Norway is one of the world's richest countries. It has a rugged but captivating landscape, and a coastline that runs for more the twelve thousand miles. It is also home to spectacular glaciers, mountains and fjords, which are its most famous natural wonders. During the winter the country is dark, cold and covered in snow. In total contrast, the summer months are bathed in crisp, fresh air, glorious sunshine and days literally do not end.
All images © Innovation Norway
Norwegians are extremely passionate about reading and literature. Norway's most famous writer and playwright is Henrik Ibsen, amongst who's most famous works is the play 'A Doll's House'. Artists Edvard Munch and Christian Krohg were contemporaries who produced many fine works. Sculptor Gustav Vigeland has a permanent exhibition in the Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo, while musical development in Norway since Edvard Grieg has followed either native folk themes or, more recently, international trends.
Its climate does not lend itself to diverse ranges of vegetables
or wildlife. Norwegians love smoked Salmon. Fish and meat make up a
large part of the national diet. Sausages are also a much-loved,
traditional delicacy. Stews and soups are home-made and ideal for
warming up after a days work. Meatballs are very popular evening
meals, whether as part of a stew or soup, or served with potatoes.
One of Norway's national drinks is Aquavit, which is a clear spirit
infused with herbs. Another is pills lager, which generally has a
low alcoholic content but is full of flavour.
Norway experienced massive growth and development during the ninth to eleventh century, which even included the control of parts of the United Kingdom. By the mid 1500's it had become part of the Danish Kingdom and its royal line had come to an end. The Napoleonic wars resulted in Norway again siding with Sweden and following the Treaty of Kiel, Norway secured its own government and parliament. Decades of disputes with Sweden followed, and the early nineteen hundreds saw the end of the Norwegian-Swedish union. It 1949, it signed up to the North Atlantic Treaty and was also one of the first members of the United Nations. Norway has twice voted on whether to enter to European Union, and both times the motion was rejected.
Some scenes of Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back (episode V), were recorded at Finse, near the Oslo-Bergen railway, in March 1979. Finse is featured in the film as the snow and ice planet 'Hoth'
| Capital | Oslo |
|---|---|
| Official language | Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk) |
| Currency | Norwegian krone |
| Time zone | Central European Time |
| Area | 385,252 sq km/148,746 sq mi |
| Population | 4.96 Million |
For your perfect tailor-made holiday, please call our expert travel team on:
0203 131 0527
Our lines are open:
| Monday to Friday | 9am - 5.30pm |
| Saturday | 9.30am - 1pm |
Vienna Philharmonic Sea & Music Cruise - July 2012
For ticket information please click here.
