City Spotlight: Copenhagen

Copenhagen might seem random to most of you, but I have actually wanted to go there for a very long time. It doesn't hurt that my grandma has been living there for the past couple of years and that there is a slight possibility that I could be going there within a couple days (cross your fingers!). I will for sure be going there this summer though and I couldn't be happier! :)

Copenhagen is the capital and largest city in Denmark and a great example to the world of what a city should be like. It is often recognized as one of the cities with the best quality of life and is also one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world. It's also a gorgeous city, to boot.

As you can see from these pictures, it is surrounded by water! This makes me indescribably happy since I grew up by the water and it's always something that I've treasured about my childhood.  

As I mentioned above, Copenhagen is also very environmentally friendly. 37% of the population ride their bikes every day, and there is a municipal policy working on getting this up to 40% by 2012 and to 50% by 2015! As a biking enthusiast I love that this city puts so much effort in getting it's citizens to forgo cars for this healthier alternative! It's better for the air and imagine how fit the people must be! 

Copenhagen is also at the top of several business and commerce rankings (2006 Global Earning Ranking, Location Ranking Survey, Innovation Nexus City, etc) and life quality ratings (Mercer's Quality of Living, Top 25 Most Livable Cities Monacle, FDi Magazine, etc.). And I can see why. Besides it's policies regarding bikes, it's also is the capital with the largest organic food market share, with 45% of all food consumption being organic! It's starting to appeal to me more and more as an ideal place to live...

All in all, Copenhagen looks like a fantastic city to visit or live in! I applaud all the efforts it has taken to make it one of the cleanest, most livable cities in the world. The whole look of the city in general is very quaint and picturesque. Seems like a magical place. :) Can't wait till I go! 

As an added bonus, the famed story writer Hans Christian Andersen (The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, The Ugly Duckling) was from Denmark and they have a statue of the Little Mermaid there in his honor. A must see if you visit!