Syddanmark

Syddanmark, officially Region Syddanmark, is one of the five administrative regions of Denmark. It was established in 2007 as part of the Danish Municipal Reform and covers the southern part of the Jutland peninsula as well as the island of Funen, including several smaller islands such as Langeland, Ærø and Fanø. The region has coastlines on the North Sea to the west and the Baltic Sea to the east, and it shares a land border with Germany to the south.

The regional government is responsible for hospitals, health services, regional development, culture, and public services, while municipalities handle local affairs. Region Syddanmark is composed of 22 municipalities and has a population of about 1.2 million people.

The economy combines manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and energy, with wind power and offshore activities playing a growing role. Odense, the region’s largest city, hosts the University of Southern Denmark and serves as an educational and cultural hub. Esbjerg is a major port and gateway to offshore installations, while Billund hosts Legoland and serves as a tourism center.

The region includes the Wadden Sea National Park (Vadehavet), a coastal landscape along the southwestern coast that is part of the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea. The area has historical ties to the Schleswig region and the Denmark–Germany border and features towns with maritime heritage, castles, and coastal scenery that influence its economy and culture.