Denmark — world's happiest country for many years, homeland of Lego and Andersen. 12 facts.
- Denmark consists of 444 islands only 76 inhabited. Copenhagen on the island of Sjælland (Zealand).
- LEGO — Danish company (Billund 1932). Name = 'leg godt' (play well). Every child in the world has on average 86 bricks.
- Hans Christian Andersen — 156 fairy tales (1805-1875). Little Mermaid, Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina. Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen — 1.25 m, 1913.
- Denmark has the world's oldest national flag (Dannebrog, since 1219). According to legend, fell from the sky during battle. Red and white.
- Royal House of Denmark — world's oldest monarchy with continuous line from ~950 AD. Current Queen Margrethe II abdicated 2024 in favor of son Frederik X.
- Hygge — Danish art of living cosiness + contentment + good company. Became a global trend 2016 ('The Little Book of Hygge').
- Denmark has the least corruption (Transparency International). 1st place worldwide for many years. Trust in institutions ~80%.
- Copenhagen is a bicycle city 62% of residents commute to work/school by bike. More bikes than residents (~750,000).
- Tivoli Gardens — world's 2nd oldest amusement park (Copenhagen, 1843). Walt Disney was inspired here when designing Disneyland.
- World's smallest cylinders — Danish post Denmark has the smallest rotating place for posting stamps. Tradition since the 19th c.
- Danish 'flexicurity' model easy to fire + generous benefits = low unemployment. Copied by the EU as a model.
- Highest candle consumption in the world 16 candles per person per year. Part of hygge — atmosphere of warmth during long winter evenings.
Sources: Statistics Denmark, Visit Denmark, Transparency International, UNESCO.