Norway occupies the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The country stretches over 1,600 km from the North Cape to the Skagerrak, which separates it from Danish Jutland. In the east and southeast, Norway borders Finland, Sweden and Russia.
1. Country of mountains, lakes, rivers and forests
The main part of the territory of Norway is the Scandinavian Alps, a long and massive mountain system, the ridges of which form the border with Sweden. The ice caps that shelter these peaks feed thousands of rivers that flow down the slopes and flow into the Atlantic Ocean. The coast is indented by countless fjords, and there are about 160 thousand lakes throughout Norway.
About 1/4 of the country's territory is covered with forests. Agricultural land occupies only 3% of the predominantly mountainous areas.
2. Amazing climate
Thanks to the warm North Atlantic Current, the coast of Norway is never frozen, even at the North Cape. There are no severe frosts on the coast: the difference between average temperatures in summer and winter does not exceed 12 ° C. However, in October, the slopes are covered with snow and there is scope for skiers.
3. Norse Vikings
The history of ancient Norway is inseparable from the art of shipbuilding and navigation. Norse Vikings, who worshiped Thor, the god of thunder and Odin, the god of war, reached the Shetland Islands at the beginning of the 8th century. Then they moved to the Orkney Islands, the Hebrides, the Isle of Man, Ireland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland. In 982, the Norwegians established a colony in Greenland, and a few decades later, around 1022, they landed in America, on the island of Newfoundland. Unlike the Danish Vikings, they did not plunder as often, and usually lived by trade.
4. Under the yoke of Denmark
Norway gained full independence only in 1905. And before that, she was under the influence of neighboring Denmark, which also had power over Sweden. This continued until the early 19th century. In 1814 Norway became the possession of Sweden.
5. World Wars
Norway was able to stay away from the First World War. However, in 1940, like Denmark, she was captured by Nazi Germany. The occupation lasted until the end of the war. Norway joined NATO in 1949 and remains there to this day.
6. Population
Norway is considered one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe. The country is home to just over 5 million people. The bulk of the population, as in the old days, is concentrated on the coast.
7. Rich country
In 1966, oil and gas fields were discovered at the bottom of the sea in Norway. This find completely transformed the country's economy. Since 1985 Norway has been one of the richest countries in Europe. Developed fishing and forestry industries also played an important role in this. The Norwegians are satisfied with their own economy and are in no hurry to join the European Union, unlike their neighbors on the Scandinavian Peninsula.
