Viking ships were the cutting edge of navigation, and today Copenhagen is the gateway to Baltic cruises with 275 ships destined to sail in and out of Copenhagen in 1996. Daytrippers from Germany and Sweden load up on roses as well as duty-free beer and aquavit. Note that in this land of over 150 different beers you find no beer cans. Danes, ably assisted by tourists, drink two billion bottles a year. Carlsberg and Tuborg are rivals in supporting the arts as well.
Land is precious in tiny Denmark, and good agricultural land a national treasure.
On Funen and Jutland tax advantages have saved the manor houses on vast estates turning into luxurious country house hotels and restaurants. Denmark may be the smallest country in northern Europe, but it covers 500 islands and nearly 7000 miles of coastline . As early as 1937, laws were passed to control pollution, impose recycling and provide for the research and implementation of environmental programs. In 1971, Denmark created the world's first Ministry for the Environment. The World Health Organization is based here.