare state with a highly developed
mixed market economy. The
Danish krone has been pegged to the
euro since since 1 January 1999. Denmark ranks as having the world's highest
social mobility, the highest level of
income equality, and has one of the world's
highest per capita income. For 2013, Denmark is listed 15th on the
Human Development Index and 9th on the
inequality-adjusted HDI. Denmark ranks highly positive on the
Corruption Perceptions Index and the
Legatum Prosperity Index, and as a full democracy on the
Democracy Index. It is frequently ranked as the happiest country in the world.
Denmark is among the founding members of the
NATO,
Nordic Council,
OECD,
OSCE and the
United Nations. There are three Danish heritage sites inscribed on the
UNESCO World Heritage list in Northern Europe.