Sailing is big in Denmark. It is difficult to overstate that when comparing Denmark to countries such as the United States, any South American or African country or even the U.K. There are about 406 islands according to Wikipedia and economic factors have lead to only 70 of them remaining populated in recent decades. Add onto those 70 the Faroe Islands and Greenland and you start forming a picture of a maritime culture. That culture has historic roots that rivaled the U.K. during its greatest periods.
While I was crashing with my mother's cousin, who I will refer to, incorrectly, as my uncle from now on, I sailed with him on several occasions and became repeatedly sea sick. But, I must admit to a certain attraction with sailing. The freedom. The peace. How cool it is to say you have your own yacht.
However, the population on these islands more often than not never exceeds a hundred permanent residents. The most notable exceptions to this with any significant distance to the Danish mainland is Børnholm, The Faroe Islands and Greenland. Christiansø is a prime example of an island, populated by few but of historic importance. It is a yachting destination in the Baltic sea and has been used by fishermen for shelter. With a population of just 90 some residents, it was dependent in the past on the kingdoms contribution to infrastructure, in connection to a fort built during the Dano-Swede conflicts, and still relies on the state to survive. It is however a idealistic destination where sand meets the sea.
Denmark often is host to vacationers because of how much shoreline this little country has. Germany, which save for small strips of land on either side of its border with Denmark, is land locked, flood Danish summer houses to enjoy a bit of sand and sea. It is also a popular area for Germans to sail. For such a small country as Denmark, it is both a curse and a blessing. Summer homes in Denmark are by law temporary structures torn down after a few decades and are administered, even when privately owned, by the local municipality. There are waiting lists for lots of land and while the Germans bring needed money into Denmark, they also take up all the space on the lists, so Danes often complain about the German tourists greedily taking up resources.
While Sweden may offer Forests and Lakes, Norway Mountains and Valleys, Denmark is the place to go if you have plenty of either at home. I however will always prefer a summer home on the Faroe Islands, where the Mountains meet the Sea.
- Servus
While I was crashing with my mother's cousin, who I will refer to, incorrectly, as my uncle from now on, I sailed with him on several occasions and became repeatedly sea sick. But, I must admit to a certain attraction with sailing. The freedom. The peace. How cool it is to say you have your own yacht.
However, the population on these islands more often than not never exceeds a hundred permanent residents. The most notable exceptions to this with any significant distance to the Danish mainland is Børnholm, The Faroe Islands and Greenland. Christiansø is a prime example of an island, populated by few but of historic importance. It is a yachting destination in the Baltic sea and has been used by fishermen for shelter. With a population of just 90 some residents, it was dependent in the past on the kingdoms contribution to infrastructure, in connection to a fort built during the Dano-Swede conflicts, and still relies on the state to survive. It is however a idealistic destination where sand meets the sea.
Denmark often is host to vacationers because of how much shoreline this little country has. Germany, which save for small strips of land on either side of its border with Denmark, is land locked, flood Danish summer houses to enjoy a bit of sand and sea. It is also a popular area for Germans to sail. For such a small country as Denmark, it is both a curse and a blessing. Summer homes in Denmark are by law temporary structures torn down after a few decades and are administered, even when privately owned, by the local municipality. There are waiting lists for lots of land and while the Germans bring needed money into Denmark, they also take up all the space on the lists, so Danes often complain about the German tourists greedily taking up resources.
While Sweden may offer Forests and Lakes, Norway Mountains and Valleys, Denmark is the place to go if you have plenty of either at home. I however will always prefer a summer home on the Faroe Islands, where the Mountains meet the Sea.
- Servus
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