signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe
People ::Czech Republic
Population:
10,201,707 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Age structure:
0-14 years: 13.6% (male 712,045/female 673,657)
15-64 years: 71% (male 3,641,887/female 3,604,044)
65 years and over: 15.5% (male 623,882/female 956,389) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 40.4 years
male: 38.9 years
female: 42.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.106% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 210
Birth rate:
8.76 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 214
Death rate:
10.79 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
Net migration rate:
0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Urbanization:
urban population: 73% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.059 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 208 male: 4.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.01 years country comparison to the world: 62 male: 73.74 years
female: 80.48 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.25 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 216
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 10 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Nationality:
noun: Czech(s)
adjective: Czech
Ethnic groups:
Czech 90.4%, Moravian 3.7%, Slovak 1.9%, other 4% (2001 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, other 3.3%, unspecified 8.8%, unaffiliated 59% (2001 census)
Languages:
Czech 94.9%, Slovak 2%, other 2.3%, unidentified 0.8% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
4.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 88
Government ::Czech Republic
Country name:
conventional long form: Czech Republic
conventional short form: Czech Republic
local long form: Ceska Republika
local short form: Cesko
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Prague
geographic coordinates: 50 05 N, 14 28 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni mesto); Jihocesky (South Bohemia), Jihomoravsky (South Moravia), Karlovarsky, Kralovehradecky, Liberecky, Moravskoslezsky (Moravia-Silesia), Olomoucky, Pardubicky, Plzensky (Pilsen), Praha (Prague)*, Stredocesky (Central Bohemia), Ustecky, Vysocina, Zlinsky
Independence:
1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia); note - although 1 January is the day the Czech Republic came into being, the Czechs generally consider 28 October 1918, the day the former Czechoslovakia declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as their independence day
National holiday:
Czechoslovak Founding Day, 28 October (1918)
Constitution:
ratified on 16 December 1992, effective on 1 January 1993; amended in 1997, 2000, 2001 (twice), 2002
Legal system:
civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; legal code modified to bring it in line with European Union obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March 2003)
head of government: Prime Minister Petr NECAS (since 28 June 2010); First Deputy Prime Minister Karel SCHWARZENBERG (since 13 July 2010), Deputy Prime Minister Radek JOHN (since 13 July 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last successful election held on 15 February 2008 (after earlier elections held 8 and 9 February 2008 were inconclusive; next election to be held in 2013); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Vaclav KLAUS reelected president on 15 February 2008; Vaclav KLAUS 141 votes, Jan SVEJNAR 111 votes (third round; combined votes of both chambers of parliament)
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held in two rounds on 15-16 and 22-23 October 2010 (next to be held by October 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 28-29 May 2010 (next to be held by 2014)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CSSD 41, ODS 25, KDU-CSL 6, TOP 09 5, others 4; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CSSD 22.1%, ODS 20.2%, TOP 09 16.7%, KSCM 11.3%, VV 10.9%; seats by party - CSSD 56, ODS 53, TOP 09 41, KSCM 26, VV 24
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; Supreme Administrative Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term
Political parties and leaders:
Association of Independent Candidates-European Democrats or SNK-ED[Zdenka MARKOVA]; Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People'sParty or KDU-CSL [Pavel BELOBRADEK]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS[Petr NECAS]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM[Vojtech FILIP]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [BohuslavSOBOTKA (acting)]; Green Party [Ondrej LISKA]; Public Affairs (VV)[Radek JOHN]; Tradice Odpovednost Prosperita 09 or TOP 09 [KarelSCHWARZENBERG]; Union of Freedom-Democratic Union or US-DEU [JanCERNY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions or CMKOS [JaroslavZAVADIL]
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC,EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO,ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Daniel KOSTOVAL
chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Joseph PENNINGTON
embassy: Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague 1
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [420] 257 022 000
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side
note: is identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia; uses the Pan-Slav colors inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia
National anthem:
name: "Kde domov muj?" (Where is My Home?)
lyrics/music: Josef Kajetan TYL/Frantisek Jan SKROUP
note: adopted 1993; the anthem is a verse from the former Czechoslovakian anthem originally written as part of the opera "Fidlovacka"
Economy ::Czech Republic
Economy - overview:
The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Maintaining an open investment climate has been a key element of the Czech Republic's transition from a communist, centrally planned economy to a functioning market economy. As a member of the European Union, with an advantageous location in the center of Europe, a relatively low cost structure, and a well-qualified labor force, the Czech Republic is an attractive destination for foreign investment. Prior to its EU accession in 2004, the Czech government harmonized its laws and regulations with those of the European Union. The small, open, export-driven Czech economy grew by over 6% annually from 2005-2007 and by 2.5% in 2008. The conservative Czech financial system has remained relatively healthy throughout 2009. Nevertheless, the real economy contracted by 4.1% in 2009, mainly due to a significant drop in external demand as the Czech Republic's main export markets fell into recession. GDP is expected to grow by 2.4% in 2010, driven largely by a rebound in external demand, particularly from Gremany.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$261.5 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $256.9 billion (2009 est.)
$267.9 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$195.2 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 -4.1% (2009 est.)
2.5% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$25,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 $25,200 (2009 est.)
$26,200 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.2%
industry: 38.3%
services: 59.5% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
5.37 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3.6%
industry: 40.2%
services: 56.2% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
9.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 8.1% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.3%
highest 10%: 22.4% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 131 25.4 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Public debt:
40% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 34% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 1% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 131 2.25% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.99% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 6.25% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$96.82 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 32 $92.95 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$138.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $139 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$119.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $118.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$52.69 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 52 $48.85 billion (31 December 2008)
$73.42 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry
Industries:
motor vehicles, metallurgy, machinery and equipment, glass, armaments
Industrial production growth rate:
3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113
Electricity - production:
82.72 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Electricity - consumption:
61.65 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Electricity - exports:
19.99 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
8.52 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
10,970 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Oil - consumption:
207,600 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Oil - exports:
29,670 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Oil - imports:
219,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Oil - proved reserves:
15 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - production:
176 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - consumption:
8.182 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Natural gas - exports:
1.111 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Natural gas - imports:
9.683 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Natural gas - proved reserves:
3.964 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Current account balance:
-$5.956 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 -$2.146 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$116.5 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $112.6 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, raw materials and fuel, chemicals
Exports - partners:
Germany 32.25%, Slovakia 9.02%, Poland 5.8%, France 5.62%, UK 4.93%,Austria 4.71%, Italy 4.38% (2009)
Imports:
$109.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $103.1 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, raw materials and fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Germany 30.67%, Poland 6.97%, Slovakia 6.6%, Netherlands 5.99%,China 5.7%, Austria 5.26%, Russia 4.93%, Italy 3.98% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$38.67 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $41.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$86.79 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $82.42 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$126.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $121.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$15.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $14.35 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
koruny (CZK) per US dollar - 19.737 (2010), 19.063 (2009), 17.064 (2008), 20.53 (2007), 22.596 (2006)
Communications ::Czech Republic
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.092 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 53
Telephones - mobile cellular:
14.258 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 51
Telephone system:
general assessment: privatization and modernization of the Czech telecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily; virtually all exchanges now digital; existing copper subscriber systems enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals; trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay
domestic: access to the fixed-line telephone network expanded throughout the 1990s but the number of fixed line connections has been dropping since then; mobile telephone usage increased sharply beginning in the mid-1990s and the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now greatly exceeds the population
international: country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 6 (2 Intersputnik - Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions, 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar) (2009)
Broadcast media:
roughly 130 television broadcasters operating some 350 television channels with 4 publicly operated and the remainder in private hands; 13 television stations have national coverage with 4 being publicly operated; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; about 70 radio broadcasters are registered operating roughly 85 radio stations with 15 stations publicly operated; 16 radio stations provide national coverage with the remainder local or regional (2008)
Internet country code:
.cz
Internet hosts:
3.494 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 25
Internet users:
6.681 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 40
Transportation ::Czech Republic
Airports:
122 (2010) country comparison to the world: 49
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 44
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 18 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 78
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 27
under 914 m: 50 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 7,010 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 9,620 km country comparison to the world: 22 standard gauge: 9,521 km 1.435-m gauge (3,013 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 99 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 128,582 km country comparison to the world: 37 paved: 128,582 km (includes 691 km of expressways) (2008)
Waterways:
664 km (principally on Elbe, Vltava, Oder, and other navigable rivers, lakes, and canals) (2010) country comparison to the world: 77
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010) country comparison to the world: 162
Ports and terminals:
Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem
Military ::Czech Republic
Military branches:
Army of the Czech Republic (ACR): Joint Forces Command (includes Land Forces and Air Forces), Support and Training Forces Command (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-28 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,517,268
females age 16-49: 2,418,163 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,086,662
females age 16-49: 2,003,055 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 55,139
female: 52,440 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.46% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Transnational Issues ::Czech Republic
Disputes - international:
while threats of international legal action never materialized in 2007, 915,220 Austrians, with the support of the popular Freedom Party, signed a petition in January 2008, demanding that Austria block the Czech Republic's accession to the EU unless Prague closes its controversial Soviet-style nuclear plant in Temelin, bordering Austria
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets; susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking, organized crime; significant consumer of ecstasy (2008)
page last updated on January 20, 2011
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@Denmark (Europe)
Introduction ::Denmark
Background:
Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs.
Geography ::Denmark
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn)
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 43,094 sq km country comparison to the world: 133 land: 42,434 sq km
water: 660 sq km
note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 68 km
border countries: Germany 68 km
Coastline:
7,314 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
Terrain:
low and flat to gently rolling plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m
highest point: Mollehoj/Ejer Bavnehoj 171 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand
Land use:
arable land: 52.59%
permanent crops: 0.19%
other: 47.22% (2005)
Irrigated land:
4,490 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
6.1 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.67 cu km/yr (32%/26%/42%)
per capita: 123 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes
Environment - current issues:
air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen
People ::Denmark
Population:
5,515,575 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.1% (male 511,882/female 485,782)
15-64 years: 65.8% (male 1,817,800/female 1,798,964)
65 years and over: 16.1% (male 387,142/female 498,940) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 40.7 years
male: 39.8 years
female: 41.6 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.267% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Birth rate:
10.4 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Death rate:
10.19 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Net migration rate:
2.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Urbanization:
urban population: 87% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.055 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 198 male: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.47 years country comparison to the world: 47 male: 76.11 years
female: 80.97 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.74 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
4,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Nationality:
noun: Dane(s)
adjective: Danish
Ethnic groups:
Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Christian (includes Protestant andRoman Catholic) 3%, Muslim 2%
Languages:
Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority)
note: English is the predominant second language
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 16 years
female: 18 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
7.9% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 12
Government ::Denmark
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark
conventional short form: Denmark
local long form: Kongeriget Danmark
local short form: Danmark
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Copenhagen
geographic coordinates: 55 40 N, 12 35 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
note: applies to continental Denmark only, not to its North Atlantic components
Administrative divisions:
metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark
note: an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007
Independence:
ca. 965 (unified and Christianized under HARALD I Gormson); 5 June 1849 (becomes a constitutional monarchy)
National holiday:
none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day
Constitution:
5 June 1953; note - constitution allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state
Legal system:
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born on 26 May 1968)
head of government: Prime Minister Lars Loekke RASMUSSEN (since 5 April 2009)
cabinet: Council of State appointed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch
Legislative branch:
unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier)
elections: last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 26.2%, Social Democrats 25.5%, Danish People's Party 13.9%, Socialist People's Party 13.0%, Conservative People's Party 10.4%, Social Liberal Party 5.1%, New Alliance 2.8%, Red-Green Unity List 2.2%, other 0.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 46, Social Democrats 45, Danish People's Party 25, Socialist People's Party 23, Conservative People's Party 18, Social Liberal Party 9, New Alliance 5, Red-Green Alliance 4; note - does not include the two seats from Greenland and the two seats from the Faroe Islands
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed for life by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democrats [Bjarne Hartung KIRKEGAARD] (was ChristianPeople's Party); Conservative Party [Lars BARFOED] (sometimes knownas Conservative People's Party); Danish People's Party [PiaKJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Alliance [Anders SAMUELSEN] (formerly known asNew Alliance); Liberal Party [Lars Loekke RASMUSSEN]; Red-GreenUnity List (Alliance) [collective leadership] (bloc includes LeftSocialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers'Party); Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; SocialLiberal Party [Margrethe VESTAGER]; Socialist People's Party [VillySOEVNDAL]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Confederation of Danish Employers or DA [President Jorn NeergaardLARSEN]; Principal DA member organizations: Confederation of DanishIndustries [CEO Karsten DYBVAD]; Confederation of Danish LaborUnions [President Harald BORSTING]; Danish Bankers Association [CEOJoergen HORWITZ]; DaneAge Association [President Bjarne HASTRUP];Danish Society for Nature Conservation [President Ella MariaBISSCHOP-LARSEN]
other: humanitarian relief; development assistance; human rights NGOs
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council,Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO,FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO,ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS(observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNRWA,UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter TAKSOE-JENSEN
chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300
consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Laurie S. FULTON
embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen
mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716
telephone: [45] 33 41 71 00
Flag description:
red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle; caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, this heavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victory; in actuality, the flag may derive from a crusade banner or ensign
note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
National anthem:
name: "Der er et yndigt land" (There is a Lovely Land); "Kong Christian" (King Christian)
lyrics/music: Adam Gottlob OEHLENSCHLAGER/Hans Ernst KROYER; Johannes EWALD/unknown
note: Denmark has two national anthems with equal status; "Der er et yndigt land," adopted 1844, is a national anthem, while "Kong Christian," adopted 1780, serves as both a national and royal anthem; "Kong Christian" is also known as "Kong Christian stod ved hojen mast" (King Christian Stood by the Lofty Mast) and "Kongesangen" (The King's Anthem); within Denmark, the royal anthem is played only when royalty is present and is usually followed by the national anthem; when royalty is not present, only the national anthem is performed; outside Denmark, the royal anthem is played, unless the national anthem is requested
Economy ::Denmark
Economy - overview:
This thoroughly modern market economy features a high-tech agricultural sector, state-of-the-art industry with world-leading firms in pharmaceuticals, maritime shipping and renewable energy, and a high dependence on foreign trade. The Danish economy is also characterized by extensive government welfare measures, an equitable distribution of income, and comfortable living standards. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus. After a long consumption-driven upswing, Denmark's economy began slowing in 2007 with the end of a housing boom. Housing prices dropped markedly in 2008-09. The global financial crisis has exacerbated this cyclical slowdown through increased borrowing costs and lower export demand, consumer confidence, and investment. The global financial crises cut Danish GDP by 0.9% in 2008 and 4.7% in 2009. Historically low levels of unemployment rose sharply with the recession but remain below 5%, about half the level of the EU. Denmark made a modest recovery in 2010 in part because of increased government spending. An impending decline in the ratio of workers to retirees will be a major long-term issue. Denmark maintained a healthy budget surplus for many years up to 2008, but the budget balance swung into deficit during 2009-10. Nonetheless, Denmark's fiscal position remains among the strongest in the EU. Despite previously meeting the criteria to join the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), so far Denmark has decided not to join, although the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$204.1 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $200.5 billion (2009 est.)
$210.4 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$304.6 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 -4.7% (2009 est.)
-0.9% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$37,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $36,400 (2009 est.)
$38,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 22.8%
services: 76.1% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.82 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2.5%
industry: 20.2%
services: 77.3% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 4.3% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
12.1% (2007)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 28.7% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
29 (2007) country comparison to the world: 118 24.7 (1992)
Investment (gross fixed):
17.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Public debt:
46.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 41.5% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 1.3% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 110 3.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$148.1 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 23 $153.1 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$209 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $226.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$636.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $671.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$186.9 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 30 $131.5 billion (31 December 2008)
$277.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish
Industries:
iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment
Industrial production growth rate:
4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - production:
36.4 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Electricity - consumption:
34.3 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
Electricity - exports:
11.36 billion kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
12.82 billion kWh (2008)
Oil - production:
262,100 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Oil - consumption:
166,500 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Oil - exports:
268,500 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Oil - imports:
173,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Oil - proved reserves:
1.06 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Natural gas - production:
8.398 billion cu m (2009) country comparison to the world: 43
Natural gas - consumption:
4.41 billion cu m (2009) country comparison to the world: 61
Natural gas - exports:
3.98 billion cu m (2009) country comparison to the world: 29
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 91
Natural gas - proved reserves:
61.3 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Current account balance:
$14.35 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $12.43 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$99.37 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $91.51 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills
Exports - partners: