The Kingdom of Denmark (Danish: Kongeriget Danmar) is the smallest and southernmost of the Nordic countries. Located north of its only land neighbour, Germany, southwest of Sweden, and south of Norway. From a cultural point of view, Denmark belongs to the family of Scandinavian countries although not located on the Scandinavian Peninsula. The national capital is Copenhagen.
Denmark consists of the peninsula of Jutland (Jylland) and 443 named islands. Of these, 76 are inhabited, with the largest being Zealand (Sjælland) and Funen (Fyn). The country is mostly flat. The country's average height above sea level is only 31 metres (101 feet) and the highest natural point is Møllehøj, at 170.86 metres (560.6 ft). The climate is in the temperate zone. The winters are not particularly cold with mean temperatures of around 0.5 °C and the summers are cool with mean temperature of around 16 °C. There is a lot of wind, which is stronger during the winter.
Danish is spoken throughout the country, although a small group near the German border also speak German. Many Danes are fluent in English as well, particularly those in larger cities and the youth, who are taught two or more foreign languages in school.
The Kingdom of Denmark is a constitutional monarchy, with executive power with Queen Margrethe II as head of state. This executive power is exercised on behalf of the monarch by the prime minister and other cabinet ministers. The Prime minister, and cabinet ministers make up the government. These ministers are responsible to Parliament, the legislative body, which is traditionally considered to be supreme