NATIONAL FACT FILE

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NATIONAL FLAG: the Danish national flag, the Dannebrog (meaning Cloth of the Danes), is the oldest continuously used flag of all sovereign nations. According to legend, the Dannebrog fell from heaven on the day in 1219 when the Danish King Valdermar II defeated the pagan Estonians in battle. The earliest source linking a red flag with white cross to Danish royalty is a 14th century Dutch heraldic work showing such a banner with the text "King of Denmark"

NATIONAL ANTHEM:  Denmark has a 'royal anthem' to mark special occasions for the royal house, and 'national anthem' (words opposite) for civic events; both are officially recognised and of equal status

Der er et yndigt land,
det står med brede bøge
nær salten østerstrand;
nær salten østerstrand;
det bugter sig i bakke, dal,
det hedder gamle Danmark,
og det er Frejas Sal
og det er Frejas Sal

A lovely land is ours
With spreading, shady beeches
Near Baltic's salty strand;
Near Baltic's salty strand;
Its hills and valleys gently fall,
Its ancient name is Denmark,
And she is Freya's home
And she is Freya's home

CURRENCY: Denmark, Sweden and UK are the only EU member states to remain outside the Euro: the Danes voted in a referendum in 2000 to retain their national currency, the Danish Krone. The  current exchange rate is around 11 kr to the £ Sterling

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