A traditional story claims that the Danish flag fell from heaven on June 15, 1219, but the imperial war flag of the Holy Roman Empire was of a similar design, with its red field symbolizing battle and its white cross suggesting divine favor. In 1849 this state and military flag was altered and adopted as a symbol of the Danish people.

Denmark Official name: Kongeriget Danmark (Kingdom of Denmark). Form of government: parliamentary state and constitutional monarchy with one legislative house (Folketing [179]). Chief of state: Danish Monarch. Head of government: Prime Minister. Population (1998): 5,303,000. Population projection: (2000) 5,340,000; (2010) 5,506,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1996): 1.3 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (at current market prices; 1996): U.S.$168,917,000,000 (U.S.$32,100 per capita). Land use (1994): forested 10.5%; meadows and pastures 7.5%; agricultural and under permanent cultivation 55.9%; other 26.1%.

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