Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe and
the senior member of the Kingdom of Denmark. It is the
southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and
south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark
borders both the Baltic and the North Sea. The country consists
of a large peninsula, Jutland (Jylland) and many islands, most
notably Zealand (Sjælland), Funen (Fyn), Vendsyssel-Thy,
Lolland, Falster and Bornholm, as well as hundreds of minor
islands often referred to as the Danish Archipelago. Denmark has
long controlled the approach to the Baltic Sea; before the
digging of the Kiel Canal, water passage to the Baltic sea was
possible only through the three channels known as the "Danish
straits".
Denmark is a constitutional monarchy with a
parliamentary system of government. Denmark has a state-level
government and local governments in 98 municipalities. Denmark
has been a member of the European Union since 1973, although it
has not joined the Eurozone. Denmark is a founding member of
NATO and the OECD. Denmark is also a member of the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).