Many people live in the cities of Denmark. Four-fifths of all Danes live in urban areas. The main cities feature medieval structures, such as castles and cathedrals, modern office buildings, and homes. City dwellers usually live in apartment buildings. There are virtually no slums because the government pays for social welfare, and they have such a high standard of living.
Danes usually eat four meals a day. The meals they eat are breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-evening supper. Breakfast consists usually of cereal, cheese, or eggs. The major part of lunch and dinner is fish and meat. A popular thing for lunch is a smorrebrod that is an open-faced sandwich. Roast duckling with apples and prunes served with red cabbage and boiled potatoes are a traditional Danish dish. Danish people really like to eat herring, pork, soup, meatball, and rolls. They also like berry puddings, rice puddings, and nut-filled coffee cake called kringle. Danes usually drink coffee with most meals and between meals.
Danes are required to have nine years of education. Parents do not have to send their children to school; they can home school their children. Danish children attend government-run Folkesk that combines elementary and junior high schools in one building. Elementary schools have seven grades and high schools last around three to five years. Children take lessons in geography, mathematics, science, history, literature, and sex education. After the lower grades, students may continue for vocational training, become apprentices in a business, or attend the gymnasier, another name for high school. If you went to high school for five years you could go to a university. To enter a collage you must take tough examinations.
There are many forms of recreation in Denmark. The most popular sport is soccer. Other sports are badminton, rugby, rifle shooting, tennis, hiking, cycling, gymnastics, sailing, rowing, canoeing, windsurfing, swimming, motorbike racing, and skiing. Danish people like to go to the theaters and watch drama, ballet, opera, and modern dances. They also like to go and listen to many kinds of different musical entertainment. Danish people like to see films. Denmark was one of the first countries to produce high quality movies. Copenhagen had Denmark's first permanent movie house. There are about twenty-five movies made each year in Denmark. The first fiction film was "The Execution," in 1903. Danish people also like to dance. Ballet is one of the oldest and the most popular dance.
By, Marcus Merrill
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