The cities of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Malmo, Sweden, are only about 10 miles apart across the Baltic Sea. A new bridge, completed in 2000, brings the countries closer together.
A Shared History for Denmark and Sweden
Viking explorers once roamed the Scandinavian peninsulas and ravaged the land around the North Sea and the Baltic. Denmark was a major player as the tribes fought for territory. At one time, the Danes controlled a Danish "Baltic Sea Empire” that in1221 extended from Estonia in the east to Norway in the north. However, as Europe realigned throughout the next centuries, Denmark lost its dominance and individual countries formed.
Scandinavia is now comprised of Norway, Sweden and Denmark and as borders have changed over the years, the three countries have found their independence and yet connectedness. With only 10 miles separating Copenhagen from Malmo, Denmark and Sweden have a shared history and a shared economic area.
The Closeness of Copenhagen and Malmo
Copenhagen occupies a coastal section of eastern Denmark at the strait of Øresund where the waters of the Atlantic Ocean meet the Baltic Sea. Only about 10 miles away, the Swedish port of Malmo lies in southwestern Sweden. The two areas were once a part of Denmark when it ruled the southwest of Sweden. Now the cities make up a metropolitan area that spans the two countries. Located in what is known as the lowlands, the area contains many islands and is very flat.
Trade takes place between the two nations, both of which belong to the European Union. Companies and tourists move easily between the two cities. Before the bridge was built, a high-speed ferry traveled between Copenhagen and Malmo. With the opening of the bridge in 2000, Malmo attracted biotech and industrial companies and built large corporate parks and facilities. Copenhagen must now share the convention and tourism dollars with the city across the bridge.
Building the Øresund Bridge
In 1991, the governments of Sweden and Denmark agreed to undertake the project of a bridge to connect the two countries. It was an engineering venture of massive proportions. While the distance was only about 10 miles or 16,4 kilometers, many factors had to be considered. The roadway needed to be designed to handle the daily traffic of motorized vehicles and trains, yet also continue to allow ships to traverse the strait to reach the ports around the Baltic.
The design therefore included a four-lane road, two train tracks, and bridge-tunnel system permitting ship traffic to cross above the underwater tunnel section or under the higher portion of the bridge. The tunnel is 2.5 miles long and a new island was constructed to accommodate the design. The high bridge part of the Øresund Bridge has the longest cable-stayed main span of all bridges in the world. And, the tunnel part is the world's longest underwater tube tunnel.
The bridge was named "Øresundsbron", a combination of the Danish word "Øresundsbroen" and the Swedish word "Öresundsbron", both meaning Oresund Bridge in English, and officially opened on July 1, 2000. The toll is collected on the Swedish side.
Highlights of Copenhagen and Malmo
Both cities have a long history and many interesting places to visit. Copenhagen is well known as the home of storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, and its harbor is home to the Little Mermaid statue. There are also royal palaces for the Queen and her family, Tivoli Gardens, canals, historic buildings and modern ones, too, such as the Opera House designed by Henning Larsen.
Malmo, the third largest city in Sweden, offers many landmark buildings in the downtown area surrounding the large park. Closer to the harbor, the newer section of the metropolis features the Turning Torso, an ultra-modern apartment house, now the tallest building in Sweden at 623 feet.
Both cities are easily walked, feature lovely gardens, historic buildings, restaurants, and shops. Most people in both cities speak English and welcome tourists. About 3.5 million people live in the greater Oresund area.
With the opening of the Oresund Bridge, the connection between Copenhagen and Malmo makes visiting the two cities an easy day’s journey. Train and bus connections are readily available if the traveler does not have a car.
Sources:
Brochure provided by Regent Cruise Lines
Guided tour with docent
Ethel Brodie - Intrigued by the world, encouraged to write my observations, published in newspapers and magazines, and sharing special places.
