Milestones in Danish Bridge Construction

Denmark is a country surrounded by water. The Jutland Peninsula and many large and small islands form its land areas. Copenhagen, the capital city, is located on the largest Danish island, Zealand, and has for centuries dominated the nation's trade, culture and political life. Copenhagen's dominance has declined gradually since the 1930s and this trend has accelerated since 1972, when Denmark joined the European Common Market. Prior to the 20th century, Denmark's geography, with its many islands separated by straits, was not a hindrance to trade since transport by sea was more efficient than by land. However, with the advent of railways and the automobile, land-based transportation became faster and more reliable. Thus, the many straits became obstacles for the movement of goods, and the need for bridges grew dramatically.