BY. Jacob Andre Imholz

NORWAY

Norway is situated in the western part of the Scandinavian peninsula. It extends about 1,100 mi (1,770 km) from the North Sea along the Norwegian Sea to more than 300 mi

(483 km) above the Arctic Circle, the farthest north of any European country. It is slightly larger than New Mexico. Nearly 70% of Norway is uninhabitable and covered by mountains, glaciers, moors, and rivers. The hundreds of deep fjords that cut into the coastline give Norway an

overall oceanfront of more than 12,000 mi (19,312 km). Galdhø Peak, at 8,100 ft (2,469 m), is Norway's highest

point and the Glåma (Glomma) is the principal river, at 372 mi (598 km) long.

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GEOGRAPHY

GEOGRAPHY

Norway is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democratic system of governance. Democratic because the source of political power and legitimacy according to the Constitution lies with the people, in that all citizens are able to participate in the Storting (Norwegian national

assembly), county and municipal councils.  Parliamentary in as much as the Government, as the acting executive power, cannot govern without the confidence of the Storting, the legislative power. Constitutional monarchy because the

Government, in accordance with the original articles of the Constitution, derives its authority from the executive power

vested in the King.

GOVERNMENT

GOVERNMENT

The Norsemen, also known as Vikings, ravaged the coasts of northwest Europe from the 8th to the 11th century and were ruled by local

chieftains. Olaf II Haraldsson became the first effective king of all Norway in 1015 and began converting the Norwegians to Christianity. After 1442, Norway was ruled by Danish kings until 1814, when it was united with Sweden—although retaining a degree of independence and

receiving a new constitution—in an uneasy partnership. In 1905, the Norwegian parliament arranged a peaceful separation and invited a Danish prince to the Norwegian throne—King Haakon VII. A treaty

with Sweden provided that all disputes be settled by arbitration and that no fortifications be erected on the common frontier.

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HISTORY

HISTORY

Norway's culture is a melting pot of different ethnic backgrounds and cultures. The modern culture of Norway shows an egalitarian country focused on fairness, open-

mindedness, and equal rights. As a matter of fact, today's culture in Norway has many couples living together without

being officially married. In business, women are highly respected and generally receive equal pay and promotions.

Paid maternity leave is available for up to a year.

The culture in Norway has come to grow an educated, democratic Norwegian people willing to pay high taxes in

return for the government's support with health care, unemployment, and other social issues.

Part of Norway's culture are the traditional costume, folklore and folk music in Norway, and cultural foods and celebrations, all of which we'll illustrate on the following

pages about Norway's culture.

CULTURE

NORWEGIAN FLAG

DUI offenders have to go to jail.

People that are caught driving under the influence are sent to jail for 30 days, have their driver license taken away from them and have to

pay a hefty fine of 10 percent of their annual income. They are allowed to get a new license after a year, provided they pass the

proper tests and exams which in some cases will knock them back another US$ 5000 – 7000.

Helgefylla

Literally meaning ‘weekend binge drinking’. It is a tradition in Norway, where people go out to bars and nightclubs on Friday and

Saturday nights and drink excessively.

COOL FACTS ABOUT NORWAY

Strangers.

Most Norwegians think it is odd when someone starts talking or smiling to them on the bus.

Manners.

Norwegians are by some considered to be quite rude and impolite. But this is a misunderstanding. In Norway it’s not

considered rude to bump into someone at the supermarket and not apologize. Equally it’s not considered rude not to smile back at other people on the street or on public transportation, nor to

say thank you.

CONT.

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