Denmark [ a ] is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark , [ N 7 ] also known as the Danish Realm , a constitutionally unitary state that includes the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland in the north Atlantic Ocean. Denmark proper is situated between the North Sea to the west and the Baltic Sea to the east. The Kingdom of Denmark, including the Faroe Islands and Greenland, has roughly 1, islands greater than square metres 1, sq ft in area; have been named and 78 are inhabited.
Denmark exercises hegemonic influence in the Danish Realm , devolving powers to the other constituent entities to handle their internal affairs. Home rule was established in the Faroe Islands in ; Greenland achieved home rule in and further autonomy in The unified Kingdom of Denmark emerged in the eighth century AD as a maritime power amid the struggle for control of the Baltic Sea.
This union persisted until Sweden's secession in The remaining Kingdom of DenmarkβNorway endured a series of wars in the 17th century that resulted in further territorial cessions. A surge of nationalist movements in the 19th century were defeated in the First Schleswig War of The adoption of the Constitution of Denmark on 5 June ended the absolute monarchy and introduced the current parliamentary system. Denmark began industrialising in the mid 19th century, becoming a major agricultural exporter.
It introduced social and labour market reforms in the early 20th century, forming the basis for the present welfare state model and advanced mixed economy. During occupation, a resistance movement emerged in , while Iceland declared independence in ; Denmark was liberated after the end of the war in May In , Denmark, together with Greenland but not the Faroe Islands , became a member of what is now the European Union ; however, it negotiated certain opt-outs , such as retaining its own currency, the krone.
Denmark is a developed country with an advanced high-income economy , high standard of living , and robust social welfare policies. Danish culture and society are broadly progressive egalitarian, and socially liberal ; Denmark was the first country to legally recognise same-sex partnerships. Denmark maintains close political, cultural, and linguistic ties with its Scandinavian neighbours.
