the capital of the kingdom of Denmark, situated on the eastern shore of the island of Zealand, upon a fine bay of the Baltic sea, not far from the strait called the Sound. E. Long. 13° O. N. Lat. 55° 30'.

The precise date of the foundation of this city is disputed; but the most probable account is, that it took its rise from a castle built on the spot in the year 1168, as a protection against the pirates which at that time swarmed in the Baltic. The conveniency of the situation, and the security afforded by the castle, soon induced a number of the inhabitants of Zealand to resort thither; but it was not distinguished by the royal residence until 1443, during the reign of Christopher of Bavaria; since which period it has been gradually enlarged and beautified, and is become the capital of Denmark.

Copenhagen is the best built city of the north; for although Petersburgh excels it in superb edifices, yet, as it contains no wooden houses, it does not display that striking contrast of meannefs and magnificence; but in general exhibits a more equable and uniform appearance. The town is surrounded towards the land with regular ramparts and bastions, a broad ditch full of water, and a few outworks, its circumference measures between four and five miles. The streets are well paved, with a foot-way on each side, but too narrow and inconvenient for general use. The greatest part of the buildings are of brick; and a few are of freestone brought from Germany. The houses of the nobility are in general splendid, and constructed in the Italian style of architecture: the palace, which was erected by Christian VI. is a large pile of building; the front is of stone, and the wings of brick stuccoed; the suite of apartments is princely; but the external appearance is more grand than elegant.

The busy spirit of commerce is visible in this city, which contains about 80,000 inhabitants. The haven is always crowded with merchant ships: and the streets are intersected by broad canals, which bring the merchandise close to the warehouses that line the quays. This city owes its principal beauty to a dreadful fire in 1728, that destroyed five churches and 67 streets, which have been since rebuilt in the modern style. The new part of the town, raised by the late king Frederic V., is extremely beautiful, scarcely inferior to Bath. It consists of an octagon, containing four uniform and elegant buildings of hewn stone, and of four broad streets leading to it in opposite directions. In the middle of the area stands an equestrian statue of Frederic V. in bronze, as big as life, which cost 80,000l. The Royal Museum, or Cabinet of Rarities, merits the attention of travellers. This collection, which was begun by Frederic III., is deposited in eight apartments, and ranged in the following order: animals, shells, minerals, paintings, antiquities, medals, dresses, arms and implements of the Laplanders.

Part of Copenhagen, which is called Christianshafen, is built upon the isle of Amak, which generally attracts the curiosity of foreigners; (see AMAK). From this place, to which the main city is joined by a bridge, the markets are supplied with fowl, beef, mutton, venison, corn, and culinary vegetables, which are produced here in the greatest abundance.