The Øresund Bridge bypasses the Øresund, the strait separating Denmark’s Zealand from Sweden’s Scania. The crossing links Copenhagen with Malmö and forms part of a combined road-and-rail route between Scandinavia and mainland Europe.
The bridge itself opened on 1 July 2000. It runs from the Swedish coast to the artificial island of Peberholm; travelers then continue through the Øresund Tunnel to the Danish island of Amager. The tunnel helps preserve a clear shipping route and avoids interference with aircraft using Copenhagen Airport.
Øresund is also called the Sound in English. It is one of Denmark’s key maritime passages, alongside the Great Belt and Little Belt. A common mix-up is the Great Belt: that strait separates Zealand and Funen, while Øresund separates Zealand and Sweden. Historically, ships passing through Øresund were subject to Denmark’s Sound Dues, collected from 1429 until 1857.