Locate Germany on a map of Europe, and then look to its north. There you will find a peninsula known as Jutland. To its west is the North Sea; to its east, the Baltic Sea and a thick cluster of more than 400 islands. Together, Jutland and the islands form one of the smallest but most admired nations of Europe: the kingdom of Denmark.

Question

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        Denmark’s five and a half million inhabitants, known as Danes, occupy a space only about twice the size of New Jersey, and one-seventeenth the combined size of Norway and Sweden, its neighbors across the Baltic. We often associate the three nations under the single term “Scandinavia.” Though sharing many of their characteristics, however, Denmark’s distinctive geography sets it apart from its northern neighbors and has played a major role in shaping its history and culture. Denmark’s capital of Copenhagen, for example, grew up around an island castle built in 1167 by a bishop named Absalon. Absalon chose his site carefully, selecting a small island near another larger, more populated one. This way, he reasoned, he could enjoy the sea’s protection while remaining close to trade routes and commerce. While today’s residents no longer fear attackers as much as Absalon did, Copenhagen remains tied to trade and the sea. A boat ride is still the best way to see the city, and its harbor and airport are among the busiest in Europe. Denmark’s transportation system is one of the most advanced in the world, and includes Copenhagen’s fully automated, driverless subway system. What often strikes visitors, however, is the Danish reliance on an old means of transportation—the bicycle. While there are plenty of cars on the roads, too, the Danes have an unusual appreciation for clean air and good health and for the bicycle’s contribution to both.

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        Denmark’s economy has its ups and downs, but the stability of its government is reassuring to businesses. Since 1972, the country’s head of state has been Queen Margrethe II. The Queen’s power is limited, however, by a constitution that authorizes a prime minister and an elected legislature, known as the Folketing, to exercise day-to-day powers. A cabinet of ministers, each with responsibility for a specific area of government, assists the prime minister.

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        Denmark boasts a number of political parties, each with its own view of the issues. One of the most serious of these is immigration. For refugees escaping war and poverty, Denmark is an attractive destination. The problem is the conflict between compassion, on the one hand, and the fear that too many refugees may overwhelm the country, on the other. There are no easy answers, but most Danes agree that the solution lies in compromise, not in extremism.

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        Danes today believe strongly in global cooperation and are active members of the United Nations, the European Union, and other international organizations. Historically, however, Denmark’s geography isolated it from the rest of the world. For centuries, most Danes lived in small, remote villages, many reachable only by water and only in the best weather. Though this isolation caused problems, it also brought benefits, including a strong sense of fellowship among neighbors. With few outsiders available to assist them, the Danes quickly appreciated the benefits of neighborhood cooperation. Until the 19th century, for example, most Danish farmers worked collectively—that is, they shared equipment, labor, and information with their neighbors to obtain the best possible harvest for all.

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        Today, this community spirit is most obvious in Denmark’s famous social welfare system. While most modern governments have some kind of welfare system in place to assist the poor, the unemployed, the sick, and the elderly, Denmark’s program is one of the most generous—and expensive—in the world.

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        Denmark’s long isolation also encouraged a strong sense of independence and unity in the face of outside forces. Perhaps the most famous example of Danish unity occurred during World War II (1939–1945), when the forces of German dictator Adolf Hitler marched across the border. Though the Germans allowed the Danish government to continue for a time, they soon grew frustrated when the Danes refused to obey many of the Germans’ orders.

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        The Germans responded by shutting government offices throughout the country, but the resistance movement grew only stronger. Its greatest achievement was the rescue of nearly every Jewish citizen in the country—more than 7,000 people in all. Individual rescues occurred throughout Europe, but Denmark is the only nation that united to stop Hitler’s murderous persecution of Jewish people.

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        Denmark is not a paradise. As in the rest of the world, there is pollution, racism, and unemployment. But the Danes have good reason to be proud of their country and to be confident of their ability to handle whatever problems they face, now and in the future. summarized in 7 paragraph

Answer 1

Denmark, a small yet admired nation located in Northern Europe, consists of the Jutland peninsula and over 400 islands. Its geography, bordered by the North Sea to the west and the Baltic Sea to the east, has significantly shaped its history and culture. The capital city of Copenhagen, founded around an island castle in 1167, remains closely tied to maritime trade, and its modern transportation system, including an automated subway, emphasizes this connection. Bicycling is also popular among Danes, reflecting their emphasis on clean air and health.

With a population of approximately 5.5 million, Denmark’s political system is a constitutional monarchy led by Queen Margrethe II, whose role is limited by a constitution that empowers a prime minister and the Folketing, the elected legislature. This framework ensures stability in Denmark's economy, which has its fluctuations but is generally reassured by reliable governance.

The country hosts a variety of political parties, with immigration being a significant issue. Denmark's compassionate response to refugees seeking safety from war and poverty is tempered by concerns about the potential for overwhelming the nation. The general consensus among citizens leans towards finding a compromise rather than resorting to extreme measures.

Historically, Denmark’s geography contributed to its isolation, resulting in the formation of strong community bonds among its inhabitants, who often lived in remote villages. This isolation fostered a cooperative spirit, particularly among farmers who shared resources and knowledge to enhance collective productivity, an ethos that continues to influence the modern welfare system.

Denmark’s robust social welfare system is one of the most generous globally, aimed at supporting various vulnerable groups, and it reflects the historical sense of community among Danes. This spirit of collective responsibility is essential to the nation’s identity.

The sense of unity and independence has been crucial during challenging times, such as World War II. When Germany invaded Denmark, the Danish resistance rallied against German orders, exemplified by the collective effort to rescue over 7,000 Jewish citizens from persecution, marking Denmark as a unique example of national solidarity during this dark period.

Despite facing issues such as pollution, racism, and unemployment, the Danish people maintain pride in their country and confidence in their ability to address future challenges. Their historical commitment to cooperation and community continues to influence social policies and the nation’s approach to contemporary issues.