Where is Norway located?

What countries border Norway?

Norway Weather

What is the current weather in Norway?


Norway Facts and Culture

What is Norway famous for?

  • Cultural Attributes: Norwegians cherish their freedom and independence.  Although the country has a king, his role is mainly ceremonial. Norway's love of... More
  • Family: In many families both parents work, but family relationships are very important. Families in Norway are usually small, often with... More
  • Personal Apperance: Norway has many different national costumes; according to where in the country one comes from. Usually they are only worn... More
  • Recreation: Fotball or soccer, Handball, and Gymnastics are the sports played by kids usually on sports-teams, school teams are rare. Kids... More
  • Food and Recipes: Norwegians typically eat four meals a day. Frokost (Breakfast) is usually eaten at home and may consist of porridge or... More
  • Visiting: Norwegians feel they have a “border” around their heads that is about three feet which is their “intimate zone” which... More

Norway Facts

What is the capital of Norway?

Capital Oslo
Government Type parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Currency Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Total Area 125,020 Square Miles
323,802 Square Kilometers
Location Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Language Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official)
GDP - real growth rate 0.9%
GDP - per capita (PPP) $68,400.00 (USD)

Norway Demographics

What is the population of Norway?

Ethnic Groups Norwegian, Sami 20,000
Nationality Adjective Norwegian
Nationality Noun Norwegian(s)
Population 5,467,439
Population Growth Rate 0.33%
Population in Major Urban Areas OSLO (capital) 915,000
Predominant Language Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official)
Urban Population 79.4%

Norway Government

What type of government does Norway have?

  • Executive Branch: chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS (son of the monarch,... More
  • Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal More
  • Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Norway dual citizenship recognized: no residency... More
  • National Holiday: Constitution Day, 17 May (1814) More
  • Constitution: history: drafted spring 1814, adopted 16 May 1814, signed by Constituent Assembly 17 May 1814 amendments: proposals submitted by members of... More
  • Independence: 7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the... More

Norway Video

YouTube, Expoza Travel Norway Guide

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Norway Geography

What environmental issues does Norway have?

  • Overview: Located in northwestern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula, Norway is a picturesque country bounded on the west by the North... More
  • Climate: Many people expect Norway's climate to be bitterly cold. The latitude of the country certainly suggests this would be true.... More
  • Border Countries: Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km More
  • Environment - Current Issues: water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions More
  • Environment - International Agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic... More
  • Terrain: glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic... More

Norway Economy

How big is the Norway economy?

  • Economic Overview: Norway has a stable economy with a vibrant private sector, a large state sector, and an extensive social safety net.... More
  • Industries: petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing More
  • Currency Name and Code: Norwegian Krone (NOK) More
  • Export Partners: UK 19.4%, Germany 12.4%, France 11.5%, Netherlands 9.3%, US 8.6%, Sweden 7.3% More
  • Import Partners: Sweden 15.7%, Germany 13.4%, Denmark 8.1%, UK 7.4%, US 6.2%, France 4.8%, Netherlands 4.8% More

Norway News and Current Events

What current events are happening in Norway?
Source: Google News

Norway Travel Information

What makes Norway a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Norway is a highly developed, stable democracy with a modern economy. The cost of living in Norway is high; tourist facilities are well-developed and widely available.

Crime

Norway has a relatively low level of crime in comparison to the United States and Western European countries with large populations. The most likely forms of crime, especially in the Oslo metropolitan area, include residential and office burglaries and petty thefts. In Oslo and the other major urban areas, crime has been centered in the inner city and high transit areas. As in any other location, especially in urban areas, you should exercise basic security awareness. Although rare, violent and weapons-related crimes are growing in frequency and receive intense media coverage. These crimes usually occur in areas known to have drug trafficking and gang problems, such as certain parts of eastern Oslo. Reports have shown an increase in rape in Norway, mainly in downtown Oslo, with areas such as Grünerlokka being an area of particular concern. You should be aware that instances of pick-pocketing and petty theft are common in major tourist areas, hotel lobbies, train and transit stations, and surrounding areas. The Oslo Central train station is an especially popular area for pick-pockets and bag snatchers.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them, you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Norway, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own, and criminal penalties will vary from country to country. This can be especially true in countries such as Norway which may seem similar to the United States, yet travelers may not be aware of subtle legal and cultural differences. Norwegian family law, for example, can be very different from that in the United States, so visitors and long-term residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this law to avoid potential problems. There are also some things that might be legal in Norway, but are illegal in the United States. For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods in Norway. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. While you are overseas, you may be subject to both U.S. and local laws. If you do something illegal in Norway, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not at your destination.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Medical facilities are widely available and of high quality, but may be limited outside the larger urban areas. The remote and sparse populations in northern Norway and the dependency on ferries to cross fjords of western Norway may affect transportation and ready access to medical facilities. The U.S. Embassy in Oslo maintains a list of emergency medical and dental clinics in major cities.

Safety and Security

In July 2011, Norway suffered two sequential terrorist attacks by a right-wing extremist against government buildings in Oslo and a youth camp, leaving 77 dead. In a separate case in September 2012, Norwegian courts upheld the convictions of two men resident in Norway suspected of planning attacks and having links to al-Qaida. Like other countries in the Schengen area, Norway's open borders with its Western European neighbors also allow the possibility of terrorists entering/exiting the country with anonymity. Be vigilant with regard to your personal security.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in Norway, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. Public transportation in Norway is generally safe, and the maintenance and condition of urban roads is generally good. Rural road conditions are fair and the availability of roadside assistance is limited. Most roadways beyond the city limits of Oslo and other major cities tend to be simple two-lane roads. In mountainous areas of Norway, the roads tend to be narrow and winding, and have many tunnels. The northerly latitude can cause road conditions to vary greatly, depending on weather and time of year. Many mountain roads are closed due to snow from late fall to late spring. The use of winter tires is mandatory on all motor vehicles from November to April.

Norwegian law requires that drivers always use headlights when driving. Norwegian law also requires drivers to yield to vehicles coming from the right. In some, but not all, instances, major roads with “right of way” are marked. Seatbelts are mandatory for drivers and passengers. It is illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving; violators risk a fine of 1,300 kroner (approximately $215).

Norway has some of Europe’s strictest laws on driving under the influence of alcohol; they prescribe heavy penalties for drivers convicted of having very low blood-alcohol levels. Frequent road checks with mandatory breathalyzer tests and the promise of stiff jail sentences encourage alcohol-free driving. The maximum legal blood alcohol content level for driving a car in Norway is .02 per cent.

Automatic cameras placed by the police along roadways help to maintain speed limits, which are often lower than in other European countries. Fines – and sometimes even jail time – are imposed for violations.

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