EncyclopediaSjælland
Sjælland (she'län) [key]or Zealand (zē'lund) [key], Ger. Seeland, island (1992 pop. 1,976,882), 2,709 sq mi (7,016 sq km), E Denmark, between the Kattegat and the Baltic Sea. Denmark's largest island, it is separated from Fyn by the Store Bælt and from Sweden by the Øresund. Sjælland includes most of Copenhagen, the Danish capital, and the cities of Roskilde, Helsingør, Hillerød, Holbæk, Næstved, Køge, and Birkerød. The island is generally low-lying, rising to a maximum height of 413 ft (126 m) in the northeast, and has much fertile farmland. Wheat growing, dairy farming, cattle breeding, and fishing are important occupations. Sjælland's northern shore is indented by the many-branched Isefjord. The Store Bælt bridge (1998), between Sjælland and Fyn islands, links the island to Denmark's mainland.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
