Today, we continue on our virtual backpacking trip through Europe, and our next stop is... Denmark! This is one of the closest foreign countries to us here in Berlin, and we have good friends that live there, so we have been really hoping to have a chance to visit once the pandemic regulations are eased. Time will tell if that will be possible before we leave. In the meanwhile, our virtual visit will be tons of fun. Let's dig in!
Denmark is consistently ranked one of the happiest countries in the world.
Healthcare and education are free of charge.
The Danish national flag (see above) is the oldest national flag in the world.
The country has two national anthems: One that is played internationally and when Danish royalty are present; and another that is played only in Denmark and only when Danish royalty are not in attendance.
In Danish, there is no word for 'please.'
The average tax rate is 49%, but as high as that is, 90% of Danish people are happy with the tax rate due to all that their taxes cover.
The taxes on a car in Denmark exceed the cost of the car, resulting in only 4 out of 10 residents owning one.
Also, related to the high cost of owning a vehicle as well as to the very flat landscape of the country, more than 50% of Copenhageners cycle to work every day.
Denmark has the longest uninterrupted monarchy in Europe.
Speaking of its monarchy, Prince Nikolai (currently age 21) is a runway model.
Danes eat an average of 42 sausages per year.
Standing at any point across Denmark, one can never be more than 52 km from the ocean.
Swimming lessons are a compulsory part of education for every young person in Denmark.
Rain is very common in Denmark. In fact, it rains an average of every other day, or 171 days out of the year.
Denmark is a member of the European Union, but opted out of the Euro currency and instead continues to use the Krone.
The concept of Hygge is a popular approach to life in Denmark. It is difficult to translate, but approximately describes a cozy feeling of warm togetherness.
One of the countries most popular inventions and exports is, of course, LEGO!
The only country that directly borders Denmark is Germany, though it is connected to nearby Sweden by a 8 km road and rail bridge between Copenhagen and Malmo.
Greenland and the Faroe Islands are autonomous territories of Denmark.
The Faroe Islands at one time belonged to Norway, but were lost to the King of Denmark when the King of Norway bet them in a poker game.
In 1989, Denmark became the first country to legalize same-sex unions.
Child naming is controlled by the government. All baby names must be officially approved.
There is no jaywalking in Denmark - everyone waits for the signal, even when the coast is clear.
Bluetooth technology was created in Denmark, and the brand symbol for "Bluetooth" is a combination of the letters "H" and "B" in runes from the viking age, for "Harald Bluetooth".
Disneyland owes its origin largely to a visit by Walt Disney to Denmark. During his visit, he stopped by one of the oldest amusement parks in the world - Tivoli Gardens - and was so impressed that he decided to create something like it when he returned to the US.
Attempting to escape from prison is not considered a crime in Denmark, since desire for freedom is considered core to the human spirit.
A core concept in Denmark is 'Janteloven' which is an unofficial law translating roughly to, 'no one is better than the other.' This drives much of the collaborative and cooperative culture throughout the country.
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