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Northern Europe, bordering
the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Lowest point: Norwegian Sea
0 m
Highest point: Galdhopiggen
2,469 m
Capital: Oslo
Largest City: Oslo
Religion: Church of Norway
85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim
1.8%, other 8.1%
Languages Spoken: Bokmal Norwegian
(official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking
minorities
See also: Languages
spoken in Europe, Languages of
the world
Information & Brief History
Two centuries of Viking raids into
Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav
TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the
next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark
that was to last for more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted
the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution.
Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution
in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism
throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence.
Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses
to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World
War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45).
In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery
of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic
fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive
welfare system and planning for the time when petroleum reserves are depleted.
In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.
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Norway