Norway
Previous medals in the Olympics
Norway have managed to win 52 Gold, 44 Silver and 41 Bronze medals in the Summer Olympic Games. On the other hand, this small country has also bagged 96 Gold, 104 Silver and 82 Bronze in the Winter Olympic Games.
History & Etymology
Norway holds a very rich and long history that goes to the time when the first settlers arrived here almost 10,000 years back. After that history says several tribes from different parts of Europe and Asia had came here and inhabited later. But Viking Age probably had the most crucial impact upon every aspect of the lives of the Norwegians. Around 900 King Olav captured this whole region and ruled. In 1397, this country became part of the union of Denmark until Sweden captured it in 1814. If you love history and want to get a flavour of that ancient Scandinavian tradition and culture then Norway is the best place to visit.
Geographical setting and the neighboring countries
Norway is a combination of rugged coastline, huge fjords, fascinating hilly landscapes and most part of this country is dominated by hills. Norway is one of the popular tourist destinations of entire Europe and people love to visit here because this is country where you would get to see some gorgeous glaciers and long waterfalls. Another thing that has made this country worldly famous is the large seasonal variations in the daylight due to high latitude positioning of Norway. It is indeed the land of ‘Midnight Sun’.
Norway borders neighbouring countries like; Sweden, Russia and Finland. The United Kingdom and Faroe Islands lies west across the North Sea.
Politics and the government
this country has a constitutional monarchy and the existence of the Norwegian Royal Family can be still be found here. Adopted in the year 1814, the Constitution of Norway has the right to give power to the king or the Norwegian Council of State. Heavily influenced by the Germans during the 2nd World War, Norway’s constitution also has certain similarities with the German parliamentary system. The Council of the State is made of the Prime Minister and other elected ministers. The king holds a government meeting on every Friday at his Royal palace. To form a government, more than the half of the State Council members (10 out of19) is needed to belong to the Church of Norway.
Economy
Norway has got the first place in the whole world in UNDP Human Development-Index (HDI) constantly for the sixth year. Low population is one main reason behind Norway becoming a country with a very high economic growth. Norway economy is a fine example of a mixed economy and it is also a combination of a free-market activity. The economic growth of this country is dependant upon the petroleum sector and the hydroelectric energy production. One of the big advantages of this country is that it is gifted with ample natural resources like; petroleum, fish, forests, hydropower and such other minerals. .
Education
higher study of this country is provided by 7-8 good universities having good faculty. Educationsystem is like other countries; 3 years Batchelor and 2 years Masters Program. Public education here is free and the ultimate responsibility for the expansion of education in this country goes to the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research.
Population
population of this country is around 4.8 million.
Demographics
most of the people here belong to the ancient Scandinavian races and this place is mainly dominated by the Sami people. Huge number of people from neighbouring Finland and Russia are also to be seen here. People belong to the Sami or Kven families have now identify themselves as the ethnic Norwegian. Other groups recognized as the national minorities of Norway are the Jews, Finns, Gypsies and Romani people. Presently immigration has become a problem for this country.
Capital city
Oslo, a city full of history and tourist spots, is the capital city with good ambiance.
Currency
official currency unit of Norway is Norwegian Krone or NOK.
Great people
some of the famous person of this country are:
Roald Amundsen - Polar explorer
Jens Bjørneboe - Author
Roald Dahl - Author
Leif Erikson - Discoverer of America
Edvard Grieg - Composer
Thor Heyerdahl - Archeologist
Henrik Ibsen - Dramatist
Sissel Kyrkjeb - Singer
Fridtjof Nansen - Polar explorer and humanitarian
Annette Obrestad - Poker Player
