Denmark -- School-age
Denmark
Things to Know
Kingdom of Denmark
Kongeriget Danmark
Denmark is located in Northern Europe and is one of the Nordic countries.
Capital: Copenhagen
Official language: Danish
People from Denmark are called Danes.
Denmark is a constitutional monarchy.
Denmark
The National religion is Evangelical-Lutheran and most Danes are part of the state supported church system.
Denmark consists of the Jutland Peninsula and 406 islands, of which 79 are inhabited. The largest and most populous island is Sjaelland (Zealand), where the capital city, Copenhagen is located.
Denmark forms a national federation with self-governing territories Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
Denmark is the smallest of the Scandinavian countries. It is located south of Norway and southwest of Sweden, and is bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark has a land border with only one other country, Germany. It is connected to Sweden by a bridge.
National Symbols of Denmark
The national flag of Denmark is known as the Dannebrog.
The name of the national flag of Denmark is the Bannebrog, meaning "the flag of the Danes"or "the red flag". The Danish flag is generally considered the oldest used national flag in the world.
The background of the flag is red with a white crose that extends to the edges of the flag. The vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side (The side of a flag next to the pole). The "Scandinavian Cross" or the "Nordic Cross" is present in all of the flags of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Legend relates that the Dannebrog fell from the sky during a battle against the Estonians on 15th of June 1219. The Dannebrog was caught by King Waldemar II before it touched the ground, and it inspired the army to victory.
The Royal Coat of Arms
Denmark has two coats of arms. Denmark is a constitutional monarchy. The prime minister heads the government. The ceremonial head of state is the monarch,
The National Coat of Arms
National Animal: Lion
National Bird of Denmark: Mute Swan
National Flower of Denmark: Marguerite Daisy
The red clover is also considered symbolic.
National Tree: Beech
Vikings
The Vikings came from three countries of Scandinavia: Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Learn more about the Vikings at BBC Bitesize.
Video
LEGO
Master carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen (April 07, 1891 – March 11, 1958) founded the Danish company Lego in 1932 in small shop in Billund, Denmark.
Play LegoLand games.
Video
Things to Do
For Christmas Danish children create paper heart baskets.
It might appear a little complicated at first, but if you follow the directions carefully, you can do it! Once you have made the basket it will seem easy.
Author
Hans Christian Andersen author of "The Little Mermaid".
Read stories(Leaping Matxh, Emperors New Suit Real Princess) play games, print color pages.
The Mermaid is a statue of Andersen's Little Mermaid, which can be seen in Copenhagen.
The Mermaid Video
Sites to See
Kronborg Castle in Helsingør
This castle was built in the 1400s. Known throughout much of the world as Hamlet's Castle.
Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød
Danish kings were crowned at the castle from 1660 to 1840. The castle now houses a museum of natural history.
Rosenborg Castle
The castle was the summer residence of King Christin IV. It is home to the crown jewels of Denmark.
Amalienborg Palace
This palace is the palace where the Royal Family lives most of the year.
Recommended Book
Unpacked: Denmark
by Clive Gifford
Grab your suitcase and prepare to explore Denmark: its major cities, culture, way of life, food, language, and history. Find out about Danish fashion, music, popular culture and sport, as well as quirky facts and bite-sized information on Denmark's customs and everyday life.
