Can you feel it? That cozy feeling of togetherness, the hygge that defines the Danish soul. We are here in Zealand.
Zealand is a place where happiness is a way of life. Denmark has often been named the world’s happiest country. Right now, it’s ranked second by the UN.
But there is so much more to know about Zealand. Are you ready for some fun facts?
First off, Danes do not have the word “please” in their vocabulary. Danes aren’t rude if they forget to say “please”. The language simply does not have a direct translation for it.
Now, let’s talk about the Dannebrog. This flag dates back to 1219. It is the oldest state flag in the world still in use by an independent nation.
Did you know that the beloved Danish pastry is actually from Vienna? Austrian bakers brought it here in the 1840s. That is why, it’s called “wienerbrød” meaning Viennese bread.
Denmark is very bike-friendly. It is quite flat. This makes biking easy. There are over 12000 km of cycle tracks and lanes. Cycling is a safe way to travel. Even in winter, 75% of Danes continue to bike.
The Danish alphabet has three extra letters. These are Æ, Ø, and Å. You won’t find them in the English alphabet.
Here in Zealand, some Danish traditions might seem weird. There is the annual carnival called “fastelavn”. Also, there is burning a witch on a bonfire at Sankt Hans or midsummer’s eve.
Denmark is home to the two oldest amusement parks in the world. Bakken is the oldest. Tivoli Gardens is the second oldest.
Here is a surprising fact. You are never more than 52 km from the ocean in Denmark. That’s how connected Zealand is to the sea.
You can even swim in Copenhagen’s harbor. The water is clean. You can also drink water straight from the tap. It is some of the cleanest tap water in the world.
Denmark became the first country to legalize same-sex unions in 1989. Same-sex marriage was granted in 2012.
There is an unofficial Danish law called “Janteloven”. It means “no one is better than the other”. This is a key part of Danish culture. Everyone is accepted and equal.
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark. Its population is 1.4 million. Copenhagen sits on the islands of Zealand and Amager.
Copenhagen began as a Viking fishing village in the 10th century. It became Denmark’s capital in the early 15th century. During the 16th century, it was Scandinavia’s cultural and economic center.
The name Copenhagen comes from “Køpmannahavn”. This means “merchants’ harbor”. The city’s Swedish name, Köpenhamn, is a direct translation.
Denmark is also one of the least corrupt countries in the world along with Sweden, Finland, and New Zealand.
I hope you enjoyed learning about Zealand. Remember the hygge. Remember the happiness. And remember all these fun facts about this incredible island.