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Norway is a country and constitutional monarchy in Northern Europe that occupies the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The country's extensive coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean is home to its famous fjords.Norway is the northernmost country in the world to have open waters. This is due the warm currents flowing north from the Equator towards the Norwegian Sea. The climate in Norway differs from that of the rest of Scandinavia. The tall mountain ranges dividing mainland Norway provide protection from precipitation to large areas of inland eastern Norway. The transition between winter and summer can provide surprising combinations of activities, for example a combined skiing and canoeing trip.Vikings ravaged the coasts of northwest Europe from the 8th to the 11th century and were ruled by local chieftains. The Vikings were great sailors and became the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Eric the Red, the son of a Norwegian colonized Greenland in 982. In 1001, Eric's Icelandic son, Leif Eriksson, became possibly the first European to explore the coast of North America. Olaf II Haraldsson became the first effective king of all Norway in 1015 and began converting the Norwegians to Christianity. After 1442, Norway was ruled by Danish kings until 1814, when it was united with Sweden. In 1905, the Norwegian parliament arranged a peaceful separation and invited a Danish prince to the Norwegian throne—King Haakon VII. Norway stayed neutral during both world wars but was occupied by the Nazis in 1940. King Hakon set up a government in exile and placed most of Norway's huge merchant fleet under the command of the Allies. North Sea oil and natural gas finds brought prosperity to the country in the 1970s. Norway has since achieved one of the highest standards of living in the world.Norway consists of large areas of unspoiled nature and vast tracts of wilderness. Much of the country is dominated by mountainous or high terrain, with a great variety of natural features caused by prehistoric glaciers and varied topography. The most noticeable of these are the fjords: deep grooves cut into the land flooded by the sea following the end of the Ice Age. The longest is Sognefjorden. Norway also contains many glaciers and waterfalls.Norway is called as the "Land of the Midnight Sun". From late May to late July, the sun never completely descends beneath the horizon in areas north of the Arctic Circle and the rest of the country experiences up to 20 hours of daylight per day. Conversely, from late November to late January, the sun never rises above the horizon in the north, and daylight hours are very short in the rest of the country.Most Norwegians are ethnic Norwegians, a North Germanic people. The indigenous Sami people traditionally inhabit central and northern parts of Norway. Another national minority are the Kven people.The culture of Norway distinct from other countries in Europe in that it has fewer opulent palaces and castles, smaller agricultural areas, and longer travel distances. Regionally distinct architecture, crafts, and art are presented in the various folk museums, typically based on an ethnological perspective. Norsk Folkemuseum at Bygdøy in Oslo is the largest of these.In winter, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and snowboarding are very popular. In summer, hiking and biking are obvious ways to enjoy the enormous mountain areas. For the adventurous, kayaking, wild-water rafting, paragliding, cave or glacier exploration are possible. Car tourists will enjoy driving along the fjords and mountains in the west or to the midnight sun in the north. In short, Norway has a lot to offer in terms of nature.
BergenKnown for the Hanseatic wharf, the fish market and the surrounding fjords Bergen offers the ideal combination of nature, culture and pulsating city life |
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OsloIt is the capital and largest city of Norway, with museums of national importance, lively nightlife and cultural scene. It’s a great destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities. |
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AltaAlta, the important commercial town is famous by rock drawings (about 4200 -500 BC), listed in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites |
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BodoThe Norwegian Aviation Museum, which displays aircrafts from 1913 to 1993, is one of the main sights of Bodo, also known as «an Eagle’s city» due to a record number of eagles |
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HammerfestTo get acquainted with the Sami people culture and enjoy the best fishing one have to visit Hammerfest - the most northern city in the world, located at 70 ° North Latitude |
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KristiansandKristiansand is a favorite vacation spot of the Norwegians. Beautiful beaches begin already in the city. Excellent salmon fishing, delicious fish cuisine |
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NotoddenNotodden Blues Festival, which takes place in early August, annually attracts tourists from all over the world. There are also a large number of well-preserved monuments |
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TonsbergTonsberg is considered to be the oldest city throughout Scandinavia. Now it is the major tourist centre of Norway |
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TromsoTromso is situated on the island and is surrounded by fjords, mountains, islands. Local residents are proud of the most northern university and botanical garden, breweries |
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TrondheimTrondheim is a famous university town with numerous attractions, preserving an atmosphere of a cozy village |
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Arctic Circle CentreArctic Circle Centre presents works of art, as well as marble sculptures of polar animals and stuffed animals. Here is a stuffed polar bear, the largest in Europe |
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Cavzo Safari, MazeCavzo Safari is run by Elen Inga and Tore Turi. They live in the Sami village of Maze and organize daily trips by riverboat to the Alta dam |
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Fishing, Namsen riverInveterate fishermen will never miss an opportunity to catch a 20-kg salmon in clean water of the Namsen river. Different ways of fishing are possible here |
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Karmoy Viking FestivalHistoric performances, parades, competitions, concerts and fairs are organized during Karmoy Viking Festival. Everyone can feel oneself an ancient warrior in a Viking’s camp |
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Lofoten, archipelagoLofoten archipelago is the succession of islands, where fishing is the traditional main occupation of the local people. Take part in whale safari and you will never forget this travel |
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North CapeNorth Cape is one of the main attractions of Norway. From May 31 to July 31 one can observe midnight never-setting sun here |
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Norwegian FjordsBeing one of Europe’s last natural frontiers it evokes a sense of timelessness. In this enduring landscape, nature is at her most dramatic spectacle of the fjords is a natural wonder. |
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polar lights in norwayPolar Lights in Norway - spellbounding natural phenomenon; it's better to observe it in the north of the country, within the Polar circle, in october and february. |
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PreikestolenA stunning view from Preikestolen - a giant cliff (604 m) above the Lisefjord can enjoy only the most brave, those who dare to come to its very edge |
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Svartisen, glacierFascinating views are open from the plateau of Svartisen glacier, the biggest in Norway, but not every tourist venture to climb here |
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Whale Safari, AndenesModern whale safari in Andenes is not hunting in the literal sense. Sperm-whales are not afraid to appear about the coast and tourists can observe and photograph these sea giants |
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