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by Nate
Room 17 Mr. Villafana Lincoln Elementary Cupertino, CA Introduction I History
Conclusion
National Anthem II Geography Map of Denmark III People IV Government V Places VI Recreation VII Important People Bibliography |
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The Kingdom of Denmark
Introduction
I am doing Denmark for my country report. I am from Denmark and I think it will be very interesting to learn more about my home country. I am interested in Denmark because my great great grandfather was from Denmark and my parents talk a lot about him. Denmark should be very exciting to learn about and I can’t wait to get started.
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I History
In the history of Denmark a lot has happened. The Irish Monks established the first civilization in Denmark in A.D. 800. They mostly populated the Faeroe Islands but came onto mainland frequently. The Vikings going through Denmark and on the coast of Britain and Western Europe were the first to use fire in and around Denmark. The Vikings often lit parts of Denmark on fire and used it as a battleground frequently. In 1036 the Faeroe Islands came under rule of the Norwegian kings. In 1946 the Faeroe Islands Parliament voted for independence and later in 1948 Denmark granted them independence with home rule. Greenland is also under independent home rule by Denmark.
In Denmark’s history a lot of important things have happened. In 3000 B.C. hunters settle down permanently for agriculture. Later, in A.D. 826 a Roman Catholic Benedictine monk, Ansgar, introduces Christianity. In 928 the city of Århus is founded. About 32 years later in 960 Christianity is officially adopted by the Danish royal court. Soon after the ruling King Harald Bluetooth builds a wooden church at Roskilde. In 982 Eric the Red sails to Greenland from Iceland. Almost 3 years later in 985 the Danish Monarchy begins and stone carvings tell the story of the conversion to Christianity. Starting in 1013 and ending in 1042 Denmark ruled England. During the Danish rule of England in 1036 the Faeroe Islands come under the rule of Norwegian kings. From 1100 to 1250 and amazing 1,800 of Denmark’s 2000 churches are built. 4 years later in 1254 Copenhagen receives a royal charter to be capitol of Denmark. Later, in 1282 the Danish king was forced to sign the Handfaestning or “The Great Charter” that establishes an annual parliament, it is the first Danish constitution. Almost a 100 years after the Handfaestning in 1380 a Norwegian-Danish monarchy is established under Queen Margrete I. 17 years after the monarchy started Denmark, Sweden, and Norway are united in the Union of Kalmar. Nearly 600 years after Christianity was made the official religion Lutheranism becomes the new official religion in 1536. In 1618 the Thirty Years War starts over religion, money, territory, and power. 30 years later in 1648 the war ended. 10 years after the war ends the royal guards are established to protect the royal family. Later, in 1676 Denmark defeated Sweden at the Battle of Oland. Soon after Denmark wins the Koge Bay Battle. Almost 100 years later Denmark becomes the first one to ban slavery in its overseas possessions. In 1801 Copenhagen the capitol of Denmark is bombarded by British troops. 1813 had devastated Denmark’s economy by British naval attacks. A year later education in Denmark is made free to all up through college. Later in 1848 a new constitution is made. Denmark becomes a constitutional monarchy and freedom of religion is guaranteed by the new constitution. The birth of the movie industry in Denmark happens in 1903 when the first fiction film is produced, it is named The Execution. The world’s first motor driven ocean ship is made in Denmark in 1912. Only three years later women are given the right to vote. In 1940 Hitler attacks Denmark. In 1948 the Faeroe Islands are placed under home rule. Later, in 1949 Denmark joins NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). In 1967 Queen Margrethe II marries Prince Henrik. 5 years later in 1972 Queen Margrethe II takes over the throne. In 1978 the voting age is moved down from 21 to 18. A year later Greenland is given home rule similar to the Faeroe Islands. Denmark has a great history that I am sure will keep getting things added onto it.
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National Anthem Music
National Anthem of Denmark
A lovely land is ours
A lovely land is ours
With beeches green about her
Encircled by the sea
Her hills and vales are manifold
Her name, of old, is Denmark
And she is Freya's home
In days of long-ago
This land was home to heroes
From war they rested here
Then forth they went, to smite the foe
Now to their graves they've gone
Among the barrow-stones
This land is yet so fair
Her waters yet so blue
And green are still her leaves
And noble ladies, maidens fair,
And men and able lads
Still dwell on Danish soil
Hail Sovereign, hail Home!
Hail every Dane who labours
To do his very best
Our ancient Denmark shall abide,
While yet the waves reflect
The beeches in their blue
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National Anthem Music
National Anthem of Denmark
A lovely land is ours
A lovely land is ours
With beeches green about her
Encircled by the sea
Her hills and vales are manifold
Her name, of old, is Denmark
And she is Freya's home
In days of long-ago
This land was home to heroes
From war they rested here
Then forth they went, to smite the foe
Now to their graves they've gone
Among the barrow-stones
This land is yet so fair
Her waters yet so blue
And green are still her leaves
And noble ladies, maidens fair,
And men and able lads
Still dwell on Danish soil
Hail Sovereign, hail Home!
Hail every Dane who labours
To do his very best
Our ancient Denmark shall abide,
While yet the waves reflect
The beeches in their blue
II Geography
Denmark a country in the Northern Hemisphere is small. It is 16,633 sq. miles (43,080 sq. kilometers) total not including home rule countries. Across Denmark East to West is 250 miles long and across North to South it is 225 miles across the mainland. In Denmark 2/3 of the land is cultivated and 6% of the population work on farms. Also 9% of the land is forested. Denmark borders Germany to the south, Sweden to the northeast across water and Norway northwest across water. Bornholm 80 miles east of mainland is closer to Sweden than to Denmark. The volcanic Faeroe Islands are located northwest of Scotland. The Faeroe Islands have 18 main islands and 4 small islands spread out over 540 sq. miles (1,339 sq. kilometers). Denmark’s coastline is 1, 057 miles (1,701 kilometers) long. Denmark has a total rainfall of 24 inches (61 centimeters) per year. Denmark’s only natural disaster it has to worry about is flood from the ocean and rivers. The temperature average in January is 32 F (0 C) and in July the average temperature is 62 F (16.6 C). The capital of Denmark is Copenhagen that accounts for 40% of the total population of Denmark. The highest point in Denmark is Yding Skouhoj in Jutland and it is 568 feet tall. The lowest point in Denmark is sea level. The longest river is the Guden that stretches a total of 98 miles. Denmark also has many picturesque lakes to go with the ocean. The largest of these picturesque lakes is Lake Arreso that is 16 sq. miles big. A canal connects Fyn and Odense Fjord making Denmark’s biggest seaport used for shipping good to and from the country. Denmark has 75 wildlife preserves and protected areas. Denmark is a small country but has a lot to say about itself!
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Map of Denmark
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III People
Denmark lets you chose religion and doesn’t control what you say about the government. Denmark has a huge amount of culture mostly from the U.S. Trade routes were easy for the Danes to complete so they traded easily and gained culture. Denmark has a homogeneous ethnic background like most Scandinavian countries. The official language in Denmark is Danish but English is spoken almost everywhere. Lutheranism is the official religion in Denmark and all members of the monarchy must practice this religion but the general public has freedom to choose religion. Danish people listen to American music. There clothing is a lot like ours now and most schools don’t have a dress code. The Danish are great at making pastries and sweet treats. The pastry they are best known for is the Danish. Education in Denmark is very good and they have a literacy rate of almost 95%. In Denmark education if free for everybody up through college. The taxpayers pay more money so education can be free and everyone is happy with the way it is run. Denmark has many great people that love their life.
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IV Government
Denmark has a good government that its people have say in. Denmark is a parliamentary state with a constitutional monarchy; it is the oldest in Europe. The king or queen is the chief of state with only ceremonial powers. They choose the Prime Minister who is the head of government. Then, the Prime Minister appoints a Cabinet of Ministers, and them all together are responsible for the 179 member Folketing, which is Denmark’s single house parliament. Elections in Denmark are held every four years and every citizen over 18 can vote. The Statsraad is a government body with the king or queen and their cabinet members. The Faeroe Islands and Greenland both send two representatives to the Folketing. Faeroe Islanders and Greenlanders are Danish citizens and get to vote. For administrative purposes Denmark is divided into 14 amter or counties and 2 communes. The Danish Government works smoothly and doesn’t encounter many problems.
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V Places
Denmark has a lot of interesting places scattered throughout the country. The oldest shrine in Denmark is Troldkirken, “Troll Church,” it is on a hilltop near the city of Limfjord. In the capitol of Denmark there is a statue named, “The Lur Blower Column,” it is of two Vikings blowing ancient trumpets called “Lurs.” The oldest clothing in Europe was found in an oak coffin at a Viking burial ground. Ribe, Denmark is the oldest town in Europe. Denmark is a great place to visit and explore these and more exciting places.
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VI Recreation
Denmark has great recreation and kids there stay pretty slim. In Denmark the most popular sport is soccer but kids and adults also play badminton, rugby, tennis, archery, fencing, swimming, and skiing. Denmark has many festivals year round and dancing is a big part of those festivals. They dance a lot like we do but they do a little more crafty moves and like to astonish crowds. Denmark has many festivals but the most important one is on the Queen’s birthday when everyone goes out and has fun. Denmark has many celebrations also from all the wars they have fought they have a huge celebration for the day that they beat the British. Denmark has 13 major holidays, January 1st, New Years Day, April 16th, Queen Margrethe’s birthday, May 5th, Liberation Day, June 5th, Constitution Day, December 25th, Christmas, December 26th. The movable holidays in Denmark are Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Thursday, Whit Monday, Store Bededang, and Prayer Day. On most Danish holidays everyone gets a day off from work. The Danes have lots of great celebrations and holidays that they are content with.
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VII Important People
Denmark has had a lot of important people influence their way of life. Hans Christian Anderson (1805-1875) was a master of fairy tales with many great works. Fredrik Bajer (1837-1922) was the winner of a Nobel Peace prize in 1908 and founded to peace societies. The infamous French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was raised in and around Denmark. The now stand up comic who started as a concert pianist, Victor Borge (1909-2000) was born and raised in Denmark. Edvard Eriksen, a sculptor whose most famous work is the bronze mermaid looking out over the Copenhagen harbor. Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) was raised in Germany near Denmark and late in 1940 attacked Denmark. Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German religious reformer and was the founder of Protestantism. Karl Mathiasen (1860-1920), was one of the most skilled and celebrated makers of terracotta in Denmark, he is my great great grandfather. Danish people are always achieving new heights and raising the bar for countries around the world.
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Bibliography
Books
Hintz, Martin, Denmark, Children’s Press, Copyright ©1994McDonald, Julie Jensen, Definitely Danish, Penfield Press, Copyright ©1993
Websites
Denmark. Anonymous, Web Manager, April 14th, 2002. Lincoln School, 1 Sept. 1998, http://www.countryreports.org/denmark.htm
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Conclusion
Denmark was great to learn about. As I expected I loved doing Denmark and learning more about where I am from. Denmark was a lot smaller than I thought it was going to be but it still has very exciting things going on year-round. If I had more time to work on this report I would ask more people who came from Denmark what it is like there to get a better perspective. Studying Denmark was not everything I expected but it was more fun than I thought I could have on a report.
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