Denmark

From Srafopedia

Denmark, officially the Kingdom of Denmark is a nation situated in Scandinavia in northern Europe. It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries. The mainland is bordered to the south by Germany; Denmark is located to the southwest of Sweden and the south of Norway. Denmark borders both the Baltic and the North Sea.

The country consists of a large peninsula, Jutland (Jylland) and a large number of islands, most notably Zealand (Sjælland), Funen (Fyn), Vendsyssel-Thy, Lolland, Falster and Bornholm as well as hundreds of minor islands often referred to as the Danish Archipelago. Denmark has long controlled the approach to the Baltic Sea, and these waters are also known as the Danish straits. The Faroe Islands and Greenland are autonomous provinces of Denmark with home rule.

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. It is a member of NATO and the European Union, having joined the European Economic Community in 1973. The national capital and the largest city is Copenhagen. Originally a seafaring nation relying on fishing, farming and trade, Denmark experienced steady industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries and developed the Scandinavian model welfare state. In 2006 a survey found Denmark to be the happiest place in the world, based on standards of health, welfare, and education.

Viking age

During the 8th-11th centuries, the Danes were known as Vikings, together with Norwegians and Swedish Geats. Viking explorers first discovered and settled Iceland in the 9th century, on their way toward the Faroe Islands. From there, Greenland and Vinland (Newfoundland) were also settled.

(Source: Wikipedia)

In Lyra's World

Pullman's use of the terms New Denmark and New Dane is open to a number of interpretations. One is that the "discovery" of North America by the Vikings, as described above, led to the use of the name New Denmark for the entire continent; as an alternative to our adoption of a name, apparently based on that of a 15th century Italian explorer. This interpretation would allow Lee Scoresby to call himself both a native of the country of Texas and a New Dane.

For an alternative interpretation, please see New Dane.