Why it's the capital
It began as a Viking fishing village in the 10th century. Bishop Absalon built a small fortress there in 1167, and by about 1416 Copenhagen had become the capital of Denmark.
Copenhagen
Capital of DenmarkCopenhagen lies on the eastern shore of Zealand, Denmark's largest island, with part of the city on the island of Amager. The Øresund strait separates it from Malmö in Sweden.
Fun facts
- The name Copenhagen means 'merchants' harbour'.
- The Little Mermaid, a 1.25 m bronze statue based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, has sat on a rock by the Langelinie promenade since 1913.
- Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park in the city, opened on 15 August 1843.
Finding it on the globe
Skip Jutland, Denmark's mainland, and go east past the island of Funen to Zealand: Copenhagen is on its east side, linked to Sweden by the Øresund Bridge.
Sources: Wikipedia: Copenhagen, Wikipedia: Zealand, Wikipedia: The Little Mermaid (statue), Wikipedia: Tivoli Gardens