belong to the Lutheran church. About
85 percent of the population lives in
cities and towns. Copenhagen is home
to about one quarter of the country’s
people.
Economy
Denmark’s economy is based largely on
services (for example, banking, education,
and health care) and manufacturing.
The leading manufactured products
are machinery, processed foods, metals,
printed material, plastic and rubber
goods, and furniture. Tourism is important
as well.
Denmark has few natural resources. The
soil is the country’s most important raw
material, as about 60 percent of the land
is suitable for farming. Wheat and barley
are the main crops, and pigs are the
main livestock. Denmark’s harbors support
a large fishing industry.
History
People have lived in Denmark since prehistoric
times. The Danish kingdom
dates back to the Viking Age, which
lasted from the 800s to the 1000s. The
Vikings were Danish, Norwegian, and
Swedish warriors who invaded much of
Europe. By the 1000s the Danish kingdom
had grown to include parts of what
are now Germany, Sweden, Norway, and
England.
In 1397 Denmark united all of Scandinavia,
plus Iceland, under its rule. After
a series of wars, Sweden left the union in
1523. The union between Denmark and
Norway lasted until 1814, when Denmark
was forced to turn over Norway to
Sweden.
Nazi Germany occupied Denmark duringWorldWar
II. In 1945 Denmark
recognized the independence of Iceland.
It granted the Faroe Islands selfgovernment
in 1948. Greenland became
part of Denmark in 1953. It gained selfgovernment
in 1979.
Denmark joined the European Economic
Community (now the European
Union) in 1973. In 2000, however, the
nation voted against adopting the
euro—the monetary unit of the European
Union—as its currency.
..More to explore
Copenhagen • Greenland • Vikings
Boats anchor in the harbor at Copenhagen, Denmark.
Facts About
DENMARK
Population
(2008 estimate)
5,494,000
Area
16,640 sq mi
(43,098 sq km)
Capital
Copenhagen
Form of
government
Constitutional
monarchy
Major urban
areas
Greater Copenhagen,
Arhus,
Odense, Alborg,
Esbjerg
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Denmark 37
Dentistry
The work of dentists is called dentistry.
Dentists are doctors who prevent and
treat diseases of the teeth and gums.
Preventing Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is the most common problem
with teeth. A sticky film called
plaque causes tooth decay. Bacteria in
the mouth form plaque as they feed on
sugars from food. As acids in the plaque
eat away the outer layer of the teeth,
decayed areas called cavities form.
Brushing and flossing the teeth can prevent
tooth decay. But regular cleanings
at a dentist’s office are also important.
During a cleaning the dentist, or an
assistant called a dental hygienist,
removes tartar and other material from
the teeth. Tartar is a hard, yellowish substance
that forms from plaque, minerals,
and saliva. The hygienist also polishes
the teeth, which helps to prevent plaque
from building up again. The hygienist
may also treat the teeth with sodium
fluoride, a mineral that helps to keep
cavities from forming.
Dental Treatments
After a cleaning or on a separate visit,
the dentist inspects the teeth and gums
for problems. An assistant will often take
X-rays, which show cavities or problems
inside the teeth or below the gums.
The dentist uses a drill to remove any
cavities. Drugs help the patient not to
feel pain during the drilling. Then the
dentist fills the tooth with a substance
made of metals, plastics, or other materials.
The substance is commonly called a
filling.
Dentists try to avoid pulling teeth.
Sometimes, though, dentists must
remove teeth that cause pain or other
problems. If a patient loses teeth, the
dentist may fit the patient with false
teeth. Some false teeth are attached to
the jawbone. Others, called dentures,
may be taken out at night for cleaning.
Dentists may also treat other problems
with the teeth, gum disease, and problems
with the jaw. Some dentists, called
orthodontists, straighten teeth. Cosmetic
dentists work to make teeth even
and white.
History
In ancient times people used herbs,
mouthwashes, magic spells, and prayers
to treat tooth problems. They also
pulled out decayed teeth. Dentistry
became more scientific in the 1700s.
Dentists began using drugs and X-rays
in the 1800s. In the 1900s people began
A dentist drills a patient’s tooth. adding sodium fluoride to toothpastes
38 Dentistry BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
and drinking water to help prevent
tooth decay.
..More to explore
Teeth • X-rays
Denver
Population
(2000 census),
city, 554,636;
(2007 estimate)
588,349
Denver is the capital of the U.S. state of
Colorado. It is a center of transportation,
industry, and culture.
Denver is known as the Mile High City.
This is because it sits about 1 mile (1.6
kilometers) above sea level. The city lies
just east of the Rocky Mountains. Many
people visit Denver to ski and hike in
the mountains.
Many people in Denver work in tourism,
health care, banking, and hightechnology
industries. Some factories in
the city make electronics and equipment
for space travel. A U.S. government factory
in Denver makes coins.
Denver developed as a mining town.
