Copenhagen
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Copenhagen
Copenhagen (Kobenhavn in Danish) is the capital and the largest city in Denmark. It lies on the two main islands of Zealand and Amager, as well as other natural and artificial islands between these two. It is one of the most densely populated areas in the Northern Europe. However, it is considered one of the world’s most environmentally friendly cities. The quality of life in Copenhagen is one of the highest, although, in 2008 it was ranked as the 7th most expensive city in the world.
The city was mentioned for the first time in the 11th century. It got the city status in the 13th century and it became Denmark’s capital in the 15th century. Under the reign of Christian IV, in the 17th century, it became an important regional centre. During World War II, Copenhagen, as well as the rest of the country, was occupied by Germany. After the war the city has grown rapidly. In 2000, when the Oresund Bridge was completed, Copenhagen became the centre of Oresund Region. The bridge connects Copenhagen to Swedish Malmö.
The city covers the area of 88.25 square kilometers with the population of 531,199 inhabitants and density 6,019 people per square kilometer. The urban area is 455.61 square kilometers large with more than 1,100,000 inhabitants and density 2,592. Copenhagen is divided into 10 official districts. Greater Copenhagen is formed by several municipalities. The two biggest are Copenhagen Municipality and Frederiksberg Municipality that is an enclave inside the previous one. Suburban Copenhagen is planned according to the Finger Plan, dividing the suburbs into five fingers. The Train lines are built according to the Finger Plan, while green wedges and highways are built in between the fingers.
Copenhagen is in the oceanic climate zone, bordering humid continental climate. The city experiences unstable and changing weather patterns in all four seasons, as well as temperatures about 5 degrees higher than average for its latitude worldwide (mainly due to the Gulf Stream).
Copenhagen is a major centre of culture, business, media, and science. It has a service oriented economy with life science and research and development playing the major role. The major Danish biotech companies are Novo Nordisk and Lundbeck. The biotech and life science cluster in Copenhagen and the rest of the Oresund Region is one of the strongest in Europe. Since 1995 this has been branded as the Medicon Valley in a Danish-Swedish cooperation. To other economies belong informational technologies and shipping. Copenhagen is a popular location for regional headquarters (e.g. Microsoft). Copenhagen has a well-developed higher education system of public universities (University of Copenhagen, Roskilde University, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen Business School, IT University of Copenhagen).
The oldest part of Copenhagen is the inner city, but the most distinctive district is Frederiksstaden developed during the reign of Frederick V. It has Amalienborg Palace at its centre and is dominated by the dome of the Marble Church, as well as a number of elegant 18th century mansions. Copenhagen is sometimes referred to as "the City of Spires". Most characteristic is the baroque spire of Church of Our Saviour. Other important spires are those of Christiansborg Palace, the City Hall and the former Church of St. Nikolaj. A bit lower are the renaissance spires of Rosenborg Castle and the "dragon spire" of Christian IV’s former stock exchange. In recent years there has been a boom in modern architecture in Copenhagen.
Copenhagen is a green city with many big and small parks. The oldest and the most visited is King’s Garden, the garden of Rosengorg castle. Famous are also Botanical Gatdens (mostly for their large complex of greenhouses) Fælledparken is with its 58 hectares the largest park in Copenhagen. A characteristic of Copenhagen is that a number of cemeteries double as parks, though only for the more quiet activities such as sunbathing, reading and meditation. There are three beaches in Copenhagen and its surrounding areas.
As far as transportation is concerned, the greater Copenhagen area has a very well established transportation infrastructure. There is a large network of toll-free motorways, a harbour, an international airport and of course an extensive bicycle paths’ system. Copenhagen is known as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. 36% of all citizens commute by bike.
The city was mentioned for the first time in the 11th century. It got the city status in the 13th century and it became Denmark’s capital in the 15th century. Under the reign of Christian IV, in the 17th century, it became an important regional centre. During World War II, Copenhagen, as well as the rest of the country, was occupied by Germany. After the war the city has grown rapidly. In 2000, when the Oresund Bridge was completed, Copenhagen became the centre of Oresund Region. The bridge connects Copenhagen to Swedish Malmö.
The city covers the area of 88.25 square kilometers with the population of 531,199 inhabitants and density 6,019 people per square kilometer. The urban area is 455.61 square kilometers large with more than 1,100,000 inhabitants and density 2,592. Copenhagen is divided into 10 official districts. Greater Copenhagen is formed by several municipalities. The two biggest are Copenhagen Municipality and Frederiksberg Municipality that is an enclave inside the previous one. Suburban Copenhagen is planned according to the Finger Plan, dividing the suburbs into five fingers. The Train lines are built according to the Finger Plan, while green wedges and highways are built in between the fingers.
Copenhagen is in the oceanic climate zone, bordering humid continental climate. The city experiences unstable and changing weather patterns in all four seasons, as well as temperatures about 5 degrees higher than average for its latitude worldwide (mainly due to the Gulf Stream).
Copenhagen is a major centre of culture, business, media, and science. It has a service oriented economy with life science and research and development playing the major role. The major Danish biotech companies are Novo Nordisk and Lundbeck. The biotech and life science cluster in Copenhagen and the rest of the Oresund Region is one of the strongest in Europe. Since 1995 this has been branded as the Medicon Valley in a Danish-Swedish cooperation. To other economies belong informational technologies and shipping. Copenhagen is a popular location for regional headquarters (e.g. Microsoft). Copenhagen has a well-developed higher education system of public universities (University of Copenhagen, Roskilde University, Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen Business School, IT University of Copenhagen).
The oldest part of Copenhagen is the inner city, but the most distinctive district is Frederiksstaden developed during the reign of Frederick V. It has Amalienborg Palace at its centre and is dominated by the dome of the Marble Church, as well as a number of elegant 18th century mansions. Copenhagen is sometimes referred to as "the City of Spires". Most characteristic is the baroque spire of Church of Our Saviour. Other important spires are those of Christiansborg Palace, the City Hall and the former Church of St. Nikolaj. A bit lower are the renaissance spires of Rosenborg Castle and the "dragon spire" of Christian IV’s former stock exchange. In recent years there has been a boom in modern architecture in Copenhagen.
Copenhagen is a green city with many big and small parks. The oldest and the most visited is King’s Garden, the garden of Rosengorg castle. Famous are also Botanical Gatdens (mostly for their large complex of greenhouses) Fælledparken is with its 58 hectares the largest park in Copenhagen. A characteristic of Copenhagen is that a number of cemeteries double as parks, though only for the more quiet activities such as sunbathing, reading and meditation. There are three beaches in Copenhagen and its surrounding areas.
As far as transportation is concerned, the greater Copenhagen area has a very well established transportation infrastructure. There is a large network of toll-free motorways, a harbour, an international airport and of course an extensive bicycle paths’ system. Copenhagen is known as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. 36% of all citizens commute by bike.