Norway, or the Kingdom of Norway as it is formally known, is a Nordic nation in Northern Europe. Its continental area includes the westernmost and northernmost region of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Norway also includes the remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the Svalbard archipelago. A Norwegian dependency in the Sub-antarctic Bouvet Island also asserts sovereignty over the Antarctic regions of Queen Maud Land and Peter I Island. Oslo is Norway’s capital and largest city.
Norway has a total area of 385,207 square kilometers and 5,425,270 people as of January 2022. One the eastern part, Norway shares a 1,619 km border with Sweden. Finland and Russia border is to the northeast, while Denmark and the United Kingdom are on the other side of the Skagerrak strait, which is the southern border. The North Atlantic Ocean and the Barents Sea are both visible from Norway’s long coastline.
According to the World Bank and IMF, the nation has the fourth-highest per-capita GDP in the world. Norway is ranked eleventh on the CIA’s list of autonomous regions and territories with the highest GDP (PPP) per capita. Its $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund is the largest in the world. Norway previously held the top spot between 2001 and 2006 and between 2009 and 2019; as of 2021, it has the second highest inequality-adjusted score in the world. It also has the second highest Human Development Index ranking. In addition to topping the OECD Better Life Index, the Index of Public Integrity, the Freedom Index, and the Democracy Index, Norway also topped the 2017 World Happiness Report. In addition, Norway has one of the lowest crime rate in the world.
TRENDING FASHION IN NORWAY
ACCESSORIES IN NORWAY
TRIBES IN NORWAY
The Sámi People
The Sámi are a Finno-Ugric-speaking people who live in the Sápmi (formerly known as Lapland) region, which currently includes significant portions of northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Murmansk Oblast in Russia, particularly the majority of the Kola Peninsula.
The Sámi have historically engaged in a range of occupations, such as coastal fishing, fur trapping, and sheep herding. The semi-nomadic reindeer herding is their most well-known form of subsistence. Around 2,800 Sámi people were actively engaged in reindeer herding on a full-time basis in Norway as of 2007. About 10% of the Sámi are connected to reindeer herding, which supplies them with meat, fur, and transportation. In several parts of the Nordic countries, reindeer herding is officially restricted to exclusively Sámi people for reasons related to tradition, the environment, culture, and politics.
The Lule Sámi People
The second-largest of the Sami languages, Lule Sami is a member of the Western Sami language family (UNESCO, 1993). There are less than 1,500 individuals who speak it. The historic Lule Sami region, as seen on the map, and it stretches from Nordland in Norway to Lule in Sweden in an east-west strip.
The Southern Sámi People
The most southwesterly of the Sámi languages, Southern or South Sámi, is spoken in Norway and Sweden. It is an endangered language, and the communities of Snåsa, Røyrvik and Røros are its last remaining bastions.
TOURIST AND HISTORICAL PLACES IN NORWAY
Bygdoy Peninsula – only four miles west of the city, the Oslo suburb of Bygdoy Peninsula is easily accessible by vehicle or public means. It is noted for its abundant natural spaces, including beaches, parks, and forests, and is the location of several of Oslo’s main tourist attractions.
Olympic Town of Lillehammer – one of Norway’s most popular vacation spots year-round is Lillehammer. It’s all about the attractions in the summer, such Maihaugen, an outdoor museum with more than 100 old structures, including farmhouses, stores, and a stave church from the 18th century.
The Jotunheimen – the greatest Alpine region in the Norwegian High Plateau, is 3,499 square kilometers in size and is home to the tallest mountains in Scandinavia. In addition, it is home to numerous magnificent waterfalls, rivers, lakes, glaciers, and wildlife, including sizable numbers of reindeer.
Geirangerfjord – the Geirangerfjord region, north of Lesund, boasts some of the best beauty in all of Norway. It is a part of the magnificent Fjord Norway network and consistently ranks among the top UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Vigeland Sculpture Park – one of Oslo’s biggest tourist destinations, the Vigeland Sculpture Park is home to 650 Gustav Vigeland sculptures. These sculptures, which are made of granite, bronze, and wrought iron, are grouped together according to five different themes.
Norway’s Artic City – Tromsø is well recognized for its significant function as the starting point for numerous significant Arctic expeditions from the mid-1800s. The Troms region was first founded as a fishing community in the 13th century, and the industry has since become an essential aspect of life here, adding to the region’s maritime beauty.
Sognefjord – using a boat is the most common way to explore the fjord. There are therefore numerous fjord cruises and sightseeing trips to choose from, many of which conveniently depart from the charming town of Bergen.
Scenic Railway Route – the best way to experience Norway’s breathtaking scenery is by rail. Norway’s train lines span more than 3,218 kilometers, which may come as a surprise considering how mountainous the nation is; they pass through 775 tunnels and more than 3,000 bridges en route.
Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) – one of the most visited tourist attractions in Norway, is best suited for the active visitor due to the challenging route needed to reach there. It is among the locations in Norway that receive the most photos.
Lofoten Islands – off the coast of northwest Norway, the stunning Lofoten Islands make up an archipelago and are a well-liked vacation spot for both Norwegians and tourists. Despite being in the Arctic Circle, the weather is warm here because to the Gulf Stream.
Bryggen Hanseatic Wharf – it is among the most well-liked tourist attractions in Bergen. The trade hub of the city used to be in this vibrantly painted neighborhood, which was dominated by Hanseatic traders.
Akershus Fortress – King Hkon V ordered the construction of the medieval fortress known as Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning) in 1299. King Christian IV later transformed it into a Renaissance royal home at the beginning of the 17th century.
The Atlantic Ocean Road – there are 18 National Tourist Routes in Norway, including the Atlantic Ocean Road (Atlanterhavsvegen). It serves as an essential link for the network of little islands it connects, but it also serves as a draw for anglers, divers, and tourists looking to get as near to the water as possible.
Tromsø Artic Museum – the area’s lengthy history as a fishing community and its more recent role as a major research hub for polar sciences are highlighted in the Polar Museum. The results of more recent trips and scientific investigations that dive into the world of the Arctic’s cold and dark deep sea are included in the exhibits.
MUSIC IN NORWAY
Norway is a little nation where one musician can have a significant impact on the evolution of folk music. There is a resurgence in interest in Norwegian folk music, and there is a vibrant environment that places a strong emphasis on maintaining the folk music tradition, as seen by the fact that performers from all musical genres are interested in it and include it into their songs. This genre of music thrives in the excitement created by the fusion of numerous venues for its presentation, including CDs, concerts, and competitions. Tradition and innovation are no longer seen as being incompatible but rather as essential components of growth.
The Hardanger fiddle, which is most commonly heard in Norway’s western and central regions, is the country’s most well-known folk music instrument. In the country’s eastern and northern regions, the common violin (the flatfele) is played.
Some musician in Norway include:
Aurora
Sigrid
Some art work in Norway include:
MEALS IN NORWAY
Fårikål – a popular autumn dish. It is combo seasoned with whole black pepper and paired with boiled potato.
Kjøttkaker – the meal is always served with hard-boiled potatoes to balance out the meatiness.
Fiskesuppe – it is a creamy and buttery fish soup that is iconic to Norway. It is made with fish, shellfish and vegetable boiled in a cream broth.
Pinnekjøtt – this traditional holiday supper dish is made with lamb ribs and typically served with potatoes, sausages and puréed rutabaga.
Fiskeboller – this dish is available in cans or boxes with ready-made fish broth.
Rakfisk – this is a fish dish cooked from salted and autolyzed trout or char.
Fårikål
Kjøttkaker
Fiskesuppe
Pinnekjøtt
Fiskeboller
Rakfisk
Lutefisk – this is a dried whitefish from Norway, usually pickled in lye.
Gravlax – a Norweigan cured salmon dish commonly served in thin slices on bread or with boiled potato.
Lapskaus – this hearty and comforting stew will surely fill your stomach and soul.
Finnbiff – a traditional fried reindeer fat but most people prefer butter and oil nowadays.
Sodd – a filling Norweigan meal made out of chopped mutton, meatballs and veggies served in a clear aromatic broth.
Lefse – this is a flatbread that is made with potatoes, butter, flour, milk, cream or lard.
Lutefisk
Gravlax
Lapskaus
Finnbiff
Sodd
Lefse
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND HABITAT PROTECTION IN NORWAY
Approximately 37 percent, or 119,000 km2, of the Norwegian mainland is covered in forests and other woody areas. Nearly 23% of this, or over 72,000 km2, is thought to be productive forest.
There are 125,000 forest properties scattered throughout the fertile forest. The productive forest land is owned by private persons to the tune of 79%. For hundreds of years, Norway’s woods have been heavily exploited for the export of roundwood, sawn timber, and wood tar. Additionally, there is a long history of exploiting the woodlands for game hunting and the grazing of domestic animals.
As an ecological resource and a place to relax, the forest and its biological richness are very valuable. Additionally, standing woods suggest the net uptake of enormous volumes of km2, which lessens the greenhouse effect. It is essential for the environment that the world’s woods do not continue to disappear.
Maintaining biological diversity depends on habitat protection. Under the Nature Diversity Act, several endangered and fragile species and their ecosystems are strictly protected. National parks, nature reserves, and other conservation areas preserve about 16% (50 861 km2) of the Norwegian mainland. The percentage for Svalbard is 65%. (39 800 km2). The alpine region contains the majority of the protected area.
EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN NORWAY
Norway, whose territory includes the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula as well as the island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard, discusses concerns related to global warming that affects it. Climate change is predicted to make Norway’s entire country warmer and wetter.
Norway is the largest producer and exporter of oil and natural gas outside of the Middle East on a per-capita basis. 2016 saw the issuance of 56 new oil exploration licenses close to the Lofoten islands. However, 98% of Norway’s electrical needs are met by renewable energy, primarily through hydroelectricity produced from the country’s large freshwater reserves. Even though Norway is a global pioneer in electric vehicles, transportation still contributes to emissions.
Norway’s climate is mostly influenced by the sea, with warm lowland temperatures along the sea shores. Whereas the inland regions are colder than other places in the world at such northerly latitudes. It is also noticeably milder. Temperatures over freezing point are typical along the shoreline in the north, even during the polar night. Some sections of the country experience heavy rainfall and snowfall due to the oceanic effect.
- GENDER EQUALITY IN NORWAY
The nation is among the most gender-equal nations in the world in terms of “economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.” Norway receives a score of 84.9% in the 2021 Global Gender Gap Index, placing it third in terms of gender parity.
Some prominent women in Norway include:
Marit Arnstad – Norweigan lawyer and politician for the Centre Party and former Minister of Transport in Norway.
Kristin Clemet – Norweigan politician of the Conservative Party.
Siv Jensen – Norweigan who served as the leader of the Progress Party and former Minister of Finance in Norway.
Grete Faremo – Norweigan politician, lawyer and business leader.
Marit Arnstad
Kristin Clemet
Siv Jensen
Grete Faremo
Sandra Borch – Norweigan politician currently serving as the Minister of Agriculture and Food.
Anniken Hauglie – Norweigan politician for the Conservative Party who served as Minister of Labour and Social Inclusion.
Tina Bru – Noreweigan politician for the Conservative Party who served as the Minister of Petroleum and Energy in Norway.
Sylvi Listhaug – Norweigan politician serving as the leader of the Progress Party. She also served as Minister for the Elderly and Public Health of Norway.
Sandra Borch
Anniken Hauglie
Tina Bru
Sylvi Listhaug
