The cuisine of Denmark is rather homogenous. The cooking style of the Danes was affected in time by many nations, but this fact has not determined great differences from one region of the country to another. A northern region of Germany was a long time ago under the domination of the Danes. Many people that have Danish origins still live in that region and this explains the strong influence of Germany. Another fact that determined the Danish cuisine to act as a whole is the importance that is given to the traditional foods. People like more to consume the national dishes, rather than importing ingredients to prepare new foods.