Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tions saw a new, centre-left coalition take over after a closely fought election. At the helm
was Denmark's first female prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt.
Despite her officially left-wing leanings, Thorning-Schmidt has followed a largely cent-
ralist agenda, resulting in a number of controversial policy implementations. Her tax re-
form included an increase in the top tax threshold, effectively lowering tax rates for the
country's high-income earners. By 2016, the corporate tax rate was expected to drop to
22%, down from 24.5% in 2014. Other reforms have included cuts to early-retirement and
unemployment benefits, all of which - according to the government - are designed to in-
crease labour output and avoid a projected shortage within the next decades.
The word 'Denmark' (
Danmark
in Danish) dates back to the Viking Age and its first recor-
ded use is on the famous Jelling Stones from c 900. The larger stone is affectionately
known as the nation's baptismal certificate.
Stone Age villagers buried their dead in dolmen, a type of grave monument comprising
upright stones and topped by a large capstone; features still common to Denmark's mead-
ows.
Key Viking Sights
TIMELINE
c 12,000 BC
The first permanent settlements are established on Jutland and the nearby Baltic islands.
