Frederiksberg
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coat of arms | |
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Area - Total |
8.7 km² |
Population
- City (2005) |
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Time zone | UTC+1 |
Latitude Longitude |
55°40' N 12°31' W |
Frederiksberg is a municipality (Danish, kommune) on the island of Zealand (Sjælland) in Denmark. The municipality covers an area of 8,7 km² (869.8 hectares) and has a total population of 91,855 (2006), making it the smallest municipality in Denmark area-wise, the fifth most populous one, and the most densely populated one. Its mayor is Mads Lebech, a member of the Conservative People's Party (Det Konservative Folkeparti).
The city of Frederiksberg is the only town in the municipality, and is therefore the site of its municipal council.
Frederiksberg is located as an enclave within the municipality of Copenhagen, the national capital. The municipality was originally situated west of Copenhagen, but after a number of smaller municipalities were merged with Copenhagen in 1901, it became completely surrounded by Copenhagen.
Frederiksberg is one of only three Danish municipalities which do not belong to any of the Counties of Denmark— the others are Copenhagen and Bornholm. On 1 January 2007, the municipality will lose its county privileges and become part of Region Hovedstaden (i.e. the Copenhagen Capital Region).
Frederiksberg municipality will not be merged with other municipalities as the result of nationwide Kommunalreformen ("The Municipal Reform" of 2007).
Contents |
[edit] History
The history of Frederiksberg goes back to June 2, 1651 when King Frederik III gave 20 Danish—Dutch peasants the rights to settle at Allegade, and founded the town then named "Ny Amager" (*New Amager*) or "Ny Hollænderby". Farming was not good and in 1697 most of the town burned down. This meant that the peasants where unable to pay taxes, and the land reverted back to the crown.
In 1700-1703 King Frederik IV built a palace on top of the hill known as Valby Bakke. He named the palace Frederichs Berg and the rebuilt town at the foot of the hill changed name to Frederiksberg. A number of the houses in the town were bought by wealthy citizens of Copenhagen who didn’t farm the land, but rather used it as country houses.
The town changed slowly from a farming community to a merchant town, with craftsmen and merchants. During the summer rooms were offered for rent, and restaurants served food to the people of Copenhagen who had left the cramped city for the open land, and to be near the royals.
Initially the town grew slowly with population growing from 1,000 in 1770, to 1,200 in 1800, and to 3,000 in 1850.
In 1852 Parliament removed restrictions which prohibited permanent construction outside Copenhagen's city walls. Almost immediately numerous residential areas where constructed, starting in the eastern part near Copenhagen, and ending in the western part farthest away from Copenhagen in 1950. This led to rapid population growth; in 1900 the population reached 80,000, and in 1950 the city peaked with a population of 120,000.
Today the city consists entirely of 3-5 story residential houses, large single-family homes, and large parks. On aerial pictures Frederiksberg stands out from the surrounding city of Copenhagen as a green area with few large roads. It is considered to be one of Copenhagen's more prestigious areas in which to live.
[edit] Demography
Population of Frederiksberg (from 1979 January 1):
[edit] Attractions
- Frederiksberg Town Hall
- Frederiksberg Palace
- The Cisterns – Museum for Modern Glass Art
- Frederiksberg Park
- The Storm P. Museum
- Frederiksberg Church
- Copenhagen Zoo
- Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University
- Copenhagen Business School
- Royal Military Academy
- Frederiksberg Hospital
[edit] Mayors
- Marius Godskesen (1919-1936)
- Vilhelm Fischer (1936-1948)
- Aksel Møller (1948-1950, 1954-1958)
- Arne Stæhr Johansen (1950-1954, 1958-1978)
- John Winther (1978-2000)
- Mads Lebech (2001-)
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- Municipal statistics: NetBorger Kommunefakta, delivered from KMD aka Kommunedata (Municipal Data)
- Municipal mergers and neighbors: Eniro new municipalities map
- (Danish) Statistical Yearbook of Copenhagen.Copenhagen Statistical Office. ISBN 87-7024-230-5
Regular counties: Copenhagen • Frederiksborg Funen • North Jutland • Ribe • Ringkjøbing • Roskilde • South Jutland • Storstrøm • Vejle • Viborg • West Zealand • Århus
Municipalities with county privileges: Bornholm • Copenhagen • Frederiksberg