Norway — map and facts

Norway is a Nordic country on the western edge of the Scandinavian Peninsula, famous for its fjords, mountains and high standard of living. Its capital is Oslo, and the country covers about 385,000 square kilometres with a population of roughly 5.5 million. Norway uses the Norwegian krone as its currency.

About Norway

Norway is a constitutional monarchy and one of the wealthiest countries in the world, supported by oil, gas and a large sovereign wealth fund. It is known for its dramatic coastline, deep fjords and strong commitment to nature and social welfare. Although closely tied to Europe, Norway is not a member of the European Union. It consistently ranks among the highest countries for human development and quality of life.

Geography and landscape

Norway shares long land borders with Sweden, Finland and Russia, and has an extensive Atlantic coastline cut by hundreds of fjords. The terrain is mountainous and rugged, with glaciers, high plateaus and deep valleys. The country stretches far into the Arctic, and its northern regions experience the midnight sun in summer and polar night in winter. The climate is milder than the latitude suggests, thanks to the Gulf Stream along the coast. Galdhøpiggen, in the Jotunheimen range, is the highest peak in Northern Europe.

History

Norway was a centre of the Viking Age, when Norse seafarers explored, traded and settled across the North Atlantic. It was united into a single kingdom around the tenth century before later entering long unions with Denmark and then Sweden. Norway gained full independence in 1905, choosing its own monarchy. The country was occupied by Germany during the Second World War and played an active role in the resistance. The discovery of North Sea oil in the late 1960s transformed Norway into one of the world's wealthiest nations. It has twice voted against joining the European Union.

Economy and currency

Norway has a prosperous, mixed economy underpinned by oil and gas, hydropower, shipping and seafood. Its sovereign wealth fund, built from petroleum revenue, is among the largest in the world. The currency is the Norwegian krone, which the country retains outside the eurozone. Norway is also a leading exporter of seafood and renewable hydroelectric energy.

Culture and language

The official language is Norwegian, which has two written standards, Bokmål and Nynorsk, alongside the Sami languages in the north. Norway has a rich cultural heritage in folk traditions, literature and music, from the composer Edvard Grieg to the playwright Henrik Ibsen. Outdoor life, known as friluftsliv, is central to the national identity. Skiing and other winter sports are deeply woven into Norwegian culture.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Norway? The capital of Norway is Oslo, located at the head of the Oslofjord in the south-east. It is the largest city and the political and economic centre of Norway.

What currency is used in Norway? Norway uses the Norwegian krone. The country is not a member of the eurozone and has retained its own currency.

Is Norway a member of the European Union? No, Norway is not a member of the European Union. It has voted against membership twice, in 1972 and 1994, though it participates in the European single market through the EEA.