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Norway
The Kingdom of Norway (Norge) is located in northern Europe on the west side of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It reaches from the North Sea to the Norwegian Sea and well into the Arctic Circle – being the most northern country in Europe. The northern tip is also known as Nordkapp or the North Cape. A large percentage of the country is uninhabitable, although it is beautiful terrain with many glaciers, mountain ranges, rivers and moorland. The long coastline is indented with many fjords. The Glama is the main river and the highest peak stands at over 8,000 feet. The currency is the Norwegian krone. The official languages are Nynorsk Norwegian and Bokmal (Danish) Norwegian although many speak English. There are also some Sami and Finnish-speaking areas. The majority of the population has Scandinavian blood, while in the north many descend from Finns and Lapps.
The capital and largest city is Oslo. Other major cities include Stavanger, Trondheim, Tromso and Bergen. Bergen is a historic port city located on the west coast. Trondheim is the Viking capital and Tromso in the far north. The Arctic islands, such as Spitsbergen, are places for hardy and adventurous souls who will witness spectacular and wild scenery, and maybe polar bears.
The coastline is a very long area of rugged and spectacular scenery with many islands and beautiful pristine fjords. The most visited fjords located on the west coast tend to be in the south: Oslofjord, Nordfjord, Sognafjord and Hardangerfjord. The Lofoten Islands in the north are popular for visitors and the south coast for boating and water sports. The country has varied terrain, from high plateaus, fertile valleys, rivers and mountains to enormous glacier fields.
During winter Norway is a popular destination for winter sports. Norway has been very consistent in receiving abundant snowfall, often surpassing its rival Alps. You will find some great terrain, whether your passion is downhill, boarding, or cross country. You could also try something different like dogsledding, skating or tobogganing. One of the largest ski resorts is Oppdal where you will find everything you need including ski school, rentals, slopes for all levels of skiers, and plenty of restaurants, après ski and nightlife. Other resorts in Norway include Hemsedal, Geilo and Lillehammer (which hosted the Winter Olympics in 1994).
Oslo
The capital city of Oslo is located in the southeast of the country, close to Sweden. It is the country’s largest city and also a major port. Although it is in the south of Norway, it is still very far north, about the same latitude as Anchorage, Alaska. A large percentage of the population of Norway lives in the area of the Oslo Ford.
There are many parks, churches, museums as well as some medieval buildings which survived, including a 13th century. The main street is a popular area to stroll along to the Royal Palace. The National Gallery houses many works by Norwegian artists and the Edward Munch Museum is also located in the city. Sculptural works by Gustav Vigeland can be seen at the Frogner Park. Other museums include the Viking Ship Museum which includes a full size medieval ship. In the 16th century the city was destroyed by fire and rebuilt and renamed Christiania/Kristiania until the 19th century. The city has plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities and opportunities for skiing are located close to the city.
Stavanger
Stavanger is the fourth largest city in Norwich and located at the southwestern end of the country on the Stavangerfjord. It is a place famous for ship building and fishing as well as oil processing from the fields in the North Sea. The city combines new architecture with old, with its traditional white timber homes mixed with new. The city has a 12th century Cathedral and monastery close by.
The city has many museums and cultural places of interest. You could take a trip to see the famous Pulpit Rock with dizzying views below to the Lysefjord.
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