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Denmark 
Denmark is a small nation of 5.2 million people, comprising the Danish Jutland
peninsula, which has a land border with , and more than 400 islands scattered across the
western edge of the Baltic Sea. Finger-like Jutland points northwards towards Scandinavian
partners and , and accounts for 70 percent of the country's territory. However, Denmark's
main focus is eastwards on Zealand (Sjaelland), the largest island, on which stands , the
capital. As the epicentre of Danish political and commercial life, and a city brimming
with cultural and historical riches, Copenhagen for many visitors symbolises the whole of
Denmark. But as Danes point out, this can give a false impression of the rest of the
country. Beyond the capital, Denmark is characterised by a calm, understated attitude to
life.
The Danish landscape is similarly free from extremes. The highest point (Yding Forest
Hill), in central Jutland, is just 173 metres (568 feet) above sea level, the highest
waterfall a mere 18 metres (59 feet); there are no great rivers. Most of the coastline is
flat and fringed with sandy beaches or wind-ribbed dunes. Rural areas on the mainland and
islands alike are smooth, green, and undramatic, with undulating hills, lakes, and
broad-leafed forests of the kind that inspired the fairy stories of Hans Christian
Andersen. Amid this landscape are countless treasures to be discovered: enigmatic remains
of prehistoric civilisations, Viking rune stones, sleepy medieval towns and villages of
narrow cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, frescoed churches and cathedrals, fine
country manor houses, and glorious castles.
These are the clues to an illustrious past marked by battles, bloodshed, and conquests. At
the 11th-century apex of Viking power, Denmark ruled England and all of Scandinavia. She
later acquired a scattering of colonial possessions, of which Greenland and the Faroe
Islands still remain part of the Danish Kingdom, although both are largely self-governing.
Modern Denmark is a constitutional monarchy and a model of consensus government. Fairness,
decency, tolerance, and equality are the predominant values of a nation whose standard of
living is among the highest in the world.
Entry Requirements
Citizens of the European Union (EU) can, in most cases, enter Denmark with a valid
national identity card or passport and stay for a period of 90 days. Citizens of the four
other Nordic countries can enter Denmark without an ID card or a passport. Citizens of the
United Kingdom and Ireland, where there is no identity-card system, must carry a valid
passport. Other nationals should consult the Danish consulate or embassy in their country
of residence before departure, for any visa requirements.
Emergency phone numbers
Emergency services: 112
Time zones
Central European Time (GMT plus one hour). Clocks are put forward one hour from the
last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the end of October.
Driving
Vehicle documents
Check with your motor-vehicle insurance company regarding documents you will need and
whether additional motor insurance is required. The international registration letters of
your country of residence must be displayed at the rear of your car. If your car is
right-hand drive, you will have to alter your headlights with converters.
Rules of the road
Always carry your full valid driving licence (or International Driving Permit, if
necessary), vehicle registration documents, and insurance documents with you. Warning
triangles are obligatory. The use of seat belts is compulsory for drivers and front-seat
passengers over three years of age. Rear-seat passengers must wear seat belts if the car
is fitted with them. Driving with dipped headlights by day and night is compulsory. The
limit of alcohol in the blood while driving is 50 mg per 100 ml (5g/l). The minimum legal
age for driving is 18 years.
Roads, tolls and speed limits
Roads in Denmark are generally excellent and clearly signposted. Tolls are not charged
on motorways. Speed limits are 110 kilometres (66 miles) per hour on motorways, 50
kilometres (30 miles) per hour in built-up areas, and 80 kilometres (48 miles) per hour on
other roads.
Driving tips
Many roads have lanes reserved exclusively for cyclists. Note that drivers must give
way to cyclists, so pay strict attention to their movements.
Assistance
Emergency telephones are available on all motorways, and the national breakdown
service, Falck, can be called 24 hours a day. Mechanical and legal assistance is also
available from the Danish motoring organisation Forenede Danske Motorejere (FDM), PO Box
500, Firskovvej 32, DK-2800 Lyngby, tel: +45 93 08 00, fax: +45 27 09 93.
Electrical devices
The electrical current in Denmark is 220 volts AC. Round, two-pin plugs are used; an
adapter is necessary for UK and Irish appliances.
Money
Notes and coins
The Danish krone (Dkr) is Denmark's official monetary unit and is issued in 1,000Dkr,
500, 100, and 50. Coins are issued in 20Dkr, 10, 5, 2, and 1, and 50øre and 25.
Value-added tax (currently around 25 percent), called MOMS, is included in the price of
all goods. Non-European Union nationals can obtain goods tax-free by filling in a form
from the shop and handing it in at the airport on departure.
Currency exchange
Travellers cheques are the safest way to carry money, and you should buy these in your
country of residence before departure. Eurocheques and other well-known travellers cheques
can be cashed by banks and many hotels and restaurants. Most large hotels, restaurants,
and shops accept international credit cards, but you are advised to check in advance.
Foreign-exchange rates are listed in major newspapers and advertised in banks and bureaux
de change. Cash can be withdrawn from cash machines with major credit cards. Banks are
generally open 09.30 to 16.00 Monday to Friday and 09.30 to 18.00 Thursday. Bureaux de
change at international airports and ports have longer opening hours.
Tipping
Service is included in restaurant bills and taxi fares. Tipping for porters and other
services is discretionary and is not customary for taxi drivers.
Public holidays
1 January: New Year's Day
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Easter Monday
8 May: Great Prayer Day
Ascension Day
Whitsun
Whit Monday
5 June: Constitution Day
24 December: Christmas Eve
25 December: Christmas
26 December: Boxing Day
31 December: New Year's Eve
Travellers with disabilities
Wheelchair access and other services for travellers with disabilities are available at
many hotels, museums, and public places. For a list of hotels with facilities for guests
with disabilities contact the Danish Tourist Information Office.
Transport
Metro, buses and trams
Public transport in Denmark is very efficient. Trains and buses cover the country, and
Copenhagen has an excellent bus and S-train (S-tog) network. Within Greater Copenhagen the
fare system covers both bus and S-trains and is based on zones. Tickets can be bought on
buses or at stations and should be stamped when boarding the bus or on the station
platform. Ten-ticket bus coupons (klipperkort) are slightly cheaper than single tickets if
you plan to make a lot of journeys. A discounted pass valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours for
transport over a wider area is available from tourist offices. Denmark has no trams but a
metro system is being constructed in Copenhagen.
Ferries
The main ferry routes are Kalundborg to Århus, Ebeltoft to Sjællands Odde, and Rønne
to Copenhagen. It is essential to book in advance in the summer, at weekends, and on bank
holidays. The larger car ferries have restaurants, shops, television, play areas for
children, and facilities for the disabled.
Copenhagen
Containing many cafés, churches, museums, and monuments, Copenhagen (København) is a
bustling capital dominated by walkers and cyclists rather than cars. The cobbled alleyways
and courtyards of Indre By, the city's medieval centre, are interesting and enjoyable to
explore and the area is bisected by Strøget, Europe's longest pedestrianised street.
Beyond Indre By, elegant thoroughfares reflect Denmark's 17th-century prosperity while
several major museums are situated in magnificent parks. The irresistible Rosenborg Castle
is also a popular tourist destination. In the heart of the city on the tiny island of
Slotsholmen the Danish parliament sits in Christansborg, a palace originally built in the
12th century.
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