Bæltet

Bæltet is the definite form of the Danish noun bælte, meaning “the belt.” In Danish geography the term is used for belt-like sea passages that separate adjacent landmasses. The most prominent examples are Storebæltet (the Great Belt) and Lillebæltet (the Little Belt). In common usage these are usually referred to by their names, while the definite form appears in descriptive phrases such as Storebæltet.

Storebæltet lies between the islands of Zealand (Sjælland) and Funen (Fyn). It is a major sea passage and is crossed by the fixed link Storebæltsforbindelsen, opened in 1998, which comprises the Storebæltsbroen (a suspension bridge) and a subsea tunnel. The link provides both road and rail connections between the two islands and replaced a long-standing ferry service.

Lillebæltet lies between Funen and the Jutland peninsula. It is crossed by Lillebæltsforbindelsen, a fixed link that includes Lillebæltsbroen, connecting Funen with the Danish mainland. The crossing accommodates road and rail traffic and has long been a vital link for regional transport.

The term bæltet thus appears in Danish to denote these substantial water gaps that structurally and economically shape the region, with Storebæltet and Lillebæltet reflecting their status as major maritime corridors.