Denmark Geography
What is the terrain and geography like in Denmark?
Overview
Denmark proper consists of the Jutland Peninsula and 406 islands, of which 79 are inhabited. The straits between these islands connect the Baltic and the North Seas.Greenland and the Faroe Islands, although self‑governing, are parts of Denmark. Greenland, the largest island in the world, is geographically part of North America.
For many years, Denmark has been regarded traditionally as an agricultural country. However, dramatic changes have occurred in recent years, and today only about 3% of the population is employed in agriculture and fishing.
The coastline is irregular and dotted with inlets, breaks, gently sloping fjords, and impressive cliffs. About 10% of the country is covered by woodland, including commercial forests. The public has access, as a right, to all the beaches in the country, including right of passage along privately owned shore.
Geography - note
controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater CopenhagenDenmark Use of Natural Resources
| Geographic Location | Europe |
| Total Area |
16,639 Square Miles 43,094 Square Kilometers |
| Land Area |
16,384 Square Miles 42,434 Square Kilometers |
| Water Area |
255 Square Miles 660 Square Kilometers |
| Land Boundaries |
42 Miles 68 Kilometers |
| Irrigated Land |
1,681 Square Miles 4,354 Square Kilometers |
| Border Countries | Germany 68 km |
| Coastline |
4,545 Miles 7,314 Kilometers |
| Geographic Coordinates | 56 00 N, 10 00 E |
| Terrain | low and flat to gently rolling plains |
| Highest Point | 173 Meters |
| Highest Point Location | Yding Skovhoej 173 m |
| Lowest Point | -7 Meters |
| Lowest Point Location | Lammefjord -7 m |
| Natural Resources | petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand |
| Time Zone | 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 |