subject: Copenhagen - The Royal Capital Of Denmark [print this page] Known as the royal capital of Denmark, Copenhagen is located in the islands of Zealand and Amager. Considered as one of the world's greenest and coolest cities, it became the Danish Capital only at the beginning of the 15th century. Tradition states that in the early 11th century, Copenhagen was already a small town with a large estate, a small marketplace and compact habitations that were spread all over the area. In the middle of the 12th century, the town came under the leadership of Bishop Absalon and grew in terms of commerce and business. Thus, the Bishop made various structures that fortified the town, which eventually led to the foundation of what Copenhagen is today.
With the use of its harbor, the city prospered as a main commercial area for ships and traders. Thus, the name of the city is derived from the Danish word which means merchant's harbor or buyer's haven. Battles and wars made the city a dwelling of intense historical significance in terms of the evolution of modern Europe. In the early years of its existence as a major trade center, it was repeatedly attacked by the Hanseatic League. The group was basically a formation of the continents' leading trade cities that stretched from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea. World War II led to the occupation of the city by the Nazis until May 4, 1945.
Copenhagen is a city that lives with an oceanic climate zone and is comparable to a humid continental climate. Situated in an area that is prone to low pressure systems, it has that unstable and ever-changing weather pattern for the entire year. With over a million inhabitants, it is one of the continents oldest cities that offer you a historical grandeur of what Denmark is all about. As a metropolitan area, it is still one of the largest centers of commerce in modern times.
The Destinations Worth Seeing
A visit to Copenhagen will not be complete without passing by the landmark that defines the city. The Little Mermaid is the most popular tourist attraction in the city. Based on the story of famous Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen, the statue is a synonymous with what Copenhagen is. Hourly canal tours all pass by the Little Mermaid statue at the Langelinie, located at the city's waterfront.
Amalienborg Palace is the true and genuine royal castle. Named after Queen Sophie Amalie, it was burned to the ground in 1689 and was later rebuilt to display the royal boldness of the country. Nowadays, the castle serves as the winter residence of the Queen and serves as the viewing area for the royals to greet their subjects.
