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Interesting Facts
- Founded in 1167 by Archbishop Absalon as a trade center, Copenhagen (or København, which means "port of tradesmen") was originally in the middle of Denmark. However, a series of wars resulted in the loss of land to what is today Southern Sweden.
- Walking in the rain is a great possibility in Copenhagen! Since Danish weather is unpredictable, you should always pack proper footwear, a raincoat, and an umbrella to ready yourself for the average rainfall of nearly two inches per month.
- The Little Mermaid? Copenhagen's most popular tourist attraction is a statue of the main character in Hans Christian Andersen's story. Sculpted by Edvard Eriksen and erected in 1913, the mermaid statue has practically become a symbol of the city. In 1964, the statue's head was sawn off, but it has since been replaced.
- Copenhagen is Scandinavia's largest, liveliest city and is home to a quarter of all Danes. In fact, Denmark's capital city is home to nearly 1.5 million residents!
- Strøget, the world's longest pedestrian mall, runs through Copenhagen's city center between Radhuspladsen and Kongens Nyton. The latter is the square at the head of the Nyhavn Canal.
- The cemetery in the heart of Nørrebrogade is Copenhagen's largest and is the burial place of some of Denmark's most famous residents. Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard and author Hans Christian Andersen are buried here.
- Second only to the Bible, the writings of Hans Christian Andersen are the most widely translated literary works in the world.
- Royal Copenhagen, a household name when it comes to porcelain, is well known for its beautiful quality and designs. Costing as much as 20% to 50% less in Denmark than in the United States, the desirable porcelain is available in Copenhagen at the Royal Copenhagen store.
- Enjoy the free, ninety-minute tour offered by Carlsberg Brewery, which produces three million bottles of beer each day. The tour takes visitors through the brew houses and along the lines of production. The grand finale? A beer party where guests sample the results!
- Be sure to witness the changing of the guard when the royal family is in residence at Amalienborg Palace. The ceremony takes place at the palace square at noon and is a worthy attraction.
