Category: Norway

The Kingdom of Norway is one of the countries of Scandinavia, bathed by the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea. There are 5.4 million residents (2018). Its coastline is very choppy, with many islands and fjords. The climate is temperate in the south, where the majority of the population lives. Part of the country has severe winters, especially in the north, where there are many glaciers. The capital is Oslo. After two centuries of Viking attacks in Europe, Christianity was gradually introduced to Norway in the 10th century. In 1397, Norway was absorbed in a union with Denmark, which lasted for more than four centuries. In 1814, the Norwegians resisted their country’s cession to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway, but agreed to give the Norwegians autonomy in exchange for union under the Swedish crown. In 1905, Norway gained independence. In the 1960s, the discovery of oil and gas in Norwegian waters boosted the country’s economy.