Norway Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

Northern Europe, Scandinavia.

Language

Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk). Sami is spoken by the Sami population in the north. English is widely spoken.

Area

385,155 sq km (148,669 sq miles).

Time Zone

Norway Mainland: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October). Jan Mayen Islands, Svalbard: GMT + 1.

Electricity

230 volts AC, 50/60Hz. European round two-pin plugs are standard.

Population

4.8 million (2009).

Population Density

12.3 per sq km.

Capital City

Oslo. Population: 578,870 (2009).

Government

Constitutional monarchy. Declared independence from Sweden in 1905.

Head of Government

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg since 2005.

Head of State

King Harald V since 1991.

Religion

Approximately 86% Evangelical Lutherans; plus other Christian denominations, Muslim and other minority religions.

Recent History

After the defeat of Napoleon, Norway was handed over to the Swedes. The union between the two countries was officially and peacefully dissolved in 1905, when Norway achieved true independence as a constitutional monarchy.

The country's three main political parties, Labor, Liberal and Christian Democrat, were formed in the 1880s. The early 20th century was dominated by the rivalry between the Labor and Liberal parties. 1935 was the start of a period of continuous Labor government, excepting the period of German occupation during WWII.

The Germans occupied the country in 1940 and a puppet government was installed under Vidkun Quisling 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 center-right coalition finally unseated Labor. Since then, Norway has been governed alternately by Labor and the center-right, usually in coalition with smaller parties.

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 and concerns about the effect of European Union membership on the country's major industries have meant that the electorate has consistently voted in national referendums (1994 and 1998) to stay outside the EU. Norway did join the European Free Trade Area, the bloc representing most of the European nations which are not members of the EU.

The minority center-right coalition (Christian Democrats, Conservatives and Liberals), which took office after the 2001 election, was led by Prime Minister Magne Bondevik, and lost the general election in 2005. A new majority center-left 'red-green' coalition made up of the Labor Party, Center Party and Socialist Left was formed, led by Labor Party leader Jens Stoltenberg. He was re-elected for a second mandate in September 2009.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +47.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Mobile phones cannot be hired. Coverage is mostly good, but may be patchy in mountainous areas.

Internet

There are many Internet cafés throughout Norway and you can also access the Internet via public libraries, often free of charge. Wi-Fi is widespread.

Media

Norway's public broadcaster NRK has had competition from private local and national stations since the heady days of monopoly. Press freedom is guaranteed by the constitution and public radio and TV broadcast without interference from the government.

Post

Hotel receptions, shops and kiosks selling postcards will sell stamps. Airmail within Europe takes two to four days.These vary from place to place but are generally Mon-Fri 0830-1600 and Sat 0800-1300.

Press

There are no English-language newspapers although English newspapers are readily available (one day after publication in the UK).

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Andre Juledag

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
21 Apr Holy Thursday
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May May Day
17 May Constitution Day
2 Jun Ascension Day
13 Jun Whit Monday
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Andre Juledag

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
5 Apr Holy Thursday
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
1 May May Day
17 May Constitution Day
17 May Ascension Day
28 May Whit Monday
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Andre Juledag

Contact Information

British Embassy in Norway

Thomas Heftyesgate 8, 0244 Oslo, Norway
Tel: 2313 2700.
Website: www.ukinnorway.fco.gov.uk

Royal Norwegian Embassy in the UK

25 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QD, UK
Tel: (020) 7591 5500.
Website: www.norway.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1600 (general enquiries); Mon-Fri 1000-1100 (phone calls to consular section); 1100-1200 except Wed (visits in person to consular section).

Innovation Norway in the UK

5th floor, Charles House, 5 Lower Regent Street, London SW1 4LR, UK
Tel: (020) 7839 8800.
Website: www.visitnorway.com

Royal Norwegian Embassy in the USA

2720 34th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 333 6000.
Website: www.norway.org

Innovation Norway in the USA

655 Third Avenue, Suite 1810, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (202) 885 9700.
Website: www.visitnorway.com