As you probably already know by now, I'm half-Norwegian. I was given an upbringing that encompassed the best of both sides of the family. :) I'm proud of both of the countries I come from and my rich heritage! It's important to feel happy with where you came from.
Norway is a fascinating and great place. It's got some interesting stories behind it - learn a little about this wonderful country here. I am glad to call it my home from home.
Name: Norway/Norge
Land Mass: 385,155 square kilometres
Population: 4,554,000
Capital: Oslo
Language: Norwegian (Bokmål/Nynorsk), Saami
Currency: Krone (NOK)
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Head Of State: King Harald V
GDP Per Capita: 334,279 NOK (27,444 GBP)
National Day: May 17th
The Beginning
The history of Norway spans back as far as 12,000 years ago. It is believed that the people of Norway came from southern regions of Europe, such as Germany, travelling further North along the Norwegian coastline. Norway consisted of small kingdoms governed by petty lords, called Jarls. In 872 AD, Harald Fairhair united them following the Battle Of Hafrsfjord, becoming the first king of a united Norway.
The Viking & Medieval Ages
Norway’s most well-known period of history is its Viking age, which lasted from the 8th to the 11th century. My family’s history even goes back this far, as we are the descendents of Viking warriors! During this time, the Vikings formed an empire covering Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands and parts of Britain and Ireland, forming the basis for several major cities worldwide. During this time, Christianity made its way into Norway, its word spread by various Norwegian kings such as Haakon, The Good. Norway was hard-hit by the Black Death in 1349, 40-50% of its population dying of the sickness, including the Fairhair dynasty, which died out in 1387.
Norway's Independence
Norway, Denmark and Sweden were united under the Kalmar Union, which Sweden left in 1523, but Norway remained under Danish rule until May 17th, 1814 where a Constitution was signed at Eidsvoll. This followed Norway’s passing over to Swedish rule after being on the losing side in the Napoleonic Wars. Norway did not achieve its own head of state until 1905. Women got the vote in 1913.
The Second World War & Nazi Occupation
Danish Prince, Haakon VII, ruled with Queen Maud, and Norway lived independently until the Second World War, and the German Occupation of Norway on April 9th, 1940 (despite Norway trying to gain neutrality.) The Norwegian Royal Family and the government were forced into exile. Norway’s Atlantic coast was sought after by the Allies as it was strategically very important. Many atrocities occurred in Norway by the Nazis, including the sexual abuse of “Aryan” women, and the deportation, torture and murder of thousands of Jews, Gypsies and other minorities. This happened under the self-appointed rule of Fascist Vidkun Quisling, who made himself Prime Minister with the agreement of the Nazi occupiers. (My grandma told me she could remember not having any new shoes until the end of the war. She also remembered not being able to hear a movie she was watching, over the screams of Jews being executed behind the cinema. *shakes head*)
Post-War Norway
After the war, Norway concentrated on building a welfare state and social democracy. The first governor-general of the UN was Norwegian, and Norway has supported the UN from the very beginning. Norway’s economy has been improving dramatically since the 1970’s from the discovery of oil in the North Sea and Atlantic. It is now among the richest countries in the world, and its future seems encouraging.
1) Norway is the second richest country in the world.
2) Norway is the top country in the UN’s Human Development Index, which measures factors such as education, life expectancy, and general quality of life. Norwegian life expectancy is 78.9 years!
3) The indigenous tribe in Norway are called the Saami. In Norway, Lapland is called Saamiland, as “Lap” is actually a derogatory term for a Saami tribesperson.
4) Norwegians traditionally drink a liqueur called akevitt, which is strongly alcoholic and made from potatoes.
5) Norway is in the Arctic Circle. On the Norwegian island of Svalbard, polar bears are known to roam the streets!
6) There is snow on the mountains all year round here.
7) Norway has supported homosexuality legally since 1972, and gay marriage since 1993.
8) Compulsory military service is for all men between the ages of 18-44, and must last 9-12 months.
9) The state religion in Norway is Norwegian Lutheran Christianity.
10) It is often said that Norwegian children are “born with skis on their feet.” Indeed, Norway are known to excel in winter sports championships all over the world.
11) Norway has a rich folklore. From the myths of gods and valkyries to the tales of the forest- and mountain-dwelling trolls, this mystical and beautiful country is steeped in legend.
12) Many creative geniuses have come from Norway, such as the composer Edvard Grieg (on whom the musical “Song Of Norway“ is based), the writer Henrik Ibsen, and the painter Edvard Munch, who produced “The Scream.”
13) The traditional costume of Norway is called the bunad, which is a highly expensive and intricate dress full of pattern and colour. This is usually worn today on Independence Day (May 17th), but some Norwegians choose to wear their bunad every single day!
14) In the three northernmost counties, the sun is visible 24 hours a day for two and a half months. Between November and February, the Aurora Borealis is also visible.
15) Norway is home to a rich variety of interesting and amazing animals, such as the brown bear, wolverine, elk, porpoise, salmon, deer, wolf, orca whale, dolphin, lynx… …and bright pink jellyfish!
click here for the UK site
or here for the US version! :)