The Kingdom of Norway is a country in Northern Europe, whose calling card is nature with its narrow sea bays and rocky shores, mountains and forests. In addition, Norway is the country with the most high level human development.

History and origins of Norway

The ancestors of the Norwegians are nomadic Finnish tribes who came to the territory of modern Norway about 10 thousand years ago. But only at the beginning of the 9th century AD. Viking Harald the Fair-Haired was able to unite the tribes into one state and since then the Viking Age began.

The Vikings sailed to other countries, some to trade, others to plunder and conquer. But already at the beginning of the 15th century, their power weakened and Norway entered into an alliance with Denmark and Sweden, in which it was being towed by Sweden. Only in 1905 Norway broke the union and became an independent state. The name of the country is explained quite simply. Norðrvegr means "way north" in Old Norse.

Geographic location

The Kingdom of Norway is located on the Scandinavian Peninsula and stretches along its western coast. The area of ​​the state is 385,186 km², taking into account the islands in its territorial waters. In the east, Norway borders on Sweden, Finland and Russia in the southeast. The coast of Norway is washed by the waters of the Norwegian and Berents seas.

The largest cities themselves are Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen. But the most beautiful, which was determined by the Norwegians themselves, is Alesund. The fact is that about 100 years ago there was a large-scale fire here, after which architects from all over the country came here and rebuilt the city almost anew. Here you can walk for hours, just looking at unusual houses with towers and spiers, bas-reliefs, flowers on the facades. In addition, there are many attractions in the city, for example, an observation deck on Mount Aksla or the Museum of History.

Climate

The climate is different in different parts of Norway. Under the influence of the North Atlantic Current, a temperate maritime climate prevails in the west of the country. In winter, the air temperature does not fall below -3°С, and in summer it fluctuates between +16°С +18°С. In the central regions of the country, the climate is temperate continental with air temperatures down to -20°C in winter and not higher than +17°C in summer. Northern Norway has a subarctic climate. In winter, the air temperature can drop below -22°С, in summer it can fluctuate from +6°С to +15°С.

The best time to travel to Norway of course depends on the purpose. But regardless of it, summer is considered the most favorable time of the year, when all types of recreation are available here.

Population

90% of the population are Norwegians and indigenous people. Officially, the Sami people, who have lived in the country for the longest time, are recognized as the indigenous population of Norway. They lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle, hunting and fishing. The remaining 10% include representatives from Poland, Sweden, Germany and Denmark, as well as people from Iraq.

Norwegians are very reserved, kind and hospitable. In the first place for Norwegians is culture and education, and Norway is also the first country in the world to introduce compulsory primary education. By the way, Norway spends many times more money on education than on defense.

State-political structure of the country

The form of government in Norway is a constitutional monarchy. The main law is the Constitution, adopted in 1814, including additions and amendments. Legislative power in the country is represented by a unicameral parliament, and the executive branch is represented by the Government. The head of Norway and the executive power is the king. In 1991, Harald V was elected King of Norway.

Currency

The national currency of Norway is the Norwegian krone. It consists of 100 ore. There are coins in denominations of 10 and 50 ore, as well as 1, 5, 10 and 20 crowns, and banknotes in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 crowns.

There is a restriction on the export of national currency from the country - 5 thousand crowns.

Traditions and religion

The state religion of the kingdom is Lutheranism and almost 90% of the population belong to the state Church of the country. The remaining 10% includes adherents of Catholicism and Islam, as well as people who do not identify themselves with any religion.

You can talk about the culture of Norway for a long time. It was here that Edvard Munch, the artist of the famous painting "The Scream", lived and worked. Norway gave the world three Nobel laureates in literature, and it is also the birthplace of such a musical movement as black metal.

Despite their restraint and even a certain severity, Norwegians love the holidays. The main holiday here is Independence Day, during which street festivities and theatrical processions are organized, parades are held and competitions are organized. They also celebrate Christmas, Easter, Trinity, Labor Day, and the Summer Solstice.

National cuisine of Norway

An integral part of Norwegian cuisine, of course, is fish and seafood. Norwegian fish specialties are:

• lutefisk - smoked boiled cod with potatoes, pea puree and goat cheese;
• "fiskeboller" - fish meatballs with sauce;
• "rakfisk" - fermented trout.

Norwegians also love meat. In the forests of the country, various game is mined, which is baked and served with sauces made from berries, in particular juniper. A traditional Christmas dish is ribbe, a fried pork belly. Also in restaurants in Norway you can find many dishes from whale meat.

Krumkake - waffle cookies can be considered a signature Norwegian dessert. The dough for it is kneaded from flour, butter, eggs, sugar and cream, baked in a figured frying pan. After that, it is rolled into a cone and filled with various fillings, such as whipped cream.

Norway / Norway

Kingdom Norway (Kongeriket Norge / Noreg) is located in northern Europe, in the eastern part of the northern hemisphere. A thin ribbon on the map (maximum width of 420 km.) Norway, indented by fjords and mountain ranges, stretches along the northwestern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In addition to the territories on the mainland, Norway has a number of islands and an archipelago (some of which are very far from the mainland). This is the Svalbad archipelago, also known as Svalbard, Jan Mayen, the islands of Bouvet and Peter I, the land of Queen Mary. The area of ​​Norway is approximately 386 thousand square meters. km. (66th in the world). And more than half of this territory lies at an altitude of more than 500 meters above sea level.

Location: Norway is one of the 4 Scandinavian countries that are located in the northern expanses of Europe. In the east it borders on Sweden, Finland and Russia, in the west it is washed by the Norwegian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, in the north by the Barents Sea, and in the south by the North Sea. The total area of ​​the country is 386,958 sq. km.

Geography: Norway is a mountainous country. This is an elongated and narrow country, more than 30% of the territory of which is covered with forests, many rivers and lakes. And more than half of the country's area is occupied by mountain ranges. Almost all of its territory is occupied by the Scandinavian mountains, heavily dissected by fjords and cut through by deep valleys. High plateaus (fjelds) are located in the southern and northern parts of the country, and there are many islands off the coast. The highest and most extensive plateaus are located in the southern part of the country. In some places they are crowned with ridges and sharp peaks - nunataks. The most powerful and highest fields are Yutunheimen, Yuste-dalsbrs, Telemark. It is here, on the Yutunheimen massif, that the highest peak of the Scandinavian Highlands is located - Galdhøpyggen (2470 m).
There are more than 150 thousand islands along the coast of the country. They are located both separately and in whole archipelagos. The largest archipelago is Lofoten and their northern part is Nesterolen. Their close formation protects the country flat from the destructive waves of the ocean. Between the islands and the coast, the sea is always calm.
Capital of Norway- Oslo, which is the business and cultural center of the country. About 500,000 people live here.
Form of government: Norway is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. The monarchy has a strong position in the state, and the reigning king Harald V is very popular and respected among the inhabitants of the country.

Population of Norway about 4.3 million people. About 30 thousand inhabitants belong to the ethnic minority - the Sami, who live in the Arctic Circle and have their own culture, traditions and language. Half of the country's population lives in cities.

Currency unit: Norwegian krone (1 krone is equal to 100 øre, the currency code is NOK, 1 EUR is equal to about 8 NOK)

per capita income in Norway is one of the highest in the world. Oil and gas deposits in the North Sea are one of the foundations of the Norwegian economy. Other leading industries include fishing, timber, paper, mining and shipbuilding.

Language: Norway has three languages. Two of them are similar to each other, and the Sami language has a completely different origin. Both Norwegian languages ​​are used in government offices, schools, churches, radio and television. Books, magazines and newspapers are also published in both languages. Anyone who speaks Norwegian, whether it be the local dialect or the two standard official languages, will be understood by other Norwegians.
Sami, spoken by the natives of Norway, has equal status with Norwegian in the northern provinces of Troms and Finnmark.

Religion: Evangelical Lutheranism is the state religion of Norway. By law, the King of Norway and at least half of the ministers must be Lutheran.

Flag of Norway- a red cloth with a blue Scandinavian cross on a white lining. Adopted on December 15, 1899. From 1748 to 1814, under the conditions of the Danish-Norwegian union, Norwegian ships sailed under the Danish flag (Dannebrog). In 1814, when the King of Sweden became king of Norway, the Norwegians got the right to use this flag by adding to it the Norwegian golden lion crowned and holding an axe. But the struggle for their own flag continued, and in 1821 the parliament adopted a new design for the flag: the Dannebrog with a dark blue cross on a white background. This combination of red, white and blue follows the French tricolor, which at the time was considered a symbol of freedom. The cross is a common symbol of the flags of Denmark and Sweden.

One of the oldest European coats of arms. It originates from the coat of arms of the royal family. The modern version has been officially valid since May 20, 1992. Haakon the Old used a shield with a lion. The earliest surviving information about its flowers is contained in the Royal Saga, written in 1220.
In 1280 King Eric Magnusson added a crown and a silver ax to the lion.

« Ja, vielskerdettelandet"(Yes, we love this region)- official hymn Norway. Text by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (1859), music by Rikard Nordraak (1864). It was first performed on May 17, 1864 on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the constitution.

Climate. The climate of Norway is temperate oceanic, and in the far north - subarctic. The average January temperature ranges from +2°C on the south coast to -12°C in the fjelds (January frosts down to -40°C occur in the interior of Northern Norway); July - respectively from + 15 ° С to + 6 ° С. Summer on the coast is cool, windy and rainy. On the western slopes of the mountains, precipitation is 2000-3000 mm per year, in the east and in Finnmarken - 300-800 mm.

Short story. On the territory of the country, sites dating back to the Paleolithic were found. Agriculture has been known in Norway since 3000 BC. Since ancient times, Norway has been inhabited by tribes belonging to the Germanic group. In the VIII - XI centuries, many Norwegians took part in the famous campaigns of the Vikings. The locals had close contacts with the Gauls and the Roman Empire. From the Gauls, they adopted the runic writing, examples of which are found on tombstones. The population of the country was replenished mainly due to people who came from the south. Hence the name of the country Norway, which means "the way to the north." In those days, people united in tiny kingdoms. The most famous of them is Ynglingi.

In the 9th century, King Harald I Horfager began the unification of the country in single state. Together with Jarl Hladir of Trønnelag, at the Battle of Hafsfjord, his army defeated the forces of the feudal lords opposing them. Due to the growth of the country's population, many small owners were pushed into the interior of the country, where the land is less fertile. Many of the refugees become pirates, merchants or go in search of new lands. There is an opinion that as early as 793 they come to Scotland. In 1000, the Vikings reach the coast of Greenland. In the 11th century in Norway, the first large markets appeared on the banks of the fjords, next to which cities were formed.

In the 13th century, the positions of Christianity were strengthened in Norway. The first missionaries bringing Christianity to the country were the British. Preachers became owners of large estates. Oslo becomes the capital of the country. The prosperity of the city lasted only until the middle of the XIV century, when a terrible plague broke out. In the XII-XIII centuries, civil wars often broke out in Norway, caused by the oppression of spiritual feudal lords. Norway is gradually losing its influence on the territory of England and Ireland.

Iceland was annexed to Norway between 1262 and 1264. In 1397, Norway entered into an alliance with Denmark, by 1537 becoming its province. According to the Kiel Peace Treaty of 1814, Norway was to pass to Sweden. But the Norwegians began the liberation struggle. Sweden used troops to suppress the uprising, and the Norwegians were forced to accept the union. The restriction of the absolute monarchy in the kingdom was, first assembled in 1814, the Storting. However, the king had the right to veto his decisions. In 1905, the union with Sweden was broken, and Norway became an independent state.

During World War I, the country remained neutral. However, she helped the Allies in breaking the blockade set by German submarines. In 1940, Norway was occupied by German troops, who capitulated on May 8, 1945. Norway has been a member of NATO since 1949. The 1980s were marked by major environmental problems in the country, and not through the fault of local residents. For example, the forests of Norway have been severely affected by acid rain from industrial operations in the UK. And in 1986, reindeer breeding suffered due to the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Kitchen. Norwegian menus include a wide variety of dishes. An important place is given to fish and seafood - fried or smoked salmon "laki", boiled prawns "reker", smoked dried cod "lutefisk". It may seem like a delicacy traditional for Norwegian whale meat and various dishes from it. Dairy products play an important role: in many hot dishes, spices are replaced by sour cream, and different varieties of goat cheese are distinguished by unusual colors (from yellow to chocolate) and a specific smell. In meat, preference is given to fried pork ribs, fried lamb and sheep heads "smalhovt", elk and venison of all kinds, meatballs, game, various steaks and steaks. Porridges are included in the menu of even elite restaurants, potatoes are used as an independent dish and as a side dish. Recipes for pies and breads are unique to each region. Dessert is usually served with various muffins, apple casserole with breadcrumbs and tislert bondepicker sour cream, spillingballer cinnamon buns, fromash fruit soufflé, mousse of egg whites whipped with wild berries and trollcream sugar, traditional swelle pancakes ".

Norwegians' favorite drinks are coffee, herbal tinctures, yogurts. Among alcoholic drinks, Rignes beer and purely Norwegian “akevit” are popular – moonshine made from potatoes with caraway seeds, aged in wooden barrels. During the winter in Norway, they drink "glegg" made from red wine with cardamom, cloves, raisins and almonds.

Interesting facts about Norway

1. Norway is a fantastic country. The richest and most diverse nature, huge reserves of energy resources and their reasonable development make the Norwegians an extremely wealthy nation.
2. The population of Norway is negligibly less than 5 million people. This is about a quarter of modern Moscow. More than 1.5 million Norwegians live in the capital Oslo and its suburbs. Any city with a population of over 30,000 is considered large.
3. 100% of Norwegians speak, write and read English perfectly. Children learn the language from the age of 5-6 or earlier. Any child over 10 can easily communicate with you in English. The exception is pensioners 75+.
4. Norwegians love and appreciate the sea. They prefer to live no further than 200–300 meters from the water, or in its direct line of sight. Those who live in the depths of the country still buy a second house by the sea. Boats or boats have 80% of the population.
5. Norway has an incredibly variable climate. Fog, sun, harsh wind, rain, and again fog can change with fantastic frequency. The Norwegians even made up a saying: “Don't like our weather? wait 15 minutes."
6. The nature of Norway is majestic and diverse. Forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, sea - in their original state. The attitude towards nature is very careful. There are no poachers, there is practically no garbage either. Thanks to the sea, there are no mosquitoes and other insects.
7. By law, any resident of the country and its guest has the right to unhindered access to all natural resources without restrictions - both in the forest and on the sea. You can walk and swim wherever you want. If the land is private or fenced, it is advisable to ask permission out of courtesy.
8. Stories that Norway is a very expensive country are true. In general, all goods are expensive, services (for example, taxis) will cost even more.
9. Products in Norway are of the highest quality. Especially dairy. By the way, here are the most expensive hamburgers in Europe.
10. Compliance with laws and the absence of crime - almost everywhere. Theft is unthinkable for most residents. Only large retail chains have frames-detectors of theft of goods at the exit, or surveillance cameras. Otherwise, they are practically nowhere to be found.
11. Almost 100% of the population is connected to high-speed Internet. Due to the climate and long distances, Norwegians spend a lot of time online.
12. Norwegians love and protect their monarchy. The adult population, to a greater extent than the younger ones, are proud of the fact that they have preserved the royal family.
13. The average salary for many Norwegians can be up to 5-7 thousand euros per month.
14. Sea and lake fishing in Norway is a connoisseur's paradise. The fish are incredible. There are fishing regions only in the northern regions, and starting from the city of Bergen and to the south, there is no fishing. Fishing licenses are not required.
15. That is why many Europeans have recently developed a profitable hobby: to come to Norway in auto-refrigerators, live in the cheapest houses or tents, fish for two weeks without a break, providing themselves with fish for 6 months in advance, and leave back. The Germans, Dutch and Belgians are perhaps the most active.
16. Norwegians do not collect the gifts of the forest, do not understand mushrooms and berries, do not know the properties of herbs. In a good year there are so many mushrooms that in 2-3 hours one person can collect a 100-liter bag of selected white mushrooms.
17. Norwegians are terribly surprised and admire the knowledge of Russians about mushrooms and berries. Many are sure that we are brave and risky people if we go to the forest to collect them.
18. You can't just buy strong alcohol in Norway! It is sold only in special stores - Vinmonopolet (alcohol monopoly), owned by the state. They work strictly Monday-Friday, in the capital there are Saturday shops that are open until 19.00 maximum, with a big break for lunch in the middle of the day. Alcohol is very expensive.
19. In supermarkets, you can only buy beer or cider not stronger than 5.2 degrees. Everything above, including wine - only in the restaurant, bar, Vinmonopolet.
20. Norwegians love to drink, but they don't know how. They act loud and funny.
21. Norway has the longest fjords in the world. A fjord is a wide, often winding and deep channel with rocky shores, piercing from the sea deep into the mainland for many kilometers.
22. Norwegians are medium height, stocky, heavily built with wide-set eyes, snub-nosed, and generally very independent.
23. Norwegians are tall, athletic, many natural blondes.
24. Many Norwegian children are unusually beautiful. Fair-haired, slender, athletic, some with curly hair - the purity of genetic lines is visible. Children are brought up strictly enough. Pampering is not accepted.
25. You can drive all day in the central part of Norway, however, and in any other part of it, and not meet a single police car. Or the cops themselves.
26. Life flows very calmly and measuredly. Norwegians start working at about 10 am, and by 4 am they are already finishing. Only restaurants or supermarkets are open on weekends.
27. Almost 100% of the population skis and snowboards.
28. Children are put on skis from 4–5 years old.
29. On country roads, usually near a farm, you can often find a table with vegetables or fruits with prices. On it there will be scales, shopping bags, and a jar for money. This is a type of self-service. Everything is built on trust. There is no one around.
30. Young Norwegians and even middle-aged people are very fond of science fiction and fantasy as a genre. Movies like Lord of the Rings or Star Wars are very popular.
31. Most of the TV shows are in English, with maximum Norwegian subtitles. It is very comfortable.
32. Norwegians dress very casually and simply, as in general and all of Europe. It is difficult to see a beautifully dressed girl or guy.
33. Local cuisine is simple and unpretentious. The Norwegians have succeeded in the recipes for harvesting fish: dried, salted, smoked, etc.
34. For the most part, Norwegians are well-mannered and trusting people. The older generation is quite pedantic, many observe the traditional way of life and business.
35. Getting a very large loan from a bank at 3-4 percent per annum is not at all difficult. In general, everything is done for the sake of man. You can plan your life 10 years ahead, including any expenses and career advancement. And the plan will come true.
36. The attitude towards foreigners is restrained, but friendly. Norwegians calmly invite guests, share food, help with advice. It is quite possible to make good friends.
37. Outside big cities there is practically no active life.
38. The state in every possible way supports the employment of the population with at least something.
39. The murder of at least one person is discussed on national TV and radio for at least a week. Robbery too.
40. The roads in Norway are very good, but almost the entire regional transport network is single-lane. The highway offers only one lane in each direction.
41. In last years Norway has increased the influx of immigrants from other countries.
42. Learning Norwegian, or Norsk, is quite difficult. A lot of jumping intonations, heterogeneous words.
43. Many young Norwegians complain about boring lives, excessive law enforcement, high prices and a harsh climate. However, they are proud to be themselves and part of the nation.
44. In summer, the southern part of the country is a very warm place. Strawberries, plums and pears ripen in abundance. Water in some places is angry up to 20 degrees.
45. Air travel within the country, as well as abroad, is extremely cheap. At the same time, the quality of service is higher than that of European air discounters.
46. ​​Smoking is controlled by high tobacco prices.
47. Norway has the largest total number of tunnels in Europe. There is one that passes under the sea strait at a depth of about 4 km.
48. Renting a car, even the simplest one, is expensive. 2-3 times more expensive than in some European countries. Almost all cars are diesel.
49. Norway is the northernmost point of mainland Europe. It is called the North Cape, located on the edge of a cliff far to the north. In good weather, you can see the edge of the Arctic glaciers.
50. Despite the geographical proximity to Sweden, the people of Norway are different people. And in general, among all the Scandinavians, they must be the most original. Nature is also different.
51. The funds that Norway receives from the sale of resources are allocated prudently. Norway simply has a large amount of real estate and land abroad.
52. Due to the large number of islands and straits, the ferry network is very developed. Ferries go anywhere and very often.
53. In Norway, it is allowed to catch sea crab - but it is forbidden to catch lobster. Live lobsters are sold at the fish market, their capture is scheduled according to quotas.
54. In Norway, inexpensive silver. Good quality silverware.
55. If you come as a tourist, do not forget to ask for Tax-free. It can be issued almost everywhere and for any goods, from the purchase amount equivalent to 50 euros. As a result, you can return up to 30% of the money spent.
56. A hero of Norwegian folklore, the troll is a very popular symbol in many establishments. Trolls are the spirits of nature, they protect it, and also help good people.
57. Domestic animals, especially dogs, are extremely well-mannered. They bark a little, are very friendly, and generally do not interfere with the owners. Even with each other, they are very reserved.
58. It's not easy to piss off a Norwegian. Many choose not to get involved. But if you have achieved your goal - do not expect anything good. Norwegians are terrible in anger.
59. Energy in Norway costs crazy money. For 4 weeks, a family of 5 can spend about 1000 euros on electricity.
60. Guardianship of children and youth is very strong. It is not at all uncommon when kindergarten 20-30 kids from the same area walk around, and no one else. For others, another garden is being built.
61. There are few multi-storey and residential complexes, almost none. Most people live in private houses. The houses are simple but comfortable. They are usually painted red or blue and white, often with a field grass lawn on the roof.
62. There are not many well-known facts about Norway. The most famous associations are Vikings, Edvard Grieg, mountains, fjords and trolls.
63. Most of the income of the economy comes to the treasury from the sale of petroleum products. Next comes marine fishing, shipbuilding, engineering and the construction of deep-sea platforms.
64. The northern part of the country is very different from the southern climate. Winters in the north are cold and snowy. In the south, there may be no snow at all and the temperature in winter is positive.
65. In the market or in the supermarket you can buy whale meat. It is scarce and expensive.
66. In some cities, the local fauna has completely got used to the neighborhood of man. Pigeons in the square can sit right on your hand and start pecking at your bun.
67. Engineering universities, maritime academies, as well as oil and gas institutes are very prestigious.
68. According to tradition, every man must make a knife and a scabbard for himself.
69. Along the road you can often find small cairns. They are called "tog" and no one touches them. Previously, they were folded so as not to go astray after a snowfall or in heavy fog. Now it's a fun tradition.
70. There are many game and wild animals.
71. When drinking, Norwegians clink glasses and say “Skol!”. Toasts are not accepted.
72. The population of the country is not very religious. Of course, there are churches and churches, but not many. The service is attended mostly by adults.
73. If you live in nature in your house and have only electricity, you can feed yourself from the earth by 80%.
74. The Norwegians have nothing, and there is no need to share with each other. In addition, many people usually know each other. As a result, the complete absence of skirmishes or hostile factions. But visitors who were allowed to come and live in the country often crowd out the locals with their behavior and arrogance.
75. Finding worthy Russian products is not at all easy. It is easier to order them via the Internet with delivery, but there are exceptions, for example, Kefir is sold everywhere in supermarkets. But pickling cucumbers or fermenting cabbage is easier on your own.
76. If you set a goal, then in a fairly short time you can get a meeting with the Prime Minister of the country.
77. If the hosts are at home, it is customary to raise the national flag on a flagpole next to the house. Many people have it. When leaving, it is lowered.
78. Respect for private property is observed everywhere. During the day, most houses are not locked at all, except for housing in big cities - and this is completely safe. Visiting is by invitation.
79. Recently, online poker has been very popular in the country. Today, this is a common trend throughout Scandinavia. Norwegian players are popular and very dangerous: they are aggressive, persistent and calculating. Many achieve excellent results in the global poker arena.
80. As a gift, Norwegians can bring high-quality alcohol. From the hands of the Russians, it is even recommended.
81. After sea fishing, many people want to try lake or river fishing. Often, at the entrance to a freshwater lake, you can see a poster prohibiting the use of marine gear in the lake. In especially fish lakes at the entrance there are machines with detergents for your fishing rods and gear. This measure prevents marine microorganisms on the gear from moving into fresh water. There have already been cases of algae infestation.
82. There are practically no expensive cars on the roads in Norway. In half of the cases, Germans or other Europeans will be driving the new S-Class or BMW X6.
83. It is almost impossible to meet beggars on the streets. The only exceptions are big cities, and almost always it is one of the immigrants. In the nineties, this was not the case at all.
84. Registering your own company is quite simple. Be prepared to pay high taxes and remember that Norwegians are very conservative in their choice of goods and services.
85. There is a beautiful amusement park near Oslo. It is very interesting and fun there, there are very few queues.
86. Pilots of civil aviation - cold-blooded and fearless. Takeoffs and landings are often very fast, and the weather conditions are not the most ideal. But this is justified - there are solid mountains around, there are not many direct platforms, and you need to take off quickly. Dozens of flights around the country under very harsh conditions have repeatedly proved their professionalism.
87. When traveling in Norway, don't spare your money and treat yourself to a traditional wool sweater! Usually they are painted in a multi-colored ornament, sometimes in deer, in squares or broken lines. They can be very expensive, from 300 euros - but the quality is excellent, and they will last you an incredibly long time without fading or shrinking.
88. Unless it is a foreigner or an immigrant, the chances that you will be asked for a cigarette on the street are zero. If you yourself share it with a friend, he will try to return it to you.
89. Local residents are not inclined to be overweight. They spend a lot of time at sea and in the fresh air, the food is not greasy and of good quality. Very little fast food.
90. When getting married, Norwegian wives become very homely. Often they are very educated, hardworking and well-mannered. Given the fact that many citizens have inherited wealth for several generations, often women are quite wealthy even before marriage.
91. All cars on the roads of Norway have a built-in permanent low beam mode. It is not disabled in most cases. This is due to changeable weather.
92. For renting a boat with an engine less than 9 hp. management license is not required. It is almost impossible to rent everything that is more powerful and faster without special water rights.
93. English word Thursday (Thursday) comes from the name of the Norse god of thunder Thor (Thor). At first, the day was called Thor's day.
94. Exhibiting your successes, achievements is not held in high esteem by the Norwegians. Basically, this is how immigrants and tourists behave.
95. In the summer, Norwegians like to go to warm countries, and they don’t mind going to places where it’s warm and there are also mountains. For example, you can meet them in Croatia, Montenegro, western Italy.
96. Go to the grocery store, find a large refrigerator with bags of frozen shrimp sold by weight, put them in a thermal bag, weigh them, pay - and at home just put them in the kitchen sink and turn on the boiling water. Once the shrimp are thawed and warmed up, remove and serve. Shrimps will be juicy, fragrant and already quite salty. They don't need to be cooked or specially prepared.
97. Finding a sushi restaurant or cafe that serves sushi is almost impossible. They are only in Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger. In other cities there is only one such institution. The quality is very modest and, of course, expensive.
98. The private lives of citizens are rarely made public. Getting into other people's relationships is not accepted, and Norwegians usually do not talk about personal things.

Norway is one of four located in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula and in the North of Europe, respectively. The kingdom also owns: the Svalbard archipelago, Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, Bear Island and Jan Mayen in the waters of the Arctic Ocean.

The area of ​​territorial borders is equal to 385 thousand square kilometers. Along the eastern border of Norway are the Scandinavian mountains, which are a natural border with. Also in the far north, the country borders on Russia and. The population of the kingdom, as of 2013, is 5.064 million people. For comparison, St. Petersburg alone has 5.192 million inhabitants. The capital of Norway is Oslo, the largest city in the country with a population of 624 thousand people, that is, an eighth of the population of the entire kingdom.

The form of government in Norway is a constitutional monarchy. From January 17, 1991, to this day, Harald V rules. The previous king with the name Harald ruled in the first half of the twelfth century from 1130 to 1136. Norway is divided into 19 regions. The official language is Norwegian, the language of the Germanic group is closest to Faroese and Icelandic. Although in remote northern regions, the Sami language is used in everyday life.

History of Norway

Modern Norwegians are descendants of the formidable Vikings. Which in the early Middle Ages kept half of Europe in fear. They were mostly from poor peasant families. But, meanwhile, the Vikings were famous for their skillful shipbuilders and fearless warriors.

At the end of the fourteenth century, in 1397, the Kalmar Union was created, a union of the kingdoms of Norway and Sweden. All union territories were ruled by Danish kings. The union lasted for more than 100 years until 1523. The main reason for the collapse is dissatisfaction within Norway and Sweden from the ongoing rule by the Danes.

However, after the collapse of the Kalmar Union, Denmark and Norway formed a new Danish-Norwegian Union in 1536. And again, all supreme power belonged to Denmark, and Norway was only a province in the Danish kingdom. But, after the Anglo-Danish war in 1807 - 1814, Denmark collapsed and ceded Norway to Sweden, so a new Swedish-Norwegian union was formed, which lasted until 1905, after which Norway gained independence.

Norway on the map

Most of the territory of Norway is made up of the Scandinavian mountains and plateaus, heavily indented by river and lake valleys. World-famous are the most picturesque - deep sea bays protruding into the land with steep rocky shores. The kingdom is extremely mountainous and the average surface elevation of Norway is almost 500 meters above sea level.

Weather in Norway

The climate of Norway in most of the territory is temperate maritime. Despite such a northern location, even in winter, the temperature in the kingdom rarely drops below zero, except in the highlands and the far north. So in Moscow, the average February temperature is -7 degrees, and in the more northern Bergen +2.

Such warm and mild weather is due to the proximity of the Gulf Stream - a current that carries heat to Europe. So at 59 degrees north latitude is the Norwegian tropical garden.

Flights

There are several international airports in the country, the most important are located within the boundaries of the capital - Oslo, direct flights from Moscow to Oslo and back are made quite often. Public transport is constantly running between the main airport and the capital, and buses also run in the direction of other major cities in Norway, which is very convenient for the traveler.

Video about the nature of the kingdom

Modern furnishings

Norway can be spoken of as a mono-national country, because almost 95 percent of the population are native Norwegians - a North German people.

Since 2009, Norway has been at the top of the Human Development Index since 2009. The Kingdom is a developed and urbanized country with significant natural resources. And at the moment it is also the largest producer of oil and gas in Northern Europe.

One of the ancient and traditional industries for Norway is fishing. Fishing is carried out by both large companies and individual family farms. Fish is a traditional dish in Norway, served in a variety of variations. And plays a significant role in the diet of the Norwegians.

The kingdom is rich in forests, mostly coniferous, although in the south there are both mixed and purely deciduous. Forests play the role of a home for such animals: bears, lynxes, wolverines and deer. Birds nest on it, forming numerous bird colonies. Lemmings have found shelter in the tundra.

Tourists of different social status and marital status are accepted all year round.

Country Information

The state of Norway is a constitutional monarchy and is officially called the Kingdom of Norway. Form state government- unitary.

Norway has its own flag, anthem and coat of arms. The flag is a red rectangle with a blue Scandinavian cross bordered in white.

The coat of arms of the country looks like a red shield with a crowned lion depicted on it. The animal stands on its hind legs, and in the front legs it holds an ax - silver, but with a golden handle. The shield itself is crowned with a royal crown.

The capital of Norway is, the seat of government is also located here. The name of the country from the Old Norse language is translated as "the way to the north."

The currency of Norway is the Norwegian krone. The Kingdom of Norway is part of the Schengen area and the Scandinavian Passport Union, which greatly facilitates the movement and temporary residence of citizens of the Nordic countries.

The total area of ​​Norway is 385.186 sq. km. Geographically, the state of Norway is divided into 5 large regions (Northern, Western, Southern, Central and Eastern Norway), and administratively - into 19 counties (provinces).

Geography of Norway

On the world map, you will find Norway in the northwestern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. This is a strip of land stretched along, heavily indented by rocky fjords. Geographically, Jan Mayen and Bear in the waters of the Arctic Ocean, the Svalbard archipelago (Svalbard) and many small coastal islands.

Also, the territory of the state of Norway is the island of Bouvet, located in the southern part of the Atlantic. The kingdom lays claim to part of Antarctica: the uninhabited island of Peter I and most of the coast, called Queen Maud Land.

Norway has a common eastern and southeastern border with Finland and Russia. From the south, Norway is washed by the waters of the North, in the northeast - by the Barents Sea, in the northwest - by the Norwegian Sea. On the territory of Norway there are the largest reserves of natural gas and oil, as well as rich deposits of titanium ores. The country has the largest fishing and merchant fleet in Europe. But agriculture is practically non-existent. In recent years, tourism has been actively developing in Norway.

The natural landscape of the Kingdom is very diverse. Norway has mountains and valleys, and forests, covering more than a third of the entire territory. The natural beauties of Norway, especially the fjords, will give you great photos and lasting memories.

Weather in Norway

Norway has a mild climate, as the country's coast is washed by the warm Atlantic Gulf Stream. It is it that provides average summer temperatures at the level of + 8 ... + 15 ° С. Winter indicators, as a rule, do not fall below -15 ° С. The subarctic climate, within which in winter the thermometer drops to -25 ° C, captures only the very north of the country, lying above the Arctic Circle.

Population of Norway

The population in Norway has now exceeded 5 million people. The state religion in Norway is Lutheranism.

It is difficult to say what language is spoken in Norway, since the official language - Norwegian - exists in two versions: Bokmål and Nynorsk. In some areas of Northern Norway, in addition to Norwegian, the Sami language has also been given official status.

But experienced tourists should not have a language barrier: most Norwegians are fluent in English and even Danish.

What to see in Norway?

Separately, it is worth noting the variety of amusement parks and trips for families with children. Attractions, family parks and sports grounds, as well as - all this is designed for the smallest tourists.

Extreme seekers are offered:

• diving into the ocean;
• rafting on the mountain rivers of Norway;
• rock climbing on glaciers;
• photohunting for polar bears within the Arctic Circle;
• musk ox safari in .

Hotels and restaurants in Norway

There are plenty of accommodation options in the Kingdom of Norway: from five-star hotels to budget boarding houses. It is worth noting that the level of service in any institution is on top - this is the culture of service in Norway. But the prices of daily living do not exceed the average European level. And this despite the fact that the Kingdom of Norway is a very rich state.

During the season of festivals and winter competitions, there are practically no free places left anywhere. Therefore, going on vacation, book rooms in advance. It is worth noting unusual accommodation options: all 50 lighthouses in Norway have been converted into mini-hotels. Grand Hotel, Anker Hotel, Comfort Hotel Holberg 3*, Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel and budget accommodation at Hostelling International Norway are especially popular with tourists.

They also apply to her. You can try delicious dishes from fresh fish and seafood, goat and cow milk, meat, potatoes and cereals in any institution in the country. Many options for snacks, soft drinks and muffins are prepared traditionally according to old recipes.

In most establishments in the state of Norway, on the menu you will find meat soups with an abundance of greens, whale meat, potato bread, scallops stewed in milk, and a culinary abundance of fruit buns. In addition to the traditional tea menu and wine list, pay attention to national apple compotes, herbal infusions and aquavit (moonshine from potatoes with spices in oak barrels, 18+). Experienced travelers note establishments such as Maaemo (two Michelin stars), Gamle Raadhus, Frognerseteren Mansion and Cornelius.

The most popular city for is Oslo. The largest shopping center in the country is Oslo-City near the new railway station. On the main street of the capital, Karl Johans Gate, and the Aker Brygge embankment, hundreds of shops and shops are located.

The most popular purchases among tourists are natural products made from wool and animal skins, knives decorated with rune ornaments. Also, travelers are happy to buy clothes with ethnic embroideries and drawings, wooden spoons, national spirits, dried olein and handicraft products.

The classic opening hours of most stores and shopping centers in Norway: opening at 9:00-10:00 and closing at 17:00. Small craft shops and workshops are open until 21:00-22:00, and the 7-eleven supermarket chain is open around the clock every day of the year.

It is worth remembering that throughout the state there are already more than 2,500 company stores offering partial VAT refund options. Keep the packaging of your purchase and receipt until you cross the border. According to the laws of Norway, this issue is handled by the customs service.

The railway network in Norway consists of several branches. According to 2005 estimates, the total length of the railway track was 4,087 km. These are the main routes connecting Oslo with the major cities of the country and with Sweden.

The road network has a total length of about 100,000 km, of which 74% is paved. About a third of all directions are roads of national importance. According to statistics, every second inhabitant of the country has his own vehicle. Traveling by car in Norway is very comfortable.

53, all operate regular domestic flights. Of these, 8 airports have international status. The most popular airports in Norway are (Oslo), () and Flesland (Bergen).

Water communication in Norway is represented by river trams and ferries, as well as small private vessels. The latter, in most cases, is the only way to get to the territory of the coastal islands or to the area with a winding coast.

In large cities and small towns, urban transport is well established.

Visa Information

Since the Kingdom is part of the Schengen zone, for Russians and citizens former USSR needed. To obtain it, you need to contact the Norwegian Consulate: Moscow, Povarskaya street, house 7. Work phone of the visa processing department: +7 499 951 1050.

Calls are accepted only from 9:00 to 10:00. Visa documents are accepted on weekdays except Thursday from 10:00 to 12:00. Visa processing time is about 2-3 weeks.

Norway has very strict laws regarding environmental protection: you should not throw garbage on the ground, smoke in public places and cause any harm to nature. Despite the fact that Norwegians are usually polite and calm, such violations threaten you with severe punishment, up to being placed on the persona non grata list.

How to get to Norway?

The easiest and most convenient option is a flight from Moscow and St. Petersburg to the international airport in Oslo, the capital of Norway. Departing from Murmansk or Arkhangelsk, you get to the airport of Tromso. All European airlines fly to Oslo from metropolitan airports and major cities. You can get to Norway by ferry from Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Scotland, Iceland, from and even from St. Petersburg. You can also get to Oslo from Europe by rail.

The content of the article

NORWAY, The Kingdom of Norway, the states of Northern Europe, in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Territory area - 385.2 thousand square meters. km. It ranks second in size (after Sweden) among the Scandinavian countries. The length of the border with Russia is 196 km, with Finland - 727 km, with Sweden - 1619 km. The length of the coastline is 2650 km, and taking into account the fjords and small islands - 25 148 km.

Norway is called the land of the midnight sun because 1/3 of the country lies north of the Arctic Circle, where the sun barely sets below the horizon from May to July. In the middle of winter, in the far north, polar night lasts almost around the clock, and in the south, daylight hours last only a few hours.

Norway is a country of picturesque landscapes, with jagged mountain ranges, glacier-cut valleys, and narrow, steep-sided fjords. The beauty of this country inspired the composer Edvard Grieg, who tried to convey in his works the mood swings inspired by the alternation of light and dark seasons of the year.

Norway has long been a country of seafarers, and most of its population is concentrated on the coast. The Vikings, experienced sailors who created an extensive system of overseas trade, ventured across the Atlantic Ocean and reached the New World ca. 1000 AD In the modern era, the role of the sea in the life of the country is evidenced by the huge merchant fleet, which in 1997 occupied the sixth place in the world in terms of total tonnage, as well as the developed fish processing industry.

Norway is a hereditary democratic constitutional monarchy. It received state independence only in 1905. Prior to that, it was ruled first by Denmark, and then by Sweden. The union with Denmark existed from 1397 to 1814, when Norway passed to Sweden.

The area of ​​the Norwegian mainland is 324 thousand square meters. km. The length of the country is 1770 km - from Cape Linnesnes in the south to the North Cape in the north, and its width ranges from 6 to 435 km. The shores of the country are washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the Skagerrak in the south and the Arctic Ocean in the north. The total length of the coastline is 3,420 km, and including the fjords - 21,465 km. In the east, Norway borders on Russia (the length of the border is 196 km), Finland (720 km) and Sweden (1660 km).

Overseas possessions include the Spitsbergen archipelago, consisting of nine large islands (the largest of them is Western Spitsbergen) with a total area of ​​63 thousand square meters. km in the Arctic Ocean; o.Jan Mayen with an area of ​​380 sq. km in the North Atlantic Ocean between Norway and Greenland; the small islands of Bouvet and Peter I in Antarctica. Norway claims Queen Maud Land in Antarctica.

NATURE

terrain

Norway occupies the western, mountainous part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. This is a large boulder, composed mainly of granites and gneisses and characterized by a rugged relief. The block is asymmetrically raised to the west, as a result, the eastern slopes (mainly in Sweden) are more gentle and long, and the western ones, facing the Atlantic Ocean, are very steep and short. In the south, within Norway, both slopes are present, and between them there is a vast upland.

To the north of the border between Norway and Finland, only a few peaks rise above 1200 m, but towards the south the heights of the mountains gradually increase, reaching maximum heights of 2469 m (Mount Gallhöppigen) and 2452 m (Mount Glittertinn) in the Jutunheimen massif. Other elevated areas of the highlands are only slightly inferior in height. These include Dovrefjell, Ronnane, Hardangervidda and Finnmarksvidda. Bare rocks are often exposed there, devoid of soil and vegetation cover. Outwardly, the surface of many highlands is more like gently undulating plateaus, and such areas are called "vidda".

During the great ice age, glaciation developed in the mountains of Norway, but modern glaciers are small. The largest of them are Jostedalsbre (the largest glacier in Europe) in the Jotunheimen mountains, Svartisen in north central Norway and Folgefonni in the Hardangervidda region. The small Engabre glacier, located at 70° N, approaches the shore of the Kvenangenfjord, where small icebergs calve at the end of the glacier. However, usually the snow line in Norway is located at altitudes of 900-1500 m. Many features of the country's topography were formed during the Ice Age. Probably, there were several continental glaciations at that time, and each of them contributed to the development of glacial erosion, deepening and straightening of ancient river valleys and their transformation into picturesque U-shaped steep troughs, deeply cutting through the surface of the uplands.

After the melting of the continental glaciation, the lower reaches of the ancient valleys were flooded, where fjords formed. The fjord shores amaze with their extraordinary picturesqueness and are of great economic importance. Many fjords are very deep. For example, Sognefjord, located 72 km north of Bergen, reaches a depth of 1308 m in the lower part. A chain of coastal islands - the so-called. skergor (in Russian literature, the Swedish term shkhergord is more often used) protects the fjords from strong westerly winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean. Some islands are exposed rocks washed by the surf, others reach considerable sizes.

Most Norwegians live on the banks of the fjords. The most significant are Oslo Fjord, Hardanger Fjord, Sognefjord, Nord Fjord, Stor Fjord and Tronnheims Fjord. The main occupations of the population are fishing in the fjords, agriculture, animal husbandry and forestry in some places along the banks of the fjords and in the mountains. In the fjord areas, industry is poorly developed, except for individual manufacturing enterprises that use rich hydropower resources. In many parts of the country, bedrock comes to the surface.

Water resources

In the east of Norway are the largest rivers, including the Glomma 591 km long. In the west of the country the rivers are short and fast. There are many picturesque lakes in southern Norway. Lake Mjosa, the largest in the country, with an area of ​​390 sq. km is located in the southeast. At the end of the 19th century Several small canals have been constructed connecting the lakes to seaports on the south coast, but these are now little used. The hydropower resources of the rivers and lakes of Norway make a significant contribution to its economic potential.

Climate

Despite its northern position, Norway has a favorable climate with cool summers and relatively mild (for the corresponding latitudes) winters - the result of the influence of the Gulf Stream. The average annual precipitation varies from 3330 mm in the west, where moisture-carrying winds first arrive, to 250 mm in some isolated river valleys in the east of the country. The average January temperature of 0°C is typical for the southern and western coasts, while in the interior it drops to -4°C or less. In July, average temperatures on the coast are approx. 14°C, and in the interior - approx. 16 ° C, but there are higher.

Soils, flora and fauna

Fertile soils cover only 4% of the entire territory of Norway and are concentrated mainly in the vicinity of Oslo and Trondheim. Since most of the country is covered by mountains, plateaus and glaciers, the opportunities for plant growth and development are limited. Five geobotanical regions are distinguished: a treeless coastal region with meadows and shrubs, deciduous forests to the east of it, coniferous forests further inland and to the north, a belt of dwarf birches, willows and perennial grasses higher and even further to the north; finally, at the highest altitudes - a belt of grasses, mosses and lichens. Coniferous forests are one of Norway's most important natural resources and provide a variety of export products. Reindeer, lemmings, arctic foxes and eiders are commonly found in the Arctic region. Ermine, hare, elk, fox, squirrel and - in small numbers - wolf and brown bear are found in the forests to the very south of the country. The red deer is distributed along the southern coast.

POPULATION

Demography

Norway's population is small and growing at a slow pace. In 2004, 4574 thousand people lived in the country. In 2004, per 1 thousand people, the birth rate was 11.89, the death rate was 9.51, and the population growth was 0.41%. This figure is higher than natural population growth due to immigration, which in the 1990s reached 8,000–10,000 people a year. Improvements in health and living standards have ensured a steady, albeit slow, increase in population over the last two generations. Norway, along with Sweden, is characterized by record low infant mortality rates - 3.73 per 1000 newborns (2004) against 7.5 in the USA. In 2004 life expectancy for men was 76.64 years and for women 82.01 years. Although Norway's divorce rate was below some of its neighboring Nordic countries, after 1945 the rate increased, and in the mid-1990s about half of all marriages ended in divorce (as in the US and Sweden). 48% of children born in Norway in 1996 are out of wedlock. After the restrictions introduced in 1973, for some time immigration was sent to Norway mainly from the Scandinavian countries, but after 1978 a significant stratum of people of Asian origin appeared (about 50 thousand people). In the 1980s–1990s, Norway accepted refugees from Pakistan, countries in Africa, and the republics of the former Yugoslavia.

In July 2005, 4.59 million people lived in the country. 19.5% of residents were under the age of 15, 65.7% were between the ages of 15 and 64, and 14.8% were 65 or older. The average age of a resident of Norway is 38.17 years. In 2005, per 1 thousand people, the birth rate was 11.67, the death rate was 9.45, and the population growth was 0.4%. Immigration in 2005 - 1.73 per 1000 people. Infant mortality - 3.7 per 1000 newborns. The average life expectancy is 79.4 years.

Population density and distribution

Norway was once the world's leading whaling power. In the 1930s, its whaling fleet in Antarctic waters supplied 2/3 of the world's production to the market. However, reckless capture soon led to a sharp decline in the number of large whales. In the 1960s whaling in Antarctica was discontinued. In the mid-1970s, there were no whaling ships left in the Norwegian fishing fleet. However, fishermen still kill small whales. The annual slaughter of some 250 whales caused serious international controversy in the late 1980s, but as a member of the International Whale Commission, Norway steadfastly rejected all attempts to ban whaling. She also ignored the 1992 International Convention on the Cessation of Whaling.

Extractive industry

The Norwegian sector of the North Sea contains large reserves of oil and natural gas. According to estimates in 1997, industrial oil reserves in this region were estimated at 1.5 billion tons, and gas - at 765 billion cubic meters. m. 3/4 of the total reserves and oil fields in Western Europe are concentrated here. In terms of oil reserves, Norway is ranked 11th in the world. Half of all gas reserves in Western Europe are concentrated in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, and Norway holds the 10th place in the world in this respect. Prospective oil reserves reach 16.8 billion tons, and gas - 47.7 trillion. cube m. More than 17 thousand Norwegians are engaged in oil production. The presence of large oil reserves in the waters of Norway north of the Arctic Circle has been established. Oil production in 1996 exceeded 175 million tons, and natural gas production in 1995 - 28 billion cubic meters. The main fields under development are Ekofisk, Sleipner and Thor-Valhall southwest of Stavanger and Troll, Oseberg, Gullfax, Frigg, Statfjord and Murchison to the west of Bergen, and Dreugen and Haltenbakken further north. Oil production began at the Ekofisk field in 1971 and increased throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In the late 1990s, the rich new deposits of Heidrun near the Arctic Circle and Baller were discovered. In 1997, oil production in the North Sea was three times higher than 10 years ago, and its further growth was only held back by reduced demand in the world market. 90% of the produced oil is exported. Norway started gas production in 1978 at the Frigg field, half of which is in British territorial waters. Pipelines have been laid from Norwegian deposits to Great Britain and Western European countries. The fields are being developed by the state company Statoil together with foreign and private Norwegian oil firms.

Explored oil reserves for 2002 - 9.9 billion barrels, gas - 1.7 trillion cubic meters. m. Oil production in 2005 amounted to 3.22 million barrels per day, gas in 2001 - 54.6 billion cubic meters. m.

With the exception of fuel resources, Norway has few mineral resources. The main metal resource is iron ore. In 1995, Norway produced 1.3 million tons of iron ore concentrate, mainly from the Sør-Varangergra mines in Kirkenes near the Russian border. Another large mine in the Rana region supplies the nearby large steel plant in the city of Mu.

The most important non-metallic minerals are raw cement and limestone. In Norway in 1996, 1.6 million tons of cement raw materials were produced. Building stone deposits are also being developed, including granite and marble.

Forestry

A quarter of the territory of Norway - 8.3 million hectares - is covered with forests. The densest forests are located in the east, where logging is predominantly carried out. More than 9 million cubic meters are being procured. m of timber per year. Spruce and pine are of the greatest commercial importance. The logging season usually falls between November and April. In the 1950s and 1960s there was a rapid increase in mechanization, and in 1970 less than 1% of all employed in the country received income from forestry. 2/3 of the forests are privately owned, but all forested areas are under strict state supervision. As a result of unsystematic logging, the area of ​​overmature forests has increased. In 1960, an extensive reforestation program began to expand the area of ​​productive forests in the sparsely populated regions of the north and west as far as the Westland fjords.

Energy

Energy consumption in Norway in 1994 amounted to 23.1 million tons in terms of coal, or 4580 kg per capita. Hydropower accounted for 43% of all energy production, oil also 43%, natural gas 7%, coal and wood 3%. Norway's full-flowing rivers and lakes have more hydropower than any other European country. Electricity, generated almost entirely by hydroelectric power, is the cheapest in the world, and its per capita production and consumption is the highest. In 1994, 25,712 kWh of electricity was produced per person. In general, more than 100 billion kWh of electricity is generated annually.

Electricity production in 2003 - 105.6 billion kilowatt-hours.

Manufacturing industry

Norway developed at a slow pace due to a shortage of coal, a narrow domestic market, and limited capital inflows. The share of manufacturing, construction and energy in 1996 accounted for 26% of gross output and 17% of all employed. In recent years, energy-intensive industries have been developed. The main industries in Norway are electrometallurgical, electrochemical, pulp and paper, radio-electronic, shipbuilding. The Oslofjord region is characterized by the highest level of industrialization, where about half of the country's industrial enterprises are concentrated.

The leading branch of industry is electrometallurgy, which relies on the widespread use of cheap hydropower. The main product, aluminum, is made from imported aluminum oxide. In 1996, 863.3 thousand tons of aluminum were produced. Norway is the main supplier of this metal in Europe. Norway also produces zinc, nickel, copper and high-quality alloy steel. Zinc is produced at a plant in Eitrheim on the coast of the Hardangerfjord, nickel is produced in Kristiansand from ore brought from Canada. A large ferroalloy plant is located in Sandefjord, southwest of Oslo. Norway is Europe's largest supplier of ferroalloys. In 1996 metallurgical production was approx. 14% of the country's exports.

Nitrogen fertilizers are one of the main products of the electrochemical industry. The nitrogen necessary for this is extracted from the air using a large amount of electricity. A significant part of nitrogen fertilizers is exported.

The pulp and paper industry is an important industrial sector in Norway. In 1996, 4.4 million tons of paper and pulp were produced. Paper mills are located mainly in the vicinity of the vast forests of eastern Norway, for example, at the mouth of the Glomma River (the country's largest timber-floating artery) and in Drammen.

Approx. 25% of industrial workers in Norway. The most important areas of activity are shipbuilding and ship repair, production of equipment for the production and transmission of electricity.

The textile, clothing and food industries provide few products for export. They provide most of Norway's own needs for food and clothing. These industries employ approx. 20% of the country's industrial workers.

Transport and communications

Despite the mountainous terrain, Norway has a well-developed internal communication. The state owns railways with a length of approx. 4 thousand km, of which more than half are electrified. However, most of the population prefers to travel by car. In 1995, the total length of highways exceeded 90.3 thousand km, but only 74% of them had a hard surface. In addition to railways and roads, there were ferries and coastal shipping. In 1946, Norway, Sweden and Denmark founded Scandinavian Airlines Systems (SAS). Norway has a developed local air service: in terms of domestic passenger traffic, it occupies one of the first places in the world. The length of railways in 2004 is 4077 km, of which 2518 km are electrified. The total length of motor roads is 91.85 thousand km, of which 71.19 km are paved (2002). The merchant fleet in 2005 consisted of 740 ships with a displacement of St. 1 thousand tons each. There are 101 airports in the country (including 67 runways with hard surface) - 2005.

The means of communication, including telephone and telegraph, remain in the hands of the state, but the question of creating mixed enterprises with the participation of private capital is being considered. In 1996, there were 56 telephones per 1,000 people in Norway. The network of modern electronic means of communication is rapidly expanding. There is a significant private sector in broadcasting and television. Norwegian Public Broadcasting (NRK) remains the dominant system despite the widespread use of satellite and cable television. In 2002 there were 3.3 million subscribers of telephone lines, in 2003 there were 4.16 million mobile phones.

In 2002, there were 2.3 million Internet users.

International trade

In 1997, Norway's leading trading partners in both exports and imports were the FRG, Sweden and the United Kingdom, followed by Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States. The predominant export items by value are oil and gas (55%) and finished goods (36%). Products of the oil refining and petrochemical, timber, electrochemical and electrometallurgical industries, foodstuffs are exported. The main import items are finished products (81.6%), food products and agricultural raw materials (9.1%). The country imports certain types of mineral fuels, bauxite, iron, manganese and chromium ore, and cars. With the growth of oil production and exports in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Norway had a very favorable foreign trade balance. Then world oil prices fell sharply, its exports declined, and for several years the trade balance of Norway was reduced to a deficit. However, by the mid-1990s, the balance turned positive again. In 1996, the value of Norway's exports was $46 billion, while the value of imports was only $33 billion. The trade surplus is supplemented by large receipts from the Norwegian merchant fleet with a total displacement of 21 million gross register tons, which, according to the new International Register of Shipping, received substantial privileges allowing it to compete with other ships flying foreign flags.

In 2005, exports were estimated at $111.2 billion, imports at $58.12 billion. Leading export partners: UK (22%), Germany (13%), Netherlands (10%), France (10 %), USA (8%) and Sweden (7%), imports - Sweden (16%), Germany (14%), Denmark (7%), UK (7%), China (5%), USA ( 5%) and the Netherlands (4%).

Money circulation and state budget

The currency unit is the Norwegian krone. The exchange rate of the Norwegian krone in 2005 is 6.33 kroons per 1 US dollar.

In the budget, the main sources of income were social security contributions (19%), income and property taxes (33%), excise duties and value added tax (31%). The main expenditures were directed to social security and housing construction (39%), external debt service (12%), public education(13%) and healthcare (14%).

In 1997, government revenues were $81.2 billion and expenditures were $71.8 billion. In 2004, state budget revenues were $134 billion and expenditures were $117 billion.

The government set up a special oil fund in the 1990s using windfall profits from the sale of oil, intended as a reserve for when the oil fields were depleted. It is estimated that by the year 2000 it will reach $100 billion, most of it is located abroad.

In 1994, Norway's external debt was $39 billion. In 2003, the country had no external debt. The size of the total public debt is 33.1% of GDP.

SOCIETY

Structure

The most common agricultural cell is a small family farm. With the exception of a few forest holdings, there are no large land holdings in Norway. Seasonal fishing is also often family-based and on a small scale. Motorized fishing boats are mostly small wooden boats. In 1996, about 5% of industrial firms employed more than 100 workers, and even such large enterprises sought to establish informal relations between workers and management. In the early 1970s, reforms were introduced that gave workers the right to exercise greater control over production. At some large enterprises, working groups themselves began to monitor the course of individual production processes.

Norwegians have a strong sense of equality. This egalitarian approach is both a cause and a consequence of the use of the economic levers of state power to mitigate social conflicts. There is a scale of income taxes. In 1996, approximately 37% of budget expenditures were directed to direct financing of the social sphere.

Another mechanism for equalizing social differences is the strict state control over housing construction. Most of the loans are provided by the state housing bank, and the construction is carried out by companies with cooperative ownership. Due to the climate and topography, construction is expensive, however, the ratio between the number of residents and the number of rooms they occupy is considered to be quite high. In 1990, on average, there were 2.5 people per dwelling, consisting of four rooms with a total area of ​​103.5 square meters. m. Approximately 80.3% of the housing stock belongs to individuals living in it.

Social Security

The National Insurance Scheme, a compulsory pension system covering all Norwegian citizens, was introduced in 1967. Health insurance and unemployment assistance were included in this system in 1971. All Norwegians, including housewives, receive a basic pension upon reaching 65 years of age. Additional pension depends on income and length of service. The average pension roughly corresponds to 2/3 of earnings in the highest paid years. Pensions are paid from insurance funds (20%), employer contributions (60%) and the state budget (20%). Loss of income during illness is compensated by sickness benefits, and in case of long-term illness - disability pensions. Medical care is paid, but all treatment costs exceeding $ 187 per year are paid from social insurance funds (doctors' services, stay and treatment in public hospitals, maternity hospitals and sanatoriums, purchase of medicines for certain chronic diseases, as well as full-time employment – a two-week annual allowance in case of temporary disability). Women receive free prenatal and postnatal care, and full-time working women are entitled to 42 weeks of paid maternity leave. The state guarantees all citizens, including housewives, the right to four weeks of paid leave. In addition, persons over 60 years of age have an additional week's leave. Families receive benefits of $1,620 per year for each child under age 17. Every 10 years, all workers are entitled to annual leave with full wages for training in order to improve skills.

Organizations

Many Norwegians are involved in one or more voluntary organizations that cater to different interests and are most often associated with sports and culture. Of great importance is the Sports Association, which organizes and supervises hiking and skiing routes and supports other sports.

The economy is also dominated by associations. Chambers of Commerce control industry and business. The Central Organization of the Economy (Nøringslivets Hovedorganisasjon) represents 27 national trade associations. It was formed in 1989 by the merger of the Federation of Industry, the Federation of Craftsmen and the Association of Employers. The interests of shipping are expressed by the Association of Norwegian Shipowners and the Association of Scandinavian Shipowners, the latter is involved in the conclusion of collective agreements with seafarers' unions. Small business activities are controlled mainly by the Federation of Trade and Service Industries, which in 1990 had about 100 branches. Other organizations include the Norwegian Forest Society, which deals with forestry issues; the Federation of Agriculture, representing the interests of livestock, poultry and agricultural cooperatives, and the Norwegian Trade Council, which promotes the development of foreign trade and foreign markets.

Trade unions in Norway are very influential, they unite about 40% (1.4 million) of all employees. The Central Association of Trade Unions of Norway (COPN), founded in 1899, represents 28 unions with 818.2 thousand members (1997). Employers are organized in the Norwegian Confederation of Employers, founded in 1900. It represents their interests in the conclusion of collective agreements in enterprises. Labor disputes often go to arbitration. In Norway for the period 1988-1996 there were an average of 12.5 strikes per year. They are less frequent than in many other industrialized countries. Most big number trade union members are in management and manufacturing, although the highest enrollment rate is in the maritime sectors of the economy. Many local trade unions are affiliated with local branches of the Norwegian Workers' Party. The regional trade union associations and the OCPN allocate funds for the party press and for the election campaigns of the Norwegian Workers' Party.

local color

Although the integration of Norwegian society has increased with the improvement of means of communication, local customs are still alive in the country. In addition to spreading the New Norwegian language (nynoshk), each county carefully preserves its own dialects, as well as national costumes intended for ritual performances, the study of local history is supported, and local newspapers are published. Bergen and Trondheim as former capitals have cultural traditions that differ from those adopted in Oslo. Northern Norway is also developing a distinctive local culture, mainly as a result of the remoteness of its tiny settlements from the rest of the country.

Family

A close-knit family has been a specific feature of Norwegian society since the Vikings. Most Norwegian surnames are of local origin, often associated with some natural feature or with the economic development of land that took place during the Viking Age or even earlier. Ownership of an ancestral farm is protected by inheritance law (odelsrett), which gives the family the right to buy the farm even if it has been recently sold. In rural areas, the family remains the most important unit of society. Family members travel from far and wide to attend weddings, christenings, confirmations, and funerals. This commonality often does not disappear even in the conditions of city life. With the onset of summer, the favorite and most economical form of spending holidays and vacations with the whole family is living in a small country house (hytte) in the mountains or on the seashore.

Status of women

in Norway is protected by the laws and customs of the country. In 1981, Prime Minister Bruntland brought an equal number of women and men into her cabinet, and all subsequent governments have been formed on the same principle. Women are well represented in the judiciary, education, health care and administration. In 1995, approximately 77% of women aged 15 to 64 worked outside the home. Thanks to the developed system of nurseries and kindergartens, mothers can work and run the household at the same time.

CULTURE

The roots of Norwegian culture go back to Viking traditions, the medieval "age of greatness" and the sagas. Although usually the Norwegian masters of culture were influenced by Western European art and assimilated many of its styles and subjects, nevertheless, the specifics of their native country were reflected in their work. Poverty, the struggle for independence, admiration for nature - all these motifs are manifested in Norwegian music, literature and painting (including decorative art). Nature still plays an important role in folk culture, as evidenced by the extraordinary fondness of Norwegians for sports and life in the bosom of nature. Mass media are of great educational value. For example, the periodical press devotes a lot of space to the events of cultural life. The abundance of bookstores, museums and theaters also serves as an indicator of the keen interest of the Norwegian people in their cultural traditions.

Education

At all levels, education costs are covered by the state. The education reform launched in 1993 was supposed to improve the quality of education. The compulsory education program is divided into three levels: from preschool to grade 4, grades 5–7 and grades 8–10. Adolescents between the ages of 16 and 19 can receive a complete secondary education, which is necessary for admission to a trade school, high school (college) or university. Approx. 80 higher folk schools where general subjects are taught. Most of these schools receive funds from religious communities, private individuals or local authorities.

Higher education institutions in Norway are represented by four universities (in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Tromsø), six specialized higher schools(colleges) and two public art schools, 26 public colleges in the county and additional education courses for adults. In the 1995/1996 academic year, 43.7 thousand students studied at the country's universities; in other higher educational institutions - another 54.8 thousand.

Tuition at universities is paid. Usually, loans are provided to students for education. Universities train civil servants, clergy and university professors. In addition, universities almost completely provide a cadre of doctors, dentists, engineers and scientists. Universities are also engaged in fundamental scientific research. The Oslo University Library is the largest national library.

Norway has numerous research institutes, laboratories and development offices. Among them stand out the Academy of Sciences in Oslo, the Christian Michelsen Institute in Bergen and the Scientific Society in Trondheim. There are large folk museums on the island of Bygdøy near Oslo and in Maihäugen near Lillehammer, in which one can trace the development of building art and various aspects of rural culture since ancient times. In a special museum on the island of Bygdøy, three Viking ships are exhibited, clearly illustrating the life of Scandinavian society in the 9th century. AD, as well as two ships of modern pioneers - Fridtjof Nansen's ship "Fram" and Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki raft. The active role of Norway in international relations is evidenced by the Nobel Institute, the Institute for Comparative Cultural Studies, the Institute for Peace Research and the International Law Society located in this country.

Literature and art

The spread of Norwegian culture was hampered by the limited audience, which was especially true for writers who wrote in the little-known Norwegian language. Therefore, the government has long been allocating subsidies to support the arts. They are embedded in state budget and are used to provide grants to artists, organize exhibitions and directly purchase works of art. In addition, revenue from state-run football competitions is provided to the General Research Council, which funds cultural projects.

Norway gave the world outstanding figures in all fields of culture and art: playwright Henrik Ibsen, writers Bjornstern Bjornson (Nobel Prize 1903), Knut Hamsun (Nobel Prize 1920) and Sigrid Unset (Nobel Prize 1928), artist Edvard Munch and composer Edvard Grieg. The troubled novels of Sigurd Hul, the poetry and prose of Tarjei Vesos, and the pictures of rural life in the novels of Johan Falkberget also stand out as achievements of Norwegian literature of the 20th century. Probably, writers writing in the New Norwegian language stand out most in terms of poetic expressiveness, among them the most famous is Tarja Vesos (1897–1970). Poetry is very popular in Norway. In relation to the population, several times more books are published in Norway than in the USA, and there are many women among the authors. The leading contemporary lyricist is Stein Meren. However, the poets of the previous generation are much better known, especially Arnulf Everland (1889–1968), Nordal Grieg (1902–1943) and Hermann Willenwey (1886–1959). In the 1990s, Norwegian writer Jostein Gorder gained international recognition for his philosophical story for children. Sofia World.

The Norwegian government supports three theaters in Oslo, five theaters in major provincial cities and one traveling national theater company.

The influence of folk traditions can also be traced in sculpture and painting. The leading Norwegian sculptor was Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) and the most famous painter was Edvard Munch (1863–1944). The work of these masters reflects the influence of German and French abstract art. Norwegian painting showed a gravitation towards frescoes and other decorative forms, especially under the influence of Rolf Nesch, who immigrated from Germany. At the head of representatives of abstract art is Jacob Weidemann. The most famous propagandist of conditional sculpture is Dure Vaux. The search for innovative traditions in sculpture manifested itself in the work of Per Falle Storm, Per Hurum, Yousef Grimeland, Arnold Haukeland and others. The expressive school of figurative art, which played an important role in the artistic life of Norway in the 1980s-1990s, is represented by such masters as Bjorn Carlsen (b. 1945), Kjell Erik Olsen (b. 1952), Per Inge Björlu (b. 1952) and Bente Stokke (b. 1952).

The revival of Norwegian music in the 20th century. noticeable in the works of several composers. Musical drama by Harald Severud based on motifs Peer Gynt, Fartein Valen's atonal compositions, Klaus Egge's fiery folk music and Sparre Olsen's melodic interpretation of traditional folk music testify to the life-giving tendencies in contemporary Norwegian music. In the 1990s, the Norwegian pianist and classical music performer Lars Ove Annsnes won worldwide recognition.

Mass media

With the exception of the popular illustrated weeklies, the rest of the media are serious. There are many newspapers, but their circulation is small. In 1996, 154 newspapers were published in the country, including 83 daily newspapers, the seven largest accounted for 58% of the total circulation. Radio broadcasting and television are state monopolies. Movie theaters are mostly owned by the communes, with occasional success from Norwegian-made films subsidized by the state. Usually American and other foreign films are shown.

In con. In the 1990s, more than 650 radio stations and 360 television stations operated in the country. The population had over 4 million radios and 2 million television sets. Among the largest newspapers are the daily Verdens Gang, Aftenposten, Dagbladet and others.

Sports, customs and holidays

big role in national culture playing recreation outdoors. Football and the annual international ski jumping competition at Holmenkollen near Oslo are very popular. At the Olympics, Norwegian athletes most often excel in skiing and speed skating. Swimming, sailing, orienteering, hiking, camping, boating, fishing and hunting are popular.

All citizens in Norway are entitled to nearly five weeks of paid annual leave, including three weeks of summer vacation. Eight church holidays are celebrated, on these days people try to leave the city. The same applies to two national holidays, Labor Day (May 1) and Constitution Day (May 17).

STORY

Ancient period

There is evidence that primitive hunters lived in some areas on the northern and northwestern coast of Norway shortly after the retreat of the ice sheet edge. However, the naturalistic drawings on the walls of the caves along the west coast were created much later. Agriculture spread slowly in Norway after 3000 BC. During the Roman Empire, the inhabitants of Norway had contact with the Gauls, runic writing (used from the 3rd to 13th centuries AD by Germanic tribes, especially Scandinavians and Anglo-Saxons for inscriptions on tombstones, as well as for magic spells), and the settlement process territory of Norway was carried out at a rapid pace. From 400 AD the population was replenished by migrants from the south, who paved the "way to the north" (Nordwegr, from where the name of the country - Norway) came from. At that time, in order to organize local self-defense, the first tiny kingdoms were created. In particular, the Ynglings, a branch of the first Swedish royal family, founded one of the oldest feudal states west of the Oslo Fjord.

Viking Age and Middle Ages

Period of peaceful development (1905–1940)

The achievement of full political independence coincided with the beginning of accelerated industrial development. At the beginning of the 20th century the Norwegian merchant fleet was replenished by steamships, and whaling ships began to hunt in the waters of the Antarctic. For a long period, the liberal party Venstre was in power, which carried out a number of social reforms, including the full enfranchisement of women in 1913 (Norway was a pioneer among European states in this regard) and the adoption of laws to limit foreign investment.

During the First World War, Norway remained neutral, although Norwegian sailors sailed on Allied ships that broke through the blockade organized by German submarines. In 1920, Norway was granted sovereignty over the Svalbard (Svalbard) archipelago as a token of gratitude for supporting the Entente country. Wartime anxieties helped bring about reconciliation with Sweden, and Norway subsequently played a more active role in international life along the lines of the League of Nations. The first and last presidents of this organization were Norwegians.

In domestic politics, the interwar period was marked by the growing influence of the Norwegian Workers' Party (NLP), which originated among the fishermen and tenants of the far north, and then received the support of industrial workers. Under the influence of the revolution in Russia, the revolutionary wing of this party gained the upper hand in 1918, and for some time the party was part of the Communist International. However, after the breakaway of the Social Democrats in 1921, the ILP broke off relations with the Comintern (1923). In the same year, the independent Communist Party of Norway (CPN) was formed, and in 1927 the Social Democrats again merged with the CHP. In 1935, a government of moderate representatives of the CHP was in power with the support of the Peasant Party, which gave its votes in exchange for subsidies. agriculture and fishing. Despite the unsuccessful experiment with Prohibition (abolished in 1927) and the mass unemployment generated by the crisis, Norway has achieved success in health care, housing, social welfare and cultural development.

The Second World War

April 9, 1940 Germany unexpectedly attacked Norway. The country was taken by surprise. Only in the Oslofjord area were the Norwegians able to put up stubborn resistance to the enemy thanks to reliable defensive fortifications. Within three weeks, the German troops dispersed throughout the interior of the country, preventing individual formations of the Norwegian army from uniting. The port city of Narvik in the far north was recaptured from the Germans a few days later, but Allied support proved insufficient, and when Germany undertook offensive operations in Western Europe, Allied troops had to be evacuated. The king and government fled to Great Britain, where they continued to lead the merchant fleet, small infantry units, naval and air forces. The Storting gave the king and government the authority to lead the country from abroad. In addition to the ruling CHP, members of other parties were introduced into the government to strengthen it.

A puppet government headed by Vidkun Quisling was created in Norway. In addition to acts of sabotage and active underground propaganda, the leaders of the Resistance secretly organized military training and sent many young people to Sweden, where permission was obtained to train "police formations". The king and government returned to the country on June 7, 1945. Approx. 90 thousand cases on charges of high treason and other offences. Quisling, along with 24 traitors, was shot, 20 thousand people were sentenced to prison.

Norway after 1945.

In the 1945 elections, the CHP won the majority of votes for the first time and remained in power for 20 years. During this period, the electoral system was transformed by abolishing the article of the constitution on granting 2/3 of the seats in the Storting to deputies from rural areas of the country. The regulatory role of the state has been extended to national planning. State control over the prices of goods and services was introduced.

The financial and credit policy of the government helped maintain a fairly high growth rate of economic indicators even during the global recession in the 1970s. The necessary funds for the expansion of production were obtained through large foreign loans against future income from oil and gas production on the shelf of the North Sea.

Norway has become an active member of the UN. The Norwegian Trygve Lie, a former leader of the CHP, served as general secretary of this international organization from 1946-1952. With the onset of the Cold War, Norway made its choice in favor of the Western Alliance. In 1949 the country joined NATO.

Until 1963, the Norwegian Workers' Party firmly held power in the country, although already in 1961 it lost its absolute majority in the Storting. The opposition, dissatisfied with the expansion of the public sector, was waiting for the right opportunity to remove the CHP government. Taking advantage of the scandal associated with the investigation of the disaster at the coal mine in Svalbard (21 people died), she managed to form the government of J. Lynge from representatives of the "non-socialist" parties, but it lasted only about a month. After returning to office, the Social Democratic Prime Minister Gerhardsen took a number of popular measures: the transition to equal pay for men and women, an increase in public spending on social security. Introduction of monthly paid leave. But this did not prevent the defeat of the CHP in the elections of 1965. The new government of representatives of the parties of the Center, Höyre, Venstre and the Christian People's Party was headed by the leader of the centrists, the agronomist Per Borten. The Cabinet as a whole continued social reforms (introduced single system social security, including a universal old-age pension, child benefits, etc.), but at the same time carried out a new version of the tax reform in favor of entrepreneurs. At the same time, disagreements in the ruling coalition on the question of relations with the EEC escalated. Centrists and part of the liberals objected to plans to join the EEC, and their position was shared by many residents of the country, fearing that European competition and coordination would deal a blow to Norwegian fishing and shipbuilding. However, the minority Social Democratic government that came to power in 1971, headed by Trygve Bratteli, sought to join the European Community and held a referendum on this issue in 1972. After a majority of Norwegians voted no, Bratteli resigned and gave way to a minority government of three centrist parties (HPP, PC and Venstre) led by Lars Korvald. It has concluded a free trade agreement with the EEC.

Having won the 1973 elections, the CHP returned to power. Minority cabinets were formed by its leaders Bratteli (1973–1976). Odvar Nordli (1976-1981) and Gro Harlem Bruntland (since 1981) - the country's first female prime minister.

The centre-right parties increased their influence in the elections in September 1981, and the leader of the Conservative Party (Høire) Kore Willok formed the first government since 1928 from members of this party. At this time, the Norwegian economy was on the rise due to the rapid growth of oil production and high prices in the world market.

In the 1980s, environmental issues took on an important role. In particular, the forests of Norway have been hit hard by acid rain caused by the release of pollutants into the atmosphere by UK industries. As a result of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986, significant damage was caused to the Norwegian reindeer herding.

After the 1985 elections, negotiations between the socialists and their opponents stalled. The fall in oil prices gave rise to inflation, there were problems with the financing of social security programs. Willock resigned and Bruntland returned to power. The results of the 1989 elections made it difficult to form a coalition government. The non-socialist minority conservative government led by Jan Suce resorted to unpopular measures that stimulated unemployment. A year later, it resigned due to disagreements over the creation of the European Economic Area. The Labor Party, led by Brutland, re-formed a minority government, which in 1992 resumed negotiations on Norway's accession to the EU.

Norway in the late 20th - early 21st century.

In the 1993 elections, the Workers' Party remained in power, but did not win a majority of seats in parliament. Conservatives - from the very right (Progress Party) to the very left (People's Socialist Party) - were increasingly losing their positions. The center party, opposed to joining the EU, won three times as many seats and moved into second place in terms of influence in parliament.

The new government has again raised the issue of Norway's accession to the EU. This proposal was strongly supported by voters from three parties - the Workers' Party, the Conservative Party and the Progress Party, living in cities in the south of the country. The Center Party, representing the interests of the rural population and farmers, mostly opposed to the EU, led the opposition, gaining support from the extreme left and Christian Democrats. In a popular referendum in November 1994, Norwegian voters, despite the positive results of voting in Sweden and Finland a few weeks earlier, again rejected Norway's participation in the EU. A record number of voters participated in the voting (86.6%), of which 52.2% were against EU membership, and 47.8% were in favor of joining this organization.

In the 1990s, Norway came under increasing international criticism for its refusal to stop commercial whale slaughter. In 1996, the International Fisheries Commission confirmed the ban on the export of whaling products from Norway.

In October 1996, Prime Minister Bruntland resigned in the hope of giving her party a better chance in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The new cabinet was headed by CHP chairman Thorbjørn Jagland. But this did not help the CHP win the election, despite the strengthening of the economy, the reduction of unemployment and the reduction of inflation. The prestige of the ruling party was undermined by internal scandals. Resigned were the planning secretary, accused of previous financial manipulation during her tenure as trade manager, the energy secretary (she sanctioned the practice of illegal surveillance while serving as justice minister), and the justice secretary, who was criticized for her stance on granting asylum for foreign citizens. Having suffered a defeat in the elections in September 1997, Jagland's cabinet resigned.

The centre-right parties still did not have a common position on the issue of participation in the EU. The Progress Party, opposed to immigration and for the rational use of the country's oil resources, this time gained more seats in the Storting (25 to 10). Moderate centre-right parties refused any collaboration with the Progress Party. HPP leader Kjell Magne Bundevik, a former Lutheran pastor, formed a coalition of three centrist parties (CHP, Center Party and Venstre), representing only 42 of the 165 deputies of the Storting. On this basis, a minority government was formed.

In the early 1990s, Norway achieved wealth growth through large-scale oil and gas exports. The sharp fall in world oil prices in 1998 hit the country's budget hard, and the government was so divided that Prime Minister Bundevik was forced to take a month's vacation to "restore mental balance." In the 1990s, Norway came under increasing international criticism in connection with the refusal to stop the commercial slaughter of whales. In 1996, the International Fisheries Commission confirmed the ban on the export of whaling products from Norway.

In May 1996, the largest labor conflict in recent times broke out in shipbuilding and metallurgy. After a strike that swept the entire industry, the unions succeeded in lowering the retirement age from 64 to 62 years.

In October 1996, Prime Minister Bruntland resigned in the hope of giving her party a better chance in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The new cabinet was headed by CHP chairman Thorbjørn Jagland. But this did not help the CHP to win the elections, despite the strengthening of the economy, the reduction of unemployment and the reduction of inflation. The prestige of the ruling party was undermined by internal scandals. Resigned were the planning secretary, accused of previous financial manipulation during her tenure as trade manager, the energy secretary (she sanctioned the practice of illegal surveillance while serving as justice minister), and the justice secretary, who was criticized for her stance on granting asylum for foreign citizens. Having suffered a defeat in the elections in September 1997, Jagland's cabinet resigned.

In the 1990s, the royal family received media attention. In 1994, unmarried Princess Mertha Louise became involved in divorce proceedings in the UK. In 1998, the king and queen were criticized for overspending public funds on their apartments.

Norway is actively involved in international cooperation, in particular in resolving the situation in the Middle East. In 1998, Bruntland was appointed Director General of the World Health Organization. Jens Stoltenberg served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Norway continues to be criticized by environmentalists for ignoring agreements to limit the fishing of marine mammals - whales and seals.

The parliamentary elections of 1997 did not reveal a clear winner. Prime Minister Jagland resigned as his CHP lost 2 seats in the Storting compared to 1993. The far-right Progress Party increased its representation in the legislature from 10 to 25 deputies: since the rest of the bourgeois parties did not want to enter into a coalition with it , this forced her to create a minority government. In October 1997, HNP leader Kjell Magne Bondevik formed a three-party cabinet with the participation of the Center Party and the Liberals. Government parties had only 42 mandates. The government managed to hold on to power until March 2000 and collapsed when Prime Minister Bondevik opposed a gas-fired power plant project that he believed could have an adverse environmental impact. The new minority government was formed by CHP leader Jens Stoltenberg. In 2000, the authorities continued privatization by selling a third of the shares in the state oil company.

The government of Stoltenberg was also destined for a short life. In the new parliamentary elections held in September 2001, the Social Democrats suffered a heavy defeat: they lost 15% of the vote, showing the worst result since the Second World War.

After the 2001 elections, Bondevik returned to power, who formed a coalition government with the participation of conservatives and liberals. Government parties had only 62 seats out of 165 in parliament. Representatives of the "Party of Progress" were not included in the cabinet, but supported him in the Storting. However, this alliance was not sustainable. In November 2004, the Party of Progress withdrew support from the cabinet, accusing it of insufficient funding for hospitals and hospitals. The crisis was averted as a result of intensive negotiations. The Bondevik government has also been criticized for its handling of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia that claimed the lives of many Norwegian tourists. In 2005, the leftist opposition intensified its anti-government agitation by condemning the private school development project.

In the beginning. In the 2000s, Norway experienced an economic boom associated with the oil boom. During the entire period (except 2001) a steady economic growth was observed, at the expense of oil revenues, a reserve fund in the amount of 181.5 billion US dollars was accumulated, the funds of which were placed abroad. The opposition called for part of the funds to be used to increase spending on social needs, promised to reduce taxes on people with low and middle incomes, and so on.

The arguments of the left were supported by the Norwegians. The parliamentary elections in September 2005 were won by an opposition left-wing coalition consisting of the CHP, the Socialist Left Party and the Center Party. CHP leader Stoltenberg took over as prime minister in October 2005. Differences remain between the winning parties on EU accession (the CHP supports such a move, the SLP and the LC oppose), NATO membership, increased oil production and the construction of a gas power plant.

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