Funen
Encyclopedia
Funen with a size of 2,984 km² (1152 sq. miles), is the third-largest island of Denmark following Zealand and Vendsyssel-Thy
, and the 163rd largest island of the world. Funen is located in the central part of the country and has a population of 454,358 inhabitants (2010). The main city is Odense
, connected to the sea by canal
, though this canal is now seldom used. The city's shipyard Odense Steel Shipyard
has been relocated outside of Odense proper.
Funen belongs administratively to Region of Southern Denmark. From 1970–2006, the island formed the biggest part of Funen County
, which also included the islands of Langeland
, Ærø
and Tåsinge
, as well as a number of smaller islands.
Funen is linked to Zealand, Denmark's largest island, by the Great Belt Bridge carrying both trains and cars. The Great Belt Bridge is in reality two bridges; a low bridge connecting Funen to the small island of Sprogø
in the middle of the Great Belt
and a long suspension bridge
the rest of the way to Zealand. The suspension bridge was the second longest in the world at the time of opening. From Funen to Sprogø, trains use a separate bridge parallel to the low bridge and constructed in a similar way. A tunnel connects Sprogø with Zealand, forming the other half of the railway connection.
Two bridges connect Funen to the Danish mainland, Jutland
. The Old Little Belt Bridge
was constructed in the 1930s shortly before World War II for both cars and trains. The New Little Belt Bridge
, a suspension bridge, was constructed in the 1970s and is used for cars only.
Apart from the main city, Odense
, all major towns are located in coastal areas. Beginning in the northeast of the island and moving clockwise, the list is as follows: Kerteminde
(NE), Nyborg
(E), Svendborg
(S), Fåborg (SW), Assens
(W), Middelfart
(NW) and Bogense
(N).
The population of the major cities and towns are:
Funen was the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen
, the composer Carl Nielsen
and American Revolutionary War
hero Col. Christian Febiger
.
The highest natural point on Funen is Frøbjerg Bavnehøj
.
Vendsyssel-Thy
The North Jutlandic Island , Vendsyssel-Thy, or simply Jutland north of the Limfjord are lesser-used names for the northernmost part of Denmark and of Jutland. It is more common to refer to the three traditional districts Vendsyssel, Hanherred and Thy...
, and the 163rd largest island of the world. Funen is located in the central part of the country and has a population of 454,358 inhabitants (2010). The main city is Odense
Odense
The city of Odense is the third largest city in Denmark.Odense City has a population of 167,615 and is the main city of the island of Funen...
, connected to the sea by canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
, though this canal is now seldom used. The city's shipyard Odense Steel Shipyard
Odense Steel Shipyard
Odense Steel Shipyard located in Odense, Denmark was constructed in 1918–1919 by the A.P. Møller company and will be closed sometime in 2012. A new yard with bigger and better facilities was constructed 1957–1959 on a new site located in Munkebo a few kilometres outside of Odense proper...
has been relocated outside of Odense proper.
Funen belongs administratively to Region of Southern Denmark. From 1970–2006, the island formed the biggest part of Funen County
Funen County
Fyns Amt is a former county in central Denmark, comprising the islands of Funen, Langeland, Tåsinge, Ærø, and approximately 90 other islands, of which only 25 are inhabited. The county was formed on 1 April 1970, comprising the former counties of Odense and Svendborg. The county was abolished...
, which also included the islands of Langeland
Langeland
Langeland is a Danish island located between the Great Belt and Bay of Kiel. The island measures 285 km² and, as of 1 January 2010, has a population of 13,277. The island produces grain and is known as a recreational area. A bridge connects it to Tåsinge via Siø - a small island with a...
, Ærø
Ærø
Ærø is one of the Danish Baltic Sea islands, and part of Region of Southern Denmark. The western portion of the island was the municipality of Ærøskøbing; the eastern portion of the island was the municipality of Marstal...
and Tåsinge
Tåsinge
Tåsinge is a Danish island south of Funen, at Svendborg. The island covers an area of 70 km² and has 6,111 inhabitants.Tåsinge was once called Thorsinge or Thorsenge, which in the Danish means "Thor's Bed" or "Thor's Meadow"...
, as well as a number of smaller islands.
Funen is linked to Zealand, Denmark's largest island, by the Great Belt Bridge carrying both trains and cars. The Great Belt Bridge is in reality two bridges; a low bridge connecting Funen to the small island of Sprogø
Sprogø
Sprogø is a small, protected Danish island, which is located in the Great Belt, the strait that separates the main islands of Funen and Zealand...
in the middle of the Great Belt
Great Belt
The Great Belt is a strait between the main Danish islands of Zealand and Funen . Effectively dividing Denmark in two, the Belt was served by the Great Belt ferries from the late 19th century until the islands were connected by the Great Belt Fixed Link in 1997–98.-Geography:The Great Belt is the...
and a long suspension bridge
Suspension bridge
A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders. Outside Tibet and Bhutan, where the first examples of this type of bridge were built in the 15th century, this type of bridge dates from the early 19th century...
the rest of the way to Zealand. The suspension bridge was the second longest in the world at the time of opening. From Funen to Sprogø, trains use a separate bridge parallel to the low bridge and constructed in a similar way. A tunnel connects Sprogø with Zealand, forming the other half of the railway connection.
Two bridges connect Funen to the Danish mainland, Jutland
Jutland
Jutland , historically also called Cimbria, is the name of the peninsula that juts out in Northern Europe toward the rest of Scandinavia, forming the mainland part of Denmark. It has the North Sea to its west, Kattegat and Skagerrak to its north, the Baltic Sea to its east, and the Danish–German...
. The Old Little Belt Bridge
Little Belt Bridge
The Little Belt Bridge , also known as The Old Little Belt Bridge, is a truss bridge over the Little Belt strait in Denmark. The first bridge to have been constructed over the strait, it spans from Snoghøj on Jutland to Kongebrogaarden on Funen. It is owned by the state and Banedanmark, the Danish...
was constructed in the 1930s shortly before World War II for both cars and trains. The New Little Belt Bridge
Little Belt Bridge (1970)
The New Little Belt Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the Little Belt strait between Jutland and the island of Funen in Denmark. The bridge is 1700 metres long, the main span is 600 metres, the pylons reaching a height of 120 metres, and the maximum clearance from the sea is 44...
, a suspension bridge, was constructed in the 1970s and is used for cars only.
Apart from the main city, Odense
Odense
The city of Odense is the third largest city in Denmark.Odense City has a population of 167,615 and is the main city of the island of Funen...
, all major towns are located in coastal areas. Beginning in the northeast of the island and moving clockwise, the list is as follows: Kerteminde
Kerteminde
Kerteminde , is a town in central Denmark, located in Kerteminde Municipality on the island of Funen. The town has a population of 5,698 . It is a small harbor town surrounded by farms...
(NE), Nyborg
Nyborg
Nyborg is a city in central Denmark, located in Nyborg Municipality on the island of Funen and with a population of 16,492 . Nyborg is one of the 14 large municipalities created on 1 January 2007...
(E), Svendborg
Svendborg
Svendborg is a town on the island of Funen in south-central Denmark. The town is in Svendborg municipality . Svendborg is the second-largest city on Funen and has a population of 27,009 ....
(S), Fåborg (SW), Assens
Assens, Denmark
Assens is a town with a population of 6,060 on the west coast of the island of Funen at the shore of the Little Belt in central Denmark. Assens is the municipal seat of Assens municipality in Region of Southern Denmark. It was the birthplace of sculptor Jens Adolf Jerichau who married the...
(W), Middelfart
Middelfart
Middelfart is a town in central Denmark, with a population of 14,781 . The town is the municipal seat of Middelfart municipality on the island of Funen .-Overview:The Middelfart municipality has a population of 37,701 people as of 2011...
(NW) and Bogense
Bogense
]Bogense is a town in central Denmark, located on Funen in Nordfyn municipality, Region of Southern Denmark. The town has a population of 3,679 .The city is connected to Odense and Middelfart via busses operated by Fynbus....
(N).
The population of the major cities and towns are:
- Odense: 167,615 (2011)
- Svendborg: 27,318 (2008)
- Nyborg: 16,043
- Middelfart: 14,494 (2009)
- Faaborg: 7,234
- Assens: 5,965
- Kerteminde: 5,775
- Bogense: 3,499
Funen was the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Snow Queen," "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Little Match Girl," and "The Ugly Duckling."...
, the composer Carl Nielsen
Carl Nielsen
Carl August Nielsen , , widely recognised as Denmark's greatest composer, was also a conductor and a violinist. Brought up by poor but musically talented parents on the island of Funen, he demonstrated his musical abilities at an early age...
and American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
hero Col. Christian Febiger
Christian Febiger
Hans Christian Febiger was an American Revolutionary War commander, confidante of General George Washington and an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati...
.
The highest natural point on Funen is Frøbjerg Bavnehøj
Frøbjerg bavnehøj
Frøbjerg Bavnehøj is above sealevel and is the highest natural point on the island of Funen....
.
See also
- List of Danish islands
- Egeskov CastleEgeskov CastleEgeskov Castle is located in the south of the island of Funen, Denmark. The castle is Europe's best preserved Renaissance water castle.-History:Egeskov's history dates to the 14th century...
- Fynske LivregimentFynske LivregimentFynske Livregiment was a Danish Army infantry regiment. On November 1, 1991 it was merged, together with Kongens Jydske Fodregiment, into Slesvigske Fodregiment.-History:...
- Horne ChurchHorne ChurchHorne Church was established in the Late Middle Ages on the southwest part of the island of Funen, Denmark. This church, originally founded as a Catholic place of worship, is situated in the village of Horne; in present times the church no longer serves as a Catholic Parish. Horne Church is the...
- Hvedholm CastleHvedholm CastleHvedholm Castle near Faaborg on the island of Funen in Denmark was built in the 15th century. It was owned in turn by the Banke, Hardenberg and Brahe families until 1919, when the Danish government presented the then owners with an enormous tax demand, forcing them to sell it to the state for...
- Korshavn, DenmarkKorshavn, DenmarkKorshavn is a small natural harbour at the Northern tip of Fyn, Denmark, just South of Fyns Hoved....
- Skrøbelev GodsSkrøbelev GodsSkrøbelev Gods is a traditional Danish estate dating back to 1669. The name has been changed from "Skrøbelevgaard" to the current name in 2007. It is located on the island of Langeland in the south of Denmark...
- The Funen VillageThe Funen VillageThe Funen Village is a Danish open air museum located in the Fruens Bøge district of Odense. It features 25 buildings from Funish villages, most of which date to the 18th and 19th century....