Norge
NorwayContext of Norway
Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part of the Kingdom of Norway. Bouvet Island, located in the Subantarctic, is a dependency, and not a part of the Kingdom; Norway also claims the Antarctic territories of Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land. Norway has a population of 5.6 million. Its capital and largest city is Oslo. The country has a total area of 385,207 square kilometres (148,729 sq mi). The country shares a long eastern border with Sweden, and is bordered by Finland and Russia to the northeast. Norway has an extensive coastline facing the Skagerrak strait, the North Atlantic Ocean, and the Barents Sea.
The unified kingdom of Norway was established in 872 as a merger of petty kingdoms and has existed continuously for 1,152–1,153 years. From 1537 to 18...Read more
Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and the archipelago of Svalbard also form part of the Kingdom of Norway. Bouvet Island, located in the Subantarctic, is a dependency, and not a part of the Kingdom; Norway also claims the Antarctic territories of Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land. Norway has a population of 5.6 million. Its capital and largest city is Oslo. The country has a total area of 385,207 square kilometres (148,729 sq mi). The country shares a long eastern border with Sweden, and is bordered by Finland and Russia to the northeast. Norway has an extensive coastline facing the Skagerrak strait, the North Atlantic Ocean, and the Barents Sea.
The unified kingdom of Norway was established in 872 as a merger of petty kingdoms and has existed continuously for 1,152–1,153 years. From 1537 to 1814, Norway was part of Denmark–Norway, and, from 1814 to 1905, it was in a personal union with Sweden. Norway was neutral during the First World War, and in the Second World War until April 1940 when it was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany until the end of the war.
Harald V of the House of Glücksburg is the current King of Norway. Jonas Gahr Støre has been Prime Minister of Norway since 2021. As a unitary state with a constitutional monarchy, Norway divides state power between the parliament, the cabinet, and the supreme court, as determined by the 1814 constitution. Norway has both administrative and political subdivisions on two levels: counties and municipalities. The Sámi people have a certain amount of self-determination and influence over traditional territories through the Sámi Parliament and the Finnmark Act. Norway maintains close ties with the European Union and the United States. Norway is a founding member of the United Nations, NATO, the European Free Trade Association, the Council of Europe, the Antarctic Treaty, and the Nordic Council; a member of the European Economic Area, the WTO, and the OECD; and a part of the Schengen Area. The Norwegian dialects share mutual intelligibility with Danish and Swedish.
Norway maintains the Nordic welfare model with universal health care and a comprehensive social security system, and its values are rooted in egalitarian ideals. The Norwegian state has large ownership positions in key industrial sectors, having extensive reserves of petroleum, natural gas, minerals, lumber, seafood, and fresh water. The petroleum industry accounts for around a quarter of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). On a per-capita basis, Norway is the world's largest producer of oil and natural gas outside of the Middle East. The country has the fourth- and eighth-highest per-capita income in the world on the World Bank's and IMF's list, respectively. It has the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, with a value of US$1.3 trillion.
More about Norway
- Currency Norwegian krone
- Native name Norge
- Calling code +47
- Internet domain .no
- Mains voltage 230V/50Hz
- Democracy index 9.81
- Population 5594340
- Area 385207
- Driving side right
- Stay safe
Police patch including the golden lion (insignia for government authorities)Norway has a very low rate of violent crime. The most likely crimes for tourists to experience are car break-ins and bicycle theft. Pickpockets do also tend to be an increasing problem in urban areas in the summer season, but it's still nothing like in larger cities in Europe. It is always a good idea to look after your belongings, this includes never leaving valuable objects visible in your car and locking your bike safely. It is generally illegal to carry knives and firearms in public places such as on the street.
Single women should have no problems, although ordinary street sense is advised after dark. During summer there is full daylight until late evening, even in South Norway.
Norway is one of the countries in the world with the lowest levels of corruption. Police and other authorities cannot be bribed, travellers are strongly advised against attempting in any form of bribery.
...Read moreStay safeRead less
Police patch including the golden lion (insignia for government authorities)Norway has a very low rate of violent crime. The most likely crimes for tourists to experience are car break-ins and bicycle theft. Pickpockets do also tend to be an increasing problem in urban areas in the summer season, but it's still nothing like in larger cities in Europe. It is always a good idea to look after your belongings, this includes never leaving valuable objects visible in your car and locking your bike safely. It is generally illegal to carry knives and firearms in public places such as on the street.
Single women should have no problems, although ordinary street sense is advised after dark. During summer there is full daylight until late evening, even in South Norway.
Norway is one of the countries in the world with the lowest levels of corruption. Police and other authorities cannot be bribed, travellers are strongly advised against attempting in any form of bribery.
Norway has a unified police force ("politi"). The police force is the government authority in areas like crime, national security, major accidents, missing persons, traffic control, passports and immigration control. Police officers usually do not carry guns and during a year the police (the entire police force) use guns only a handful of times. Most cities have municipal parking attendants, too, but the attendants do not have any authority beyond fining and removing vehicles.
Norway has a lot of electric vehicles, particularly in cities, in 2019 the majority of new cars were hybrid or fully electric. These cars are very quiet and pedestrians should use their eyes, not ears, when crossing roads and streets.
Outdoor safetyThe most unusual dangers to visitors are found in nature. Every year, quite a few tourists get hurt, even killed, in the mountains or on the seas, usually after given, unheeded warnings. For example, do not approach a glacier front, big waves on the coast, or a big waterfall unless you know what you're doing, and do not walk on glaciers without proper training and equipment.
When hiking or skiing, be prepared for a sudden shift in the weather, as these can happen very quickly in Norway. Carry the gear you might need to cope. If unsure about conditions, ask locals or go on a guided tour. For any written advice, make sure you understand how your experience might differ from that of the intended audience, and e.g. what is included in estimated hike durations. You are expected to manage on your own in the Norwegian wilderness, so you won't find fences or warning signs even at the most dangerous places.
Keep in mind that avalanches are common. Unless you know exactly what you're doing, stay in marked slopes when skiing. If you think you know what you're doing, think twice. 12 people were killed in avalanches just in the first three months of 2011 in Norway. For safety measures, see below.
Wild animalsNorway has few dangerous wild animals. Car crashes with the mighty moose or the smaller red deer account for the bulk of wild animal-related deaths and injuries. In some rural districts, sheep, goats, cows or reindeer can be seen walking or sleeping on the road. Unlike other wild animals, the muskox in Dovrefjell area does not necessarily run from humans, instead they form a defensive perimeter around the group and may attack if approached.
Warning - polar bears. "Applies to all of Svalbard", but not at all to the mainland.Specific rules and precautions apply to Svalbard, where you should never travel outside Longyearbyen without someone in your party carrying a weapon. The polar bears on Svalbard are a real and extremely dangerous threat for the unprepared, and there are cases involving death and/or injury almost every year. There are more polar bears here than humans. Svalbard is a fragile, dry arctic tundra with large parts almost untouched by humans. The current recommendation is that non-local visitors participate on organized tour arrangements only. Breaking the law, disturbing wildlife or being reckless can land you a fine and/or deportation from the archipelago. That said, if you come well prepared with common sense, the visit will be one of the most memorable you've ever had. The nature, scenery and history of Svalbard is simply breathtaking.
As for other wild animals on mainland Norway, there are not much more than a few extremely rare encounters with brown bear and wolf in the wilderness. Contrary to popular belief abroad, there are no polar bears in mainland Norway, let alone polar bears walking city streets. The Scandinavian brown bear is peaceful and will generally run away from humans. In any case it is extremely unlikely that tourists will even see a glimpse of one of the around 50 brown bears remaining in Norway. Norwegian wolves are not dangerous to humans. In general, there is no reason to worry about dangerous encounters with wild beasts in Norway.
Sea and coast
The outer coast is treacherous.Norway's immense coastline is an adventure for visitors, but also a treacherous area. Huge waves that build up power across the North Sea and the Atlantic crush on slippery rocks and slabs along the outer coast. Every year tourists are in serious danger and occasionally even killed when they challenge the big waves along the shores. Many tourists also leave the sheltered waters and venture onto the open sea in small boats, every year tourists are rescued at sea, some even perish. Note that life jackets are required in small boats. The long inner fjords are mostly sheltered from ocean waves, but sea breezes can be powerful and unpredictable on warm summer days. Complex topography makes wind unpredictable. Winds are on average strongest and most frequent during winter, but the open sea is treacherous in summer too.
Tides vary considerably between regions and are in general greater further north. In Oslofjord and around Kristiansund the difference between high and low tides is only some 50 cm. In Bergen almost 2 meters, Kristiansund some 2.5 meters, in Narvik (Nordland) and Vadsø (East Finnmark) some 4 meters. Tides can increase during strong winds and low pressure. The tide can create strong currents at narrow straits and fjord mouths (Saltstraumen at Bodø is the world's most powerful).
Nevertheless, various types of water sports are very popular, such as sailing of various kinds, surfing, rowing, canoeing, kayaking, motor boating, water skiing and so on. If the weather and temperature are favorable, outdoor swimming is also popular.
Norway has many ferry crossings and other vessels must yield to ferries. Dont go out in kayak or dive near the docks and routes of car ferries. Sail boats and small boats must also yield to larger vessels and cargo ships.
Skiing in the mountainsTo go hiking and skiing in the mountains during winter requires precautions. Snow storms and avalanches are dangerous, occur often and require safety measures. Therefore The Norwegian Trekking Association compiled The Norwegian Mountain Code (Fjellvettreglene), safety rules that significantly reduce the danger.
Glaciers
Glaciers are beautiful and fascinating, but treacherous and powerful. Note the size of hikers compared to the ice.Glaciers are some of the most dangerous places for visitors to the Norwegian outdoors. Never underestimate the power of glaciers. Observe warning signs. Never approach the front of the glacier. Observe warning signs and do not cross fences. Most glaciers do not have any kind of signs or fences, and visitors should keep a generous distance. A glacier is not a stable piece of ice, it is constantly moving like a very slow river and huge chunks regularly fall off. There are countless glaciers in Norway and even smaller and apparently insignificant glaciers are powerful compared to tiny humans.
Do not enter a glacier without proper equipment and a skilled local guide. Sunrays get reflected from the white snow, so it is necessary to use sunscreen to protect your skin. Bring warm clothes for tours on the glacier.
On the road For more information on driving in winter conditions, see the Winter driving article.If you plan to cross the mountains by car (for instance by driving from Oslo to Bergen) in the winter season, it is imperative that you are prepared for the journey. The conditions are harsh. Always keep a full tank of fuel, and keep warm clothes, food and drink in the car. Make sure your tires are good enough and suited for winter conditions (studded or non-studded winter tires, "all-year" tires are not enough), and that you have sufficient skills for driving in snowy and cold conditions. Roads are often closed on short notice due to weather conditions. For advice on conditions and closed roads, call 175 in Norway or check the online road reports [1] (in Norwegian only) from the Norwegian State road authorities. Remember that not all portions of the roads have cellular phone coverage.
Emergency numbers Police (Politi), ☏ 112.
Norwegian police vehicle.
Fire, ☏ 110. Emergency Medical Services (Ambulance), ☏ 113. If you are unsure which number to call, ☏ 112 is the central for all surch and rescue services and will put you in contact with the correct department. For non-emergencies, the police is to be called on ☏ 02800 (in country only). For treatment of casualties or serious illness (non-emergencies) ☏ 116117 (in country only). The hearing impaired using a text telephone can reach the emergency services by ☏ 1412. Roadside assistance. In case of traffic accident you are supposed to call the police only if individuals are injured or if the crash causes a traffic jam. The police will not get involved if there are damages on the vehicles only. Falck, ☏ 02222 (in country only). Viking, ☏ 06000 (in country only). Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF Norges Automobil-Forbund), ☏ 08505 (in country only). AAA members may call
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