Denmark
Coastal BeachesDenmark is a small, highly developed country located in Northern Europe. It is the southernmost of the Scandinavian nations, situated southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. The Kingdom of Denmark comprises Denmark proper and two autonomous constituent countries in the North Atlantic Ocean: the Faroe Islands and Greenland. Denmark itself is made up of the Jutland Peninsula and an archipelago of 443 named islands, with the largest being Zealand, Funen, and the North Jutlandic Island. The country enjoys a temperate climate marked by mild winters and cool summers. Denmark is known for its high standard of living, progressive social policies, and is often ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. Its capital, Copenhagen, is known for its historic architecture, modern design, and a large biking culture. The Danish language is the official language, but English is widely spoken as a second language. The country has a mixed-market capitalist economy and ranks highly in metrics of national performance, including education, health care, protection of civil liberties, democratic governance, and LGBT equality. Denmark has a strong welfare state, with universal health care, higher education, and a comprehensive social security system. Denmark's history dates back to the Viking Age, and it has since evolved into a modern, prosperous nation. It is a founding member of NATO, the Nordic Council, the OECD, OSCE, and the United Nations. Denmark also maintains close ties with its Scandinavian neighbors through the Scandinavian Monetary Union. The Danish landscape is characterized by flat, arable land, sandy coasts, low elevation, and a temperate climate. While it does not have high mountains, the rolling hills and coastal dunes provide a variety of natural scenery. The country's environmental policies are among the most stringent in the world, aiming to ensure sustainability and preservation of its natural resources.
