Category: Denmark

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Coolest Facts About Greenland You Need to Know

Greenland is not a common tourist destination, considering most of the island is covered in a massive ice sheet.

So in lieu of traveling there, here are some facts about Greenland that you might not know.

The name is not fitting but served a purpose.

We all know Greenland is not green, but did you know it got its name in order to lure people to move there?

While exiled on icey island, Erik the Red gave Greenland its name in hopes that it would attract settlers.

Most people living there are Inuit.

Today 88% of the island’s population are Inuit, who call their country Inuit Nunaat or Kalaallit Nunaat, meaning Land of the People or Land of the Greenlanders in Greenlandic.

It is pretty big.

Greenland is the world’s largest non-continent island, covering over 840,000 square miles.

That’s larger than France, Germany, Spain, the UK, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, and Belgium combined.

And it’s seriously frozen.

Almost 80% of the landmass of Greenland is covered by ice caps and glaciers. But the remaining 20% is nearly as large as Sweden.

The entirety of Greenland has a population of roughly 56,000. About 17,000 of those people live in Nuuk, the capital.

And old.

Scientists estimate that the Greenland ice sheet is between 400,000 and 800,000 years old.

The Ilulissat Icefjord is the most productive glacier in the Northern Hemisphere and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

And, they like fishing.

The primary source of income for Greenlanders is fishing. Most exports are halibut and shrimp.

And golf.

In mid-March, Greenland holds the Ice Golf World Championships in Uummannaq.

The golfers play on a course cut between icebergs and in snow fields.

It is considered Denmark territory.

Greenland is an autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark. As a result, grants from Denmark also make up a large portion of income. The island was a Danish colony until 1953, attained home rule in 1979, and began full self-governing in 2009.

The government is a constitutional monarchy, with a 31-member unicameral parliament.

The country sends two representatives to the Danish Folketing, and the nominal head of state is the Danish Queen.

The official language of Greenland is Greenlandic. Danish is a secondary language, and English is widely understood.

But a lot of people want to visit.

The tourism on the island is expanding as well, as climate change has made it easier to explore the region.

And, with good reason.

One of the most incredible phenomena in Greenland is the midnight sun.

Above the Arctic Circle in the summer, the sun doesn’t set for months.

Instead, in many places, it looks like early evening when it’s midnight. Many hotels are outfitted with blackout curtains for this reason.

Mainly to visit the springs.

Greenland is home to a number of hot springs. These springs average 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

There is so much history.

The Hvalsey Church, the first Christian church on the continent, is one of the best-preserved Norse ruins.

Geographically, Greenland is part of North America. But as a Danish territory, it’s considered part of Europe.

And, summers are beautiful.

July is the only month when Greenland’s temperature reaches above freezing.

The National Day in Greenland is June 21st. It’s celebrated with coffee, cake and, in many places, a big buffet. Many Greenlanders also put on a flag parade, complete with national costumes.

If you want to travel to Greenland, there are only two ways to get there:

By plane from Iceland or Denmark, or on a cruise ship sailing to the region.

It’s a secluded island, but it has a lot of marvels.

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American Destinations That Make You Feel Like You’re in Europe

The pandemic is still in full swing in the United States. As a result, many countries, including those that are part of the European Union, have imposed travel bans or restrictions against US citizens.

Thankfully, if you’re dead-set on taking that vacation this year, there are at least 10 U.S destinations that will make you feel as if you’ve journeyed across the pond, without ever leaving American soil. And each of these U.S cities is rich with the history and culture of the settlers who founded them.

Let’s take a look!

1. Leavenworth, Washington

Image Credit: iStock

It’s no accident that Leavenworth, WA looks so charming and inviting.

In the 1960s, after thirty years of economic struggle, town leaders agreed to adopt a Bavarian theme and give the city a makeover in order to attract tourists.

They instituted a series of festivals, including the Autumn Leaf Festival, Maifest, and Christmas Lighting Festival.

Be sure to visit the Bavarian village for bratwurst & sauerkraut and enjoy a daily morning alp horn saerenade.

2. Frankenmuth, Michigan

Image Credit: iStock

Michigan’s “little Bavaria” is known for it’s world-famous chicken dinners but it’s that German pride that really makes Frankenmuth special.

Enjoy German-inspired architecture, craft-beer and wine, and don’t forget to visit Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store, open 361 days a year.

3. Helen, Georgia

Image Credit: iStock

Here you’ll find a touch of Bavaria tucked in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This charming little alpine village makes the perfect backdrop for a relaxing getaway.

Tour local vineyards, enjoy scenic water falls and hiking trails, or even scout out the perfect location for your upcoming nuptials.

4. St. Augustine, Florida

Image Credit: iStock

As the oldest city in the nation, St. Augustine has much to offer.

Gaze upon stately castles, enjoy historic reenactments, and even take a ghost tour.

Originally a busy port town for merchants, it’s also a great place for those who enjoy shopping or romantic water-side dinners.

5. Santa Barbara, California

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With its stunning natural landscape and classic Spanish heritage, The American Riviera is hard to beat.

Its distinct architectural style comes from the early Spanish settlers who built Old Mission Santa Barbara, now the County Courthouse.

Soak in the sun and the culture with a walk down Santa Barbara’s Museum Mile or take yourself on the Red Tile Walking Tour.

6. Holland, Michigan

Image Credit: iStock

This quaint but colorful city is picture-perfect for a relaxing vacation.

Tour Windmill Island Gardens or make your way downtown for authentic Dutch architecture and cuisine.

Be sure to visit in the spring, during the Tulip Time Festival for the true Dutch experience, as millions of tulips burst into bloom.

7. Solvang, California

Image Credit: iStock

Visiting Solvang is like stepping into a storybook.

Enjoy this “little slice of Denmark” by strolling through the village, Danish pastry in hand.

Or maybe hop a ride on a historic, wooden, horse-drawn streetcar!

Be sure to take your picture with Danish icons, including the Little Mermaid Fountain, five windmills, the giant red clog Round Tower.

8. Calistoga, California

Image Credit: iStock

You’ll find this European-influenced city Nestled in California’s Napa Valley.

Home to wineries, geysers, and plenty of natural beauty, Calistoga is the perfect spot for endless outdoor adventures.

Take it all in during your hot-air balloon tour.

9. Vail, Colorado

Image Credit: iStock

Modeled after the ski districts of European Switzerland, Vail is the perfect spot for the adventurous vacationer.

Take advantage of the country’s largest free transportation system and visit the cobble-stoned, Bavarian-inspired village of Lionshead.

In the summer, come prepared to hike, bike, and enjoy the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens; be sure to bring your snowboard or skis if you’re visiting in the winter.

10. New Orleans, Louisiana

Image Credit: iStock

A pillar of community and resilience, this French-influenced city is a must-see.

While Mardi Gras always draws a crowd, there are so many other reasons to visit this city, including its whimsical architecture.

Enjoy mouthwatering beignets and Creole cuisine as you take in the romantic and jazzy vibe of French Quarter.

Now you know! You can enjoy the experience of visiting Europe, without the overseas flight. Visit each city’s websites to learn about the safety measures in place keeping both locals and tourists healthy and happy.

Even if you don’t feel safe traveling right now, it doesn’t mean you can’t start planning for the future.

I don’t know about you, but Santa Barbara is calling my name. Which city would you like to visit first? Let us know in the comments!

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Crazy Facts 2020-08-01 10:31:55

The oldest amusement park is in Denmark. Bakken, located in Klampenborg, north of Copenhagen, opened in 1583 and is currently the oldest operating amusement park in the world. The park claims to have over 150 attractions, including a wooden roller coaster built in 1932.

The post appeared first on Crazy Facts.

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Volunteers Are Taking Elderly People on Rickshaw Rides to Get Them out into Nature

I love this!

This is about as wholesome of a story as you’re gonna see today. A company in Denmark called Cycling Without Age allows volunteers to take senior citizens on rickshaw rides to get them outdoors and into nature.

Ole Kassow explained how and why he started the project back in 2012: “I saw an elderly gentleman sitting in front of a nursing home. As usual, I was on my bike and came up with the idea that maybe he wanted to join me and we could get to know each other. I rented a rickshaw and it took off from there. The man became my friend, his name is Thorkild.”

Kassow pointed out how loneliness and isolation has become an epidemic among older people: “Our modern fast-paced lifestyle means that we value youth and careers and sometimes forget to appreciate the older generation and their wisdom. That means many people become isolated and lonely as they grow old.”

Since its beginnings in Denmark, Cycling Without Age has become so popular that is has spread all over the world and now has 1,100 locations, 1,500 rickshaws, and 10,000 “pilots” who take seniors out for rides in the fresh air.

The program has proved to be a big hit on all sides of the globe. In Scotland, two 95-year-old twins have enjoyed the rides immensely. The manager of the care home where the twins live said,

“Almost all of the residents have been out on the trishaw and it has brought back many memories of days gone by when motorised transport was rare. Sharing stories has been amazing and made staff think how hard life must have been in the 1940s and 50s when the only means of transport for most people was a bike. It was while on the trishaw the funny stories kept coming as Nancy and Janet, who have rooms next door to each other, shared their secrets of the bike rides over the years.”

And in Canada, the program has been lauded for its help with people suffering from dementia. A great idea that is obviously very popular for good reason!

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Denmark Dominates the World Happiness Report Rankings Year After Year. Here’s Why.

America, let’s get it together. I don’t know if it’s arrogance or ignorance, but some Americans think that we are hands-down the best, the happiest, the “number-one” at everything imaginable.

I love living in the United States, and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else (permanently), but I have to admit that a lot of people here aren’t necessarily happy.

But in Denmark, folks are incredibly happy. In fact, the country ranks at or near the top of the World Happiness Rankings year after year. So what’s behind the happiness in that Scandinavian country of just under 6 million people?

The rankings are based on statistics including crime, income, health, and civic engagement. People were also asked questions about how often they experience positive and negative emotions.

But there’s more than that when it comes to figuring out why Danish people are so happy. They have access to good health care and education, they have a stable government, and they happily pay the highest taxes in the world because they believe this helps create a better society.

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Beautiful Copenhagen 🇩🇰 ⠀ How many bicycles do you see on the photo? 🚲😄 _________ ⠀ Сколько велосипедов вы видите на фото?🚲 ⠀ Дания поистине страна велосипедистов 🚴 По статистике их здесь в два раза больше, чем автомобилей, представляете?🙈 ⠀ Я уже второй раз за год в этом чудесном городе, и каждый раз он мне нравится всё больше ❤ ⠀ К тому же нам дважды везло с погодой, а как вы знаете, Скандинавия в этом плане очень непредсказуема 😅 Вы были в Копенгагене?)

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But there’s something else in the character of the Danish people that makes them so happy: it’s known as “hygge.” The word is sometimes translated as “cozy,” and Danes value it highly. It basically means having comfortable, high-quality social interactions with family and friends and being content with enjoying the simple things in life.

A hygge evening could consist of a family playing board games, having coffee with a friend in front of a fireplace, or eating a quiet, easygoing meal with someone. Hygge is so important to the Danish character that the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen called it “a defining feature of our cultural identity and an integral part of the national DNA.”

Places can also be described as “hyggelige”, such as a person’s home, which is obviously a compliment and means that it is cozy, comfortable, and welcoming. Danish people use hygge to combat everyday stress and to build camaraderie.

I don’t know about you, but I love this concept.

FYI, in the 2019 World Happiness Rankings, Denmark came in second place and was edged out for #1 by Finland. The U.S. sits at #19.

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13-Year-Old Discovers a Danish King’s Buried Treasure

Talk about the discovery of a lifetime. In January 2018, amateur archaeologist René Schön and a 13-year-old student named Luca Malaschnitschenko were exploring the German island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea when their metal detector hit on something.

Photo Pixabay

At first, the two thought it was simply aluminum, but they later realized they’d stumbled upon a 10th-century coin from a buried treasure that belonged to a Danish king. It wasn’t until a few months later that German archaeologists uncovered the entire hoard of treasure on the island. Schön and Malaschnitschenko were both invited back to take part in the big dig.

Photo Credit: Facebook,John Piazza

The archaeologists uncovered pearls, about 100 silver coins ranging from the 700s to the 900s, a Thor’s hammer, and jewelry. What a find for a 13-year-kid (and his trusty adult helper).

Researchers believe that the treasure trove belonged to Viking-born Danish king Harry Bluetooth, who abandoned the Viking lifestyle and brought Christianity to Denmark. The king fled Denmark in the late 980s, around the time the recently discovered treasure was buried. Bluetooth’s nickname came from a dead, bluish tooth he sported. The Bluetooth technology we all know and love today is named after the former king.

Photo Credit: Ancient Pages

h/t: Mental Floss

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