The 2012 Copenhagen International Boat Show is running March 1-4 at the Bella Center, with four terrific days of exhibitions, seminars and loads of great boat-related experiences. Stop by our dealer, Gnisten Marine and say 'Hello.' Last year's boat show was a resounding success and welcomed more than 30,000 visitors.



Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and its most populated city, with a little more than one million people. It is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, overlooking the Øresund Strait, where Sweden is just minutes away. The Øresund links the North Sea with the Baltic Sea, one of three Danish Straits that also connects the Baltic Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, one of the busiest waterways in the world.



Copenhagen is a geographic connector for mainland Europe and Scandinavia, and a major regional center of culture, business, media, and science. It is easy to navigate and has repeatedly been recognized as one of the cities with the best quality of life, as well as one of the world's most environmentally friendly.



If you are visiting the boat show and exploring the area in your Monterey, Copenhagen has several marinas, the biggest of which is Svanemøllehavnen. Although there are no designated 'visitor' berths, there are many marked with an 'available' green sign.



The port is easy to locate, just north of the famous Little Mermaid statue, one of the most endearing and visible attractions in all of Copenhagen. New Harbour in Nyhavn is also a breeze to find downtown. There are many colorful cafes, great restaurants and nightspots along the city's canal, and many large boats remain in the harbor. Touring around Copenhagen on the water provides a different perspective of the city. Watch for large tour boats though, and the yellow water buses.



The fishing spots are plentiful around Denmark and its neighboring areas. There are too many popular spots to list, but there are choices for the serious fisherperson, or those of us who just like to be out of doors. Wilson Inlet is apparently the best place to fish from your Monterey. The Southern Ocean is known for large waves, so exercise caution.



Denmark’s coastline measures some 4,544 miles. The largest block of land is the main peninsula of Jutland, with three main island masses - Funen, Lolland and Zealand. Most of the country's pleasure boating activity is split evenly between Jutland and the islands.



According to recent estimates, which may be a bit high, there are 366,000 boats in Denmark: about 220,000 outboard-powered motorboats, 25,000 inboard-engine motorboats, 53,000 sailboats, and around 68,000 ‘others.’ So you'll be in good company on your Monterey!



Read more about Copenhagen and Denmark.