Denmark

a kingdom of northwestern Europe. It lies between the Baltic and the North Sea. It consists of the peninsula of Jutland and several large and many small islands. Of a total area of 15,360 square miles, the islands constitute nearly forty per cent. The mainland is intersected by deep fiords, altogether giving Denmark a coast line comparable to that of Greece. Quite unlike Greece, however, the country of the Danes is low and level. Extensive tracts have been reclaimed from the sea by dykes, as in Holland. The characteristic rock formation is chalk. Extensive sand dunes stretch along the western coast. The government is making energetic efforts to prevent them from creeping inward. Otherwise the country is fertile, producing rye, oats, barley and wheat, flax, hemp, tobacco, and orchard fruits.

Although the shortest day is only six and one-half hours long, the climate is mild in winter and warm in summer, with an abundance of moisture. Green pastures are a feature of the countryside, and are a paradise for cattle, horses, and sheep. The summer is altogether too cool for Indian corn, but vegetables of all sorts grow to perfection. Combined with hay, they make Denmark one of the finest stock countries in the world. The Danish farms are small, owing to the custom of dividing the father's farm among all the children. Cultivation is carried on with care. Poultry raising is a source of wealth. See article on EGGS.

Danish butter shipped to the London market ranks with the best. Denmark sells London $20,000 worth of garden and dairy products daily. The farmers are a cheery, economical, thrifty, hospitable people. The women still spin and weave. The men make wooden shoes, wooden ladles, platters, and furniture. Old people of good habits and character, if in need, are granted a state pension of from $2.25 to $4.50 a month.

The eastern part of the country contains many royal, that is to say, public forests in which deer, hares, pheasants, and other game still find cover. The many inlets of the sea, winding reedy lagoons, as well as the inland waters, shelter immense numbers of wild waterfowl.

In 1901 the population of Denmark was 2,464,770. The people are almost entirely Danish, related closely to the inhabitants of Norway and Sweden. The government is a constitutional monarchy. King Frederick, son of Christian IX, is the elder brother of Queen Alexandra of England and King Georgios of Greece. He is also the father of the king of Norway. He ascended the throne in 1906, with an annual allowance of $280,000. The body corresponding to our Congress is composed likewise of two houses with the expressive names of the Landsthing and the Folkething. The capital is Copenhagen. The national religion is Lutheran, with complete toleration for all. The flag of Denmark is red with a white cross. It dates from the thirteenth century. It is said to be the oldest flag in Europe.

A complete system of rural schools is supplemented by high schools, normal schools, and a university, the latter at the capital. There is little sheer illiteracy and comparatively little crime.

Outside of beet sugar and liquors, the manufactures of the country are not large. Herring fisheries and oyster beds bring in a large sum annually. The Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and, in the West Indies, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John belong to Denmark. Outsiders are not allowed to trade with Greenland. The Danish coins are smaller than ours; their measures are larger. The krone, consisting of 100 ore, is worth about twenty-eight cents. The Danish hundredweight or centner equals a trifle over 110 of our pounds. The mile is over 4 1/2 times as long as ours. Kerosene, syrup, vinegar, etc., are sold by the viertal, equal to 1.7 of a gallon.

At one time the Danes were the greatest power in northern Europe. Their kingdom included all Scandinavia, as well as the greater part of the British Islands. Jutland has been the prolific hive of swarms of enterprising marauders. See Anglo-Saxons and VIKINGS. Consult also articles on ICELAND; GREENLAND; EGGS; COPENHAGEN; ANDERSEN; THORWALDSEN.

STATISTICS.