The Government and History

Government

The form of government in Denmark is a limited monarchy with a parliament. All legislation is passed by the parliament but does not become law until signed by the monarch. The monarch has no political power and is free from accountability.

Click here to learn more abou t the Danish parliament.

Click here to learn about The seat of government in copenhagen, Denmark's capital.

History

Denmark is the oldest kingdom in the world. the first known people lived during the Danish stone age (10,000 to 1500 B.C.). These people were mostly hunters and farmers. The Bronze age appeared about 1500 B.C. The iron age replaced the bronze age around 500 b.c.

The Viking period began around A.D. 750 and lasted until about a.d. 1066. the vikings were mostly farmers, who contrary to populaR legends, rarely ventured far from home.

The first line of danish monarchs began with knud (canute) the great. he ruled the first half of the tenth century. this reign ended with his death in a.d. 940. some other significant monarchs are :

»queen margrethe (1387-1412) united denmark, norway and sweden in 1397.

»king christian IV (1588-1648) was a passionate builder who left remarkable architecture all over the danish landscape.

»frederik VII (1848-1863) relinquished absolute power by signing the actual danish constitution, june 5, 1849.