Norway is first and foremost a maritime nation, and most of its population lives along the coast or on the hundreds of coastal islands, where the weather is moderated by the Gulf Stream. The most spectacular fjords are scattered along the west coast, where Norway meets the Barents, Norwegian and North seas. The country's eastern border abuts Sweden, Finland and Russia. The interior of Norway, which is much colder than the coast, is dominated by rugged mountains and pine forests. Part of Norway lies above the Arctic Circle.
The Sami people reside in the northern part of the country. The Sami, known to many as Laps (although this expression is extremely impolite and offensive and should never be used) have their own language, heritage and ethnic line that differ from the rest of Norway. The Sami have traditionally been nomadic reindeer herders who move with their cattle. Unfortunately, as the modern world encroaches and country borders restrict movement, many Sami people have been forced to abandon their traditional lifestyles to take regular jobs. Some have moved south to Oslo. The Sami Parliament resides in Karasjok and deals with issues pertaining to the needs of its people. The Sami are intelligent hunters and are known for their extremely beautiful handicrafts.
The country's national identity is hard to separate from the Vikings or Norsemen who set out by sea to conquer the world—and met with a surprising degree of success. The Norse explorer Leif Eriksson may well have been the first European to visit North America, around AD 1000 (predating Columbus by about 500 years). It's thought that he landed in Labrador and Newfoundland, and perhaps as far south as New England. He established a settlement known as Vinland, believed to have been at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland.
The Black Death reached Norway in 1349, killing an estimated two-thirds of the population and leaving the weakened nation easy prey for its powerful Scandinavian neighbors. For more than 500 years, Norway was governed by Denmark or Sweden, who treated it as a rustic, uncultured backwater. It was not until 1905 that the country finally regained its independence. This relatively recent transformation to nationhood helps explain the deep-rooted patriotism of most Norwegians. When Norway was overrun by Germany during World War II, resistance was fierce—everyone from schoolteachers to fishermen organized to fight against the occupation.
Contemporary Norwegians take pride in the cultural accomplishments of such Norwegians as playwright Henrik Ibsen, artist Edvard Munch and composer Edvard Grieg. Being devotees of the outdoors, they are equally proud of their present-day athletic heroes and heroines, be they soccer players, skiers, skaters or runners.
The Norwegian standard of living is among the highest in the world, in part because the country is almost self-sufficient in its energy needs (more than 95% of which are supplied by hydroelectricity, with some use of biomass and wind power; plus, it's the world's third-largest oil exporter, behind Saudi Arabia and Russia, thanks to its North Sea reserves). Among the other achievements of modern Norwegian society is a deep-down and thorough appreciation of the equality of women—both in theory and in practice. (Norway was one of the first countries in the world to give women the right to vote.)
The country's main attractions are fjords, the midnight sun, beautiful countryside, cruises, open-air museums and very friendly people.
It's hard to imagine a traveler who won't enjoy Norway. The only people who should think twice about going there are those on a tight budget—it's one of the most expensive countries in Europe.
In Norway, whales and environmentalism don't go hand in hand. Since 1993, Norway has defied bans on whale hunting with small hunts, believing the tradition to be an important part of their national identity.
From 2001-05, Norway has placed first in the United Nations’ annual ranking of the best places to live worldwide, based on quality of life and living standards.
The little village of Lyngor, on the country's southern coast, has been named one of the best-preserved villages in Europe by a multinational group of tourism officials. Built over three islands (there are no cars allowed), Lyngor has for centuries been an important anchorage for ships trading up and down Norway's coasts.
If you're on one of the coastal steamers when you cross the Arctic Circle, the crew will perform an elaborate initiation ceremony with free sherry to those willing to be doused with ice water by King Neptune.
Many Sami handicrafts are available in the north of the country along the road and in village markets.
Before 1900, more than 1 million Norwegians departed for the New World. Only Ireland sent more immigrants to the U.S. during those years. If you are of Norwegian ancestry and are interested in tracing your family tree, contact the Norwegian consulate nearest you for information on how to trace your roots. In Norway, contact the Norwegian Emigration Center (Strandkeien 31, N-4012, Stavanger) for information on Norwegian families who relocated to the U.S. and Canada. You can also request a search through their Web site: http://www.emigrationcenter.com.
There is no midnight sun in Oslo, but you can experience "white nights," as they do in St. Petersburg (Russia), Sitka (Alaska) or northern Scotland (all at similar latitudes). To see the sun at midnight, you must be north of the Arctic Circle.
Many large Russian cruise ships ply the Norwegian fjord routes. We've seen both the Maxim Gorky and the Fyodor Dostoyevsky during our cruises along the coast.
Morgedal, in Telemark county, is where modern skiing was born in the 19th century. Rock carvings have been found that show Norwegians skiing 4,000 years ago.
Fagernes is reputed to be the home of trolls, who lured unsuspecting prey into the Valdres Mountains.
Those who enjoy salmon fishing should try the rivers near Alta, where huge fish thrive in the Arctic waters.
The national holiday is 17 May, celebrated with children's parades, waving flags and stunning traditional costumes—each small area has its own distinctive version. Try to spend the day in a small town, if you can.
Norway's royal family likes to see itself as a monarchy for the common man. The royal children attend state-run schools, and the family uses the public transportation system.
According to "right of access" everyone can roam the lands of Norway.
Norway has more than 60 official ports.
