Denmark, Copenhagen

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is an international city in a world which seems to get smaller year by year. The city has grown from a bishop’s castle into the unrivalled centre of Denmark. The city is also acquiring an important role as a regional centre of Northern Europe, which is tied stronger together than ever.

Copenhagen is capital of one of the oldest kingdoms in the world. All periods of our 1000 yearlong history are reflected in the streets, squares and buildings of our city.

History

Copenhagen got its name from the word "köbenhavn", which means "Merchants harbour", and was first based on a fortified town built in the 12th century.

The country's most famous residents, the Vikings, roamed the seas in the early middle Ages, conquering a vast empire and transforming Europe.

It was only a fishing village until the middle of the 12th century when it grew in importance after coming into the possession of the Bishop Absalon, who fortified it in 1167. The excellent harbour encouraged Copenhagen's growth until it became an important centre of commerce (hence its name).

The city expanded in the 16th through 18th centuries, notably due to trade, ship building, and textiles.

In 1901, the Danish government instituted the social welfare system. The citizens pay high taxes, but there is consensus that this is the price one has to pay to live in a society where medical, education, job training and public transportation is provided.

During World War II Copenhagen was occupied by German troops along with the rest of the country from 9th of April 1940 until 4th of May 1945. The city has grown greatly since the war.

Today, Copenhagen is a modern metropolis, but it has kept is charm. The city centre is characterised by the city houses and mansions built in the 18th century, as well as the canals and the recently developed harbour. Together they form a harmonious core from where 800 years of culture seeps into the streets and through the people who live and visit the city.

Geography & Demographics

Denmark is comprised of several islands and a peninsula that borders Germany. Copenhagen is situated on one of several islands (called Sjaelland). Air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions, is becoming a public safety issue in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen is a cosmopolitan European capital with a population of 1.7 million people, one-quarter of the population of Denmark. Recently, there is mounting pressure to restrict immigration to Denmark, citing pressures on the social welfare system. Currently, Copenhagen has started several neighborhood urban renewal programs.

Economy

In recent years, the economic activity level has significantly increased in Copenhagen and the region. Because of growing development and a new housing policy, it has become popular to settle and work in central Copenhagen. The increase in offices, hotels, and service sector functions is putting the traffic system under pressure.

Copenhagen has a healthy economy with low unemployment and income per capita that is above the national average. Nearly two thirds of people employed in the city work in the service sector whilst other important industries include tourism and manufacturing. The region also boasts the largest IT-cluster in Scandinavia with nearly 100,000 employees and the city of Copenhagen is home to Nokia's largest research centre outside Finland.

Culture

Copenhagen is a modern and diverse city where inhabitants from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds add to the bustling and tolerant atmosphere. National culture and history blends with global influences.

Copenhagen boasts theatres, museums and a lively, surprisingly cutting-edge nightlife scene. The best the country has to offer can be experienced in the capital city, where design studios rub shoulders with ultra-hip bars, and modern architecture boldly occupies the space between 17th-century buildings, military installations and the sea.

It is a captivating, friendly city where there is always something wonderful around the next corner - to see, smell, taste, feel or listen to. There are the royal castles, the parks, the squares and the plazas, and not least, like a precious gem, Nyhavn, the New Harbour.

Sports

There are many sports facilities and clubs in Copenhagen. The city has thousands of sport clubs representing most kinds of sports. We have one of Europe’s most modern arenas, Parken Stadium that also is Denmark’s national football arena.

Copenhagen has a wide variety of sport teams. FC København is one of Denmark's best football teams. They have won the Danish Championship three times in the past five seasons.

Transportation

Copenhagen has seen a major increase in transportation projects. With the opening of a rail and road bridge between Copenhagen and Malmö in Sweden, Copenhagen has to a greater extent become the gateway to Scandinavia and the Baltic Area. Furthermore, the Copenhagen Airport is the main airport (hub) in northern Europe and the principal airport in Scandinavia. There are direct motorway links and frequent express trains to the rest of the country, Sweden, and Germany.

A well-developed public transport network in terms of local trains, metro lines, buses, and express buses serves Copenhagen and the Greater Copenhagen region.