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Denmark
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Smallest of the Scandinavian countries (half the size of Maine), Denmark occupies the Jutland peninsula, a lowland area. It is almost totally surrounded by water, consisting as it does of the Jutland Peninsula and 482 islands. The country also consists of several islands in the Baltic Sea. Although the country is flat still there are many small hills, lakes, creeks, forests and farmland. Throughout the country, low rolling hills provide a constant succession of attractive views; there are cool and shady forests of beech trees, extensive areas of heathland, a beautiful lake district, sand dunes and white cliffs resembling those of Dover; nor should one forget the Danish islands, each of which has its own unique attractions.
Denmark boasts small green farms, blue lakes and white coastal beaches, the rural areas sprinkled with thatched cottages, castles and windmills across a gentle landscape which lends itself well to cycle touring. The cities are modern and bustling, but an air of medieval charm has been preserved in old sections of colorful buildings and cobblestone streets. Other special attractions include the annual summer music festival in Roskilde, which is one of the largest in Europe; the Tivoli Gardens amusement park which has entertained crowds in Copenhagen since 1843; and one of the world's longest bridges, which spans 10 miles (16km), joining Denmark to Sweden.
Over 98% of the population speaks Danish. German is recognized as an official regional language in the Nord-Schleswig region that borders Germany. Most Danes speak English too. The Danish language is much like Norwegian and Swedish.
Despite its northerly situation, the weather in Denmark is not extreme; it is quite windy and rainy. In winters, it does not get very cold; in most years, there are only a few weeks of snow. In the light summer months of June to August, the average daytime temperature is 66 F (19 C) and in the coldest month of February the average is 34 F (1 C). Most summers are not very hot. People always dress to be ready for rain or wind. There are also very sunny times, but overall the weather is unpredictable here. The best time of the year for outdoor activities is the months of May and June until midsummer.
The cuisine of Denmark is like the other Nordic countries (Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden), as well as that of northern Germany, consists mainly meat and fish. Traditional Danish food includes frikadeller (fried meatballs, often served with potatoes and various sorts of gravy). Fish is also widely eaten, especially on the west coast of Jutland.
The climate in Denmark is diverse; the four seasons are distinct, so one has to choose clothing accordingly. An overcoat and warm clothing are needed for late autumn, winter and early spring. Lighter apparel is fine for the rest of the year.
The international country code for Denmark is +45. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code. There are no city codes and all phones are eight digits. There are several GSM mobile telephone networks, which have roaming agreements with most international mobile phone companies. Public phones are widely available for both local and international calls and accept coins and prepaid cards. Internet facilities are also available with Internet cafes all over the country.
Danish currency is the Krone (DKK), made up of 100 øre. ATMs are available throughout the country, and all major credit cards are widely accepted, especially Visa. Several banks and hotels accept Traveler's cheques. Most of the banks are closed on weekends, however Copenhagen has several bureaux de change which stay open late at night, seven days a week.
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for tourist or business travel to this country. Any U.S. citizen who wishes to travel to Denmark for any purpose other than tourism or business negotiations (e.g. work, study, adoption, immigration, or stays longer than stipulated in the entry requirements) should contact directly, the embassy or nearest consulate. United States citizens must have a passport.
There are no specific health risks in Denmark, and medical facilities are first class. There is a small risk of tick-borne encephalitis in forested or rural areas during summer, and insect protection is advised. Outbreaks of bird flu have been confirmed in wild birds, but the risk to travelers is very low. But because of a recent increase in measles cases, all travelers born after 1956 should make sure they have had either two documented measles immunizations or a blood test showing measles immunity.
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