Little Place; Big Differences

Just returned from a quick business trip to a small town in central Denmark.  It got me to thinking about what it must be like, being a Dane, and how very different our two nations are.  The most obvious difference, of course, is language.  Then there is size:  Denmark would handily fit inside all but the 8 smallest American states and its entire population is far less than the New York City metro area.
Let's face facts: Denmark doesn't have a lot to make it famous.  Today, there are no rock stars, athletic greats, politicians (alright, their former prime minister is now the Secretary General of NATO, but that's a stretch), writers, painters, or business leaders.  Actors Viggo Mortensen and Brigitte Nielsen; that might be it among folks still living.
On the larger political stage, it's more interesting.  Here I was, in a nation that no one often notices, expects to either be the world's policeman, or the whipping boy for trying to be the world's policeman.  Terrorism is an almost non-existent threat.  Militarily, Denmark is supportive of NATO and so, indirectly the U.S., but it's clout is, shall we say, rather dwarf-like. 
In short, the world has few expectations of Denmark, and I have to believe the Danes are quite satisfied with that arrangement.  They have a lovely country, with loads of wide open spaces, unspoiled nature, and a serious attitude toward everything involving the environnment.  Trying to put yourself, as an American, in the shoes of a Dane is not easy.  It's odd; it's very different; its...rather refreshing.