The "big country" disguised as a small country does not recognize more than 2 million square kilometers of territory
As the saying goes:"The greatness of a country lies not in its borders, but in the depth of its history"。When we think about Denmark, a small Scandinavian country, we can't help but wonder why this country, known for its fairy tales and beautiful landscapes, seems to hide this fact when it has a vast territory that we can't imagine
Denmark, a quiet corner of Scandinavia, has a territory of more than 400,000 square kilometers. This one is generally considered to be:"Small country"In fact, there is a striking fact hidden in the image: the actual territory of Denmark is much larger than that. The key to this secret lies in the lesser-known names of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
The total area of these two regions is staggeringly large, with more than 2 million square kilometres, enough to put Denmark at the top of Europe's area rankings.
But why did Denmark deliberately ignore these two huge pieces of land when calculating the size of its own territory?
Denmark's relationship with Greenland and the Faroe Islands is a dramatic historical story. It all started in the Middle Ages during the Viking Age. The Vikings were an ancient pirate people in Northern Europe, active in plundering and conquering the naval peninsula. Their seafaring and adventurous spirit took them to present-day Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and even Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Here, the Vikings demonstrated their unrivaled talent for conquest, while also laying the groundwork for the formation of later states.
Denmark was particularly prominent among the Vikings, with power and influence far exceeding those of other regions. However, the expansion of the Vikings was not without its problems. In the 13th century, Denmark was influenced by the powerful from the German Empire"Hanseatic League"Unprecedented pressure. To defend itself against foreign enemies, Denmark formed the Kalmar Union with Norway and Sweden, which deepened the close relationship between Denmark and Norway.
As part of the United Kingdom, Norway considers Greenland and the Faroe Islands to be territories shared with Denmark. However, internal contradictions and power struggles soon emerged. Sweden was the first to withdraw from the Union, while Denmark indirectly controlled Greenland and the Faroe Islands, reducing Norway from an independent state to a province.
Over time, Denmark's national power began to wane. In particular, after the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark was forced to cede Norway to Sweden for supporting defeated France, but retained control over Greenland and the Faroe Islands. However, these two regions are not undisputed territories. The wave of national independence led the inhabitants of Greenland and the Faroe Islands to question Danish rule.
Especially during the Second World War, the Danish state of occupation weakened control over these overseas territories. The United States and Great Britain occupied Greenland and the Faroe Islands, respectively, and the inhabitants of these regions began to consider the possibility of independence. After the war, although these territories were returned to Denmark, the calls for independence did not subside.
Faced with this, Denmark was forced to make concessions and declared the Faroe Islands a highly autonomous overseas territory in 1948, while the situation in Greenland was more complicated.
After years of negotiations and struggles, Denmark finally recognized Greenland as a state under domestic law in 1953 and expanded its autonomy more than two decades later.
While these two regions are still legally part of Danish territory, they enjoy a high degree of autonomy and decision-making autonomy in almost all areas. This unique political arrangement makes it impossible for Denmark to take these two regions into account when calculating the size of its territory. In a way, Denmark demonstrates the delicate art of balancing the need to maintain territorial integrity while being able to face internal and external challenges.
In this complex history of Denmark, the fate of Greenland and the Faroe Islands is of particular interest. Although Denmark was historically a Nordic powerhouse, its political and economic center of gravity has gradually shifted to Europe itself over time. At the same time, Greenland and the Faroe Islands are far from their homeland and have historically developed their own unique identities and cultures.
Greenland is the largest island in the world, and its vast land and abundant natural resources have always been coveted by countries. However, its geographical location and harsh climatic conditions made development and management extremely difficult. Danish control of Greenland has been challenged many times throughout history, notably during World War II and during the post-war period of independence.
The situation in the Faroe Islands is slightly different. The Faroe Islands are small in size but strategically located. The Faroe Islands have long been an important node on the North Atlantic shipping lanes and are therefore of inestimable geopolitical value. At the same time, the inhabitants of the Faroe Islands gradually developed their own political and cultural identity under Danish rule, and their dependence on Denmark became less severe.
Faced with the growing demand for autonomy and a sense of independence in both regions, Denmark** has had to adopt a more flexible and cautious policy. This is not only to preserve the territorial integrity of the country, but also to balance complex internal and external relations. The shift in Danish policy towards the two regions from initial direct control to a high degree of autonomy reflects Denmark's deep understanding of national unity and local identity.
At the same time, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, while enjoying autonomy, face their own challenges. They must strike a balance between maintaining close relations with Denmark and seeking more autonomy. In the process, these two regions have not only pursued their own development, but also brought new changes to the political landscape of the Nordic region as a whole.
This history is not only the history of territories and countries, but also the history of the evolution of peoples and cultures. In the process, we can see that even in a relatively small country like Denmark, the complexity and diversity can be surprising. The history of Greenland and the Faroe Islands is not only part of Danish history, but also of the whole world.
In fact, we're working on a broader theme: the diversity of ethnic and cultural identities. It's not just a narrative about territory and power;It's also a story about how human societies adapt to change and find unity in diversity.
The example of Denmark shows us how a country can respect the different cultures and communities on its territory and grant them full autonomy while maintaining its sovereignty. This is the embodiment of the wisdom of the state, but also for modern international relations"Big country and small love"Interpretation of principles. In this process, Denmark not only did not lose its sovereignty, but strengthened its national cohesion and enhanced its international image through reasonable adjustments.
At the same time, the experience of Greenland and the Faroe Islands has shown the world a unique model of self-government. According to this model, localities can maintain a degree of independence and autonomy without having to completely depart from the existing national framework. This provides a possible paradigm for dealing with similar regional issues, especially in the context of globalization and regionalism.
At the end of the day, this story tells us more than the details of history, but a deeper truth: the search for unity in diversity is the eternal theme of the development of all societies and civilizations. Whether it's Denmark or any other country, it's important to find its own balance in its unique history and cultural conditions.
In this diverse world, every country, every land, and every culture is unique. As the famous saying goes:"True wisdom does not consist in seeing the obvious, but in seeing the hidden truth"。The history of Denmark and its overseas territories is the best illustration of this profound wisdom.