Famous for its namesake pastry and for Lego building blocks, Denmark juts out into the North and Baltic seas, connected to Europe at its southern border with Germany, and linked to Scandinavia by a bridge to Sweden. Of its 5.2m population, 97% are Danish.

Much of the Jutland peninsula is farmland, while the island of Zealand (Sjælland) to the east is home to the vibrant capital, Copenhagen. Scandinavia's biggest city with 1.5m citizens, its attractions include the royal palace, museums, churches, period architecture and a lively nightlife. On the island of Mon, south of Zealand, are the Mons Klint - spectacular white chalk cliffs formed 5,000 years ago. The peninsula, Jutland, has its own cultural capital, the university town of Aarhus on the north-east coast. South-east Jutland also boasts Scandinavia's oldest town, Ribe, where Viking and medieval history can be explored.

With its high standard of living, Denmark has strong social policies and extended welfare systems like the rest of Scandinavia, although it has issues to tackle - air pollution from vehicle and power plant emissions, pollution of the North Sea, and contamination of drinking and surface water from animal wastes and pesticides. Although part of the EU, it has chosen not to join the Euro currency union.

News and current affairs

Denmark's online publications from the world news guide.

Language

Danish, but English is widely spoken and a compulsory subject in schools.

Climate

The summer is the best time to visit; from May to August, daylight hours are longest and temperatures average 25C (77F). Winter temperatures hover at freezing point, particularly in January and February, but Denmark's climate is mild compared to other countries at a similar latitude. Like the UK, grey skies and rain are common, but pleasant days of sunshine do break through the gloom. Check the five-day forecast to find out what to expect.

Health

No vaccinations necessary.

Food

The most common snack is smorrebrod, an open sandwich on rye bread. Many Danes eat several open sandwiches for lunch, topped with anything from basic fare like sliced meat, smoked salmon or cheese, to liver paste, scrambled egg or even prunes. Typical cooked dishes are roast duck, goose or pork with apples, prunes, or red cabbage and served with gravy; also cured, salted or boiled fish served with a mustard sauce. Soups, stews and porridge are also common. Middle Eastern, Chinese and Italian food abounds, as do American-style fast food joints. What the rest of the world knows as a 'danish pastry' is called wienerbrod at home. Danish beers, including Carlsberg, are excellent.

Events

June to July: Roskilde Festival: Europe's largest rock and pop festival.
July: Copenhagen Jazz Festival.
September: Aarhus Festival: music, drama and Viking revelry in Scandinavia's biggest cultural event.

What to buy

Royal Copenhagen porcelain, modern homewares, crystal and glassware, furniture, jewellery.

Embassies and visas

UK: Danish Embassy 55 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SR (020 7333 0200, visa section 020 7333 0264/5).
Denmark: British Embassy Kastelsvej 36/38/40, DK-2100 Copenhagen (45 35 44 52 00).
Visa requirements: No visa is needed by UK citizens.

Currency

£1 buys approx. 11 Danish krone (DKK).

Timezone

GMT +1. Daylight saving time (GMT +2) from March to October.

Getting there

Most international flights land at Copenhagen airport, though some flights from the UK and Scandinavia land at regional airports such as Aarhus, Aalborg, Esbjerg or Billund. Regional carrier SAS (0845 607 2772) flies several times daily from the UK. Weather permitting, ferries connect Denmark with Norway, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Iceland and the UK. Departing Harwich for Esbjerg, the UK service is run by DFDS Seaways (0870 533 3000). International bus and rail links via Germany to all major European cities; via The Netherlands to the UK.

Related literature

Fairy Tales, Hans Christian Andersen: Denmark's most famous author; the stories include perennial favourites such as The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Suit and Thumbelina.

Winter's Tales, Karen Blixen (aka Isak Dinesen): Short Stories first published 1942 by the author of Out of Africa, set in her native Denmark.

Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow, Peter Hoeg: Popular contemporary mystery, set mainly in Copenhagen.