Nakskov

Nakskov
Town
Nakskov town centre
Seal
Nakskov Location on Lolland
Coordinates: 54°50′00″N 11°09′00″E / 54.83333°N 11.15000°E / 54.83333; 11.15000
Country	Denmark
Region	Zealand (Sjælland)
Municipality	Lolland
Population (2015)
• Total	12,665
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)

Nakskov is a town in south Denmark. It is in Lolland municipality in Region Sjælland on the western coast of the island of Lolland. The town has a population of 12,665 (1 January 2015). To the west is Nakskov Fjord, an inlet from the Langeland Belt (Langelandsbælt) that runs between the islands of Lolland and Langeland. Nakskov Fjord is a wildlife reserve, known for its bird life [2].

Nakskov is in the inner part of the Western inlet of Lolland, one of the agriculturally richest of the Danish islands. The area was settled during the neolithic period and has been continuously inhabited since. The town received trade privileges in 1266, during the reign of king Erik V Glipping. Once the export center of western Lolland, Nakskov thrived on trade, commerce and industry. This changed gradually as overland traffic was enabled by a railway to the neighboring island of Falster in 1875,[3]. The connection to Sjælland and Copenhagen over the Storstrømsbroen bridge in 1937 [4] shifted goods from the port of Nakskov. Traditionally a center of manufacturing and industry, Nakskov has turned to commerce and trade, after the industrial boom in shipbuilding ended when Denmark joined the EEC and subsidies were dismantled.

Nakskov is one of the most environmentally conscious and cleanest towns of Denmark. Technological and environmental enterprises replace heavy industries. In recent years, local government has restored the town.

Nakskov is connected to Nykøbing Falster and the rail network by the Lollandsbanen line.