Coastal Denmark and the Danes

How has and does Denmark’s coastscape shaped life and identity in Denmark?

Identity of people is shaped by environment – contours, elevation, soils, vegetation, animals, climate, and water all play important roles in our lives. In Denmark, you cannot get more than about 32 miles from the ocean, and the coastline itself stretches about 4,544 miles. So, it would follow that the Danes are intrinsically connected to the coastline and the ocean.

Denmark's early civilizations adjusted to a changing climate as seas rose and fell. From hunter-gatherers to fishermen to farmers, they adapted their lives to the ocean's mighty rule. During the viking age, the Danes had the ability to travel and loot and pillage based on their knowledge of boatbuilding and weapons – stemming from this tight relationship between humans, land and sea. The craft of shipbuilding is one only possible with ample wood supply as well as access to open water.

I grew up on the east coast of North America, in the small town of Rockport, Maine. Maine's primary industries and livelihoods have historically been centered around the ocean and dense forests; lobstering and fishing are very important to our community, while boat building, shipping of goods, and paper milling are also historically common in the area. Today, many of Maine's coastal towns have shifted to an economy of tourism, making most of their profits in the summer when people come for the great weather, the seafood and the sailing, "where the mountains meet the sea." It appears that a similar phenomenon has occurred in Danish towns such as Gilleleje, which are today dominated by summer homes and tourist attractions, while still maintaining a modest fishing economy.

wandering the streets of Gilleleje

vernacular architecture... how quaint

Gilleleje's working harbor

Danes may be shaped by their coastline, but they have also done their fair share of shaping it in return. Much of Denmark's coast was at one time sandy and near uninhabitable due to the strong winds and creeping dunes. Danes have planted large swaths of the coastal zone, creating forests that are pleasant to inhabit and fields where pigs can be raised. This has provided an opportunity for more Danes to have woodland summer homes, and dramatically increased the the pork industry. By modifying the land, Danes actually opened up new resources and opportunities for themselves – perhaps stemming from the attitude that in such a small country, the land must be taken full advantage of.

a planted forest on the coast of Sjælland, sprinkled with summer homes

That's all I've got on coasts. Look out for my next post on the identities of public and private greenspace. And please feel free to leave comments on any of my writing, whether it inspires, horrifies or bores you.

Cheers,

Robin