Simple facts about Norway

To start things off I can explain why i chose to write this blog. I know that Norway is a small country, and that most people therefore no nothing about it, but I hope this "tourist guide" blog might enlighten some about Norway's posibillities.
I'll start with the rock solid facts.





Area: 385 155 km2
Inhabitants: Roughly 4 600 000 (quite roomy as it in average lives 12,1 people in 1 km2) growt: 0.7 %
Capital: Oslo
language: Norwegian
written languages: Bokmal, nynorsk (new norwegian)
Constitution day: 17 mai.

Tourism: Norway is considered by many people as an (off all things) exotic place to spend their vacation. What draws all the people, is mainly the Norwegian nature. Norway is known for its beautiful lakes, icy mountains, deep forests and endless fjords. But for those out there thats not particulary good at sizes and stuff, know this, that 385 155 km2 is very big. Combine this with a really stretched out land, and terrible mountain roads, and the hours by car can be many. But anyway here's at least something about the different places in Norway. I'll start in the south which is a nice place for bading and boat vacations. The largest city in this area is Kristiansand which have among other Norways only zoo.

I'll continue with the east and my home city Oslo were I have lived all my life. The city isn't particulary impressive combined with other capitals around the globe, but it still have most of the stuff found in capitals. For some off you the trip to Norway starts with a shock. When you find out that the price they got on beer in the super markets, only gives you one beer, not a whole tray. Suggestions here is to do as many tourists does do, buy nothing, but bring everything you need.
Moving alittle towards the west, it doesen't take long before you find yourself at the doorstep to the mountain range that really is the norwgian backbone. Although the highest point in Norway is only 2469 meters tall, Norway consists of 50 % mountain area, and therefore has a very changing landscape.
In the mountains you can find several great hiking sites, som easy and effortless, others more challenging. To get over the mountains i would suggest using a car as you then can stop wherever you wan't. Some must see sites are the great glaciers.

When you have hopefully passed over the mountains you find yourself in the western parts of Norway. In many areas the mountain range don't stop before meeting the sea itself and this creates the famouss Norwegian fjords. you can in several areas stand on a cliff, looking straight down at the sea, from 1000 meters above. Parachuting is not adviced, but for a skilled person highly possible.


From here its a quite nice journey to travel along the coast, towards the north. A boat trip right trough some of the fjords are not only a great way to see the most exciting sites, but a much more efficient way of travelling as the ferries are capable to carry a large amount of cars. Further north you will find cities like Trondheim, the second largest in Norway. There is alot to do in Trondheim, like for instance visiting the old church ( not that it is what i find most interesting). North of that is what we so surprisingly call northern Norway. Areas like lofoten has one of the best fishing posibillities in all of Europe, and cods around 10 kg is very common, but most of the times people get much larger fish then that. During the summertime, northern Norway is especially beautiful because of the never setting sun. However this backfires in wintertime when the sun never rises.

Norway is in wintertime great for wintersports. Although we don't have these huge ski resorts like in the Alps, Norwegian ski resorts are famouss because you seldom must wait in any big lines. In the summertime Norway is great for fishing, both in lakes, rivers and in the ocean.

One suggestion though when visiting Norway is: Don't spend your time at what Norway isen't best at. Don't go to the amusement park in Norway, when there are betters ones near you. Don't spend your whole vacation bading when there are better beaches elsewhere. Experience the Norwegian nature, see the famous sites, but don't forget what you really want in the process.


Most of what i wrote in this blog i knew myself, but general info about norway is found on this link