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Magnificent Castles

In addition to material prosperity, Denmark has a rich intellectual tradition. It is found in the influential philosophy of Soren Kierkegaard (born of the Lutheran Church to which almost all Danes nominally belong); in the atomic physics of Niels Bohr; and in the sombre music of Cad Nielsen (which balances the more light-hearted world of ballet created by August Bournonville).

For all its appeal to the outsider, Denmark poses its leaders with plenty of problems. Foremost is its limited range of natural resources and especially its lack of energy sources. Economic expansion since the 1950s was based largely upon cheap oil imports, and the big price increases of the 1970s have completely changed the picture. However, reserves of oil and gas occur in the North Sea, and the first pipeline ashore was operating in 1985. Coal has to be imported from Germany and Poland to fuel power stations at Copenhagen and Esbjerg. And, with a number of large oil refineries, a shipbuilding industry, which is geared to construct giant tankers, and a heavy investment in merchant shipping, Denmark is always anxious about oil prices, and about the general level of world trade.

Nor is agriculture able to escape from economic changes. The surpluses produced by Danish farmers have added to overproduction within the European Economic Community. Like other members, Denmark has been required to reduce its output of dairy products, and farmers' incomes have fallen.

Urban and industrial expansion, and modern methods of farming, have raised environmental problems. Denmark has a Ministry of Pollution, with water resources a matter of prime concern, and nature conservation a close second. National parks and conservation areas are preserving natural habitats, but it is too late for the storks - once the symbol of Denmark. Only a few score of pairs now arrive on their annual migration, because drainage of bogs has reduced their feeding grounds.

Running the Danish economy becomes ever more expensive. The network of state railways may be trimmed, but few economies can be made to costly ferry services. The contributions of the NATO alliance weigh heavily. Generous unemployment benefits produce tensions, even though the number of unemployed is declining. Denmark's welfare structure cannot be maintained without heavy personal taxation - to which there is opposition.

DENMARK AT A GLANCE

Area 43 000 km2 (16 629 sq miles)

Population 5 100 000

Capital Copenhagen

Government Constitutional monarchy

Currency Krone = 100 ore

Language Danish

Religion Christian (Evangelical Lutheran)

Climate Temperate maritime; average temperature in Copenhagen: - 3-2°C (27-36F) in February; 14-22°C (57-72°F) in July

Main primary products Cattle, pigs, poultry, cereals, potatoes and other root crops, fodder, fish; some oil and natural gas

Major industries Agriculture, food processing, fishing, engineering, shipbuilding, petroleum refining, chemicals, furniture

Main exports Meat, dairy produce, animal feedstuffs, fish, machinery, electronic equipment, chemicals, furniture, leather

Annual income per bead (US$) 11 436

Population growth (per thous/yr) 1

Life expectancy (yrs.) Male 73 Female 77

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