Looking for a vacation spot? Need to add some more happiness to your life? Take a trip to Denmark! It may not have warm sandy beaches but it should make you smile.

According to the National Science Foundation-funded World Values Survey, Denmark is the happiest place on earth.  The research, conducted regularly by a global network of social scientists, flies in the face of Muslims still angry about the Danish cartoons of their prophet Mohammed. 

Democracy, social equality and a peaceful atmosphere are the key components to the country's high rating. While not the richest country, Denmark is prosperous.  Criteria such as good healthcare and access to higher education were also factors taken into account.

The world-wide survey also asked people how happy they considered themselves. One theory that has been proposed to explain the happiness of the Danes is their lower expectations. This theory came from Professor Kaare Christensen at the University of Southern Denmark.

The same theory also explains why the United States came in 16th; Americans expect more out of life. Researchers also noted that Political freedom is the greatest indicator of happiness.

"I strongly suspect that there is a strong correlation between peace and happiness," said Ronald Inglehart, a political scientist at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, who directed the study. "The results clearly show that the happiest societies are those that allow people the freedom to choose how to live their lives."

Other countries that topped the list are Puerto Rico, Colombia and Switzerland.

Forty-five of 52 countries since 1981 have had their happiness levels increased, but sadly the political unrest, financial problems, and social strife have diminished the endorphins in Zimbabwe, the country rated least happy this round of evaluations.