Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Øresund Region
When the Øresund (UH-ra-soond) Bridge, which connects Denmark and
Sweden, opened in July of 2000, it created a dynamic new metropolitan
area. Almost overnight, the link forged an economic power with the 12th-
largest gross domestic product in Europe. The Øresund region has sur-
passed Stockholm as the largest metro area in Scandinavia. Now 3.5 mil-
lion Danes and Swedes—a highly trained and highly technical work-
force—are within a quick commute of each other.
The bridge opens up new questions of borders. Historically, southern
Sweden (the area across from Copenhagen, called Skåne) had Danish
blood. It was Danish for a thousand years before Sweden took it in 1658.
Notice how Copenhagen is the capital on the fringe of its realm—at one
time it was in the center.
The 10-mile-long link, which has a motorway for cars (the toll is about
300 kr) and a two-track train line, ties together the main islands of Den-
mark with Europe and Sweden. The $4 billion project consisted of a
2.5-mile-long tunnel, an artificial island called Peberholm, and a 5-mile-
long bridge. With speedy connecting trains, Malmö in Sweden is now
an easy half-day side-trip from Copenhagen (78 kr each way, 3/hour, 35
minutes). The train drops you at the “Malmö C” (central) station right
in the heart of Malmö, and all the important sights are within a short
walk. The
Malmö This Week
publication (free from Copenhagen TI) has
everything you need for a well-organized visit.
