Introduction: Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home...

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Economic Overview: Denmark has experienced economic growth in 2010 and 2011 following a downturn in its economy in 2000 and 2008 as a result of the global financial and economic crisis. The economy is now highly open, with Danish exports and imports accounting for 50.7% and 45.4% of GDP respectively in 2010. The EU remains Denmark's most important trading zone, accounting for around two-thirds of exports and just under three-quarters of imports. Trade with other countries has increased in recent years, with China becoming a more important source of imports. The current-account surplus was US$17.1bn in 2010 (equivalent to 5.5% of GDP).

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