Nakskov

Coordinates: 54°50′0″N 11°09′0″E / 54.833333°N 11.15°E / 54.833333; 11.15

Nakskov
City
Party of boats heading out from the port of Nakskov around 1914-1920
Coat of arms
Country	Denmark
Region	Region Sjælland
Municipality	Lolland municipality
Coordinates	54°50′0″N 11°09′0″E / 54.833333°N 11.15°E / 54.833333; 11.15
Population	13,560 (2011)
Trade privileges	1266
Timezone	CET (UTC+1)
- summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Nakskov (lower center) in Denmark

Nakskov is a town in south Denmark. It is in Lolland municipality in Region Sjælland on the western coast of the island of Lolland. The town has a population of 13,560 (1 January 2011).^[1] To the west is Nakskov Fjord, an inlet from the Langeland Belt (Langelandsbælt) that runs between the islands of Lolland and Langeland. Nakskov Fjord is a wildlife reserve, known for its bird life [2].

History

Nakskov is in the inner part of the Western inlet of Lolland, which remains one of the agriculturally richest of the Danish islands. The area was settled during the neolithic period and from this period the area has been continuously inhabited. The town received trade privileges in 1266, during the reign of king Erik 5. Glipping of Denmark. Once the export center of the rich farmland region of western Lolland, Nakskov thrived on trade, commerce and industry. This situation changed gradually as overland traffic was enabled by the construction of a railway to the neighboring island of Falster in 1875,[3]. The connection to Sjælland and the national capital of Copenhagen over the Storstrømsbroen bridge in 1937 [4] shifted the flow of goods away from the port of Nakskov. Traditionally a center of manufacturing and industry, Nakskov has turned to commerce and trade, after the industrial boom in shipbuilding ended when Denmark joined the EEC and various subsidies were consequently dismantled.

Nowadays Nakskov is an appealing environment for tourists to visit, with one of the most environmentally conscious and cleanest town environments of Denmark. As technologically and environmentally based enterprises replace the predeceding heavy industries, Nakskov stands out as a pleasurable goal of travel and a center of culture and commerce. In recent years, local government has focused on restoring Nakskov's former architectural beauty, and has restored the town's cityscape into a culturally stimulating and pleasurable entertainment and shopping area, making Nakskov a typically Danish idyllic countryside town, encompassing the ethnic and cultural diversity brought on by globalization.

Transport

Nakskov is connected to Nykøbing Falster by the Lollandsbanen railway.

For locals and visitors, boat services to the small islands of Nakskov Fjord (Slotø, Vejlø, Enehøje, and Albuen) are arranged from the town of Nakskov. A ferry service connects the harbour northwest of the town of Nakskov over the Langeland Belt to the town of Spodsbjerg on the island of Langeland. Local bus service ensures stable transport within the town and to neighbouring areas. Nakskov place in the firth of Lolland also accesses bike routes following the dykes encompassing the Island of Lolland, offering an excellent view of the island's coastline.

Attractions

Large parts of the wetlands around Nakskov were drained in the 19th century. The dyke along the southern shore of the fjord allows walking or biking to the village of Langø. The picturesque cityscape of Nakskov also appeals to cultural tourism, and favourable price levels attract shoppers from the western Baltic region. Local government's intense attention to environmental technology and awareness also attract a substantial number of visitors using the town as a hub for environmental and cultural tourism.

The Danish sugar museum (sukker museum) is located in Nakskov.

Notable people born in Nakskov

• Hans Niels Andersen (1852–1937) — Danish businessman, founder of the East Asiatic Company.
• Severin From da:Severin From, chess player.
• Mette Jacobsen (b. 1973), Danish freestyle and butterfly swimmer.
• Jens Visby, (b. 1939), architect.

Economy

entrance of the sugar factory in Nakskov

The largest of the Danish sugar factories is located in Nakskov. It processes about 12,000 tons of sugar beet per day and belongs to the German group Nordzucker.

Nakskov municipality

Until January 1, 2007, "Nakskov" was also the name of a municipality (Danish, kommune) covering an area of 33 km², and with a total population of 14,745 (2006). Nowadays Nakskov is integrated into, and encompassed by, Lolland municipality. The last mayor of Nakskov was Flemming Bonne Hansen, a member of the Socialist People's Party (Socialistisk Folkeparti) political party. Nakskov municipality ceased to exist as the result of Kommunalreformen ("The Municipality Reform" of 2007). It was merged with Holeby, Højreby, Maribo, Ravnsborg, Rudbjerg and Rødby municipalities to form the new Lolland municipality. This new municipality consists of an area of 892 km² and a total population of 48,634 (2007).

Gallery

• 

  Nakskov and surrounding area (up = south) as depicted by the Swedish king's cartographer during the siege of Nakskov in 1658.[1]

• 

  Copper plate illustration of the town of Nakskov, Denmark, probably 17th century, seen from the south across the strait separating the inner and outer portions of the fjord.

• 

  View from Langø in Nakskov Fjord toward the peninsula of Albuen and the island of Langeland in the west

See also

• Hydrogen energy plant in Denmark

References

1. ^ BEF44: Population 1st January, by urban areas database from Statistics Denmark

• Municipal statistics: NetBorger Kommunefakta, delivered from KMD aka Kommunedata (Municipal Data)
• Municipal mergers and neighbors: Eniro new municipalities map

External links

• Lolland municipality's official website (Danish only)
• Official website of the Nakskov Fjord outdoor guide service