Denmark-Norway facts for kids

{{Infobox former country |conventional_long_name = Denmark–Norway |common_name = Denmark Norway |native_name = Danmark–Norge |image_flag = Flag of Denmark.svg |flag = Flag of Denmark |flag_type = Flag |image_coat = Royal Arms of Denmark & Norway (1699–1819).svg |coa_size = 85px |symbol = Coat of arms of Denmark |symbol_type = Coat of arms |image_map = Denmark-Norway in 1780.svg |image_map_caption = Map of Denmark–Norway, c. 1780 |region = Scandinavia |era = Early modern Europe |status = State union |status_text = Personal union (1523–1533)
Dualistic unitary state (1537–1814) |government_type = Elective monarchy 1523–1660 (Denmark)
Hereditary monarchy 1660–1814 (Denmark)
(Absolutism since 1660)
Elective monarchy 1523–1537 (Norway (de facto))
Hereditary monarchy 1537–1814 (Absolutism since 1661)

|today =

|year_start = 1523 |year_end = 1814 |life_span = 1523–1533
1537–1814 |event_pre = Gustav Vasa elected
    King of Sweden |date_pre =
June 6, 1523 |event_start = Kalmar Union collapsed |event1 = Norwegian riksråd
    abolished |date_event1 =
1537 |event2 = Danish rigsråd
    abolished |date_event2 =
October 14, 1660 |event3 = Lex Regia confirms
    absolutism |date_event3 =
November 14, 1665 |event4 = Treaty of Brömsebro |date_event4 = August 13, 1645 |event5 = Treaty of Roskilde |date_event5 = February 26, 1658 |event_end = Treaty of Kiel |date_end = January 14, |event_post = Congress of Vienna |date_post = September 1814 – June 1815 |p1 = Kalmar Union |flag_p1 = Flag of the Kalmar Union.svg |s1 = Denmark |flag_s1 = Flag of Denmark.svg |s2 = Kingdom of Norway (1814) |flag_s2 = Flag of Norway (1814-1821).svg |capital = Copenhagen
and Oslo (Only in Norway 1523–1537) |common_languages = Official:
Danish, German, Renaissance Latin
Also spoken: Norwegian, Icelandic, Faroese, Sami, Greenlandic |religion = Lutheran |title_leader = King |leader1 = Frederick I |year_leader1 = 1524–1533 |leader2 = Christian IV |year_leader2 = 1588–1648 |leader3 = Frederick III |year_leader3 = 1648–1670 |leader4 = Frederick VI |year_leader4 = 1808–1814^a |stat_year3 = 1780^b |stat_area3 = 487476 |stat_year1 = 1645^c |stat_pop1 = 1315000 |stat_year2 = 1801^d |stat_pop2 = 1859000

|currency =

|legislature =

The Kingdom of Denmark–Norway was a special kind of union between the countries of Denmark and Norway. This union lasted for a long time, from 1536 until 1814. During these years, both countries shared the same capital city, Copenhagen, and they also had a single military.

The kingdom was quite large. It included not only Denmark and Norway but also other lands. These included Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. The kingdom also had colonies in faraway places like Africa, the Caribbean, and India.

What Was Denmark–Norway?

This kingdom was a "personal union" for a short time at first. This means two separate kingdoms shared the same ruler. Later, it became more like a single country. This was called a "dualistic unitary state." It meant Denmark and Norway were joined together more closely.

How the Government Worked

For a while, the kings were chosen by important people. This is called an "elective monarchy." But after 1660, the kings became "hereditary monarchs." This meant the oldest child of the king would automatically become the next ruler. From 1660, the king had "absolute power." This means the king made all the decisions without needing approval from others.

Important Kings

Here are some of the most important kings who ruled Denmark–Norway:

• Frederick I (1524–1533): He was one of the first kings of this union.
• Christian IV (1588–1648): He ruled for a very long time. He was known for building many new things.
• Frederick III (1648–1670): During his rule, the king gained absolute power.
• Frederick VI (1808–1814): He was the last king of Denmark–Norway.

The End of the Union

The union between Denmark and Norway ended in 1814. This happened because of a peace agreement called the Treaty of Kiel. Denmark had been on the losing side in a big war. As a result, Norway was given to Sweden. This marked the end of the long-standing union.

Images for kids

• 

  Denmark–Norway and its possessions, c. 1800

• 

  The Carta marina, an early map of the Nordic countries, made around the end of the Kalmar Union and the start of Denmark–Norway

• 

  Christian IV of Denmark

• 

  Naval battle between the frigate HMS Tartar and Norwegian gunboats near Bergen in 1808

See also

In Spanish: Reino de Dinamarca y Noruega para niños