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Norway
Overview
‘Fjords, mountains and midnight sun’
The breathtaking fjords of the southwest are Norway’s most dramatic features, but there are many other reasons to visit this sparsely populated land on the northern fringe of Europe. The North Cape’s midnight sun is rightly famous – here, far above the Arctic Circle, lies the spectacularly situated town of Tromsø, where the sun never rises in winter, nor sets in midsummer. And each of Norway’s three major cities offers distinct cultural and historic appeal – Oslo as present-day capital, Bergen as a major trading port and Trondheim as long-established centre of Christian pilgrimage.
In the wilderness that lies between the main urban centres are such delights as Jostedalsbreen, Europe’s largest glacier, and the Dovrefjell, home of Grieg’s mythical Mountain King. There are opportunities to indulge in outdoor activities such as skiing, hunting, fishing and rock-climbing, according to the season. Even the less energetic can marvel at the awesome beauty of the Norwegian countryside, with its countless steep-sided valleys, high mountain lakes and unbelievable views.
Norway is foremost a land for those who love nature. However, it also offers a rich cultural experience for those keen to follow in the footsteps of the Vikings – as well as those of later luminaries such as artist Edvard Munch.
Stuart Bowden
General Information
Area: 323,759 sq km (125,004 sq miles).
Population: 4,478,497 (official estimate 2000).
Population Density: 14.6 per sq km.
Capital: Oslo. Population: 761,259 (1999).
GEOGRAPHY: Norway is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by Russia, Finland and Sweden, to the south by the Skagerrak (which separates it from Denmark) and to the west by the North Sea. The coastline is 2735km (1700 miles) long, its most outstanding feature being the fjords. Most of them are between 80-160km (50-100 miles) long, and are often very deep and surrounded by towering mountains. Much of northern Norway lies beyond the Arctic Circle and the landscape is stark. In the south, the landscape consists of forests with many lakes and rivers.
Government: Constitutional monarchy. Declared independence from Sweden in 1905. Head of State: King Harald V since 1991. Head of Government: Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik since 2001.
Language: Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk). Lappish is spoken by the Sami population in the north. English is widely spoken.
Religion: Approximately 86 per cent Evangelical Lutherans; plus other Christian denominations.
Time: Norway Mainland: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Saturday before last Sunday in October). Jan Mayen Islands, Svalbard: GMT + 1.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the European round two-pin type.
Communications:
Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 47. Outgoing international code: 00.
Mobile telephone
Most major dual band networks work across Norway. Networks include Net Com GSM (website: www.netcom.no) and Telenor Mobil AS (website: www.telenor.no). Mobile phones cannot be hired.
Fax
This service is available at major hotels.
Internet
There are many Internet cafes throughout Norway and the Internet can also be accessed via public libraries.
Telegram
Telenor’s headquarters are at Teledirektoratet, Universitetsgt 2. It is easiest to send telegrams by telephone. The telephone directories give instructions in English on page 16.
Post
Hotel receptions, shops and kiosks selling postcards will sell stamps. Airmail within Europe takes two to four days. There are Poste Restante facilities at post offices in all major cities. Post office hours: These vary from place to place but are generally from Mon-Fri 0830-1600, Sat 0800-1300.
Press
The national newspapers published in Oslo are Aftenposten, Verdens Gang and Dagbladet. There are no English-language newspapers although English newspapers are readily available (one day later than in the UK).
BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.
BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice):
Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov):
Passport/Visa
| | Passport Required? | Visa Required? | Return Ticket Required? | | British | Yes | No | No | | Australian | Yes | No | No | | Canadian | Yes | No | No | | USA | Yes | No | No | | OtherEU | 1 | No | No | | Japanese | Yes | No | No |
Note: From 25 March 2001, Norway became a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. For further details about passport/visa regulations within the Schengen area see the introductory section How to Use this Guide.
PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended period of stay required by all except:
(a) 1. EU nationals (except Greece and Ireland) holding a valid national ID card for tourist purposes only;
(b) nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland holding a valid national ID card.
VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to three months:
(a) nationals of the countries referred to in the chart above;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda (only holders of BDTC (Bermuda) passports), Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR passports only), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macau (SAR passports only), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela.
Types of visa and cost: A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, business and private visits. Short-term or Travel: £10 (single-entry up to 30 days); £18 (single-entry up to 90 days); £31 (multiple-entry up to one year). Airport Transit: £6. Transit: £6. Prices are subject to frequent change against the exchange rate. Enquire at the nearest Embassy for further details.
Note: Spouses and children of EU nationals (providing spouse’s passport and the original marriage certificate is produced), and nationals of some other countries, receive their visas free of charge (enquire at Embassy for details).
Validity: Up to three months in any six months. For renewal or extension apply to Embassy.
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Travellers visiting just one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of that country; travellers visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or the country they will enter first (if they have no main destination).
Application requirements: (a) Valid passport with at least one blank page (this should not be submitted until the applicant is informed that a visa has been granted). (b) One completed application form. (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) Fee, payable in cash (exact money only), cheque supported by a cheque card or postal order. Visa fees are non refundable and payable on submission of the visa application. (e) Further documentation such as a letter of invitation, a bank statement or a letter from an employer may be required (as well as proof of sufficient funds), depending on purpose of visit. (f) Evidence of sufficient funds for stay (recent, original bank statement, travellers cheques or credit card with credit limit statement). (g) Parental consent for minors (under 18 years of age).
Working days required: Minimum one day, otherwise three to eight weeks by post or in person. Applications should be lodged several weeks before the proposed journey.
Temporary residence: Apply to Embassy for residence and work permit if the stay exceeds three months.
Money
Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK) = 100 øre. Notes are in denominations of NOK1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of NOK20, 10, 5 and 1, and 50 øre.
Currency exchange: Eurocheque cards allow encashment of personal cheques. ATMs are widely available.
Credit & debit cards: All major credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques: Accepted in banks, hotels, shops and by airlines.
Currency restrictions: The import of local and foreign currency is unlimited. The export of local currency is limited to NOK5000. The export of foreign currency is unlimited, provided proof is shown that the currency was imported or obtained by conversion of other currencies.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Norwegian Krone against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | May ’02 | Aug ’02 | Nov ’02 | Feb ’03 | | £1.00= | 11.75 | 11.60 | 11.56 | 11.12 | | $1.00= | 8.06 | 7.62 | 7.31 | 6.98 |
Banking hours: Mon-Wed and Fri 0815-1530 (1500 in summer), Thurs 0815-1800.
Duty Free
The following items can be imported into Norway without incurring customs duty by:
(a) Residents of European countries:
200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco products and 200 leaves of cigarette paper (travellers over 18 years of age); 1l of spirits and 1l of wine or 2l of wine and 2l of beer (travellers over 20 years of age); other goods to the value of NOK1200; a small amount of perfume.
(b) Residents of non-European countries:
400 cigarettes or 500g of tobacco products and 200 leaves of cigarette paper (travellers over 18 years of age); 1l of spirits and 1l of wine or 2l of wine and 2l of beer (travellers over 20 years of age); 50g of perfume and 50cl of eau de cologne; other goods (not to be resold) to the value of NOK3500.
Prohibited items: Spirits over 60 per cent volume (120° proof), certain foodstuffs (including eggs, potatoes, meat, meat products, dairy products and poultry), narcotics, firearms and explosives.
Public Holidays
Dec 25-26 2002 Christmas. Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Apr 17 Holy Thursday. Apr 18 Good Friday. Apr 21 Easter Monday. May 1 May Day. May 17 Constitution Day. May 29 Ascension. Jun 9 Whit Monday. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Apr 8 Holy Thursday. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 May Day. May 17 Constitution Day. May 20 Ascension. May 31 Whit Monday. Dec 25-26 Christmas.
Health
| | Special Precautions | Certificate Required | | Yellow Fever | No | No | | Cholera | No | No | | Typhoid and Polio | No | N/A | | Malaria | No | N/A |
Other risks: Hepatitis C may be present. Rabies is only present on the islands of Svalbard.
Health care: There are reciprocal health agreements with most European countries. The agreement with the UK allows free hospital in-patient treatment and ambulance travel on presentation of a UK passport. The cost of other treatment (including tooth extractions) may be partially refunded under the Norwegian social insurance scheme. Before leaving Norway, receipts should be presented at the social insurance office (Trygdekasse) of the district where treatment was carried out. Chemists are called Apotek. Standards of health care are high.
Travel - International
AIR: Norwegian air travel is served by Braathens SAFE (BU) and SAS Scandinavian Airlines (SK), a Scandinavian airline. Air France, British Airways, Finnair, Icelandair, KLM, Lufthansa, Northwest Airlines and Swiss also operate services to Norway.
Approximate flight times: From London to Oslo is 1 hour 45 minutes, to Bergen is 1 hour 40 minutes and to Stavanger is 1 hour 30 minutes.
From New York to Oslo is 10 hours 45 minutes (including stopover in London).
International airports: Oslo International Airport (OSL) (Gardermoen) (website: www.osl.no) is 47km (30 miles) north of Oslo. It was opened in October 1998 and is the largest land-based development project in Norway. The high-speed airport express trains Flytoget leave every 10 minutes to/from Oslo’s central station (travel time – 20 minutes). Buses serving the airport include the SL buses and Bussekspress which stop in front of the terminal building and take approximately 45 minutes to Oslo. There is a new bus station for regional services located within walking distance of the terminal. Access by car is also facilitated by the construction of new roads (regional no. 174 from Jessheim) and the widening of two others (regional no. 120 from Erpestad and national no. 6 from Tangerud). There is a taxi rank at the terminal building. In addition to regular taxis, there are ‘airport taxis’, cheaper taxis which must be ordered in advance by groups of up to three people, and wheelchair taxis. Airport facilities include duty-free shopping, banks/bureaux de change, restaurants and cafes, car hire, lost luggage, information kiosks as well as laundry/dry cleaning, shoe repair and key-cutting services.
Stavanger (SVG) (Sola) is 14.5km (9 miles) southwest of the city (travel time – 20-30 minutes). Airport facilities include duty-free shops, bar (1300-2000), restaurant (Sun-Fri 1000-2000, Sat 1000-1700), snack bar (Mon-Sat 0615-2100, Sun 0800-2200), many shops, 24-hour tourist information, post office (Mon-Fri 0830-1600, Sat 0830-1200), banks/bureaux de change (Mon-Fri 0745-1730, Sat 0745-1630 and Sun 1100-1630), left luggage (0800-2200), 24-hour lockers and car hire (Avis, Budget, Hertz and InterRent/Europcar). There is a coach to the Royal Atlantic Hotel, Jembaneveien 1. Bus no. 40 goes every 20 minutes (0620-2400) for a fare of approximately NOK21 (travel time – 30 minutes). Taxi services are available to the city with a surcharge after 2200 (travel time – 15 minutes).
Bergen (BGO) (Flesland) is 19km (12 miles) south of the city (travel time – 25 minutes). Airport facilities include left luggage (0730-2400), lockers (0600-2400), banks (0730-1530; until 1730 in summer), bureaux de change, post office (Mon-Fri 0830-1630, Sat 0900-1230), duty-free shops, bar (1200-2200), cafes, shops, tourist information (Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat-Sun 1100-1800), nursery (0600-2400) and car hire (Avis, Budget, Hertz and Europcar). Bus (Flybussen) service leaves for the city every 20 minutes 0645-2130. Return is from various points in the city centre. Taxi services are available to the city for a fare of approximately NOK170 with a surcharge after 2200 (travel time – 25 minutes).
Departure tax: None.
SEA: The main passenger ports are Oslo, Larvik, Stavanger, Kristiansand and Bergen. The main sea routes from the UK, operated by Fjord Line and DFDS Seaways respectively, are from Newcastle to Bergen (travel time – 25 hours 30 minutes) and to Kristiansand (travel time – 19 hours). Services from Newcastle to Bergen via Stavangar are also operated by Fjord Line, a Norwegian line operating a number of Fjord cruises within Norway (in UK tel: (0191) 296 1313; website: www.fjordline.co.uk). Fjord Line also operates services from Bergen to Hanstholm (Denmark). Smyril Line operates services from Bergen to Iceland via the Shetland Islands and the Faroe Islands in the summer (tel: (55) 320 970; fax: (55) 960 272; e-mail: office@smyril-line.no; website: www.smyril-line.no).
RAIL: Connections from the UK are from London via Dover/Ostend (via The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden) or Harwich/Hook of Holland, or from Newcastle to Bergen via Stavanger. There are two principal routes to Sweden, with daytime and overnight trains from Copenhagen, Malmö and Stockholm.
Cheap Fares: Reduced fares on rail services have vastly increased the use and range of internal services. Scanrail cards allow five or ten days within two months or 21 consecutive days’ unlimited travel in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland on railways and selected ferries, and a 50 per cent reduction on other ferry services. InterRail tickets are valid in Norway and are now also available for those aged over 26 years.
ROAD: The only international routes are from Sweden or Finland in the far north. Camping trailers up to 2.3m (7.5ft) wide, with number plates, are permitted on holiday visits. Eurolines, departing from Victoria Coach Station in London, serves destinations in Norway. For further information, contact Eurolines (4 Cardiff Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, L41 1PP; tel: (08705) 143 219; fax: (01582) 400 694; website: www.eurolines.com or www.gobycoach.com).
Travel - Internal
AIR: Domestic flights are run by Braathens ASA (BU), Widerøe’s Flyveselskap (WF) and SAS Scandinavian Airlines (SK). A total of 50 airports with scheduled services exist in the fjord country of western Norway and along the remaining coast. Charter sea or land planes are available at most destinations. Reduced airfare tickets are available for families, children under 12 years of age (who pay half price), groups and pensioners. For further information, contact Widerøe Flyveselskap A/S (tel: 81 00 12 00; website: www.wideroe.no).
SEA: All coastal towns are served by ferries, catamarans and hydrofoils. The Hurtigruten (express) from Bergen to Kirkenes (near the Russian border) takes 11 days round trip, leaving daily and stopping at 35 ports on the west coast. Various ferry trips are available (half price in spring and autumn). There are also numerous companies operating cruises on Norway’s spectacular Fjords, one of which is Norway Fjord Cruise AS, PO Box 110, 6861, Leikanger (tel: (57) 656 999; fax: (57) 656 990; e-mail: nfc@fjordcruise.no; website: www.fjordcruise.com).
RAIL: All services are run by NSB (Norwegian State Railways) (tel: 8150 0888; website: www.nsb.no). The main internal rail routes are: Oslo–Trondheim (Dovre Line); Trondheim–Bodø (Nordland Railway); Oslo–Bergen (Bergen Railway); and Oslo–Stavanger (Sorland Railway). There are also services to Charlottenburg (Stockholm) and Halden (Malmö) on routes to Sweden. Seats on express trains must be reserved. There are buffet/restaurant cars on some trains, and sleepers on long-distance overnight services. Heavy luggage may be sent in advance. Children under four years of age travel free; children four-14 years of age pay half fare. The ScanRail Pass, valid for all of Scandinavia, offers a substantial reduction. For further information, contact NSB (Norwegian State Railways) (telephone number above) or the Norwegian Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section).
ROAD: Traffic drives on the right. The road system is of variable quality (especially under freezing winter conditions in the north), but supplemented by numerous car ferries across the fjords. Bus: Principal long-distance internal bus routes are from Bø (in Telemark) to Haugesund (travel time – 8 hours); from Ålesund–Molde–Kristiansund to Trondheim (travel time – 8 hours); and from Fauske to Kirkenes (travel time – 4 days) with links to the Bø line in the north. Inter-Nordic runs from Trondheim to Stockholm. There are also extensive regional local bus services, some of which are operated by companies with interests in the ferries. Visitors can contract NOR-WAY Bussekspress AS for seat reservations and route information (tel: (81) 544 444; fax: (23) 002 449; e-mail: ruteinformasjon@nor-way.no; website: www.nor-way.no). The official Rutehefte is a must for anyone using public transport, and gives extensive timetable information and maps of all bus, train, ferry and air routes. Taxi: In most cases, fares are metered. Taxis can be found at ranks or booked by telephone. Car hire: Available in airports and most towns, but costly; in general, problems of cost and parking make public transport more practical and convenient. It is also possible to hire bicycles. Regulations: The minimum age for driving is 18. Tolls, ranging from NOK5-50, are charged on certain cross-country roads, underwater tunnels and in certain cities such as Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim. There are severe penalties for drink-driving and illegal parking. Seat belts are compulsory. Children under 12 years of age must travel in the back of the car. It is obligatory for all vehicles to drive with dipped headlights at all times, even on the brightest summer day. This includes motorcycles and mopeds. Carrying spare headlight bulbs is recommended. Speed limits are 80-90kph (49-56mph) outside built-up areas and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas. Snow chains or studded winter tyres are advised during the winter. Petrol stations are numerous, although tourists are only able to use credit cards in some of them. The contact for AIT (Alliance Internationale de Tourisme) is the Norwegian Automobile Association (NAF), PO Box 494 Sentrum, 0105 Oslo (tel: 2234 1400; fax: 2233 1372; e-mail: medlemsservice@naf.no; website: www.naf.no). Documentation: International Driving Permit or national driving licence and log book are required. A Green Card is strongly recommended (for those with more than Third Party cover on their domestic policy). Without it, visitors with motor insurance in their own countries are allowed the minimum legal cover in Norway; the Green Card tops this up to the level of cover provided by the visitor’s own policy. The maximum legal blood to alcohol ratio is 0.5 per cent.
URBAN: Good public transport systems operate in the main towns. Oslo has bus, rail, metro and tramway services. Tickets are pre-purchased and self-cancelled, and there is one hour’s free transfer between any of the modes. Meters on taxis are obligatory.
TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Oslo to other major cities/towns in Norway.
| Air | Road | Rail | | Bergen | 0.35 | 9.00 | 8.00 | | Kristiansand | 0.30 | 5.00 | 5.00 | | Lillehammer | 0.20 | 3.00 | 2.30 | | Stavanger | 0.35 | 7.00 | 8.00 | | Tromsø | 1.40 | 20.00 | - | | Trondheim | 0.40 | 10.00 | 8.00 |
Accommodation
HOTELS: First-class hotels are to be found all over the country. Facilities in all establishments are classified, as hotels must come up to official high standards; for example, there must be a reception service, dining room, and a minimum of 30 rooms, each with full bath or shower. Many hotels are still family-run establishments. Full en pension terms are available to guests staying at the same establishment for at least three to five days. Hotels usually allow a reduction on the same en pension rate for children according to age. This reduction may only apply when the child concerned occupies an extra bed in the parents’ room. There are several schemes which offer visitors reduced rates in selected hotels. A Fjord Pass (which covers two adults with special concessions for children under 15 years of age and is available from the Norwegian Tourist Board in the UK) is accepted by 250 hotels in the period 1 May-30 September; reductions of 20 per cent or more are possible. The Nordic Passepartout is a pan-Scandinavian card accepted by over 50 hotels in Norway in the main summer period and at weekends; the visitor’s fifth night is free. A Scandinavian Bonus Pass (which covers two adults with special concessions for children under 16 years of age) is accepted by 45 hotels in Norway between 15 May and 1 September and at weekends during winter; a Scanrail railway pass will also be accepted. Scandinavian Hotel Express is a travel club which enables visitors to have reductions of 50 per cent in certain hotels. Roughly 50 per cent of establishments belong to the Norwegian Hospitality Association, PO Box 5465, Majorstua, 0305 Oslo (tel: (22) 2308 8620; fax: (22) 2308 8621; e-mail: firmapost@rbl.no; website: www.rbl.no). Grading: There is no grading system, but establishments designated turisthotel or høyfjellshotell must meet specified standards.
GUEST-HOUSES AND MOUNTAIN LODGES: Guest-houses (pensjonat) and mountain lodges are generally smaller in size and offer less elaborate facilities than hotels, although many establishments can offer the same standard as those officially listed as hotels. Further information is available from Bed & Breakfast Norway AS, Østerdalsgaten 1 J, NO-0658 Oslo (tel: (22) 673 080; fax: (22) 198 317; website: www.bbnorway.com).
FARMHOUSE HOLIDAYS: Farms selected are working farms and anyone who wants to can join in the work, but guests are at liberty to plan their own day, and the hosts will generally be able to suggest tours, excursions and other activities. Contact the Norwegian Tourist Board for further information. The tour operator Trollsykling offers many farmhouse holidays, and a programme printed in Norwegian, German and English is available from Trollsykling A/S, PO Box 373, Elvegaten 19, 2602 Lillehammer (tel: (61) 289 970; fax: (61) 269 250; e-mail: info@norske-bygdeopplevelser.no; website: www.norske-bygdeopplevelser.no).
SELF-CATERING: Chalets, log cabins and apartments are available for rent by groups and will generally work out less expensive per head than other kinds of holiday. Most chalets have electric lighting, heating and hot plates; some have kerosene lamps, calor gas for cooking and wood fires, while water will often have to be fetched from a nearby well or stream. Chalets are grouped near a central building which may contain such facilities as a cafe, lounges, TV rooms, sauna, a grocer’s shop, and in some cases a swimming pool. All chalets and apartments are regularly inspected by responsible rental firms. Bookings can be made by writing to various firms. Den Norske Hytteformidling A/S organises chalet holidays all over Norway, with full board or self-catering. Contact PO Box 309, 0103 Oslo (tel: 8154 4270; e-mail: novasol@novasol.no; website: www.novasol.com). Further information can also be obtained from the Fjordline office in the UK (tel: (0191) 296 1313; fax: (0191) 296 1540; e-mail: fjordline@fjordline.co.uk; website: www.fjordline.com); or the Norwegian Hospitality Association in Norway (tel: 2308 8620; fax: 2308 8621; e-mail: firmapost@rbl.no; website: www.rbl.no).
RORBU HOLIDAYS: A rorbu is a hut or shelter used by fishermen during the winter cod-fishing season. Equipped with all the necessary facilities, these are leased to holidaymakers during the summer, providing an inexpensive form of accommodation. They will often be actually over the water. Catching your own fish will further reduce the cost of the holiday. For more information on Rorbu holidays, contact Destinasjon Lofoten, PO Box 210, 8301 Svolvær (tel: (76) 073 000 or (76) 069 800; fax: (76) 073 001; e-mail: tourist@lofoten-tourist.no; website: www.lofoten-tourist.no).
CAMPING/CARAVANNING: Offsite camping is permitted in uninhabited areas (not lay-bys), but fires are illegal in field or woodland areas between 15 April and 15 September. Farmers must be asked for permission for farmland camping. Further details and a manual are available from the Norwegian Automobile Association (NAF) (see Road section for contact details). Grading: There are over 1000 authorised sites in Norway, classified according to standards and amenities from 1- to 5-star camps, with charges varying accordingly. Notice of available amenities is posted in each camp.
YOUTH HOSTELS: There are some 100 youth hostels spread all over Norway, some of which are open all year round. Others are in apartment houses attached to schools or universities and are open only during the summer season. Sleeping bags can be hired if necessary. Groups must always make advance bookings. All are welcome, but members of the Norwegian Youth Hostel Association (NUH), or similar associations in other countries, have priority. International membership cards can be bought at most youth hostels. Hostels vary from 1- to 3-star establishments. Breakfast is usually NOK50-60. Detailed information can be obtained from the Tourist Board’s Camping/YH list, or direct from Norske Vandrerhjem, Torggt 1, 0181 Oslo (tel: (23) 139 300; fax: (23) 139 350; e-mail: hostels@vandrerhjem.no; website: www.vandrehjem.no).
Introduction
Norway’s scenery is its main attraction, particularly the fjords of the southwest and the North Cape (Nordkapp) which is a popular spot from which to observe the Midnight Sun of midsummer. However, the principal cities, among them Oslo (the capital), Bergen and Trondheim, offer a good choice of museums, historical sites and architectural interest for the visitor. The often mountainous inland countryside is ideal for those in search of true wilderness. Unless winter sport is the reason for visiting the country, its appeal is strongest in the months between May and September.
Population is sparse outside the main centres, but Norway is sufficiently large and regionally diverse to warrant geographical division here. There are five defined regions: Southern Norway (including Oslo); Fjordland and the Southwest; the uplands of Oppland and Hedmark; Central Norway; and the arctic North.
Southern Norway
OSLO: Oslo, which celebrated its millennium in the year 2000, is Norway’s most populous district, providing a home for more than one tenth of the country’s inhabitants in a mere 700th of its total area. For all this, urban and industrial development only occupies one eighth of the land within the city boundaries, the rest consisting mainly of woods, islands in Oslo Fjord, and lakes.
The city has a strong arts culture, with a good choice of museums and galleries. The Munch Museum is the main draw among these, others include the National Gallery; the Norwegian Museum of Applied Arts; the Thor Heyerdahl Kon-Tiki Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum, both on Bygdøy Island to the west of the city centre; the Viking Ships Museum; Oslo City Museum; and the Norwegian Home Front Museum, which tells the story of the country’s occupation during World War II. The Ibsen Museum was the playwright’s home prior to his death in 1906.
Away from the immediate city centre, the Holmenkollen ski jumping complex with its Museum of Skiing is popular, as are the 12th-century Cistercian monastery ruins on Hovedøya, a short boat trip from the harbour. About 4km (2.5 miles) to the east of the city centre lies Østensjøvannet, a lakeside bird sanctuary.
Principal architectural interest in Oslo focuses on the Kongelige Slott (Royal Palace), Stortinget (Parliament Building), the Cathedral and Åkershus Castle. Boat trips on the fjord are readily available, and the main shopping area is along Karl Johansgate, which runs from the Central Station to the Royal Palace. Guided city bus tours operate year round.
Oslo’s entertainment centres include the Norwegian National Theatre; the New Theatre; the Norwegian Opera House; Konserthuset (the Concert House); and Oslo Spektrum, the main rock and pop concert venue. Norway’s prime exhibition centre is at Sjølyst, on the approaches to Bygdøy.
THE OSLO FJORD: Surrounding Oslo Fjord are the Fylker (counties) of Åkershus, Østfold, Buskerud and Telemark, all within a day trip of the capital. These are dotted with historic and prehistoric sites of varying importance, along with manor houses, stone churches (most are built of wood in Norway) and fortifications.
Among the principal towns in the region, outside the capital, is Fredrikstad, the attractions of which include a picturesque Old Town and 17th-century Kongsten Fort. Close to Lillestrøm, to the northeast of Oslo, is Sørumsand, which boasts the Tertitten narrow-gauge railway and museum. The oldest building in the industrialised town of Drammen is the Skoger Old Church, which dates from 1200. Kongsberg is particularly well endowed with museums, among them the Silver Collection; the Royal Mint Museum; and the Arms Factory Museum. The Saggrenda Silver Mine is 8km (5 miles) from Kongsberg.
On the western shore of Oslo Fjord lies Sandefjord, with its Whaling Museum (Norway is one of just three countries worldwide still involved in commercial whaling). Porsgrunn, near to Sandefjord, has long been a centre of the porcelain industry, the Town Museum tells its story, while the Porcelain Factory is open to visits by appointment. At nearby Skien, birthplace of Ibsen, his childhood home contains a multimedia exhibition about the playwright. The navigable Telemark Waterway links Skien with the interior via a system of canals.
South of Oslo, an unusual wooden bridge over the E18 motorway, built to the 1502 design of Leonardo da Vinci and officially unveiled in October 2001, is well worth seeing.
Fjordland and the Southwest
Unquestionably, Fjordland and the Southwest is Norway’s most important tourist area, due to its scenery. Many visitors arrive on cruise ships working their way north along the coast from Stavanger via Haugesund to Bergen and the best known fjord of all, Sognefjorden. Hardanger Fjord, Nordfjord, and Førdefjorden are among other notable scenic attractions in the region.
Near Sogndal, at the head of Sognefjorden, lies Urnes, whose wooden stave-built church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Inland are the Hardangervidda Mountains, which rise to over 1700m (5600ft) and incorporate the National Park of the same name. To the north of Sognefjorden lies Europe’s biggest glacier, the Jostedalsbreen, and its surrounding National Park of the same name. Immediately to the east of this area is the Jotunheimen National Park, which contains Norway’s highest mountain, Galdhøpiggen (2469m/8100ft). Away from the fjords, on the southern holiday coastline of Vest-Agder, Fylke, is the port of Kristiansand, from which ferries serve the UK and Denmark.
BERGEN: Former Hanseatic port and medieval Norwegian capital, the city’s appeal centres on the Hanseatic Bryggen harbour-side district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many buildings dating from the 17th century and earlier. Cable cars take visitors to the summit of Mount Ulriken, and a funicular railway climbs Mount Fløyen to give outstanding views over the city and coastline. Museums abound, and there is a large aquarium. Additionally, a broad choice of boat excursions plies the waters around the city, which is Norway’s busiest tourist destination.
STAVANGER: Centre of the country’s North Sea oil industry, Stavanger is Norway’s fourth largest city after Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim, with 96,000 inhabitants. Old Stavanger is Europe’s largest collection of wooden buildings. Other attractions here include the Norwegian Oil Museum, the unique Fish Cannery Museum (complete with sprat-smokehouse), and the Rogaland Art Gallery.
Oppland and Hedmark
Central southern Norway, comprising Oppland and Hedmark, is a land of mountains, spectacular glacial valleys, including Gudbrandsdal (one of Norway’s longest and most beautiful), and high plateaux.
Lightly populated throughout, apart from the larger centres of Hamar, Lillehammer (site of the 1994 Winter Olympics), Kongsvinger and Elverum, this is a region of small settlements suitable for those seeking solitude and wilderness – or winter sports facilities. Kongsvinger’s Festning (fortress) dates from the 17th century, but never came under Swedish attack. To the north is the Dovrefjell National Park – mythical home of the Mountain King (Dovregubben) immortalised by Grieg, and where musk oxen are occasionally spotted roaming wild on the high plateau.
LILLEHAMMER: The country’s biggest skiing and winter sport centre, offering both Alpine and Nordic disciplines, Lillehammer stands on the banks of the Mjøsa Lake, Norway’s largest with an area of 362 sq km (140 sq miles), and which reputedly conceals a ‘Loch Ness-style’ monster. Among non-winter-specific attractions in the town are the Norwegian Olympic Museum, the Maihaugen open air museum (which features a collection of over 170 historic buildings from the Gudbrandsdal area), and the Art Museum, with its extensive Norwegian collections.
HAMAR: At the northern end of the Mjøsa Lake, Hamar contains the Hedmark Museum, dedicated to the medieval period. There is also a Museum of Holography, unique in Norway, and the Olympic Hall, which staged skating events during the 1994 Winter Olympics. The Cathedral, restored in 1954, has origins dating back to the 11th century dawn of Norwegian Christianity.
Central Norway
Like most of the rest of Norway, the central region is largely mountainous, but the peaks do not rise as high as those of the southwest. This is the area where the country narrows on a west to east axis, and the Swedish border is never far away.
Mid-Norway consists of three large Fylker: Møre og Romsdal; Sør-trøndelag; and Nord-trøndelag, between them home to about one seventh (635,000) of the Norwegian population. A quarter of them live in and around Trondheim, the country’s third largest city. It lies on the southern shore of Trondheimsfjorden, which although not spectacular scenically when compared to the fjords of the southwest, is one of the largest, stretching more than 70km (44 miles) inland. Other larger towns include Ålesund, Molde (which stages a major annual summer international jazz festival), Kristiansund, Steinkjer and Namsos.
Outside Trondheim, by far the most important attractions in the region are the former copper-mining town of Røros to the east, and the historically significant Stiklestad, a short distance south of Steinkjer. It was at the latter that Christianity first came to Norway, when St Olav met his end during a battle in 1030. To the south of Trondheim, the mountain village of Oppdal is an important skiing resort.
TRONDHEIM: Founded in AD 997 as Kaupangr, and later called Nidaros, Norway’s early capital has a number of major attractions, not least the Nidarosdomen Cathedral, which dates from the late 11th century. Built over St Olav’s grave, it has been a centre of pilgrimage since medieval times. Elsewhere, the Ringve Museum is famous for its collection of rare historic musical instruments, while the Trøndelag Folk Museum incorporates the ruins of a 12th-century castle. Stiftsgården, the Trondheim palace of the Norwegian Royal Family, is a fine 18th-century wooden building in the city centre. Across the river stands the Kristiansten Festning fortress. The former island monastery of Munkholmen in the fjord is a popular boat excursion.
RØROS: One of just four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Norway, Røros is nowadays a small but picturesque mountain town near the Swedish border, but was a copper mining and smelting settlement from the 17th century until the 1980s. Principal attractions are the Old Town, the wooden church and the Mining Museum. Close to Røros is Olavsgruve, an early mine now open to visitors.
The North
Although encompassing only three Fylker, Nordland, Troms and Finnmark, this vast and wild region extends for more than 1200km (750 miles) northwards from Nord-trøndelag across the Arctic Circle to the Nordkapp (North Cape).
Less than 500,000 people inhabit the region, around a tenth of whom are of the Sami (Lapp) ethnic group. Their ‘capital’ is at Karasjok in Finnmark.
Mo-i-Rana is about 80km (50 miles) south of the Arctic Circle, where there is a visitor centre (Polarsirkelsenteret) by the main E6 road. Further north are the coastal cities of Bodø, Tromsø and Hammerfest, while Alta (with its nearby UNESCO-listed prehistoric cave carvings), and Kautokeino (traditionally Norway’s coldest town), lie inland. Kirkenes, on the Russian border, offers the Borderland Museum and a gallery devoted to the work of John Savios, a Sami artist.
The North Cape is a major attraction: people come to observe the summer Midnight Sun. The North Cape Hall, built into the side of a mountain, and with panoramic views out to sea, is the main visitor centre here.
TROMSØ: The largest centre in northern Norway, with a population of nearly 50,000, Tromsø spectacularly straddles Tromsøy Sound. It boasts the world’s most northerly brewery, and even a professional football team. The Tromsø Museum, 4km (2.5 miles) from the city centre, features archaeological and historical displays, while the City Museum concentrates on development of the settlement. The 43m (140ft) high Tromsø Bridge across the Sound affords good views of the surroundings.
BODØ: The Norwegian National Aviation Centre is a prime attraction here, as is a climb for the views from Rønvikfjell Mountain, which rises 3km (1.9 miles) outside the city centre. The world’s most powerful maelstrom, Saltstraumen, and a multimedia visitor centre dedicated to the phenomenon, are 33km (21 miles) east of Bodø.
MO-I-RANA: Northern Norway’s third largest, and most southerly, town of any size, is a popular stopping off point for visitors keen to explore the coastline, the mountains and nearby glaciers. It also offers the Nordland Museum of Nature.
Sport & Activities
Norway’s dramatic scenery and extensive wilderness areas offer scope for a variety of exciting activities.
Hiking: In Norway, hikers are well catered for. The Norwegian Mountain Touring Association (DNT) (tel: 2282 2800; fax: 2282 2801; e-mail: info@turistforeningen.no; website: www.turistforeningen.no) offers guided trips, and maintains more than 300 mountain huts, both staffed and unstaffed. Membership can be bought at a DNT office, a hut or at tourist offices. The DNT also sells maps, and provides information. Glaciers are another attraction for outdoor enthusiasts. The largest mainland glacier in Europe is at Jostedalsbreen, near Stryn. Daily glacier walks are organised in summer in the company of experienced guides. It is important to remember never to venture onto a glacier without an experienced guide. For information about organised glacier walks, contact the glacier centre at Jostedalsbreen (tel: 5787 7200; fax: 5787 7201; e-mail: jnasona@online.no; website: www.fjordinfo.no) or consult the following for glacier tours (website: www.bre.no) and general tourist information (website: www.museumsnett.kulturnett.no).
Wintersports: Norway claims to be the birthplace of skiing. The country has about 30,000km (18,750 miles) of marked ski trails, winding their way through unspoiled scenery. Both cross-country and downhill skiing are available from November until the end of May. Although skiing is at its best just before Easter, when the days are getting longer, it is possible to ski for long hours in the winter, since many of the tracks are illuminated. In summer, it is possible to go skiing in several parts of Norway. For further information about summer skiing, contact Stryn Sommerskisenter (tel: 5787 4040; website: www.stryn-sommerski.no).
Other: Horseriding holidays are becoming more popular. There are riding schools and clubs throughout the country with horses for hire and instruction provided. Also a number of hotels keep horses. Despite its often mountainous terrain, Norway is a popular destination for cycling holidays. Many old roads have been made into cycling routes. For further information, contact Sykkelturisme i Norge, SND, PO Box 3132 Handelstorget, N3707 (fax: 3590 0021; e-mail: info@bike-norway.com; website: www.bike-norway.com). Fishing is popular on Norway’s many inland waters and surrounding sea. There are over 100 salmon rivers flowing into the fjords, where reasonably priced sport is offered. A national fishing licence is necessary, obtainable from post offices. A permit is required for freshwater fishing.
Oslo (Bogstad links), Stokke (between Tønsberg and Sandefjord) and Meland (36km/22 miles north of Bergen in the fjord landscape by the Herdlafjord) all have 18-hole golf courses; there are shorter courses in Bergen, Sarpsborg, Hamar, Kristiansund and Trondheim. Altogether, Norway has 25 18-hole golf courses. Most clubs are open to visitors. The Norwegian Golf Federation can provide further information (tel: 2273 6620; fax: 2273 6621; e-mail: golfforbundet@nif.idrett.no). A number of resort hotels have their own tennis courts. A number of hotels, campsites and chalets have boats for use by visitors on the coast and inland waters. Hotels and campsites located near stretches of water often hire out equipment for windsurfing or water-skiing and offer instruction. Norway’s coast and inland waters are ideal for bathing in warm months. There are several specially designated beaches for naturists.
Social Profile
Food & Drink: Breakfasts are often enormous with a variety of fish, meat, cheese and bread served from a cold buffet with coffee and boiled or fried eggs. Many hotels and restaurants serve lunch from a koldtbord (cold table), with smoked salmon, fresh lobster, shrimp and hot dishes. Open sandwiches are topped with meat, fish, cheese and salads. Other dishes include roast venison, ptarmigan in cream sauce, wild cranberries, multer (a berry with a unique flavour), lutefisk (a hot, highly flavoured cod fish) and herring prepared in various ways.
Aquavit (schnapps) is a popular drink, but in general alcohol is limited and expensive, although beer and wine are generally served in restaurants. Bars have table and counter service. Licensing laws are strict and alcohol is sold only by the State through special monopoly. Licensing hours are also enforced.
Nightlife: Several hotels and restaurants in Oslo stage cabaret programmes and floor shows. Venues change so it is best to check in the local newspaper. Theatres, cinemas, nightclubs and discos are located in major centres. Resorts have dance music, and folk dancing is popular.
Shopping: Most towns and resorts have a shop where typical Norwegian handicrafts are on sale. Silversmiths and potteries are numerous and worth visiting. Traditional items include furs, printed textiles, woven articles, knitwear, woodcarving, silver, enamel, pewter, glass and porcelain. Tax-free cheques can be obtained from any of the 2500 shops carrying the sticker ‘Tax free for tourists’. These shops save visitors 11-18 per cent of the price paid by residents. VAT refunds are paid in cash at airports, ferries, cruise ships and border crossings. Shopping hours: Mon-Wed and Fri 0900-1700/1800, Thurs 0900-2000, Sat 0900-1300/1500.
Special Events: For a full list, contact the Norwegian Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of major festivals and other special events celebrated in Norway in 2003:
Jan 14-19 International Film Festival, Tromsø. Jan 24-27 Northern Light Festival, Tromsø. Mar Lillehammer Blues Festival. Mar 8-16 Winter Arts Festival (music, theatre, art exhibitions), Narvik. Apr 25-May 3 Bergen Blues & Roots Festival. May Mayjazz International Jazz Festival, Stavanger. May 21-Jun 1 Bergen International Festival (music and culture festival). Jun 13-17 Viking Festival (markets, historical play, concerts, viking camp), Kopervik. Jun 14 Midnight Sun Marathon, Tromsø. Jul 31-Aug 3 Telemark Folk Festival (international folk music, dance, workshops), Bø I Telemark. Aug Peer Gynt Festival, Vinstra/Gala. Sep Oslo Half Marathon. Oct Ultima, Oslo Contemporary Music Festival.
Social Conventions: Normal courtesies should be observed. It is customary for the guest to refrain from drinking until the host toasts their health. Casual dress is normal. Lunch generally takes place between 1200 and 1300 and dinner usually takes place at 1700. It is customary for an invited guest to offer gifts to the host/hostess of a meal. Punctuality is expected if invited out for dinner. Smoking is prohibited in most public buildings and on public transport (although there are often special spaces for smokers to indulge in cafes, bars and restaurants. Tipping: It is not customary to tip taxi drivers. Waiters expect a tip of no more than five per cent of the bill; porters at airports and railway stations charge per piece of luggage. Hotel porters are tipped NOK5-10 according to the number of pieces of luggage.
Business Profile
Economy: The Norwegian economy is dominated by its oil and gas industry, which accounts for nearly 20 per cent of GDP and 45 per cent of export earnings. There is little cultivable land in Norway, however, many farmers breed livestock, combining this with tree felling to supply Norway’s numerous sawmills. Consequently, wood products and paper are both thriving industries. Offshore fishing has been in decline for some time, although a large number of fish farms have been established, making Norway by far the world’s largest supplier of salmon. Heavy engineering industries, principally shipbuilding and machinery, have also declined (although Norway retains a large merchant fleet). However, the country has sustained its economic prosperity through development of an exceptionally strong energy sector. Norway has abundant resources for hydroelectric power, the development of which has allowed greatly reduced overheads for heavy industries, such as aluminium production. In addition, from the mid-1970s, Norway has been a major oil exporter, having discovered large deposits of both oil and natural gas in the North Sea. Much of the income is invested in a fund, now worth over US$40 billion, for such time (probably in about 20 years) as the oil and gas run out. The country also has deposits of various iron ores plus copper, lead and zinc, which feed the country’s metallurgical and chemical industries. Recent years have seen the emergence of advanced technological industries.
The UK, Germany and Sweden are Norway’s principal trading partners. Norway is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and hence the so-called ‘European Economic Area’, which is an amalgam of EU and EFTA members united in a free-trade zone and created in 1991. Concern about the possible effects on the fishing and farming industries lay behind the Norwegians’ decision – registered in two referendums, in 1973 and 1994 – to refuse membership of the EU. Nonetheless, with the exception of these two industries, Norway enjoys a wholly liberalised trade regime with EU members. Recent economic performance has broadly matched that of the EU, with GDP growth of just 1.4 per cent in 2001 rising to 2.5 per cent in 2002.
Business: Businesspeople are expected to dress smartly. Prior appointments are necessary. Norwegian businesspeople tend to be reserved and formal. English is widely spoken. Punctuality is essential. Calling cards are common. The best months for business visits are February to May and October to December. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600.
Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Norwegian Trade Council, Drammensveien 40, 0243 Oslo (tel: (22) 926 300; fax: (22) 926 400; e-mail: oslo@ntc.no; website: www.exportnet.ntc.no); or Norwegian Trade Council, Fifth Floor, Charles House, 5 Lower Regent Street, London SW1Y 4LR, UK (tel: (020) 7389 8800; fax: (020) 7973 0189; e-mail: london@ntc.no; website: www.norway.org.uk).
Conferences/Conventions: Information is available from the Norwegian Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section).
Climate
Coastal areas have a moderate climate owing to the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift. Inland temperatures are more extreme with hot summers and cold winters (November to March). In general, the lowlands of the south experience colder winters and warmer summers than the coastal areas. Rain is distributed throughout the year with frequent inland snowfalls during the winter. The northern part of the country inside the Arctic Circle has continuous daylight at midsummer, and twilight all day during winter.
Required clothing: European according to the season. Light- to mediumweights are worn in summer. Warmer weights are worn during the winter. Waterproofing is advisable throughout the year.
History and Government
History: The origin of the first inhabitants of Norway is uncertain, but it seems likely that they travelled north from central Europe. The known history of the country begins in the ninth century AD and is based on the Viking sagas, supported by archaeological evidence, and the explorations of Viking adventurers who colonised the Scottish islands, parts of the Scottish and Irish mainlands, Iceland and (for a while) Greenland. Norway itself was divided into a number of fiefdoms; the unification process began with King Harald Fairhair, who defeated the major northern tribes at the battle of Hafrsfjord (near Stavanger) in 872. Over the next two centuries, Christianity gradually spread into the country, supplanting traditional beliefs in Norse gods. By 1060, the country was unified.
From 1200 onwards, the twin powers of church and crown took control of the whole country. The arrival of bubonic plague (The Black Death) in Norway in 1350 killed half the Norwegian population and drastically weakened the power of its institutions. The Norwegians and Swedes had already established a joint monarchical structure which lasted between 1319 and 1343. Following the ravages of the Black Death, Norway entered into a political union with Denmark in 1380 through intermarriage between the countries’ ruling families. The alliance, cemented by a formal treaty in 1450, was intended to be one of equals; in practice, Denmark was the dominant partner, and in 1536, Norway became formally subservient to the Danish crown. Thus, when the seventeenth-century rivalry between Denmark and Sweden – the two dominant powers in the Baltic – broke out into warfare, the vanquished Danes handed over parts of Norwegian territory to Sweden.
The link between Denmark and Norway was finally broken in 1815 at the end of the Napoleonic wars. Denmark/Norway had sided with the France. After the defeat of Napoleon, Norway was handed over to the Swedes – who had fought in the opposing camp – effectively as one of the spoils of war. The Norwegians were allowed their own parliament, the Storting, which repeatedly clashed with the Swedish government throughout the period of the union between the two countries. This was officially and peacefully dissolved in 1905 following a referendum at which just 200 people – from a franchise of about 400,000 – voted in favour of retaining the union. The Swedes accepted the decision and Norway finally achieved true independence in 1905 as a constitutional monarchy.
The country’s three main political parties, Labour, Liberal and Christian Democrat, were formed in the 1880s. The early 20th century was dominated by the rivalry between the Labour and Liberal parties. 1935 was the start of a period of continuous Labour government, excepting the period of German occupation during World War II.
Norway had been neutral during the First World War and intended to remain so upon the outbreak of the Second World war. The Germans, however, saw Norway as a potential strategic threat and a valuable economic asset and occupied the country in 1940. A puppet government was installed under Vidkun Quisling (whose name subsequently entered the English language as a term for ‘traitor’) and remained in power until the German defeat in 1945.
After the war, Norway dispensed with its traditional neutrality to join NATO. In 1965, a centre-right coalition finally unseated Labour. Since then, Norway has been governed alternately by Labour and the centre-right, usually in coalition with smaller parties. The most recent poll in September 2001 returned Labour as the largest party, but the real winner was the second-placed Hoyre (Right) party which, in alliance with the Liberals and Christian Democrats, constructed a three-party coalition with the incumbent Christian Democrat premier Kjell Magne Bondevik remaining in office. The emergence of Hoyre in Norway was yet another example of the recent progress made by the far right throughout Europe, playing on fears about immigration, crime and racial identity.
However, the most divisive issue in contemporary Norwegian politics has been the country’s relationship with the rest of Europe. Norwegians are fiercely protective of their independence – hardly surprising given the country’s history. Concerns about the effect of EU membership on the country’s major industries (see Economy section) have meant that the electorate has consistently voted to stay outside the Union. Norway did join the alternative free trade bloc, the European Free Trade Area, and its successor, the European Economic Area. The closest Norway came to joining the EU was in 1992 when the Storting voted to apply for membership, but the decision was rejected at a national referendum two years later and Norway is likely to remain outside the EU for the foreseeable future (that said, there is mounting evidence that popular opposition has declined – a December 1998 poll recorded 55 per cent in favour of membership).
Further afield, the Norwegians have established a considerable reputation for handling delicate conflict negotiations. This is based on the key role which they played in hosting and mediating the negotiations leading up to the 1994 Israeli-Palestinian peace accord (see Israel section) – one of the major foreign policy coups of recent times. And in 2002, they played a similar role in bringing the long-running Sri Lankan civil war to a negotiated settlement.
Government: Norway is a constitutional monarchy with a unicameral 165-seat parliament, the Storting, elected by proportional representation in multi-seat constituencies for a four-year term. The Prime Minister is the supreme executive authority. The monarch, currently King Harald V, is Head of State.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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