Denmark is the smallest and most southerly of the countries of Scandinavia which (B)lie in northern Europe. It is probably best(B) known for being home to the powerful Vikings, over 1,000 years ago. Denmark is a small country, with limited natural resources. Nevertheless, it has (D)become one of the richest countries in the world. Denmark has its own distinctive culture and traditions, and a tongue−twisting language, which includes several different dialects. Although Denmark is a member of the European Union, recently it has been reluctant to work more closely with the EU and give up some of its(B) independence Wealth in Denmark is shared out more evenly than in most countries, because people pay high taxes. Many workers pay more than 50 percent of their wages in tax. The (C)money is used to pay for a welfare system which(D) includes health care, benefits for the unemployed and the elderly, and public services. Compared to the rest of the world, it is difficult to become either very rich or very poor in Denmark.