NORWAY
Kingdom of Norway, state in Northern Europe, in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It ranks second in size (after Sweden) among the Scandinavian countries. Norway is called the land of the midnight sun because 1/3 of the country lies north of the Arctic Circle, where the sun barely sets below the horizon from May to July. In the middle of winter, in the far north the polar night lasts almost around the clock, while in the south daylight lasts only a few hours.
Norway. The capital is Oslo. Population - 4418 thousand people (1998). Population density - 13.6 people per 1 sq. km. Urban population - 73%, rural - 27%. Area (including the polar islands) - 387 thousand square meters. km. Highest point: Mount Gallhepiggen (2469 m). Official language: Norwegian (Riksmål, or Bokmål; and Lansmål, or Nynoshk). State religion: Lutheranism. Administrative division: 19th county. Currency unit: Norwegian krone = 100 øre. National holiday: Constitution Day - May 17. National anthem: "Yes, we love this country."
Norway is a country of picturesque landscapes, with jagged mountain ranges, glacially carved valleys and narrow fjords with steep banks. The beauty of this country inspired the composer Edvard Grieg, who tried to convey in his works the changes in mood inspired by the alternation of light and dark seasons of the year. Norway has long been a seafaring country, and most of its population is concentrated on the coast. The Vikings, skilled sailors who created a vast system of overseas trade, ventured across the Atlantic Ocean and reached the New World ca. 1000 AD In the modern era, the role of the sea in the life of the country is evidenced by the huge merchant fleet, which ranked sixth in the world in terms of total tonnage in 1997, as well as the developed fish processing industry. Norway is a hereditary democratic constitutional monarchy. It gained state independence only in 1905. Before that, it was ruled first by Denmark and then by Sweden. The union with Denmark lasted from 1397 to 1814, when Norway passed to Sweden. The area of mainland Norway is 324 thousand square meters. km. The length of the country is 1770 km - from Cape Linnesnes in the south to the North Cape in the north, and its width ranges from 6 to 435 km. The country's shores are washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the Skagerrak in the south and the Arctic Ocean in the north. The total length of the coastline is 3,420 km, and including the fjords - 21,465 km. In the east, Norway borders with Russia (border length 196 km), Finland (720 km) and Sweden (1660 km). Overseas possessions include the Spitsbergen archipelago, consisting of nine large islands (the largest of them is Western Spitsbergen) with a total area of 63 thousand square meters. km in the Arctic Ocean; Jan Mayen Island with an area of 380 square meters. km in the North Atlantic Ocean between Norway and Greenland; small islands of Bouvet and Peter I in Antarctica. Norway claims Queen Maud Land in Antarctica.
NATURE
Surface structure. Norway occupies the western, mountainous part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. This is a large block, composed mainly of granites and gneisses and characterized by rugged terrain. The block is asymmetrically raised to the west, as a result the eastern slopes (mainly in Sweden) are flatter and longer, while the western slopes, facing the Atlantic Ocean, are very steep and short. In the south, within Norway, both slopes are represented, and between them there is a vast highland. To the north of the border of Norway and Finland, only a few peaks rise above 1200 m, but towards the south the heights of the mountains gradually increase, reaching maximum heights of 2469 m (Mount Gallheppigen) and 2452 m (Mount Glittertinn) in the Jotunheimen massif. Other elevated areas of the highlands are only slightly inferior in height. These include Dovrefjell, Ronnan, Hardangervidda and Finnmarksvidda. Bare rocks, devoid of soil and vegetation cover, are often exposed there. Externally, the surface of many highlands more closely resembles slightly undulating plateaus, and such areas are called “vidda”. During the Great Ice Age, glaciation developed in the mountains of Norway, but modern glaciers are small. The largest of these are Jostedalsbre (the largest glacier in Europe) in the Jotunheimen mountains, Svartisen in north-central Norway and Folgefonny in the Hardangervidda area. The small Engabre glacier, located at 70° N, approaches the shore of the Kvänangenfjord, where small icebergs calve at the end of the glacier. However, usually the snow line in Norway is located at altitudes of 900-1500 m. Many features of the country's topography were formed during the Ice Age. There were probably several continental glaciations at that time, and each of them contributed to the development of glacial erosion, the deepening and straightening of ancient river valleys and their transformation into picturesque steep U-shaped troughs, deeply cutting through the surface of the highlands. After melting continental glaciation The lower reaches of ancient valleys were flooded, where fjords formed. The fjord shores amaze with their extraordinary picturesqueness and have very important economic importance. Many fjords are very deep. For example, the Sognefjord, located 72 km north of Bergen, reaches a depth of 1308 m in the lower part. The chain of coastal islands is the so-called. Skergaard (in Russian literature the Swedish term skjergård is more often used) protects the fjords from strong westerly winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean. Some islands are exposed rocks washed by the surf, others reach significant sizes. Most Norwegians live on the shores of fjords. The most significant are the Oslofjord, Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord, Nordfjord, Storfjord and Tronnheimsfjord. The main occupations of the population are fishing in the fjords, agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry in some places along the shores of the fjords and in the mountains. In the fjord areas, industry is little developed, except for individual manufacturing enterprises that use rich hydropower resources. In many areas of the country, bedrock comes to the surface.
Rivers and lakes. Eastern Norway has the largest rivers, including the 591 km long Glomma. In the west of the country the rivers are short and fast. Southern Norway has many picturesque lakes. The largest lake in the country is Mjesa, with an area of 390 square meters. km located in the southeast. At the end of the 19th century. Several small canals were built connecting the lakes with seaports on the southern coast, but they are currently little used. The hydropower resources of Norway's rivers and lakes make a significant contribution to its economic potential.
Climate. Despite its northern location, Norway has a favorable climate with cool summers and relatively mild (for the corresponding latitudes) winters - the result of the influence of the Gulf Stream. The average annual precipitation varies from 3330 mm in the west, where moisture-carrying winds primarily receive moisture, to 250 mm in some isolated river valleys in the east of the country. The average January temperature is 0°C typical for the southern and western coasts, while in the interior regions it drops to -4°C or less. In July, average temperatures on the coast are approx. 14° C, and in inland areas - approx. 16°C, but there are also higher temperatures.
Soils, flora and fauna. Fertile soils cover only 4% of the entire territory of Norway and are concentrated mainly in the vicinity of Oslo and Trondheim. Since most of the country is covered by mountains, plateaus and glaciers, opportunities for plant growth and development are limited. There are five geobotanical regions: a treeless coastal region with meadows and shrubs, to the east of it deciduous forests, further inland and to the north - coniferous forests, above and even further to the north a belt of dwarf birches, willows and perennial grasses; finally, at the highest altitudes there is a belt of grasses, mosses and lichens. Coniferous forests are one of Norway's most important natural resources and provide a variety of export products. Reindeer, lemmings, arctic foxes and eiders are commonly found in the Arctic region. In the forests to the very south of the country there are ermine, hare, elk, fox, squirrel and - in small numbers - wolf and brown bear. Red deer are common along the south coast.
POPULATION
Demography. Norway's population is small and growing slowly. In 1998, 4,418 thousand people lived in the country. In 1996, per 1 thousand people, the birth rate was 13.9, the death rate was 10, and population growth was 0.52%. This figure is higher natural increase population due to immigration, which in the 1990s reached 8-10 thousand people per year. Improved health care and rising living standards have ensured continued, albeit slow, population growth over the past two generations. Norway, along with Sweden, is characterized by record low infant mortality rates - 4.0 per 1000 births (1995) versus 7.5 in the USA. In the late 1990s, life expectancy for men was 74.8 years and for women 80.8 years. Although Norway's divorce rate was inferior to some of its neighboring Nordic countries, the rate rose after 1945, and in the mid-1990s approximately half of all marriages ended in divorce (as in the United States and Sweden). 48% of children born in Norway in 1996 were out of wedlock. After restrictions introduced in 1973, immigration was directed to Norway for some time mainly from Scandinavian countries, but after 1978 a significant layer of people of Asian origin appeared (about 50 thousand people). In the 1980s and 1990s, Norway accepted refugees from Pakistan, African countries and the republics of the former Yugoslavia.
Population density and distribution. Apart from Iceland, Norway is the least populated country in Europe. In addition, the distribution of the population is extremely uneven. The capital of the country, Oslo, is home to 495 thousand people (1997), and approximately a third of the country's population is concentrated in the Oslo Fjord area. Other large cities - Bergen (224 thousand), Trondheim (145 thousand), Stavanger (106 thousand), Bærum (98 thousand), Kristiansand (70 thousand), Fredrikstad (66 thousand), Tromso (57 thousand .) and Drammen (53 thousand). The capital city is located at the top of the Oslofjord, where ocean-going ships moor near the town hall. Bergen also enjoys an advantageous position at the top of the fjord. The tomb of the kings of ancient Norway is located in Trondheim, founded in 997 AD, famous for its cathedral and Viking Age sites. It is noteworthy that almost all large cities are located either on the shores of the sea or fjord, or close to them. The strip, confined to the winding coastline, has always been attractive for settlements due to its access to the sea and moderate climatic conditions. With the exception of large valleys in the east and some areas in the west of the central highlands, all the interior highlands are sparsely populated. However individual areas in certain seasons it is visited by hunters, Sami nomads with herds of reindeer or Norwegian farmers grazing their livestock there. After the construction of new and reconstruction of old roads, as well as with the opening of air traffic, some mountainous areas became accessible for permanent residence. The main occupations of residents of such remote areas are mining, maintenance of hydroelectric power stations and tourists. Farmers and fishermen live in small settlements scattered along the banks of fjords or river valleys. Farming in higher areas is difficult, and many small, marginal farms there have been abandoned. Not counting Oslo and its environs, the population density ranges from 93 people per 1 sq. km in Vestfold southwest of Oslo up to 1.5 people per 1 sq. km in Finnmark in the far north of the country. Approximately one in four people in Norway live in rural areas.
Ethnography and language. Norwegians are an extremely homogeneous people of Germanic origin. A special ethnic group is the Sami, who number approx. 20 thousand. They have lived in the far north for at least 2 thousand years, and some of them still lead a nomadic lifestyle. Despite Norway's ethnic homogeneity, two forms of the Norwegian language are clearly distinguishable. Bokmål, or the book language (or Riksmål - the official language), used by most Norwegians, is descended from the Danish-Norwegian language, common among educated people during the time when Norway was under Danish rule (1397-1814). Nynoshk, or New Norwegian language (otherwise called Lansmol - rural language), received formal recognition in the 19th century. It was created by linguist I. Osen on the basis of rural, mainly Western, dialects with an admixture of elements of the medieval Old Norse language. About a fifth of all schoolchildren at will chooses to train as a nurse. This language is widely used in rural areas in the west of the country. Currently, there is a tendency to merge both languages into a single one - the so-called. Samnoshk.
Religion. The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, which has state status, is under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Science and Religion and includes 11 dioceses. By law, the king and at least half of all ministers must be Lutheran, although changing this provision is being discussed. Church councils play a very active role in the life of parishes, especially in the west and south of the country. The Norwegian Church supported many public activities and equipped important missions to Africa and India. In terms of the number of missionaries in relation to population, Norway probably ranks first in the world. Since 1938, women have been granted the right to be priests. The first woman was appointed priest in 1961. The vast majority of Norwegians (86%) belong to the state church. Church ceremonies such as the baptism of children, confirmation of teenagers and funeral services for the dead are widespread. Daily radio broadcasts on religious topics attract large audiences. However, only 2% of the population attend church regularly. Despite the state status of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Norwegians enjoy complete freedom of religion. According to a law adopted in 1969, the state provides financial support to other officially registered churches and religious organizations. In 1996, the most numerous of them were Pentecostals (43.7 thousand), Lutheran Free Church (20.6 thousand), United Methodist Church (42.5 thousand), Baptists (10.8 thousand), Jehovah's Witnesses denominations (15.1 thousand) and Seventh-day Adventists (6.3 thousand), Missionary Union (8 thousand), as well as Muslims (46.5 thousand), Catholics (36.5 thousand) and Jews (1 thousand).
STATE AND POLITICAL STRUCTURE
State structure. Norway is a constitutional monarchy. The king is the liaison between the three branches of government. The monarchy is hereditary, and since 1990 the throne has passed to the eldest son or daughter, although Princess Mertha Louise made an exception to this rule. Officially, the king makes all political appointments, is present at all ceremonies, and presides (along with the crown prince) in formal weekly meetings of the Council of State (government). Executive power is vested in the prime minister, who acts on behalf of the king. The Cabinet of Ministers consists of the Prime Minister and 16 ministers heading the relevant departments. The government bears collective responsibility for its policies, although each minister has the right to publicly disagree on a particular issue. Cabinet members are approved by the majority party or coalition in parliament - the Storting. They can participate in parliamentary debates, but do not have the right to vote. Civil servant posts are awarded after passing competitive examinations.
Legislative power belongs to the Storting, consisting of 165 members elected for four-year terms on party lists in each of the 19 regions (fylke). A deputy is elected for each member of the Storting. Thus, there is always a replacement for absent members and members of the Storting who are included in the government. In Norway, all citizens who have reached the age of 18 and have lived in the country for at least five years have the right to vote. To be nominated to the Storting, citizens must have resided in Norway for at least 10 years and be domiciled in the given constituency at the time of the election. After the elections, the Storting is divided into two chambers - the Lagting (41 deputies) and the Odelsting (124 deputies). Formal bills (as opposed to resolutions) must be discussed and voted on by both houses separately, but if there is a difference of opinion, a 2/3 majority in a joint session of the chambers must be required to pass the bill. However, most cases are decided at meetings of commissions, the composition of which is appointed depending on the representation of parties. The Lagting also holds meetings in conjunction with the Supreme Court to discuss impeachment proceedings against any government official at the Odelsting. Minor complaints against the government are reviewed by the Storting's special commissioner, the Ombudsman. Constitutional amendments require approval by a 2/3 majority at two consecutive meetings of the Storting.
Judicial system. The Supreme Court (Hyesterett) consists of five judges who hear appeals in civil and criminal cases from five regional courts of appeal (Lagmannsrett). The latter, consisting of three judges each, simultaneously serve as courts of first instance in more serious criminal cases. At a lower level is the city or county court, headed by a professional judge, assisted by two lay assistants. Each city also has an arbitration council (forliksrd), consisting of three citizens elected by the local council to mediate local disputes.
Local control. The territory of Norway is divided into 19 regions (fylkes), one of which is the city of Oslo. These areas are divided into urban and rural districts (communes). Each of them has a council, whose members are elected for a term of four years. Above the district councils is the regional council, which is directly elected. Local governments have large funds and have the right to independently tax themselves. These funds are allocated to education, health and social welfare, as well as infrastructure development. However, the police are subordinate to the state Department of Justice, and some authorities are concentrated at the regional level. In 1969, the Union of Norwegian Sami was organized, and in 1989 the parliamentary assembly of this people (Sameting) was elected. The Svalbard archipelago is governed by a governor located there. Political parties are playing important role in internal affairs and Norwegian foreign policy. The public prefers to seriously discuss political problems rather than find out the positions of different figures. Facilities mass media pay great attention to party platforms, lengthy discussions often flare up, although they rarely reach clashes and emotionally charged conflicts. From the 1930s to 1965, the government was controlled by the Norwegian Labor Party (NLP), which remained the largest party in the Storting into the 1990s. The CHP formed the government in 1971-1981, 1986-1989 and 1990-1997. In 1981, Gro Harlem Brundtland became the first woman to serve as prime minister and, with several interruptions, led the country until 1996. In addition to the leading role in political life Norway, Brundtland also occupied prominent positions in world politics. She lost her post to CHP chairman Thorbjørn Jagland, who ruled from October 1996 to October 1997. In the 1997 elections, the CHP won only 65 of 165 seats in the Storting, and its representatives were not included in the new government. The government is formed by four centrist and right-wing parties - the Christian People's Party (CHP), the conservative Heire and the liberal Venstre. The CHP enjoys the greatest influence in the western and southern regions of the country, where the position of the Lutheran Church is especially strong. This party opposes abortion and frivolous morals, and actively supports social programs. The HNP came in second place in the September 1997 elections, winning 25 seats in the Storting. HNP leader Kjell Magne Bundevik led a minority centrist coalition government in October 1997. From 1945 to 1993, Heyre's party was second in importance and formed coalition governments of center and right-wing parties several times in the 1980s. It defends the interests of private enterprise, supports the spirit of competition and Norway's entry into the EU, but at the same time adopts an extensive program for the social improvement of the country. The party has support primarily in Oslo and other major cities. She briefly led the center-right coalition when its leader Jan P. Susse was prime minister in 1989-1990, who then went into opposition. Heyre won 23 seats in the Storting in the September 1997 elections. The Center Party strengthened its position in the 1990s by opposing Norway's entry into the EU. Traditionally, it represents the interests of wealthy farmers and those employed in the fishery industry, i.e. residents of rural areas receiving significant government subsidies. This party won 11 seats in the Storting in the 1997 elections. Finally, the liberal Ventre Party, founded in 1884, which introduced parliamentary democracy in Norway a century ago, experienced a split after debates on European politics in 1973 and then lost representation in parliament. In 1997, only six members of the renewed Liberal Party won the elections. The right-wing populist Progress Party, which took second place in the 1997 elections, advocates cutting social programs and opposes immigration, high taxes and bureaucracy. In 1997 it set a record by winning 25 seats in the Storting, but was sharply criticized by other parties for openly nationalist speeches and hostility towards immigrants. The influence of the extreme left parties weakened after the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe, but the Socialist Left Party (SLP) gathered approx. 10% of votes. She supports state control over the economy and planning, puts forward demands for environmental protection and opposes Norway's entry into the EU. In the 1997 elections, the SLP won nine seats in the Storting.
Armed forces. According to the long-standing law on universal military conscription, all men between the ages of 19 and 45 must serve from 6 to 12 months in ground forces or 15 months in the Navy or Air Force. The army, which has five regional divisions, has a peacetime strength of approx. 14 thousand military personnel and is located mainly in the north of the country. Local defense forces (83 thousand people) are trained to carry out special tasks in certain areas. The navy has 4 patrol ships, 12 submarines and 28 small vessels for coastal patrol. In 1997, the contingent of military sailors numbered 4.4 thousand. In the same year, the air force included 3.7 thousand personnel, 80 fighter aircraft, as well as transport aircraft, helicopters, communications equipment and training units. The Nika missile defense system has been created in the Oslo area. The Norwegian Armed Forces take part in UN peacekeeping missions. The number of reserve soldiers and officers is 230 thousand. Defense expenditures amount to 2.3% of GDP.
Foreign policy. Norway is a small country, which due to geographical location and dependence on world trade actively participates in international life. Since 1949, the main political parties have supported Norway's participation in NATO. Scandinavian cooperation was strengthened by participation in the Nordic Council (this organization stimulates the cultural community of the Scandinavian countries and ensures mutual respect for the rights of their citizens), as well as efforts to create the Scandinavian Customs Union. Norway assisted in the creation of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and has been a member of it since 1960, and is also part of the Organization economic development and cooperation. In 1962, the Norwegian government applied to join the European Common Market and in 1972 agreed to the terms of admission to this organization. However, in a referendum held that year, Norwegians opposed participation in the common market. In a referendum in 1994, the population did not agree with Norway joining the EU, while its neighbors and partners Finland and Sweden joined this union.
ECONOMY
In the 19th century Most Norwegians were employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing. In the 20th century Agriculture was replaced by new industries based on the use of cheap water power and raw materials coming from farms and forests and extracted from the seas and mines. The merchant fleet played a decisive role in the growth of the country's prosperity. Since the 1970s, oil and gas production on the North Sea shelf has developed rapidly, which has made Norway the largest supplier of these products to the Western European market and second place in the world (after Saudi Arabia) in supplies to the world market.
Gross domestic product. In terms of per capita income, Norway is one of the richest countries in the world. In 1996, gross domestic product (GDP), i.e. the total value of market goods and services was estimated at $157.8 billion, or $36,020 per capita, and purchasing power at $11,593 per capita. In 1996, agriculture and fishing accounted for 2.2% of GDP, compared to 2% in Sweden (1994) and 1.7% in the USA (1993). The share of the extractive industry (thanks to oil production in the North Sea) and construction was approx. 30% of GDP compared to 25% in Sweden. Approximately 25% of GDP was allocated to government spending (in Sweden 26%, in Denmark 25%). In Norway, an unusually high share of GDP (20.5%) was allocated to capital investment (in Sweden 15%, in the USA 18%). As in other Scandinavian countries, a relatively small share of GDP (50%) goes to personal consumption (in Denmark - 54%, in the USA - 67%).
Economical geography. There are five economic regions in Norway: East (historical province of Östland), South (Särland), South-West (Westland), Central (Trennelag) and North (Noor-Norge). The Eastern region (Ostland) is characterized by long river valleys, descending to the south and converging on the Oslofjord, and inland areas occupied by forests and tundra. The latter occupies high plateaus between large valleys. About half of the country's forest resources are concentrated in this area. Almost half of the country's population lives in the valleys and on both banks of the Oslofjord. This is the most economically developed part of Norway. The city of Oslo has a wide range of industrial sectors, including metallurgy, mechanical engineering, flour milling, printing, and almost all textile industries. Oslo is a shipbuilding center. The Oslo region accounts for approximately 1/5 of all industrial employment in the country. South-east of Oslo, where the Glomma River flows into the Skagerrak, lies the city of Sarpsborg, the country's second largest industrial center. The Skagerrak is home to sawmills and pulp and paper industries that use local raw materials. For this purpose, the forest resources of the Glomma River basin are used. On the western shore of the Oslofjord, southwest of Oslo, there are cities whose industries are related to the sea and seafood processing. This is the shipbuilding center of Tønsberg and the former base of the Norwegian whaling fleet Sandefjord. Noshk Hydru, the country's second-largest industrial concern, produces nitrogen fertilizers and other chemicals at a huge plant in Hereya. Drammen, located on the shores of the western branch of the Oslofjord, is a center for processing wood coming from the forests of Hallingdal. The southern region (Serland), open to the Skagerrak, is economically the least developed. A third of the area is covered in forests and was once an important timber trading center. At the end of the 19th century. There was a significant outflow of population from this territory. Currently, the population is largely concentrated in a chain of small coastal towns that are popular summer resorts. The main industrial enterprises are the metallurgical plants in Kristiansand, producing copper and nickel. About a quarter of the country's population is concentrated in the Southwestern region (Westland). Between Stavanger and Kristiansund, 12 large fjords extend inland and the heavily dissected shores are lined with thousands of islands. Agricultural development is limited by the mountainous terrain of fjords and rocky islands bordered by steep high banks, where glaciers in the past have removed the cover of loose sediments. Agriculture is confined to river valleys and terraced areas along the fjords. In these places, in a maritime climate, rich pastures are common, and in some coastal areas - orchards. Vestland ranks first in the country in terms of the length of the growing season. The ports of southwestern Norway, particularly Ålesund, serve as bases for the winter herring fishery. Metallurgical and chemical plants are scattered throughout the region, often in secluded places on the shores of fjords, using rich hydropower resources and year-round ice-free ports. Bergen is the main center of the area's manufacturing industry. In this city and neighboring villages there are engineering, flour-grinding and textile enterprises. Since the 1970s, Stavanger, Sandnes and Sula have been the main centers from which the North Sea offshore oil and gas production infrastructure is maintained and where oil refineries are located. The fourth most important of Norway's major economic regions is West Central (Trennelag), adjacent to the Trondheimsfjord, with its center in Trondheim. Relatively flat surface and fertile soils on marine clays favored the development of agriculture, which turned out to be competitive with agriculture in the Oslofjord region. A quarter of the territory is covered with forests. In the area under consideration, deposits of valuable minerals are being developed, especially copper ores and pyrites (Lekken - since 1665, Volldal, etc.). The northern region (Nur-Norge) is located mostly north of the Arctic Circle. Although it does not have the large timber and hydropower reserves of northern Sweden and Finland, the shelf area contains some of the richest fisheries in the Northern Hemisphere. The coastline is long. Fishing, the oldest occupation of the population in the north, is still widespread, but the mining industry is becoming increasingly important. Northern Norway occupies a leading position in the country in the development of this industry. Iron ore deposits are being developed, particularly in Kirkenes near the Russian border. There are significant deposits of iron ore in Rana near the Arctic Circle. The mining of these ores and the work at the metallurgical plant at Mo i Rana attracted settlers to the area from other parts of the country, but the population of the entire Northern region does not exceed the population of Oslo.
Agriculture. As in other Scandinavian countries, in Norway the share of agriculture in the economy has declined due to the development of the manufacturing industry. In 1996, agriculture and forestry employed 5.2% of the country's working population, and these sectors accounted for only 2.2% of total output. The natural conditions of Norway - high latitude and short growing season, poor soils, abundant rainfall and cool summers - greatly complicate the development of agriculture. As a result, mainly fodder crops are grown and dairy products are of great importance. In 1996, approx. 3% of the total area. 49% of agricultural land was used for hayfields and forage crops, 38% for cereals or legumes, and 11% for pastures. Barley, oats, potatoes and wheat are the main food crops. In addition, every fourth Norwegian family cultivates its own plot. Agriculture in Norway is a low-profit sector of the economy, which is in an extremely difficult situation, despite subsidies provided to support peasant farms in remote areas and expand the country's food supply from internal resources. The country has to import most of the food it consumes. Many farmers produce agricultural products in quantities only sufficient to meet family needs. Additional income comes from working in fishing or forestry. Despite objective difficulties, wheat production in Norway increased significantly, which in 1996 reached 645 thousand tons (in 1970 - only 12 thousand tons, and in 1987 - 249 thousand tons). After 1950, many small farms were abandoned or acquired by large landowners. In the period 1949-1987, 56 thousand farms ceased to exist, and by 1995 another 15 thousand. However, despite the concentration and mechanization of agriculture, 82.6% of Norwegian peasant farms in 1995 had land plots of less than 20 hectares (average plot 10 .2 hectares) and only 1.4% - over 50 hectares. The seasonal movement of livestock, particularly sheep, to mountain pastures ceased after the Second World War. Mountain pastures and temporary settlements (seters), used only for a few weeks in the summer, were now no longer needed, as the collection of fodder crops in the fields around permanent settlements increased. Fishing has long been a source of wealth for the country. In 1995 Norway ranked tenth in the world in fisheries development, while in 1975 it held fifth place. The total fish catch in 1995 was 2.81 million tons, or 15% of the total European catch. Fish exports for Norway are a source of foreign exchange earnings: in 1996, 2.5 million tons of fish, fishmeal and fish oil were exported for a total of $4.26 million. The coastal banks near Ålesund are the main herring fishing area. Due to overfishing, herring production fell sharply from the late 1960s to 1979, but then began to rise again and in the late 1990s was well above 1960s levels. Herring is the main fishery object. In 1996, 760.7 thousand tons of herring were harvested. In the 1970s, artificial salmon farming began, mainly off the southwestern coast of the country. In this new industry, Norway occupies a leading position in the world: in 1996, 330 thousand tons were produced - three times more than in Great Britain, which is Norway's competitor. Cod and shrimp are also valuable components of the catch. Cod fishing areas are concentrated in the north, off the coast of Finnmark, as well as in the fjords of the Lofoten Islands. In February-March, cod enters these more sheltered waters to spawn. Most fishermen fish for cod using small family boats and spend the rest of the year farming on farms scattered along Norway's coastline. Cod fishing areas around the Lofoten Islands are assessed according to established traditions depending on boat size, type of net, location and duration of fishing. Most of the cod catch is supplied fresh frozen to the Western European market. Dried and salted cod is sold mainly to West African countries, Latin America and the Mediterranean. Norway was once the world's leading whaling power. In the 1930s, its whaling fleet in Antarctic waters supplied the market with 2/3 of the world's production. However, reckless fishing soon led to a sharp decline in the number of large whales. In the 1960s, whaling in Antarctica ceased. In the mid-1970s, there were no whaling vessels left in the Norwegian fishing fleet. However, fishermen are still killing small whales. The annual slaughter of approximately 250 whales caused significant international friction in the late 1980s, but as a member of the International Whale Commission, Norway stubbornly rejected all attempts to ban whaling. It also ignored the 1992 International Convention on the End of Whaling.
Extractive industry. The Norwegian sector of the North Sea contains large reserves of oil and natural gas. According to 1997 estimates, industrial oil reserves in this area were estimated at 1.5 billion tons, and gas reserves at 765 billion cubic meters. m. 3/4 of the total oil reserves and fields in Western Europe are concentrated here. Norway is ranked 11th in the world in terms of oil reserves. The Norwegian sector of the North Sea contains half of all gas reserves in Western Europe, and Norway holds 10th place in the world in this regard. Prospective oil reserves reach 16.8 billion tons, and gas reserves - 47.7 trillion. cube m. More than 17 thousand Norwegians are engaged in oil production. The presence of large oil reserves has been established in Norwegian waters north of the Arctic Circle. Oil production in 1996 exceeded 175 million tons, and natural gas production in 1995 - 28 billion cubic meters. m. The main fields being developed are Ekofisk, Sleipner and Thor-Valhall to the southwest of Stavanger and Troll, Useberg, Gullfaks, Frigg, Statfjord and Murchison to the west of Bergen, as well as Dreugen and Haltenbakken further to the north. Oil production began at the Ekofisk field in 1971 and increased throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In the late 1990s, rich new deposits of Heidrun near the Arctic Circle and Baller were discovered. In 1997, North Sea oil production was three times higher than 10 years earlier, and its further growth was limited only by falling demand on the world market. 90% of the oil produced is exported. Norway began producing gas in 1978 from the Frigg field, half of which is located in British territorial waters. Pipelines have been laid from Norwegian fields to the UK and Western European countries. The development of the fields is carried out by the state company Statoil together with foreign and private Norwegian oil companies. With the exception of fuel resources, Norway has few mineral reserves. The main metal resource is iron ore. In 1995 Norway produced 1.3 million tons of iron ore concentrate, mainly from the Sør-Varangägr mines in Kirkenes near the Russian border. Another large mine in the Rana region supplies the nearby large steel mill in the city of Mu. Copper is mined mainly in the far north. In 1995, 7.4 thousand tons of copper were mined. In the north there are also deposits of pyrites, used to extract sulfur compounds for the chemical industry. Several hundred thousand tons of pyrites were mined annually until this production was curtailed in the early 1990s. The largest ilmenite deposit in Europe is located in Tellnes in Southern Norway. Ilmenite is a source of titanium oxide used in the production of dyes and plastics. In 1996, 758.7 thousand tons of ilmenite were mined in Norway. Norway produces significant amounts of titanium (708 thousand tons), a metal of increasing importance, zinc (41.4 thousand tons) and lead (7.2 thousand tons), as well as small amounts of gold and silver. The most important non-metallic minerals are cement raw materials and limestone. In Norway in 1996, 1.6 million tons of cement raw materials were produced. Development of deposits of building stone, including granite and marble, is also underway.
Forestry. A quarter of Norway's territory - 8.3 million hectares - is covered with forests. The densest forests are in the east, where logging mainly takes place. Over 9 million cubic meters are being prepared. m of wood per year. Spruce and pine have the greatest commercial value. The logging season usually falls between November and April. The 1950s and 1960s saw rapid growth in mechanization, and by 1970 less than 1% of all employed people in the country received income from forestry. 2/3 of the forests are private property, but all forested areas are under strict government supervision. As a result of unsystematic logging, the area of overmature forests has increased. In 1960, an extensive reforestation program began to expand the area of productive forests in the sparsely populated areas of the north and west as far as the Vestland fjords.
Energy. Energy consumption in Norway in 1994 amounted to 23.1 million tons in terms of coal or 4580 kg per capita. Hydropower accounted for 43% of total energy production, oil also 43%, natural gas 7%, coal and wood 3%. Norway's deep rivers and lakes have greater hydropower reserves than any other European country. Electricity, almost entirely generated by hydroelectric power, is the cheapest in the world, and its per capita production and consumption are the highest. In 1994, 25,712 kWh of electricity was produced per person. In general, more than 100 billion kWh of electricity is generated annually
Norway's manufacturing industry developed at a slow pace due to coal shortages, a narrow domestic market, and limited capital inflows. The manufacturing, construction and energy industries accounted for 26% of gross output and 17% of all employment in 1996. IN last years energy-intensive industries have developed. The main industries in Norway are electrometallurgical, electrochemical, pulp and paper, radio electronics, and shipbuilding. The Oslofjord region has the highest level of industrialization, where approximately half of the country's industrial enterprises are concentrated. The leading industry is electrometallurgy, which relies on the widespread use of cheap hydropower. The main product, aluminum, is made from imported aluminum oxide. In 1996, 863.3 thousand tons of aluminum were produced. Norway is the main supplier of this metal in Europe. Norway also produces zinc, nickel, copper and high-quality alloy steel. Zinc is produced at a plant in Eitrheim on the coast of the Hardangerfjord, nickel is produced in Kristiansand from ore brought from Canada. A large ferroalloy plant is located in Sandefjord, southwest of Oslo. Norway is Europe's largest supplier of ferroalloys. In 1996, metallurgical output amounted to approx. 14% of the country's exports. One of the main products of the electrochemical industry is nitrogen fertilizers. The nitrogen required for this is extracted from the air using large amounts of electricity. A significant part of nitrogen fertilizers is exported.
Pulp and paper industry is an important industrial sector in Norway. In 1996, 4.4 million tons of paper and pulp were produced. Paper mills are located mainly near the vast forested areas of eastern Norway, for example at the mouth of the Glomma River (the country's largest timber rafting artery) and in Drammen. The production of various machines and transport equipment employs approx. 25% of industrial workers in Norway. The most important areas of activity are shipbuilding and ship repair, production of equipment for the production and transmission of electricity. The textile, clothing and food industries produce few products for export. They satisfy most of Norway's own needs for food and clothing. These industries employ approx. 20% of the country's industrial workers.
Transport and communications. Despite the mountainous terrain, Norway has well-developed internal communications. The state owns railways with a length of approx. 4 thousand km, of which over half are electrified. However, most of the population prefers to drive cars. In 1995 the total length highways exceeded 90.3 thousand km, but only 74% of them had a hard surface. In addition to railways and roads, there were ferry services and coastal shipping. In 1946, Norway, Sweden and Denmark founded the Scandinavian Airlines Systems (SAS) airline. Norway has developed local air services: it ranks among the first in the world in terms of domestic passenger traffic. Communication means, including telephone and telegraph, remain in the hands of the state, but the issue of creating mixed enterprises with the participation of private capital is being considered. In 1996, there were 56 telephone sets per 1 thousand residents of Norway. The network of modern electronic communications is rapidly expanding. There is a significant private sector in radio and television broadcasting. Norwegian Public Broadcasting (NPB) remains the dominant system, despite the widespread use of satellite and cable television.
International trade. In 1997, Norway's leading trading partners in both export and import were Germany, Sweden and the UK, followed by Denmark, the Netherlands and the USA. The predominant export items by value are oil and gas (55%) and finished goods (36%). Products of the oil refining and petrochemical, forestry, electrochemical and electrometallurgical industries, and food are exported. The main import items are finished products (81.6%), food products and agricultural raw materials (9.1%). The country imports some types of mineral fuels, bauxite, iron, manganese and chrome ore, and cars. With rising oil production and exports in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Norway had a very favorable balance sheet foreign trade. Then world oil prices fell sharply, exports declined, and for several years Norway's trade balance was in deficit. However, by the mid-1990s the balance became positive again. In 1996, the value of Norway's exports was $46 billion, and the value of imports was only $33 billion. The trade surplus is supplemented by large revenues from the Norwegian merchant fleet, with a total displacement of 21 million gross registered tons, which according to the new International Shipping Register received significant privileges allowing it to compete with other ships flying foreign flags.
Monetary circulation and the state budget. The unit of currency is the Norwegian krone. In 1997, government revenues amounted to 81.2 billion dollars, and expenses - 71.8 billion dollars. In the budget, the main sources of income were contributions to social security (19%), income and property taxes (33%), excise taxes and value added tax (31%). The main expenditures were allocated to social security and housing construction (39%), servicing external debt (12%), public education (13%) and healthcare (14%). In 1994, Norway's external debt was $39 billion. The government in the 1990s created a special oil fund using windfall profits from oil sales, intended as a reserve for when oil fields are depleted. It is estimated that by 2000 it will reach $100 billion, most of it placed abroad.
SOCIETY
Structure. The most common agricultural unit is the small family farm. With the exception of a few forest holdings, Norway has no large land holdings. Seasonal fishing is also often family-based and carried out on a small scale. Motorized fishing boats are mostly small wooden boats. In 1996, approximately 5% of industrial firms employed more than 100 workers, and even such large enterprises sought to establish informal relationships between workers and management. In the early 1970s, reforms were introduced that gave workers the right to exercise greater control over production. At some large enterprises, working groups began to monitor the progress of individual production processes themselves. Norwegians have a strong sense of equality. This egalitarian approach is the cause and consequence of using the economic levers of state power to mitigate social conflicts. There is a scale of income taxes. In 1996, approximately 37% of budget expenditures were directed to direct financing social sphere. Another mechanism for leveling social differences is strict state control over housing construction. Most of the loans are provided by the state housing bank, and construction is carried out by companies with cooperative ownership. Due to the climate and topography, construction is expensive, however, the ratio between the number of residents and the number of rooms they occupy is considered quite high. In 1990, there were an average of 2.5 people per dwelling consisting of four rooms with a total area of 103.5 square meters. m. Approximately 80.3% of the housing stock belongs to the individuals living in it.
Social Security. The National Insurance Scheme, a compulsory pension system covering all Norwegian citizens, was introduced in 1967. Health insurance and unemployment assistance were included in the system in 1971. All Norwegians, including housewives, receive a basic pension upon reaching 65 years of age. The additional pension depends on income and length of service. The average pension is approximately 2/3 of earnings in the highest paid years. Pensions are paid from insurance funds (20%), from contributions from employers (60%) and from the state budget (20%). Loss of income during illness is compensated by sickness benefits, and in case of long-term illness by disability pensions. Medical care is paid, but social insurance funds pay for all treatment costs exceeding $187 per year (doctor services, stay and treatment in public hospitals, maternity hospitals and sanatoriums, purchase of medicines for some chronic diseases, as well as full-time employment - two-week annual benefit in case of temporary disability). Women receive free prenatal and postnatal care medical care, and working women with full-time employment are entitled to 42 weeks of paid maternity leave. The state guarantees all citizens, including housewives, the right to four weeks of paid leave. In addition, persons over 60 years of age have an additional week's leave. Families receive benefits of $1,620 per year for each child under 17 years of age. Every 10 years, all workers are entitled to an annual leave with full wages for training for the purpose of advanced training.
Organizations. Many Norwegians are involved in one or more voluntary organizations, catering to a variety of interests, most often related to sports and culture. Great importance has a Sports Association, which organizes and supervises hiking and skiing routes and supports other sports. The economy is also dominated by associations. Chambers of Commerce control industry and entrepreneurship. The Central Economic Organization (Nringslivets Hovedorganisasjon) represents 27 national trade associations. It was formed in 1989 by the merger of the Federation of Industry, the Federation of Craftsmen and the Association of Employers. The interests of shipping are expressed by the Association of Norwegian Shipowners and the Association of Scandinavian Shipowners, the latter is involved in concluding collective agreements with seafarers' unions. Small entrepreneurial activity controlled mainly by the Federation of Trade and Service Enterprises, which in 1990 had approximately 100 branches. Other organizations include the Norwegian Forestry Society, which deals with forestry issues; the Federation of Agriculture, which represents the interests of livestock, poultry and agricultural cooperatives, and the Norwegian Trade Council, which promotes foreign trade and overseas markets. Trade unions in Norway are very influential, they unite approximately 40% (1.4 million) of all employees. The Central Association of Trade Unions of Norway (CNTU), founded in 1899, represents 28 unions with 818.2 thousand members (1997). Employers are organized in the Norwegian Employers' Confederation, founded in 1900. It represents their interests in collective bargaining agreements in enterprises. Labor disputes are often referred to arbitration court. In Norway, during the period 1988-1996, there were an average of 12.5 strikes per year. They are less common than in many other industrialized countries. The largest number of union members is in the management and manufacturing industries, although the highest coverage rates are observed in the maritime sectors. Many local trade unions are affiliated with local branches of the Norwegian Labor Party. Regional trade union associations and the CNPC provide funds for the party press and for the election campaigns of the Norwegian Labor Party.
Local diversity. Although the integration of Norwegian society has increased with improved communications, local customs are still alive in the country. In addition to promoting the New Norwegian language (Nynoshk), each county maintains its own dialects, maintains traditional costumes for ritual performances, supports the study of local history, and publishes local newspapers. Bergen and Trondheim like former capitals have cultural traditions that differ from those in Oslo. Northern Norway also develops a distinctive local culture, mainly as a result of the distance of its tiny settlements from the rest of the country.
Family. The close-knit family has been a specific feature of Norwegian society since Viking times. Most Norwegian surnames are of local origin, often associated with some natural features or with the economic development of land that occurred in Viking times or even earlier. Ownership of the family farm is protected by inheritance law (odelsrett), which gives the family the right to buy back the farm, even if it has recently been sold. In rural areas, the family remains the most important unit of society. Family members travel from far and wide to attend weddings, christenings, confirmations and funerals. This commonality often does not disappear in urban life. With the onset of summer, the favorite and most economical way for the whole family to spend holidays and vacations is to live in a small country house (hytte) in the mountains or on the seashore. The status of women in Norway is protected by the law and customs of the country. In 1981, Prime Minister Brundtland introduced an equal number of women and men into her cabinet, and all subsequent governments were formed according to the same principle. Women are widely represented in the judiciary, education, health care and management. In 1995, approximately 77% of women aged 15 to 64 worked outside the home. Thanks to a developed system of nurseries and kindergartens, mothers can work and run a household at the same time.
CULTURE
The roots of Norwegian culture go back to the Viking traditions, the medieval "age of greatness" and the sagas. Although Norwegian cultural masters were usually influenced by Western European art and assimilated many of its styles and subjects, their work nevertheless reflected the specifics of their native country. Poverty, the struggle for independence, admiration for nature - all these motives are manifested in Norwegian music, literature and painting (including decorative ones). Nature still plays an important role in folk culture, this is evidenced by the extraordinary passion of the Norwegians for sports and life in the lap of nature. The media have great educational importance. For example, periodicals devote a lot of space to events in cultural life. The abundance of bookstores, museums and theaters also serves as an indicator of the keen interest of the Norwegian people in their cultural traditions.
Education. At all levels, education costs are covered by the state. The education reform launched in 1993 was supposed to improve the quality of education. The compulsory education program is divided into three levels: from pre-school to 4th grade, 5-7 grades and 8-10 grades. Teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 can complete the secondary education necessary to enter a trade school, high school (college) or university. In rural areas of the country there are approx. 80 highest public schools where general education subjects are taught. Most of these schools receive funds from religious communities, private individuals or local authorities. Higher education institutions in Norway are represented by four universities (in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Tromso), six specialized higher schools(colleges) and two state art schools, 26 state colleges in the county and courses additional education for adults. In the 1995/1996 academic year, 43.7 thousand students studied at the country's universities; in other higher educational institutions- another 54.8 thousand. Education at universities is paid. Typically, students are provided with loans to obtain an education. Universities train civil servants, religious ministers and university teachers. In addition, universities almost exclusively supply doctors, dentists, engineers and scientists. Universities also engage in fundamental scientific research. The University of Oslo Library is the largest national library. Norway has numerous research institutes, laboratories and development bureaus. Among them, the Academy of Sciences in Oslo, the Christian Michelsen Institute in Bergen and the Scientific Society in Trondheim stand out. There are large folk museums on the island of Bygdøy near Oslo and in Maiheugen near Lillehammer, in which one can trace the development of building art and various aspects of rural culture since ancient times. In a special museum on the island of Bygdey, three Viking ships are exhibited, clearly illustrating the life of Scandinavian society in the 9th century. AD, as well as two ships of modern pioneers - Fridtjof Nansen's ship "Fram" and Thor Heyerdahl's raft "Kon-Tiki". On Norway's active role in international relations The Nobel Institute, the Institute for Comparative Cultural Studies, the Peace Research Institute and the Society of International Law, located in this country, testify.
Literature and art. The spread of Norwegian culture was hampered by a limited audience, which was especially true for writers who wrote in the little-known Norwegian language. Therefore, the government has long begun to provide subsidies to support the arts. They are included in the state budget and are used to provide grants to artists, organize exhibitions and directly purchase works of art. In addition, income from state-run football competitions is provided to the General Research Council, which funds cultural projects. Norway has given the world outstanding figures in all fields of culture and art: playwright Henrik Ibsen, writers Bjornstern Bjornson ( Nobel Prize 1903), Knut Hamsun (Nobel Prize 1920) and Sigrid Undset (Nobel Prize 1928), artist Edvard Munch and composer Edvard Grieg. The problematic novels of Sigurd Hull, the poetry and prose of Tarjei Vesos and the pictures of rural life in the novels of Johan Falkberget also stand out as achievements of Norwegian literature of the 20th century. Probably, in terms of poetic expressiveness, the writers who write in the New Norwegian language are most distinguished, among them the most famous is Tarjei Vesos (1897-1970). Poetry is very popular in Norway. Relative to the population, Norway produces several times more books than the United States, and many of the authors are women. The leading contemporary lyricist is Stein Mehren. However, the poets of the previous generation are much better known, especially Arnulf Everland (1889-1968), Nordal Grieg (1902-1943) and Hermann Willenwey (1886-1959). In the 1990s, Norwegian writer Jostein Gorder gained international recognition with his philosophical children's story Sophia's World. The Norwegian government supports three theaters in Oslo, five theaters in large provincial cities and one traveling national theater company. Influence folk traditions can also be seen in sculpture and painting. The leading Norwegian sculptor was Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943), and the most famous artist was Edvard Munch (1863-1944). The work of these masters reflects the influence of abstract art in Germany and France. Norwegian painting showed a tendency toward frescoes and other decorative forms, especially under the influence of Rolf Nesch, who immigrated from Germany. The leader of the representatives of abstract art is Jacob Weidemann. The most famous promoter of conventional sculpture is Duret Vaux. The search for innovative traditions in sculpture was manifested in the works of Per Falle Storm, Per Hurum, Yusef Grimeland, Arnold Heukeland and others. The expressive school of figurative art, which played an important role in the artistic life of Norway in the 1980-1990s, is represented by such masters as Björn Carlsen (b. 1945), Kjell Erik Olsen (b. 1952), Per Inge Bjerlu (b. 1952) and Bente Stokke (b. 1952). Revival of Norwegian music in the 20th century. noticeable in the works of several composers. The musical drama of Harald Severud based on Peer Gynt, the atonal compositions of Fartein Valen, the fiery folk music of Klaus Egge and the melodic interpretation of traditional folk music of Sparre Olsen testify to the vital trends in contemporary Norwegian music. In the 1990s, Norwegian pianist and classical music performer Lars Ove Annsnes gained worldwide recognition.
Mass media. With the exception of the popular illustrated weeklies, the rest of the media are kept in a serious spirit. There are many newspapers, but their circulation is small. In 1996, 154 newspapers were published in the country, including 83 daily newspapers; the seven largest ones accounted for 58% of the total circulation. Radio broadcasting and television are state monopolies. Cinemas are mainly owned by the communes, and sometimes Norwegian-produced films subsidized by the state are successful. Usually American and other foreign films are shown.
Sports, customs and holidays. Big role Outdoor recreation is central to the national culture. Football and the annual international ski jumping competition in Holmenkollen near Oslo are very popular. At the Olympic Games, Norwegian athletes most often excel in skiing and speed skating competitions. Popular activities include swimming, sailing, orienteering, hiking, camping, boating, fishing and hunting. All citizens in Norway are entitled to almost five weeks of paid annual leave, including three weeks of summer leave. Eight church holidays are celebrated; on these days people try to go out of town. The same applies to two national holidays - Labor Day (May 1) and Constitution Day (May 17).
STORY
The most ancient period. There is evidence that primitive hunters lived in some areas on the northern and northwestern coast of Norway shortly after the ice sheet retreated. However, naturalistic paintings on cave walls along the West Coast were created much later. Agriculture spread slowly to Norway after 3000 BC. During the Roman Empire, the inhabitants of Norway had contact with the Gauls, the development of runic writing (used from the 3rd to 13th centuries AD by Germanic tribes, especially the Scandinavians and Anglo-Saxons for tombstone inscriptions as well as for magic spells), and the settlement process territory of Norway was carried out at a rapid pace. From 400 AD the population was replenished by migrants from the south, who paved the “path to the north” (Nordwegr, hence the name of the country - Norway). At that time, the first tiny kingdoms were created to organize local self-defense. In particular, the Ynglings, a branch of the first Swedish royal family, founded one of the most ancient feudal states west of the Oslofjord.
Viking Age and mid-Middle Ages. Around 900, Harald the Fairhair (son of Halfdan the Black, a minor ruler of the Yngling family) managed to found a larger kingdom, winning, together with Earl Hladir of Trennelagh, over other minor feudal lords at the Battle of Havsfjord. Having suffered defeat and lost their independence, dissatisfied feudal lords took part in the Viking campaigns. Due to the growing population on the coast, some inhabitants were pushed into inland, infertile areas, while others began to pirate raids, engage in trade, or settle in overseas countries.
See also VIKINGS. The sparsely populated islands of Scotland were probably settled by people from Norway long before the first documented Viking expedition to England in 793 AD. Over the next two centuries, Norwegian Vikings were actively engaged in plundering foreign lands. They conquered possessions in Ireland, Scotland, northeastern England and northern France, and also colonized the Faroe Islands, Iceland and even Greenland. In addition to ships, the Vikings had iron tools and were skilled woodcarvers. Once in overseas countries, the Vikings settled there and expanded trade. In Norway itself, even before the creation of cities (they arose only in the 11th century), markets grew on the coasts of the fjords. The state left as a legacy by Harald Fairhair was the subject of fierce disputes between claimants to the throne for 80 years. Kings and jarls, pagan and Christian Vikings, Norwegians and Danes staged bloody showdowns. Olaf (Olav) II (c. 1016-1028), a descendant of Harald, managed to unite Norway for a short time and introduce Christianity. He was killed at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030 by rebel chieftains (Hevdings) who had formed an alliance with Denmark. After his death, Olaf was almost immediately canonized and canonized in 1154. A cathedral was built in his honor in Trondheim, and after a short period of Danish rule (1028-1035), the throne was returned to his family. The first Christian missionaries in Norway were predominantly English; the abbots of English monasteries became owners of large estates. Only the carved decorations of the new wooden churches (dragons and other pagan symbols) were reminiscent of the Viking Age. Harald the Severe was the last Norwegian king to claim power in England (where he died in 1066), and his grandson Magnus III Barefoot was the last king to claim power in Ireland. In 1170, by decree of the pope, an archbishopric was created in Trondheim with five suffragan bishoprics in Norway and six in the western islands, Iceland and Greenland. Norway became the spiritual center of a vast territory in the North Atlantic. Although the Catholic Church wanted the throne to pass to the king's eldest legitimate son, this succession was often disrupted. The most famous is the impostor Sverre from the Faroe Islands, who seized the throne despite being excommunicated. During the long reign of Haakon IV (1217-1263), the civil wars subsided and Norway entered a short-lived "era of prosperity". At this time, the creation of centralized government of the country was completed: a royal council was established, the king appointed regional governors and judicial officials. Although the regional legislative assembly (ting) inherited from the past still remained, in 1274 a national code of laws was adopted. The power of the Norwegian king was first recognized by Iceland and Greenland, and it was more firmly established than previously in the Faroe, Shetland and Orkney Islands. Other Norwegian possessions in Scotland were formally returned to the Scottish king in 1266. At this time, overseas trade flourished, and Haakon IV, whose residence was in the center of trade - Bergen, concluded the very first known trade agreement with the king of England. The 13th century was the last period of independence and greatness in early history Norway. During this century, Norwegian sagas telling about the country's past were collected. In Iceland, Snorri Sturluson wrote Heimskringla and the Prose Edda, and Snorri's nephew, Sturla Thordsson, wrote the Icelanders' Saga, the Sturlinga Saga and the Håkon Håkonsson Saga, which are considered the earliest works of Scandinavian literature.
Kalmar Union. The decline in the role of the Norwegian merchant class began ca. 1250 when Hanseatic League (which united shopping centers in northern Germany) established its office in Bergen. His agents imported grain from the Baltic countries in exchange for Norway's traditional export of dried cod. The aristocracy died out during the plague that struck the country in 1349 and killed almost half the entire population. Huge damage was caused to dairy farming, which formed the basis of agriculture on many estates. Against this background, Norway had become the weakest of the Scandinavian monarchies by the time, due to the extinction of the royal dynasties, Denmark, Sweden and Norway united in accordance with the Union of Kalmar 1397. Sweden left the union in 1523, but Norway was increasingly considered an appendage of the Danish crown, which ceded Orkney and Shetland to Scotland. Relations with Denmark became strained at the beginning of the Reformation, when the last Catholic archbishop of Trondheim tried unsuccessfully to oppose the introduction of a new religion in 1536. Lutheranism spread north to Bergen, a center of activity for German merchants, and then to more northern parts of the country. Norway received the status of a Danish province, which was ruled directly from Copenhagen and was forced to adopt the Lutheran Danish liturgy and bible. Until the middle of the 17th century. There were no prominent politicians or artists in Norway, and few books were published until 1643. The Danish king Christian IV (1588-1648) took a keen interest in Norway. He encouraged the mining of silver, copper and iron and fortified the frontier in the far north. He also established a small Norwegian army and promoted conscription in Norway and the construction of ships for the Danish navy. However, due to participation in the wars waged by Denmark, Norway was forced to permanently cede three border districts to Sweden. Around 1550, the first sawmills appeared in Norway, which contributed to the development of timber trade with Dutch and other foreign customers. The logs were floated down the rivers to the coast, where they were sawed and loaded onto ships. The revival of economic activity contributed to the growth of the population, which in 1660 amounted to approx. 450 thousand people versus 400 thousand in 1350. National rise in the 17-18 centuries. After the establishment of absolutism in 1661, Denmark and Norway began to be considered “twin kingdoms”; thus, their equality was formally recognized. In the law code of Christian IV (1670-1699), which had a great influence on Danish law, the serfdom that existed in Denmark did not extend to Norway, where the number of free landowners was rapidly growing. The civil, ecclesiastical, and military officials who ruled Norway spoke Danish, studied in Denmark, and administered that country's policies, but often belonged to families that had lived in Norway for generations. The mercantilism policy of that time led to the concentration of trade in cities. There, new opportunities opened up for immigrants from Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain and Denmark and a class of merchant bourgeoisie developed, replacing the local nobility and the Hanseatic associations (the latter of these associations lost its privileges at the end of the 16th century). In the 18th century the timber was sold mainly to Great Britain and was often transported on Norwegian ships. Fish was exported from Bergen and other ports. Norwegian trade flourished especially during wars between the great powers. In an environment of growing prosperity in the cities, the preconditions were created for the establishment of a national Norwegian bank and university. Despite occasional protests against excessive taxes or illegal actions of government officials, in general the peasantry passively took a loyal position towards the king, who lived in distant Copenhagen. Ideas French Revolution had some influence on Norway, which was also greatly enriched by the expansion of trade during the Napoleonic wars. In 1807, the British subjected Copenhagen to brutal shelling and took the Danish-Norwegian fleet to England so that it would not fall to Napoleon. The blockade of Norway by English military courts caused great damage, and the Danish king was forced to establish a temporary administration - the Government Commission. After Napoleon's defeat, Denmark was forced to cede Norway to the Swedish king (according to the Treaty of Kiel, 1814). Refusing to submit, the Norwegians took advantage of the situation and convened a State (Constituent) Assembly of representatives nominated mainly from the wealthy classes. It adopted a liberal constitution and elected the Danish heir to the throne, Viceroy of Norway Christian Frederick, as king. However, it was not possible to defend independence due to the position of the great powers, which guaranteed Sweden the accession of Norway to it. The Swedes sent troops against Norway, and the Norwegians were forced to agree to a union with Sweden, while maintaining their constitution and independence in internal affairs. In November 1814, the first elected parliament - the Storting - recognized the power of the Swedish king.
Rule of the elite (1814-1884). The loss of the English timber market, intercepted by Canada, cost Norway dearly. The country's population, which grew from 1 million to 1.5 million people in the period 1824-1853, was forced to switch to supplying its own food mainly through subsistence agriculture and fishing. At the same time, the country needed to reform its central government. Politicians who defended the interests of the peasantry demanded lower taxes, but less than 1/10 of the citizens had the right to vote, and the population as a whole continued to rely on the ruling class of officials. The king (or his representative - the stateholder) appointed the Norwegian government, some of whose members visited the monarch in Stockholm. The Storting met every three years to review financial statements, respond to complaints, and repel any Swedish attempts to revise the agreement of 1814. The king had the right to veto decisions of the Storting, and approximately every eighth bill was rejected in this way. In the middle of the 19th century. The national economy began to rise. In 1849 Norway provided most of Britain's freight traffic. The free trade trends that prevailed in Great Britain in turn favored the expansion of Norwegian exports and opened the way to the import of British machinery, as well as the establishment of textile and other small industries in Norway. The government promoted the development of transport by providing subsidies for the organization of regular voyages of mail ships along the country's coast. Roads were built into previously inaccessible areas, and in 1854 traffic opened on the first railway. The revolutions of 1848, which swept across Europe, caused a direct response in Norway, where a movement arose defending the interests of industrial workers, small landowners and tenants. It was poorly prepared and quickly suppressed. Despite the intensified integration processes in the economy, standard of living increased at a slow pace and, in general, life remained difficult. In subsequent decades, many Norwegians found a way out of this situation by emigrating. During the period from 1850 to 1920, 800 thousand Norwegians emigrated, mainly to the USA. In 1837 the Storting introduced a democratic system of local government, which gave new impetus to local political activity. As education became more accessible, the peasantry again became ready for long-term political activity. In the 1860s, stationary primary schools were created, replacing mobile ones, when one village teacher moved from one settlement to another. At the same time, the organization of secondary public schools began. The first political parties began to function in the Storting in the 1870s and 1880s. One group, conservative in nature, supported the ruling bureaucratic government. The opposition was led by Johan Sverdrup, who rallied peasant representatives around a small group of urban radicals who wanted to make the government answerable to the Storting. The reformers sought to amend the constitution by requiring royal ministers to participate in the meetings of the Storting without the right to vote. The government invoked the king's right to veto any constitutional bill. After fierce political debates, the Supreme Court of Norway in 1884 issued a ruling depriving almost all cabinet members of their portfolios. Having considered possible consequences forceful decision, King Oscar II considered it better not to take risks and appointed Sverdrup as the head of the first government, responsible to parliament.
Transition to a constitutional-parliamentary monarchy (1884-1905). Sverdrup's Liberal Democratic government extended suffrage and gave equal status to the New Norwegian language (Nynoshk) and Riksmål. However, on issues of religious tolerance, it split into radical liberals and puritans: the former had a base in the capital, and the latter on the west coast since the time of Heuge (late 18th century). This split is described in the works of famous writers - Ibsen, Bjornson, Kjelland and Jonas Lie, who criticized the traditional limitations of Norwegian society from different sides. However, the Conservative Party (Heire) did not benefit from the situation, since it received its main support from the uneasy alliance of the pinched bureaucracy and the slowly gaining strength of the middle industrial class. Cabinets changed quickly, each of them unable to resolve the main problem: how to reform the union with Sweden. In 1895, the idea arose to take control of foreign policy, which was the prerogative of the king and his foreign minister (also a Swede). However, the Storting usually intervened in intra-Scandinavian affairs concerning peace and economics, although such a system seemed unfair to many Norwegians. Their minimum requirement came down to the establishment of an independent consular service in Norway, which the king and his Swedish advisers did not want to establish, given the size and importance of the Norwegian merchant fleet. After 1895, various compromise solutions to this issue were discussed. Since no solution could be reached, the Storting was forced to resort to the veiled threat of taking direct action against Sweden. At the same time, Sweden spent money on strengthening Norway's defense capabilities. After the introduction of compulsory conscription in 1897, it became difficult for conservatives to ignore calls for Norway's independence. Finally, in 1905, the union with Sweden was broken under a coalition government headed by the leader of the Liberal Party (Venstre), shipowner Christian Mikkelsen. When King Oscar refused to approve the law on the Norwegian consular service and accept the resignation of the Norwegian cabinet, the Storting voted to dissolve the union. This revolutionary action could have led to war with Sweden, but this was prevented by the great powers and the Social Democratic Party of Sweden, which opposed the use of force. Two plebiscites showed that the Norwegian electorate was almost unanimous in favor of Norway's secession and that 3/4 of the electorate voted to retain the monarchy. On this basis, the Storting invited the Danish Prince Charles, son of Frederick VIII, to take the Norwegian throne, and on November 18, 1905 he was elected king under the name Haakon VII. His wife Queen Maud was the daughter of the English King Edward VII, which strengthened Norway's ties with Great Britain. Their son, heir to the throne, later became King Olav V of Norway.
Period of peaceful development (1905-1940). The achievement of complete political independence coincided with the beginning of accelerated industrial development. At the beginning of the 20th century. The Norwegian merchant fleet was replenished with steamships, and whaling ships began to hunt in Antarctic waters. The liberal party Venstre was in power for a long period, which carried out a number of social reforms, including the full granting of voting rights to women in 1913 (Norway was a pioneer in this regard among European states) and the adoption of laws limiting foreign investment. During World War I, Norway remained neutral, although Norwegian sailors sailed on Allied ships that broke the blockade organized by German submarines. As a sign of Norway's gratitude for the country's support, the Entente in 1920 granted it sovereignty over the Svalbard archipelago (Spitsbergen). Wartime anxieties helped bring about reconciliation with Sweden, and Norway subsequently played a more active role in international life through the League of Nations. The first and last presidents of this organization were Norwegians. In domestic politics, the interwar period was marked by the growing influence of the Norwegian Workers' Party (NLP), which originated among fishermen and tenant farmers in the far north, and then received the support of industrial workers. Under the influence of the revolution in Russia, the revolutionary wing of this party gained the upper hand in 1918 and for some time the party was part of the Communist International. However, after the breakaway of the Social Democrats in 1921, the ILP broke off relations with the Comintern (1923). In the same year, the independent Communist Party of Norway (KPN) was formed, and in 1927 the Social Democrats again united with the CHP. In 1935, a government of moderate representatives of the CHP was in power with the support of the Peasant Party, which gave its votes in exchange for subsidies to agriculture and fishing. Despite the unsuccessful experiment with prohibition (repealed in 1927) and the mass unemployment generated by the crisis, Norway has achieved success in the fields of health care, housing construction, social security and cultural development.
The Second World War. On April 9, 1940, Germany unexpectedly attacked Norway. The country was taken by surprise. Only in the Oslofjord area were the Norwegians able to offer stubborn resistance to the enemy thanks to reliable defensive fortifications. For three weeks, German troops dispersed throughout the interior of the country, preventing individual units of the Norwegian army from uniting. The port city of Narvik in the far north was retaken from the Germans within days, but Allied support was insufficient and when Germany offensive operations in Western Europe, allied forces had to be evacuated. The king and government fled to Great Britain, where he continued to lead the merchant marine, small infantry units, navy and air force. The Storting gave the king and government the authority to govern the country from abroad. In addition to the ruling CHP, members of other parties were introduced into the government in order to strengthen it. A puppet government was created in Norway led by Vidkun Quisling. In addition to acts of sabotage and active underground propaganda, the leaders of the Resistance secretly established military training and transported many young people to Sweden, where permission was received to train “police forces.” The king and government returned to the country on June 7, 1945. Proceedings were initiated in approx. 90 thousand cases on charges of treason and other offenses. Quisling, along with 24 traitors, was shot, 20 thousand people were sentenced to prison.
Norway after 1945. The CHP received a majority of votes for the first time in the 1945 elections and remained in power for 20 years. During this period, the electoral system was transformed by repealing the constitutional clause providing 2/3 of the seats in the Storting to deputies from rural areas of the country. The regulatory role of the state was expanded to national planning. State control over prices for goods and services was introduced. The government's financial and credit policy helped maintain fairly high growth rates of economic indicators even during the global recession in the 1970s. The necessary funds to expand production were obtained through large foreign loans against future income from oil and gas production on the North Sea shelf. In the immediate post-war years, Norway showed the same commitment to the UN that it had shown to the League of Nations before the war. However, the Cold War atmosphere put the Scandinavian defense treaty on the agenda. Norway joined NATO from the very beginning of its founding in 1949. Since 1961, the ILP remained one of the largest parties in the Storting, although it did not have a majority of seats there. In 1965, a coalition of non-socialist parties came to power with a slight majority of votes. In 1971, the CHP again won the elections, and the government was headed by Trygve Brateli. In the 1960s, Norway established strong ties with the EEC countries, especially the Federal Republic of Germany. However, many Norwegians opposed joining the common market, fearing competition from European countries in fishing, shipbuilding and other sectors of the economy. In 1972, at a general referendum, the question of Norway's participation in the EEC was decided negatively, and the Brateli government resigned. It was replaced by a non-socialist government led by Lars Korwall of the Christian People's Party. In 1973 it entered into a free trade agreement with the EEC, which created great advantages for the export of a number of Norwegian goods. After the 1973 elections, the government was again headed by Brateli, although the CHP did not receive a majority of seats in the Storting. In 1976, Odvar Nurli came to power. As a result of the 1976 elections, the CHP again formed a minority government. In February 1981, citing deteriorating health, Nurli resigned, and Gro Harlem Bruntland was appointed prime minister. Center-right parties increased their influence in the September 1981 elections, and the leader of the Conservative Party (Heire) Kåre Willock formed the first government from members of this party since 1928. At this time, Norway's economy was booming due to rapid growth in oil production and high prices on the world market. In the 1980s, they acquired an important role ecological problems. In particular, the forests of Norway have been severely damaged by acid rain caused by the release of pollutants into the atmosphere by UK industries. As a result of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986, significant damage was caused to the Norwegian reindeer herding industry. After the 1985 elections, negotiations between the socialists and their opponents reached a dead end. Falling oil prices created inflation and problems arose with financing social security programs. Willock resigned and Brundtland returned to power. The results of the 1989 elections made it difficult to form a coalition government. The conservative government of the non-socialist minority under the leadership of Jan Suse resorted to unpopular measures, which stimulated an increase in unemployment. A year later, it resigned due to disagreements over the creation of the European economic space. The Workers' Party, led by Brutland, again formed a minority government, which in 1992 resumed negotiations on Norway's accession to the EU. In the 1993 elections, the Workers' Party remained in power, but did not win a majority of seats in parliament. Conservatives - from the very right (the Progress Party) to the very left (the People's Socialist Party) - were increasingly losing their positions. The center party, which opposed joining the EU, received three times as many seats and moved into second place in terms of influence in parliament. The new government has again brought up the issue of Norway's accession to the EU. This proposal was actively supported by voters from three parties - the Workers, the Conservative and the Progress Party, living in cities in the south of the country. The Center Party, which represents the interests of the rural population and farmers, who are mostly opposed to the EU, led the opposition, receiving support from the far left and Christian Democrats. In a national referendum in November 1994, Norwegian voters, despite positive results in Sweden and Finland a few weeks earlier, again rejected Norway's participation in the EU. A record number of voters took part in the voting (86.6%), of which 52.2% were against EU membership, and 47.8% were in favor of joining this organization.
In October 1996 Gro Harlem Brundtland
resigned and was replaced by CHP leader Thorbjörn Jagland. Despite the strengthening of the economy, the reduction of unemployment and the stabilization of inflation, the country's new leadership was unable to ensure the victory of the CHP in the elections in September 1997. The Jagland government resigned in October 1997. The center-right parties still did not have a common position on the issue of participation in the EU. The Progress Party, which opposed immigration and favored the rational use of the country's oil resources, this time gained more seats in the Storting (25 versus 10). Moderate center-right parties refused any cooperation with the Progress Party. HPP leader Kjell Magne Bundevik, a former Lutheran pastor, formed a coalition of three centrist parties (HNP, Center Party and Venstre), representing only 42 of the 165 deputies of the Storting. On this basis a minority government was formed. In the early 1990s, Norway achieved increased prosperity through large-scale oil and gas exports. The sharp fall in world oil prices in 1998 took a heavy toll on the country's budget, and the government was in such disarray that Prime Minister Bundevik was forced to take a month's leave to "recover" peace of mind"In the 1990s, the royal family attracted media attention. In 1994, the unmarried Princess Mertha Louise became involved in divorce proceedings in the UK. In 1998, the king and queen were criticized for spending excessive amounts of public money on their apartments. Norway is actively involved in international cooperation, in particular in resolving the situation in the Middle East. In 1998, Brundtland was appointed director general of the World Health Organization. Jens Stoltenberg served as UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Norway continues to be criticized by environmentalists for ignoring agreements to limit fishing of marine mammals - whales and seals.
LITERATURE
Eramov R.A. Norway. M., 1950 Yakub V.L. Norwegian. M., 1962 Andreev Yu.V. Economy of Norway. M., 1977 History of Norway. M., 1980
Collier's Encyclopedia. - Open Society. 2000 .
Useful information for tourists about Norway, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Norway, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Norway.
Information about Norway
- Capital: Oslo
- Territory: 323,758 sq km.
- Country code: +47
- Domain: .no
- Network: 220V
- Time: Moscow: - 2 hours
- A visa is required to enter
Geography of Norway
The Kingdom of Norway is located in Northern Europe, in the west and extreme north of the Scandinavian Peninsula, bordered by Sweden, Finland and Russia, washed by the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas, in the south the Skagerrak Strait separates Norway from Denmark. Norway owns the Spitsbergen archipelago with Bear Island in the Arctic Ocean, Jan Mayen Island in the North Atlantic, and Bouvet Island off the coast of Antarctica. More than a third of the country's territory is located beyond the Arctic Circle.
The territory of Norway is predominantly mountainous (Langfjella ridge, the highest point is Gallhepiggen, 2469 m) and is covered with forests, tundra and mountain vegetation, while only 3.5% of the land is suitable for cultivation. The entire coastline is indented by rocky fjords protruding deeply into the land.
Popular cities and resorts
State
State structure
Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. The head of state is the king, who formally has broad powers, but in reality only performs representative and constitutional functions. The legislative body is the bicameral parliament Storting (Lagting - the upper house, Odelsting - the lower), as well as the "Presidential Council of the Storting", consisting of 6 members of parliament. Greater rights are delegated to Saameting, the highest body of the Sami.
Language
Official language: Norwegian
In the north of the country they speak Sami (Lapland). Most Norwegians speak English at a conversational level, some also speak French or German languages.
Religion
Evangelical Lutherans 87.8%, other Protestant communities and Catholics make up 3.8%.
Currency
International name: NOK
The crown is divided into 100 ore. There are coins in denominations of 10 and 50 ore, 1, 5, 10 and 20 crowns and banknotes in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 crowns.
You can exchange currency at any bank or post office, as well as at bank branches at the railway station and at Oslo Airport. Non-cash forms of payment are extremely developed, major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Traveler's checks can be exchanged at most banks, travel agencies, post offices and offices of international payment systems.
Almost all banks and exchange offices charge a commission of 2% to 5%, or a fixed amount of at least $5. The most unfavorable exchange conditions at airports, sea ports and a tourist information office.
In ancient times, the territory of Norway was inhabited by Germanic tribes. At the end of the 8th - mid-11th centuries, Norwegians took part in the Viking campaigns. At the turn of the 9th - 10th centuries. The political unification of the country began under the rule of King Harald I Horfager (completed in the 13th century). In response to the increasing oppression of secular and especially spiritual feudal lords, civil wars broke out in the country in the second half of the 12th century. - early 13th century (Birkebeiner movement). The peasants in Norway remained personally free.
In 1262 - 1264 Iceland became a Norwegian possession. Since 1397, according to the Union of Kalmar, Norway came under Danish rule.
Since 1537 - a province of Denmark. According to one of the Kiel Peace Treaties of 1814, Norway passed to Sweden. The Norwegians refused to accept such a treaty and proclaimed the Eidsvoll Constitution. But Sweden forcibly imposed a union that existed until 1905.
During the First World War, the country declared neutrality. Since 1935, the Norwegian Workers' Party (social democratic) has been in power almost all the time.
In 1940, the country was occupied by German troops, the government emigrated to London. On May 8, 1945, German troops in Norway surrendered. Since 1949, Norway has been a member of NATO.
Norway map
Popular articles
Tourism in Norway
Holidays in Norway at the best price. Search and compare prices across all the world's leading booking systems. Find the best price for yourself and save up to 80% on travel costs!
Popular hotels
Where to stay
Norway, despite its harsh climate, has always attracted thousands of tourists. The hotel base of this country is quite developed. But it is worth noting that there is no official classification of hotels in this country. However, as a rule, in all hotels the service corresponds to the stars declared by the owners or tour operators.
The most expensive hotels are those located in close proximity to the fjords. Prices are above average and for accommodation in big cities, especially in the summer-winter seasons. Rooms here should be booked in advance. For those who prefer a more affordable and at the same time varied holiday, the most acceptable option would be accommodation in family hotels. The peculiarity of accommodation here is both excellent conditions for relaxation for adults (almost every hotel has Spa salons) and entertaining animation programs for children. One of the cheapest ways of accommodation is to stay in hostels. In Norway there are two large hostel chains that operate numerous youth hostels throughout the country.
For lovers of mountain holidays, the doors of ski hotels are open. Here you can stay either in a huge resort center with all the attached attributes (sauna, restaurant, spa, ski equipment rental, etc.), or in small cottages offering family comfort.
A special category of hotels are ice hotels, which are increasing in number every year. Here you will live in a real ice palace and sleep in sub-zero temperatures. Warm animal skins and blankets will help you stay warm while you sleep, and the bathroom in such a hotel is usually connected to a sauna.
At campsites located in picturesque areas, you can spend the night in a tent or rent a room in a cottage.
Popular attractions
Excursions and attractions in Norway
The Kingdom of Norway is a small state in Northern Europe whose main attraction is its magnificent natural landscapes. Norway is home to majestic mountains with snow-capped peaks and densely forested slopes, picturesque valleys, fast rivers and clear lakes, waterfalls, glaciers and, of course, stunningly beautiful fjords. Every year, a huge number of tourists from all over the world come to Norway to enjoy the magic of pristine landscapes. Here you will also find a lot of interesting historical and cultural attractions.
Business card Norway, of course, has picturesque fjords, of which there are simply a huge number throughout the country. Geirangerfjord is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful fjords in the country. The huge cliffs with cascading waterfalls and eternal glaciers of this fjord are truly a breathtaking sight. One of the most popular tourist routes in Norway, the Troll Road, begins here. Lysefjord, Nereyfjord, Nordfjord, Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord are also incredibly beautiful and popular. A huge part of Norway is recognized as a protected area and is carefully protected by the state.
The capital of Norway, Oslo, is located on the shores of the picturesque fjord of the same name. It's amazingly beautiful and green City with many lakes and magnificent parks. Among the abundance of interesting sights in Oslo, it is worth highlighting the Akershus Fortress, Royal Palace, Cathedral, National Gallery, Town Hall, Munch Museum, Viking Ship Museum, Kon-Tiki Museum, Norwegian Folk Museum and Opera theatre. You should definitely visit the Vigelan Sculpture Park (Frogner Park), Tusenfried Amusement Park, Grand Cafe and stroll along the embankment in the Aker Brygge area. In the suburbs of Oslo, on the highest hill, Holmenkollen, is the famous Norwegian recreation and cultural center and its main attractions are the world's first ski jump and the magnificent Ski Museum.
Bergen, one of the most beautiful places in the country, is extremely popular among tourists. The city is located on the shores of the North Sea and is surrounded by picturesque hills. It is from here that all popular routes to the kingdom of the Norwegian fjords begin. The main attractions of Bergen are the famous Bryggen promenade (included in the UNESCO World Heritage List) and Bergen Cathedral. No less interesting are the Bergenhus Fortress, King Harold's Residence, the Bergen Museum of Art, the Old Bergen Museum and one of the best Aquariums in Europe. The Fløibanen cable car takes you to the top of Mount Fløyen (320 m above sea level) and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. In the suburbs of Bergen, it is worth visiting Trollhaugen (Troll Hill), the house-museum of the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.
Norway is located in the north-west of the Scandinavian Peninsula and is a strip of land stretching along the coast, cut by fjords - narrow and winding bays with rocky slopes. Administratively, the country is divided into 19 regions (fylke), which are unofficially united into five large regions: Northern, Southern, Western, Eastern and Central Norway. The largest cities after Oslo are Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim, Narvik and Flåm.
It is interesting to note that the official Norwegian language exists in two different varieties (Bokmål and Nynorsk), which can sometimes make it difficult to communicate with the local population in their own language. native language. In some areas of Northern Norway, official status has been given not only to Norwegian, but also to the Sami language, spoken by the Sami, the country's largest ethnic minority (after the Arabs). Nevertheless, the majority of Norwegians speak English at a fairly good level; Danish is also widely spoken here.
One of the significant features of the country is the unity of church and state, which is manifested in the strong influence of the clergy on the life of society and the wide spread of Protestantism among all segments of the population.
Norway has Europe's largest reserves of oil and natural gas, as well as rich deposits of metal ores, especially titanium; In addition, Norway stands out from other countries with its large merchant and fishing fleet. The weak side of the state's economy is the practically undeveloped agriculture, the reason for which is the limited domestic market and high taxes, coupled with a small number of highly qualified specialists in the agricultural sector.
Norway is distinguished by an extremely multifaceted culture, harmoniously combining historical heritage with progressive experience, which is manifested in almost every area of the country’s life - from music and literature to law and science.
Capital |
Oslo |
|
Population |
about 5 million people |
|
Population density |
13 people/km 2 |
|
Norwegian |
|
|
Religion |
Christianity (Lutheranism) |
|
Form of government |
a constitutional monarchy |
|
Norwegian krone |
|
|
Timezone |
UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer |
|
International dialing code |
|
|
Domain zone |
|
|
Electricity |
Climate and weather
Perhaps one of the most “tenacious” myths about Norway can rightly be called the widespread idea among foreigners about the harsh and cold climate of the country, which is not true, because the shores of the country are washed by the well-known Gulf Stream, a warm Atlantic current. In fact, the climate in most of Norway can be characterized as temperate maritime, and the average temperature here is +8...+15 °C in summer and down to -10 °C in the cold season. Only in the very north of the Scandinavian Peninsula is there a subarctic climate with winter frosts down to -25 °C.
Nature
The natural beauties of Norway will remain in the memory of the person who has once seen them once and for all. The seething waters of rapids rivers and the crystal clearness of lakes, dense dark forests covering almost a third of the country’s territory, and, of course, rocky cliffs falling into the sea will captivate everyone who is able to subtly sense the beauty in the world around us.
Attractions
You should start getting acquainted with the country's heritage by visiting the capital - Oslo. Extraordinary natural landscapes, which the city owes to the melted glaciers of ancient times, a unique sculptural ensemble of more than two hundred figures located in the open air in the famous Frogner Park, well-preserved historical center around Akershus Castle, founded in the 14th century, as well as many museums for every taste - these are just a small part of what this city will surprise you with. Particularly popular among tourists are museums dedicated to the customs and life of the Vikings (for example, Viking Ship Museum), as well as art museums and galleries, among which special mention should be made National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design.
Other cities in Norway are also of interest. Bergen famous for its promenade, cathedral and three medieval fortresses: Bergenhus, Sverresborg And Fredricksberg. In addition, Bergen has Edvard Grieg Museum, the famous Norwegian composer, as well as Technical Museum, which has preserved many unique exhibits.
In the city Stavanger there is a stone cathedral, which is more than eight hundred years old, and the museums are quite traditional ( archaeological and maritime) and quite unusual ( Museum of Canned Food And Oil Museum).
City Trondheim famous for gothic Nidaros Cathedral, where the coronations of Norwegian monarchs take place, and built by the Danes in the 17th century Christiansten fortress; also based in Trondheim Norwegian Academy of Sciences, and on a nearby island Munkholmen The oldest monastery in the country is located, which over the course of its long history has even been a prison.
Nutrition
Traditional Norwegian cuisine mainly includes dishes made from fish and seafood, cow's and goat's milk, potatoes, meat and cereals. Here you can try whale meat, all kinds of fruit-filled buns, hearty meat soups with herbs, potato bread baked according to an old recipe, and scallops stewed in milk.
Among the drinks in this country, you can be offered refreshing herbal infusions, health-promoting yoghurts, and original apple compote with honey. If you prefer something a little hotter, try an authentic alcoholic drink aquavit(translated from Latin as “water of life”), which is moonshine made from potatoes infused with spices in wooden barrels.
Accommodation
Despite the fact that Norway is a very rich country, prices for accommodation in hotels and inns do not exceed the European average, and the class of service is quite high level. The only caveat may be the periodic lack of vacancies, so it is better to book rooms in the hotel you like in advance. A four-star hotel in Oslo or Bergen will offer a single room for a night for $150 or more. In a smaller city, accordingly, the price will be slightly lower.
For those who do not strive for increased comfort, the best option may be a hostel, campsite or boarding house. Those who crave new sensations will undoubtedly get real pleasure by staying in one of the fifty Norwegian lighthouses, which are now all converted into hotels and delight guests with luxurious views of the ocean and clean sea air.
Entertainment and relaxation
There are many ways to spend your time fun and active in Norway. Among the services and entertainment provided here are sailing on small boats along the picturesque fjords, reindeer or dog sledding, exciting fishing or crab hunting. Fans of skiing are provided with exceptional opportunities: Holmenkollene, a northern suburb of Oslo, is home to a ski jump and biathlon track, as well as the world's oldest Ski Museum.
If you have time, it will be interesting to hike through the amazingly beautiful mountains of Norway or visit the famous “ troll stairs"(a road laid along the mountain slopes far in the north) and get acquainted with amazing legends about the origin of this or that unusual natural landscape. If, on the contrary, you are short on time, you can go on a day trip " Norway in miniature» on a special train that stops in the most beautiful places, giving excursion participants the opportunity to take photographs or simply admire the breathtaking luxury of Norwegian nature.
It is worth noting the popularity of Norway among representatives of sexual minorities, since same-sex marriage is allowed in this liberal country, and in large cities there are a considerable number of entertainment venues for gay people.
Fans of active nightlife will no doubt also easily find a suitable place, especially in Oslo, where establishments like the bar have gained wide fame Ophelia and nightclub Galleriet.
Purchases
The most suitable place for shopping in Norway is, of course, the country's capital - Oslo, where you can go shopping in a huge shopping center located near the new train station Oslo-City, to the embankment Aker Brygge with more than fifty different stores or on Karl Johans Gate- the main street of the city.
Throughout Norway, more than two and a half thousand stores provide the opportunity for a partial VAT refund. Those who wish to use this system should not rush to unpack their purchases and get rid of the received receipt, because even before crossing the border they will need to be presented at a special tax free point, since the country’s customs service does not deal with these issues.
The most popular among tourists are products made from hides and wool, knives and other useful household items with runic ornaments, traditional alcoholic drinks and dried venison, as well as all kinds of ethnic embroidery, wooden spoons and other handicraft products.
As for the opening hours of retail outlets, most stores open around 9:00-10:00 and close at approximately 17:00 and are closed on Sundays. However, many private shops continue to work at 21:00-22:00, and supermarket chains 7-eleven They work around the clock, so no one will be left without traditional souvenirs in the form of troll and Viking figurines!
Transport
The geographical features of Norway (indented coastline, significant length of territory, sharp changes in elevation) and low population density significantly affect the country's transport system: public transport functions well in cities and their environs, and stable intercity communication has also been established. True, getting to remote areas in the north of the country without personal vehicles is sometimes difficult.
Norway has a very developed domestic aviation, connecting almost a hundred airports in the country, and providing the opportunity to quickly cross the entire territory of the state when the need arises. If there is nowhere to rush, then it is better to use the services of railways, the dense network of which covers the industrialized regions of the country, or buses that run mainly in cities and those areas where train stations are far from each other and therefore do not fully cover the needs of citizens for public transport .
It is impossible to ignore such a feature of the Norwegian transport system as water communication. Ferries and water buses, as well as a few private boats, are the only way to reach the offshore islands. In some areas they completely replace other modes of transport due to the extreme tortuosity of the coastline.
Connection
The communication system in Norway is very modern and easy to use, but some nuances of its functioning should be known in advance. For example, on city streets there are three various types payphones: green ones only accept special plastic cards purchased in advance at the post office or at kiosks, red ones also work with coins, and black ones have the function of receiving incoming calls.
The country has a developed wireless Internet network; a starter package of unlimited access to it can be purchased at cellular stores for approximately $20-30, half of which is immediately credited to your account. However, most hotels include free Wi-Fi in their services, but this should be clarified in advance, since Internet cafes in Norway are few and far between, and you can connect to the network for free outside the hotel only in the library.
Safety
Norway is quite prosperous in terms of the criminal situation, so you don’t have to worry too much about your life and valuable property. Avoid possible pickpocketing or violent crimes It’s very simple: you just need to go around disadvantaged neighborhoods at night and follow the usual safety measures when staying abroad.
But if you are an extreme tourist and have arrived in Norway with the goal of entertaining yourself with diving in the ocean, rafting (rafting on mountain rivers), hiking (glacial rock climbing), musk ox safari in the park Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella(Dovrefjell-Sundalsfjella) or a photo hunt for polar bears in the Arctic Circle, it is vitally important to follow all the recommendations of a licensed guide/instructor and remember the variability of weather conditions, thinking through a plan of action in advance in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Business climate
Norway is one of those countries where you can open your own business without unnecessary bureaucratic delays, although this is not cheap (for example, a private enterprise, similar to our individual entrepreneurship, is registered for $800). An activity that brings in no more than five thousand dollars a year is considered by the state as a hobby and does not require any registration.
Most of the country's population is involved in the service sector, the bulk of business projects are related to the design, construction and sale of real estate, and the most promising direction in the business sphere is small business (for example, fish farming, organizing tourist excursions, producing all kinds of equipment for hunters and athletes), which the state often provides with subsidies.
Real estate
Many people dream of settling in a quiet place with beautiful nature, and in Norway this dream can be realized - from $300,000 here they ask for cute small cottages with modest plots of land, and estates with private property spread over tens of hectares will cost from $700,000.
Buying an apartment in the capital may not be as easy as in other, even Scandinavian, countries: one square meter real estate in Oslo already costs the buyer about $10,000.
The Norwegian mentality implies restraint in relationships, politeness in any situation, attention to detail, sometimes reaching the point of pedantry and even tediousness. Smiling, unobtrusiveness, and calmness are highly valued in people here.
Norway has strict environmental legislation. The fines for smoking here are very high. in public places, littering or any other damage intentionally caused environment. By the way, it is better not to throw away containers of delicious Norwegian beer, but to hand them over to special departments directly in supermarkets for a small monetary compensation.
In Norway, it is customary to include tips in the bill, but to reward employees, you can leave 1-2 $ above the required amount.
Visa information
To obtain a visa to Norway, please contact the Norwegian Embassy at: Moscow, Povarskaya street, building 7; Visa department phone number: +7 499 951 1050(calls are accepted only from 9:00 to 10:00). The embassy accepts documents on weekdays (except Thursdays) from 10:00 to 12:00.
It is worth noting that it is better to submit documents for a Schengen visa required to visit this wonderful northern country in advance - two to three weeks before the expected date of travel.
Norway is a unique country that is located at the junction of land and ocean. This is where the longest nights are with stunning northern lights.
Country on the atlas of the world and Europe in Russian
The country is the northernmost in. But the population in one of the largest countries is only 5.2 million people, that is, with a density of 12 people per 1 km².
Where is?
Norway is in the west Scandinavian Peninsula, in the northern part of Europe. Border in the southeast and east it passes through the territories of the following countries: Sweden, Russia and.
The country is washed by the following seas:
- North Sea- from South;
- Norwegian Sea– from the north-west;
- Barencevo sea- from the northeast.
The river network in the country is quite dense, there are more than 20 rivers, all of which are full of water all year round. Among them: Glomma, Vorma, Namsen, Sira, Quina.
The relief of Norway consists of gneiss, granite and many other natural formations. Its formation occurred during the Ice Age, when glaciers began to actively melt. In the east, the terrain is cut by many valleys. Sea fjords jut into the land in the north and west.
The most famous fjords are:
- Varyazhsky Bay;
- Laksefjord;
- Porsangerfjord;
- Falla.
Climate
In northern Norway subarctic climate, in the main part of the country - oceanic.
Autumn is the rainiest time of the year. Winter is quite mild thanks to the Gulf Stream - there is almost never snow in the south. In the north, temperatures are low and snow cover predominates in the area.
Detailed map of Norway with cities
Among the major Norwegian cities, the following stand out:
- Oslo- the capital of country. The cultural life is very rich, there are many different attractions, including theaters and museums;
- Olessun– the most beautiful city in Norway. The climate here changes constantly due to its island location. At the beginning of the 20th century, the city was completely destroyed by fire, but it was restored in just a few years;
- Bergen– it is called “the gateway to the Norwegian fjords.” It is impossible to explore it in a day, so travelers come here for several weeks;
- Tromso– this place has been known to people since the Iron Age. The city itself was built in the middle of the 13th century. It was one of the few places in Norway that was not affected by Nazi bombing.
How to get there?
If you get to Norway from, you can do this:
- By car. A trip to Norway by car will be quite long and tiring, but incredibly interesting, because the path will run through Finland and partly through;
- By plane. Aeroflot and SAS airlines operate flights from Moscow. You can also get connecting flights to airports in the cities of Tromso, Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger;
It is also possible to go by train or bus. But there are no direct connections from Russia, so you will need to travel with transfers in other countries.
You can buy a plane ticket using the quick search form. Specify cities of departure and arrival, date, number of passengers.
Internal structure
IN ancient times Several tribes of gatherers and hunters came here. However, among Europeans, Norway became famous thanks to the Vikings. Moreover, they were not known from the best side, since these were harsh wars that attacked neighboring countries and settlements. Even when Christianity came to the lands of the country, the raids did not stop.
As for the economic sector, the country ranks third in oil exports. The GDP is $329,000,000,000.
The capital today is Oslo with a population of 635,000 people. A constitutional monarchy With parliamentary democracy – political system Norway. In total, 5,063,000 people live in the country, the official language is Norwegian.
Attractions and entertainment
Cultural components of this country:
- Viking sagas;
- Specific cuisine;
- Movies either documentaries or short films are being filmed;
- Many are developed music styles, including widespread heavy metal;
- Superbly preserved thousand-year-old architecture;
- Painting sample from the 19th century.
What to see?
From attractions especially stand out:
- Viking Shipbuilding Museum. It contains only three intact exhibits that were able to be recovered from the bottom of reservoirs;
- Armed Forces Museum in Oslo. Until the end of the 70s, only senior military officials had the right to visit it. Afterwards the entrance became free;
- Lysefjord. Mountaineering and other extreme sports are actively practiced here;
- Cathedral in Oslo, built in late XVII century. Hidden from prying eyes, therefore unknown to most tourists;
- Geirangerfjord. Its length is only 20 kilometers, but the landscapes are amazing.
Don't know how to save money on your vacation? In you will learn how to fly to Europe and not be left penniless.
Kingdom Norway occupies the western and northern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula, the Spitsbergen archipelago in the Arctic Ocean and the island of Jan Mayen in the North Atlantic Ocean. Norway is washed by the North and Norwegian seas. In the northeast it borders with Finland and Russia, in the east with Sweden.
The name of the country comes from the Old Norse Norreweg - “northern road”.
General information about Norway
Official name: Kingdom of Norway
Capital: Oslo
The area of the land: 385.2 thousand sq. km
Total Population: 4.8 million people
Administrative division: Norway is divided into 18 counties (counties), which are governed by governors. Traditional division: Northern Norway, including three historical and geographical regions (Nordland, Troms, Finmark), and Southern Norway, uniting four regions: Trennelag, Vestland (West), Östland (East) and Sørland (South).
Form of government: A constitutional monarchy.
Head of State: King.
Population composition: Norwegian. In a number of communes in Troms and Finnmark, the Sami have equal status with it.
Official language: German. Most people working in the tourism industry understand and speak English. In the border areas they speak: Hungarian, Slovenian, Croatian, Czech, Italian.
Religion: 85.7% - Lutheran Church, 2.4% - Orthodox, 1.8% - Muslims, 1% - Pentecostals, 1% - Catholics, 8.1% - others.
Internet domain: .no
Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz
Country dialing code: +47
Country barcode: 700-709
Climate
Located almost entirely in the temperate zone, in comparison with other land areas located at the same latitudes, the south of Norway turns out to be much warmer and more humid due to the large influx of heat from the Norwegian Current. The warm current, however, does not penetrate the Skagerrak Strait, which dramatically affects the climate of southeastern Norway, while at the same time continental air masses from the Baltic easily penetrate here.
Also often masses from higher latitudes, where the Arctic Maximum dominates in winter, penetrate into the non-coastal zone. Since the surface of Norway slopes steeply to the sea, and the valleys are elongated meridionally, warm air masses cannot penetrate very deeply into them, which creates a situation where in winter the temperature gradient when moving deeper into the fjord is greater than when moving north.
The height of the Scandinavian mountains does not allow air masses to pass to the east of the country, and create a barrier effect, which, subject to significant moisture saturation, causes huge amounts of precipitation, both in summer and winter. The influence of the warm current on the country's climate is associated not with the direct heating of the oceanic layer of air (after all, the territory of southern Norway is separated from this current by 300-400 km), but with the westerly transport bringing these heated air masses.
Average January temperatures range from -17 °C in northern Norway in the city of Karashuk to +1.5 °C on the southwest coast of the country. Average July temperatures are around +7°C in the north and around +17°C in the south in Oslo.
Geography
Norway is located in northern Europe, in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. A third of the country lies beyond the Arctic Circle. The total area of the country is about 387 thousand square meters. km. The country shares land borders with Russia, Sweden and Finland. In the north, the coast of Norway is washed by the Barents Sea, in the west by the Norwegian and North Seas, in the south the Skagerrak Strait separates Norway from Denmark. Norway owns the Spitsbergen archipelago with Bear Island in the Arctic Ocean, Jan Mayen Island in the North Atlantic, as well as Bouvet Island off the coast of Antarctica and more than 50 thousand small islands.
The territory of Norway is predominantly mountainous and covered with forests, tundra and mountain vegetation. The highest points are the city of Gallhöpiggen (2469 m) and the city of Glittertinn (2452 m), located in the Jotunheimen massif. The longest river is Glomma (600 km), the largest lake is Miessa (362 km). The high plateaus (felds) are covered with the largest glaciers in Europe, the total area of which is 5 thousand square kilometers. The largest glaciers are Jostedalsbre (the largest glacier in Europe), Svartisen in north-central Norway. There are fjords all along the Norwegian coastline, they were formed thousands of years ago when glaciers cut deep into the land. The longest is the Sogne fjord (204 km).
Flora and fauna
Vegetable world
Tundra vegetation (subnival-nival zone) has a significant distribution and is confined to the highest mountainous regions, to territories adjacent to glaciers and the northern part of the country. The growing conditions here are the most unfavorable within Norway: low temperatures, short growing season, widespread snowfields and proximity to glaciers, strong winds and thin soil cover. Therefore, the vegetation cover here is extremely fragmented and is mainly represented by various mosses and lichens.
The vegetation of the alpine belt occupies vast expanses of fields and the most elevated areas of the western coast above the line of possible tree growth, located at an average altitude of 800 - 1700 m, the values of which, as in the case of the vegetation of the subnival-nival belt, increase when moving from west to east . The climatic conditions in which these formations grow are also unfavorable. Trees in this belt are completely absent, the dominant communities are shrubs and forbs, shrub vegetation appears only at the lowest hypsometric levels, the moss-lichen layer is poorly developed and appears only in areas long covered with snow. The species composition includes amphiatlantic and circumpolar species. The dominant plant forms here are hemicryptophytes and chamephytes.
Mountain forests and woodlands occupy the largest areas in Norway, located in the lower tier of the Scandinavian mountains. They rise up to 1000 m in the most continental areas, and in the coastal zone of the Atlantic they descend even into the lowlands under the influence of a general decrease in the belt boundaries. This belt includes pure birch forests on the western macroslope, and pine-birch forests in more continental parts.
The taiga zone also occupies significant areas in southern Norway, occupying its most continental sections (Østlan and East Sørland), as well as reaching the coast on the Trønnelaga plain, where the warming influence of the ocean is still noticeable, but allows taiga vegetation to grow here. Formations of this belt are absent on the western macroslope of the mountains and in the fjord area. It is represented by spruce and, in the south, oak-spruce and pine forests.
The Atlantic moorlands occupy a narrow coastal outer strip along the entire western coast, without extending anywhere into the fjords. Heather heaths here develop on well-drained, oligotrophic acidic substrates. Tree and shrub species are generally absent here, but may appear in some places well protected from the wind blowing from the sea. In terms of species, heathers predominate in combination with shrubs, herbs, grasses, mosses and lichens. The soil and vegetation cover here is often fragmentary.
Mixed and broad-leaved forests in Norway are represented by small areas that occupy the most southern part countries. However, the inner parts of the largest fjords, where the warming influence of the ocean is strong, are also occupied by mixed broad-leaved forests, which there take on an intrazonal character. Represented by oak, beech and ash forests.
Floodplain vegetation is represented by one significant section of the floodplains of the Glomma and Logen rivers in the area of their confluence. Hydrophilic vegetation is developed here due to periodic flooding. It is represented by forests of alder and spruce, which occupy floodplain and oxbow depressions.
Animal world
The following representatives of the animal world are found in the forests of Norway: lynx, red deer, marten, weasel, badger, beaver, ermine, squirrel. The tundra is home to white and blue foxes, lemmings (Norwegian mice), and reindeer. The hare and fox are found everywhere in large commercial quantities, while the wolf and bear are practically exterminated.
Norway has a large number of birds: wood grouse, black grouse, gulls, eiders, wild ducks, geese. Huge bird colonies nest on the coastal cliffs. In sea waters there is a large amount of fish, of which traditionally commercial ones: herring, cod, mackerel. Rivers and lakes are inhabited by trout, salmon, and salmon.
Attractions
Norway's main treasure is its nature. Thousands of secluded bays and picturesque fjords encircle its coast, and low mountains covered with forests and meadows create the unique flavor of this country. Thousands of clean lakes and rivers provide a unique opportunity to enjoy fishing and water sports, and carefully protected nature allows you to get acquainted with one of the most untouched corners of Europe.
The fjords are the main attraction of the country. The entire coastline of the country is indented by these narrow and deep bays, sung in ancient times. Scandinavian sagas. The most popular among tourists are Yairangerfjord, Lysefjord, Sognefjord,
You can exchange currency at any bank or post office, as well as at bank branches at the railway station and at Oslo Airport. Non-cash forms of payment are extremely developed, major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.
Traveler's checks can be exchanged at most banks, travel agencies, post offices and offices of international payment systems. Some banks take a certain percentage from each check, so it is more profitable to import money in a single check.
Useful information for tourists
Nightclubs, discos and other entertainment venues have a clear gradation regarding the age of visitors, the range of alcoholic drinks offered and opening hours. Therefore, many of them may require a passport to enter. Entry to most museums is free.
Smoking is prohibited in all types of public transport and on board aircraft, as well as in most public buildings, offices, etc. In hotels, bars and restaurants, smoking is prohibited in all public areas, and a third of the tables are mandatory for non-smokers. Hotels also follow the same policy - up to 50% of hotel rooms are non-smoking only, and this should be taken into account when choosing a hotel. Cigarettes are sold only to persons over 18 years of age.
All parking in Norway is paid. You cannot park outside the parking lots - only cars of residents living in the surrounding houses can be parked there.
