Background Notes: Denmark
PA/PC
Source: Office of Public Communication, Bureau of Public
Affairs
Date: Jun 15, 19906/15/90
Category: Country Data
Region: Europe
Country: Denmark
Subject: Travel, History, International Organizations,
Trade/Economics
[TEXT]
Official Name: Kingdom of Denmark
PROFILE
Geography*
Area: 43,076 sq. km. (16,632 sq. mi.); slightly smaller than Vermont
and New Hampshire combined. Cities: Capital-Copenhagen (pop. 1.4
million in Greater Copenhagen). Other cities-Aarhus (195,000),
Odense (137,000), Aalborg (114,000).
Terrain: Low and flat or slightly rolling; highest elevation is 173 m.
(568 ft.). Climate: Temperate. The terrain, location, and prevailing
westerly winds make the weather changeable.
People
Nationality: Noun-Dane(s). Adjective-Danish. Population (1988): 5.13
million.* Annual growth rate (1987): 0.8%.
Density: 119 per sq. km. (308/sq. mi.).
Ethnic groups: Scandinavian, Eskimo, Faroese, German. Religion:
Evangelical Lutheran (about 97%).
Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Eskimo dialect), some
German. English is the predominant second language.
Education: Years compulsory-9. Attendance-100%. Literacy-99%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (within first year, 1986)-8.2/1,000.
Life expectancy-men 71.5 yrs., women 77.5 yrs.
Work force (1987): 2.8 million: Agriculture and fisheries-5.6%.
Industry and commerce-50.5%. Services-11.6%. Government-29.8%.
Other-2.5%.
Government
Type: Constitutional monarchy.
Constitution: June 5, 1953.
Branches: Executive-queen (chief of state), prime minister (head of
government), cabinet.
Legislative-unicameral parliament (Folketing). Judicial-appointed
Supreme Court.
Political parties (represented in the Folketing): Social Democratic,
Conservative, Liberal, Progress, Socialist People's, Radical Liberal,
Center Democratic, Christian People's.
Suffrage: Universal adult.
Administrative subdivisions: 14 counties.
Defense (1989): Approximately 2% of GDP.
Flag: A white cross on a red field. The Faroe Islands and Greenland
maintain separate flags under their respective home-rule
governments.
Economy
GDP (1989): $104.6 billion.
Annual growth rate (1989): 1.1%.
Per capita income: $20,385. Avg. inflation rate last 5 yrs.: 4.4%.
Agriculture (and related production, 5.8% of GDP): Products-meat,
dairy products, fish.
Industry (19.3% of GDP): Types-industrial and construction
equipment, electronics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, furniture,
textiles.
Natural resources: North Sea-oil and gas, fish. Greenland-fish, zinc,
lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, cryolite, uranium. The Faroe
Islands-fish.
Trade (1989): Exports-$28 billion: machinery and instruments
(24%), meat and meat products (10%), chemical, medical and
pharmaceutical products (10%), fish and fish products (6%),
transport equipment (including ships) (5%), textiles and apparel
(4%), and furniture (4%). Imports- $26.6 billion: machinery (10%),
iron, steel, and metals (10%),transport equipment (excluding ships)
(7%), crude oils and petroleum products (5%), paper and paperboard
(4%), and fish and fish products (3%). Partners- FRG 20%, Sweden
12%, UK 10%, US 6%, Eastern bloc 3%.
Official exchange rate (April 1990): 6.44 kroner=US$ (1989 average
7.31 kroner=US$1 used for conversion of statistics).
Membership in International Organizations
UN and many of its specialized and related agencies, including the
World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF); General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); NATO; European Community (EC);
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD);
Council of Europe; Nordic Council.
*Excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
PEOPLE AND HISTORY
The Danes, a homogenous Gothic-Germanic people, have
inhabited Denmark since prehistoric times. Danish is the principal
language. A small German-speaking minority lives in southern
Jutland; a mixed Inuit-Danish population inhabits Greenland; and the
Faroe Islands have a Nordic population with its own language.
Education is compulsory from ages 7 to 16 and is free through the
university level. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is state supported
and accounts for about 97% of Denmark's religious affiliation.
Denmark has religious freedom, however, and several other
Protestant denominations and other religions exist. During the
Viking period (9th-11th centuries), Denmark was a great power
based on the Jutland Peninsula, the Island of Zealand, and the
southern part of what is now Sweden. In the early 11th century,
King Canute united Denmark and England for almost 30 years.
Viking raids brought Denmark into contact with Christianity,
and in the 12th century, crown and church influence increased. By
the late 13th century, royal power had waned, and the nobility
forced the king to grant a charter, considered Denmark's first
constitution. Although the struggle between crown and nobility
continued into the 14th century, Queen Margrethe I succeeded in
uniting Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Faroe Islands,
Iceland, and Greenland under the Danish crown. Sweden and Finland
left the union in 1520; however, Norway remained until 1814.
Iceland, in a "personal union" under the king of Denmark after 1918,
became independent in 1944. The Reformation was introduced in
Denmark in 1536. Denmark's provinces in today's southwestern
Sweden were lost in 1658, and Norway was transferred from the
Danish to the Swedish crown in 1814, following the defeat of
Napoleon, with whom Denmark was allied. The Danish liberal
movement gained momentum in the 1830s, and in 1849 Denmark
became a constitutional monarchy.
After the war with Prussia and Austria in 1864, Denmark was
forced to cede Schleswig-Holstein to Prussia and adopt a policy of
neutrality. Toward the end of the 19th century, Denmark inaugurated
important social and labor market reforms, laying the basis for the
present welfare state. Denmark remained neutral during World War
I. Despite its declaration of neutrality at the beginning of World
War II, it was invaded by the Germans in 1940 and occupied until it
was liberated by the Allied forces in May 1945. Denmark became a
charter member of the United Nations and was one of the original
signers of the North Atlantic Treaty.
Cultural Achievements
Denmark's rich intellectual heritage contributes to the
cultural achievements of the modern world. The astronomical
discoveries of Tycho Brahe (1546-1601) and the brilliant
contributions to atomic physics of Niels Bohr (1885-1962) indicate
the range of Danish scientific achievement. The fairy tales of Hans
Christian Andersen (1805-75), the philosophical essays of Soren
Kierkegaard (1813-55), and the short stories of Karen Blixen
(penname Isak Dinesen, 1885-1962) have earned international
recognition, as have the symphonies of Carl Nielsen (1865-1931).
Danish applied art and industrial design have won awards for
excellence. The name of Georg Jensen (1866-1935) is known
worldwide for outstanding modern design in silver, and "Royal
Copenhagen" is among the finest porcelains. Visitors to Denmark
will discover a wealth of cultural activity. The Royal Danish Ballet,
an exceptional company, specializes in the work of the great Danish
choreographer August Bournonville (1805-79). Danes have
distinguished themselves as jazz musicians, and the Copenhagen
Jazz Festival has acquired an international reputation. International
collections of modern art enjoy unusually attractive settings at the
Louisiana Museum north of Copenhagen and at the North Jutland Art
Museum in Aalborg. The State Museum of Art and the Glyptotek, both
in Copenhagen, contain treasures of Danish and international art.
The Museum of Applied Art and Industrial Design in Copenhagen
exhibits the best in Danish design. The Royal Danish Porcelain
Factory and Bing ∧ Grondahl, renowned for the quality of their
porcelain and ceramics, export their products worldwide. Ceramic
designs by Bjorn Wiinblad also are well known and popular.
Among today's Danish writers, probably the most prolific is
Klaus Rifbjerg-poet, novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. Benny
Andersen writes poems, short stories, and music. Poems by both
writers have been translated into English by the Curbstone Press.
Kirsten Thorup's Baby, winner of the 1980 Pegasus Prize, is printed
in English by the University of Louisiana Press. The psychological
thrillers of Anders Bodelsen also appear in English. Suzanne Brogger
and Vita Andersen focus largely on the changing roles of women in
society. In music, Hans Abrahamsen and Per Norgaard are the two
most famous living composers. Hans Abrahamsen's works have been
performed by the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC.
Cultural Policy
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs was created in
1961. Cultural life and meaningful leisure time were then and
remain subjects of debate by politicians and parliament as well as
the general public. The democratization of cultural life promoted by
the government's 1960s cultural policy recently has come to terms
with the older "genteel culture;" broader concepts of culture now
generally accepted include amateur and professional cultural,
media, sports, and leisure-time activities. Denmark's cultural
policy is characterized by decentralized funding, program
responsibility, and institutions.
Danish cultural direction differs from other countries with a
Ministry of Culture and a stated policy in that special laws govern
each cultural field-e.g., the New Theater Act of 1970 and the Music
Law of 1976. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs includes among its
responsibilities international cultural relations; training of
librarians and architects; copyright legislation; and subsidies to
archives, libraries, museums, literature, music, arts and crafts,
theater, and film production. During 1970-82, the ministry also
recognized protest movements and street manifestations as
cultural events, because social change was viewed as an important
goal of Danish cultural policy. However, the current government
exercises caution in moderating this policy and practice.
In June 1988, radio and broadcasting, formerly under
the Ministry of Culture, was transferred to the Ministry of
Transportation and Communication. Government contributions to
culture have increased steadily in recent years, but viewed against
the present government's firm objective to limit public
expenditures, contributions will stabilize in the future. Municipal
and county governments assume a relatively large share of the
costs for cultural activities in their respective districts. In 1987,
government expenditures for culture reached about $265 million, or
about $52 per capita. Most support went to libraries and archives,
theater, museums, arts and crafts training, and films.
GOVERNMENT
Denmark is a constitutional monarchy. Queen Margrethe II has
largely ceremonial functions; probably her most significant formal
power lies in her right to appoint the prime minister and cabinet
ministers, who are responsible for administration of the
government. However, she must consult with parliamentary leaders
to determine the public's will, since the cabinet may be dismissed
by a vote of no confidence in the Folketing (parliament). Cabinet
members are occasionally recruited from outside the Folketing.
The 1953 constitution established a unicameral Folketing of
not more than 179 members, of whom 2 are elected from the Faroe
Islands and 2 from Greenland. Elections are held at least every 4
years, but the prime minister can dissolve the Folketing at any time
and call for new elections. Folketing members are elected by a
complicated system of proportional representation; any party
receiving at least 2% of the total national vote receives
representation. The result is a multiplicity of parties (eight
currently in parliament), none of which holds a majority. More than
85% of electorate participation is normal. The judicial branch
consists of about 100 local courts, 2 high courts, several special
courts (e.g., arbitration and maritime), and a supreme court of 15
judges appointed by the crown on the government's recommendation.
Denmark is divided into 14 counties (Amter) and 272
municipalities (Kommuner). The chief official of
the Amt, the county mayor (Amtsborgmester), is elected by the
county council from among its members, according to the municipal
reform of 1970. The city of Copenhagen represents a single
Kommune. The Faroe Islands and Greenland enjoy home rule, with the
Danish Government represented locally by high commissioners.
These home-rule governments are responsible for most domestic
affairs with foreign relations, monetary affairs, and defense falling
to the Danish Government.
Principal Government Officials
Monarch-Queen Margrethe II
Prime Minister-Poul Schlueter
Ministers Finance-Henning Dyremose
Foreign Affairs-Uffe Ellemann-Jensen
Economic Affairs-Niels Helveg Petersen
Internal Revenue-Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Ministry of Transportation and Communication-Knud Oostergaard
Industry-Anne Birgitte Lundholt
Labor-Knud E. Kirkegaard
Interior/Nordic Affairs-Thor Pedersen
Social Affairs-Aase Olesen
Agriculture-Laurits Toernaes
Fisheries-Kent Kirk
Justice-Hans Engell
Defense-Knud Enggaard
Cultural Affairs-Ole Vig Jensen
Environmental Affairs-Lone Dybkjaer
Housing-Agnete Lausten
Energy-Jens Bilgrav Nielsen
Education-Bertel Haarder
Ambassador to the United States-Peter Dyvig
Ambassador to the United Nations-Kjeld Wilhelm Mortensen
Denmark maintains an embassy at 3200 Whitehaven Street NW,
Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-234-4300). Consulates general are
in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.
POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Political life in Denmark is orderly and democratic. Political
changes occur gradually, through a process of consensus, and
political methods and attitudes are generally moderate. The Social
Democratic Party, Denmark's largest and closely identified with a
large well-organized labor movement, has held power either alone
or in coalition for most of the postwar period. A coalition of the
Social Democratic and three other centrist parties broke down in
the fall of 1981 because of the parties' inability to decide on an
economic program. Despite electoral losses, the Social Democrats
formed a single-party minority government after December 1981
elections.
Unable to pass austerity measures aimed at alleviating
the seriously deteriorating economy, the government chose to
resign in September 1982. Its successor was composed of four
center-right parties-Conservative, Liberal, Center Democratic, and
Christian People's-that controlled only 78 of the 179 seats in the
Folketing. This coalition of parties retained power in the January
1984 and September 1987 elections. Snap elections called in May
1988 brought a nonsocialist minority coalition government to
power. The current government is composed of three parties:
Conservative, Liberal, and Radical Liberal. This coalition represents
a minority of 67 seats in the 179-seat parliament, but it can count
on support on most issues from the Center Democratic, Christian
People's, and the Progress Parties, which have a total of 29 seats,
plus three North Atlantic members.
The successive minority governments under the current prime
minister have been successful in passing their economic programs
through the Folketing. However, with 55 seats, the Social
Democrats play a powerful braking role on both the domestic and
international agendas of the Schlueter government. The coalition
remains dependent on whether the prime minister's rivals wish to
mount a challenge or remain content to wait for the next elections,
due in 1992.
ECONOMY
For several decades, the Danish economy has been
characterized by industrial expansion and diversification as well as
a continued dependence on foreign trade, which accounts for more
than 50% of gross domestic product. Agricultural products
dominated export earnings until the 1930s, accounting for almost
75% of total exports. Since then , however, agricultural exports
have declined. In the postwar period, manufacturing, assisted by
Marshall Plan funds (totaling about $250 million in current dollars),
significantly improved its export performance. Today, more than
60% of exports stem from manufactured products, and the
agricultural share has dropped to less than 30%. During the 1962-72
period, GDP increased at an average annual rate of 4.5%, but the oil
shocks of 1973 and 1979 reduced average annual growth to 2% in
1972-82.
Assisted by the improved international economic
situation, the growth rate picked up again after 1982, and the
average rate for 1982-86 was 3.5%. This strong growth ended in
1987. Since then, slowed growth was due to a decrease in private
consumption accompanying the introduction in 1986 of fiscal
restraint measures and of waning business confidence. As a result,
business investment dropped 9% in 1987 and another percent in
1988. The economy saw a recovery in 1989 when the GDP rose 1%,
led entirely by increased exports. Projections for 1990 point
toward an almost 2% increase in GDP assisted by a continued strong
export performance, a recovery in business investment, and a small
increase in private consumption. Despite the recovery in the
economy, major economic and structural problems remain to be
solved, particularly with respect to its high taxes, the lack of
geographic and sectoral labor market mobility, and the huge foreign
debt.
Budget
From the end of the Second World War to 1973, central
government budgets showed surpluses. From 1974, however, the
budget dropped deeply into deficit, reaching a level of more than
10% of GDP in 1983. The center-right government that took office in
late 1982 managed to balance the budget in 1986 and actually
created a surplus in 1987. However, budget deficits now approach
3% of GDP.
Prices, Interest, and Exchange Rates
At its inauguration in October 1982, the government stated, as
one of the cornerstones of its anti-inflationary program, that
inflation and wage increases should be reduced below international
rates, primarily through use of wage restraints and a stable
exchange rate policy. Today, the annual increase in consumer prices
has been more than halved to about 5% in 1989. For 1990, the
projected increase is about 3%.
Despite fluctuations in international exchange rates versus
Danish kroner, not least with the US dollar, the kroner in late 1989
on a trade-weighted basis had the same value as in 1982. Between
October 1989 and May 1990, however, the kroner strengthened by
almost 8%. Employment Since the late 1950s, unemployment
declined steadily to between 2% and 3% (regarded as full
employment).
That situation prevailed until the first oil shock in 1973.
Unemployment then increased from 2.1% in 1974 to 5.1% in 1975
and to 10.8% in 1983 primarily due to the influx of women into the
labor pool. Although the number of persons employed in the public
sector increased from 368,000 in 1967 to 678,000 in 1977, this
could not counter cyclical downturns in overall employment.
Unemployment declined to 8% of the total labor
force in 1987 but has since picked up, because of the labor market's
inability to absorb new entrants. In 1989, the unemployment rate
was 9.2%. It is likely to remain at this level in 1990.
Balance of Payments and Trade
The Danish balance of payments has been in deficit every year
since the early 1960s. In 1985, the deficit set an all-time record
of $5.1 billion, or more than 4.5% of GDP. The deficit was reduced
to about $1.4 billion in 1989. Recent years' large deficits stem
almost entirely from the servicing of Denmark's foreign debt which,
by the end of 1989, had risen to $40 billion, or almost 40% of GDP.
In 1989, the United States ranked fourth among Denmark's trading
partners, accounting for more than 6% of total Danish trade. Major
US exports to Denmark are machinery and equipment, aircraft,
military equipment, and coal. Major Danish exports to the United
States are machinery and equipment, agricultural products (mostly
canned ham and pork), chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and fish.
Energy
Except for some oil and gas in the North Sea, Denmark has only
limited mineral resources and must import most of its fuels and
raw materials. The country has no nuclear power plants, and
indigenous oil and natural gas production from the North Sea in
1989 covered almost half of total Danish energy consumption, or
more than 80% of oil and gas consumption. Danish crude-oil
production in 1989 totaled 5.5 million tons, and natural gas
production reached about 3 billion cubic meters. By 1990, Danish
hydrocarbon production is expected to cover more than half of total
Danish energy use.
Until 1981, the Danish shipping conglomerate
A.P. Moller held the sole concession for oil and gas exploration and
exploitation on Danish territory, for which it formed a consortium
(Danish Underground Consortium) with Shell, Gulf, Chevron, and
Texaco (Gulf withdrew in 1975 and Chevron in 1986). After pressure
from the government, A.P. Moller agreed to relinquish half of the
unexplored area in 1982 and the remainder in 1984 and 1986. The
government offered part of the relinquished areas to new
concessionaires in three licensing rounds in 1983, 1985, and 1989,
when a total of 37 licenses were granted, covering an area of about
6,700 square miles, or less than 15% of the total Danish concession
area. Seven US companies participated in licenses granted in the
1983 round, three in the 1985, and four in the 1989 round.
In the wake of the first oil crisis in 1973, Danish power plants
shifted rapidly from oil to coal; currently, the ratio is 97% coal and
3% oil. Following the Danish ban on trade with South Africa, coal
sales from the United States to Denmark have now stabilized at
about 3 million tons annually. Although Danish energy policy
throughout the 1970s and the early 1980s focused on energy
savings, it is now concentrating on environmental protection.
Greenland and the Faroe Islands
In Greenland, zinc and lead mining had been carried out for
some years under difficult arctic conditions by the Canadian-owned
Greenex A/S at the Black Angel Mine in Marmorilik, West Greenland.
The mine's resources are now fully exploited, and it will close in
1990. Oil and gas exploration by the US company ARCO on the east
coast of Greenland was given up in early 1990 as negotiations on
more lenient concession terms for ARCO failed. Fishing remains the
principal Greenlandic industry. In general, Greenlanders have a
lower level of income than mainland Danes. The Faroe Islands
depend almost entirely on fisheries and related exports; the United
States is among the leading importers of Faroese products.
European Community (EC)
Denmark joined the EC on January 1, 1973, on the basis of a
positive referendum vote at that time. A second referendum was
held in 1986 on the issue of proposed amendments to the Treaty of
Rome intended to improve the functioning of EC institutions and to
prepare for the creation of the EC single market by the end of 1992.
Fifty-six percent voted in favor of the changes, 44% against. The
vote reflects the Danish population's interest both in continued
membership in the Community, from which especially Danish
agriculture benefits heavily, and in maintaining the integrity and
preeminence of Danish political and social institutions. Although
Denmark is proceeding well in implementing the new EC '92 Single
Market Plan directives, it has major problems in adapting its taxes
and excise taxes to the much lower EC levels due to its excessively
large public sector.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Danish foreign policy is founded upon four cornerstones: the
United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO),
Nordic cooperation, and the EC. Denmark emphasizes its relations
with developing countries and is one of the few nations to exceed
the UN goal of contributing 1% of GNP to development assistance.
Danish development assistance in 1987 totaled 0.84% of GNP, and
the government's goal is to reach 1% by 1992. Danish security
policy is founded on its membership in NATO.
In his opening address to the parliament on October 4, 1988,
the prime minister stated that future emphasis will be on the
promotion of Danish views toward disarmament and toward the
achievement of agreements on chemical weapons, conventional
security in Europe, and on a nuclear test ban. As a member of the
Nordic Council, Denmark has strong economic, political, social, and
cultural ties with other Nordic countries-Iceland, Norway, Finland,
and Sweden. As the only Nordic country in the EC, its role as a
bridge between the two regions recently has become much more
important, particularly with the sharp increase in Nordic business
investments in Denmark in order to exploit the opportunities of the
EC '92 Single Market Plan.
DEFENSE
Denmark was a charter signatory of the North Atlantic Treaty,
and Danish security continues to be based on membership in NATO.
Since the late 1960s, the Folketing has adopted a series of
multiyear defense programs. Public opposition to increases in
defense spending, during a period when economic constraints
require reduced spending for social welfare, has created
differences among the political parties regarding a broadly
acceptable level of new defense expenditures. A defense agreement
reached in 1989 dealt with defense funding and military
reorganization during 1989-91. Denmark has maintained a system
of indexation, which retroactively compensates for wage and price
increases in the programed defense expenditures. The Danish
defense budget will remain at inflation-indexed zero growth for at
least the next 2 years. In FY 1989, defense spending represented
about 2% of GDP and about 6.9% of the central government budget.
US-DANISH RELATIONS
US relations with Denmark, a longstanding European ally, are
friendly and close. In the NATO context, the Danish defense effort is
important to the United States. About 225 US firms have offices,
affiliates, or subsidiaries in Copenhagen. Although there is no
American Chamber of Commerce, the American Club there attracts
members both from the American business community and Danes
interested in trade and close ties with the United States. Some
400,000 US tourists visit Denmark annually. Principal US Officials
Ambassador-Keith L. Brown Deputy Chief of Mission-Ronald D. Flack
Economic Counselor-Dennis A. Sandberg Political Counselor-Ward C.
Thompson Consul-Robert L. Fretz Administrative Officer-Richard H.
Smyth Public Affairs Counselor (USIS)-Mary Ellen Connell
Agricultural Counselor-Anthony Cruit Commercial Attache-Stephan
Helgesen Defense and Naval Attache-Capt. Michael C. Tiernan, USN
Army Attache-Col. Lionel Ingram, Air Attache-Col. John Long Chief,
Office of Defense Cooperation-Col. Carl Lyday
TRAVEL NOTES
The US Embassy is located at Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24,
2100 Copenhagen O, Denmark (tel. 31/42-31-44). Customs: No
immunizations are required, and US tourists do not need visas for
stays of less than 90 days.
Climate and clothing: Winters are warmer and summers cooler
than in New England. Woolen clothes are worn most of the year.
Transportation: Direct flights are available between
Copenhagen and several major US cities, and many international
carriers serve Copenhagen's Kastrup International Airport. Rail and
air services link major European centers. Rail service leaves daily
for London, Paris, and Scandinavian capitals. Ferries connect
Denmark with Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, and points in the UK and
FRG. Copenhagen's bus, suburban train, and taxi services are
excellent, and rates are reasonable.
Telecommunications: Local telephone service is good.
Worldwide telephone and telegraph service is available. Copenhagen
is six time zones ahead of eastern standard time.
Tourist attractions: Tivoli is one of Copenhagen's famous
tourist attractions but is only open during the summer. In
downtown Copenhagen, the Rosenborg Castle exhibits the Danish
crown jewels. Not far from Copenhagen are Kronborg Castle in
Elsinore, Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerod, Fredensborg Castle in
Esrum Lake, the Open Air Museum in Sorgenfri, and the cathedral and
Viking ship museum in Roskilde. Hans Christian Andersen's
childhood home in Odense has been turned into a museum. The town
of Dragoer, close to Copenhagen, as well as the towns of Ribe and
Mogeltonder in southern Jutland, and the islands of Fano, Aero,
Samso, and Bornholm offer glimpses of Danish village and rural life.
Copenhagen has many good, though expensive, hotels. Book in
advance for the April-October season.
Further Information
For information on economic trends, commercial development,
production, trade regulations, and tariff rates, contact the
International Trade Administration, US Department of Commerce,
Washington, DC 20230.
Published by the United States Department of State -- Bureau of
Public Affairs -- Office of Public Communication -- Washington,
DC -- June 1990 -- Editor: Peter Knecht Department of State
Publication 8298 -- Background Notes Series -- This material is
in the public domain and may be reprinted without permission;
citation of this source is appreciated. For sale by the
Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402.(###)