34 Enjoyable Info About Norway You Ought to Know

In search of some information about Norway? Norway occurs to be one of many most secure and most stunning international locations on earth! It’s an enchanting a part of the world stuffed with pure wonders and historical past.

We love Norway and it’s one in all our favourite international locations to journey round. So we determined to share a few of our favourite Norway information!

Enjoyable Norway Info You’ll Love

1.) Vikings are Norwegian

Certainly one of my favourite Norway information is that this one. Partially, anyway. Vikings have been a formidable pressure of not simply Norwegians, however Danes and Swedes, too. The Vikings went on fierce raids and conquered lands round Northern Europe, even so far as the Volga River in Russia.

Why all of the hate? Probably due to Christian missionaries getting up of their enterprise and “holy” wars within the south of their lands for the Norsemen not changing into Christian. 

2.) Vikings found Iceland accidentally

A cheerful accident – that’s all discovering Iceland was. On a routine voyage to the Faroe Islands, a Viking longship rocked up at Iceland by mistake. Now we’ve got all of the superior music and Sport of Thrones taking pictures places to take pleasure in.

3.) Norway has a royal household

Nicely, we wager you by no means knew that. It dates again to the twelfth century. At the moment sitting on the Norwegian throne are King Harold V and Queen Sonja.

Very similar to the Queen of England, King Harold has no official energy however contains the nation’s constitutional monarchy. They dwell within the Nineteenth-century Royal Palace in Oslo.

4.) It’s an incredible spot for the aurora borealis

What now? We imply the Northern Lights, in fact. This astounding gentle present occurs when charged particles from the solar meet atoms within the Earth’s higher ambiance, releasing photons (gentle particles). No matter its science, the aurora borealis is gorgeous, like inexperienced, pink, and blue ribbons within the sky. Finest seen additional north.

5.) A Norwegian found Greenland

This can be a very attention-grabbing Norway reality. Particularly, it was explorer Erik the Purple (named after his beard, it’s thought), whose father was banished to Iceland from Norway for a number of murders.

Greenland is a part of Denmark as we speak, however with extra indigenous folks than settlers, it could be shifting in direction of independence.

6.) Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish are mutually intelligible

So, should you don’t converse Norwegian however Danish, then you may have a dialog. Likewise, should you’re in Sweden and also you converse Swedish and occur to satisfy a Norwegian individual, you’ll in all probability be capable of perceive one another. That’s a Nordic language for you.

7.) Norway has celebrated independence twice

Sure, twice. An unequal partnership between a grasping Denmark in 1523 led to the union of Denmark-Norway. There was a glimmer of independence within the early Nineteenth century, however then it turned a part of one other bum deal as Sweden-Norway from 1814 to 1905. So it’s a comparatively new nation, which is (we’re guessing) a little-known reality about Norway.

8.) There are 400,000 lakes in Norway

That is one in all my favourite Norway information! Solely as a result of when you consider what an insane quantity of water that’s. Certainly one of these lakes, Hornindalsvatnet, is the deepest lake in the entire of Europe. It’s 1,512 ft deep, to be actual.

9.) Norway is legendary for its fjords

In truth, fjord is a Norwegian phrase. There are 1,190 fjords in Norway, the best density on this planet, every of which is extremely stunning. It additionally boasts the second-deepest and longest fjord – the uber dramatic Sognefjord, which is 127 miles lengthy and its depth is 4,291 ft. It’s generally known as the “King of the Fjords,” naturally. 

10.) Norway is LGBT-friendly

In 1993, it was the primary nation within the complete world to enact a regulation punishing discrimination in opposition to homosexual and lesbian residents. It was additionally the second nation on this planet to legalize civil partnerships for same-sex {couples}. At the moment, there’s full marriage equality

11.) Vikings found America

A 3rd-generation “Icelander,” Norwegian, was the primary European to set foot on continental America. We’re speaking method earlier than Chris Columbus right here. Leif Erikson, son of Erik the Purple (founding father of Greenland, keep in mind?), was the person with the plan who made all of it occur.

Decided to discover the area to the west of Greenland, round 1000 AD, Erikson landed at what got here to be generally known as Vinland. Although talked about in Norse sagas, precise archaeological proof got here within the Nineteen Sixties on the southern tip of Newfoundland.

12.) The oldest people in Norway are actually outdated

Nicely, in keeping with archaeological proof, they’re. Alongside an enormous former ice shelf from the final ice age that melted between 11000 and 8000 BC, proof of human existence method again when has been discovered.

We’re speaking stone instruments and different implements that date to round 9500-6000 BC. That’s fairly outdated.

13.) The solar by no means units in Norway

Nicely, in Norwegian summers, it doesn’t. And never all of Norway, however anyplace north of the Arctic Circle – which is rather a lot of Norway – the solar won’t ever set within the summertime. The remainder of the nation sees round 20 hours of daylight. Prepare with these black-out blinds.

14.) The solar by no means rises in Norway

Identical to in summer time when the solar by no means units, in Norway within the winter, it’s perpetually darkish. North of the Arctic Circle, the solar actually by no means rises. When you’re a sufferer of Seasonal Affective Dysfunction, this in all probability isn’t an excellent time to go to.

15.) Norway nonetheless practices whaling

Japan will get numerous hate for whaling, however Norway is simply as responsible. The looking of minke whales for industrial acquire truly resumed in 1993, following the worldwide moratorium on whaling.

The federal government-set quota is just not just for human and animal meals in Norway however for export to different international locations, like (you guessed it) Japan.

16.) Norway launched salmon sashimi to Japan

To dump their salmon onto Japan as a part of the Norwegian advertising and marketing marketing campaign known as Challenge Japan within the Nineteen Eighties, the uncooked fish market within the Land of the Rising Solar was focused as a result of the markup of sashimi and sushi was excessive and engaging for consumers. The consequence? Uncooked salmon could be very standard in Japan.

17.) Each Christmas, Norway offers the UK a Christmas tree

As thanks for serving to them out throughout WWII, Norway items the UK an enormous (actually large) Norwegian pine as their Christmas tree. It goes up in Trafalgar Sq., London, every Christmas, and an enormous ceremony takes place on the time. Isn’t {that a} enjoyable reality about Norway?

18.) Svalbard was the place the place the final German troops surrendered in WWII.

By no means heard of it? This far-flung northern outpost was by no means taken over by the Nazis, however they did have a secret meteorological station there.

After the give up in Could 1945, they have been caught on the island till September, once they surrendered to a seal hunter and have become the final German troopers to give up in WWII.

19.) Norway is dwelling to some BIG animals

You’ll be able to see basking sharks and the gargantuan, giant-squid-eating sperm whales within the surrounding seas. On land, nevertheless, you’ll find huge polar bears, brown bears, and large elks. This can be a land of true wilderness.

20.) Norway had a queen known as the Girl King

Apparently the primary “nice” ruling queen of any European nation. Queen Margaret I dominated not solely Norway but additionally Sweden and Denmark through the 14th century. She was a fierce queen that fashioned unions throughout Scandinavia.

21.) Christmas is massive information in Norway

It’s winter. It’s virtually all the time darkish. Christmas, with all of the lights, festivities, and seasonal good cheer, is a welcome break when it arrives.

There are numerous Christmas markets, making it an superb winter place to go to in Europe should you’re planning on a festive break through the vacation season.

22.) The Sami individuals are the indigenous folks of Norway

That is a type of Norway information I like! These people are the unique inhabitants of Norway, with proof pointing again to greater than 10,000 years of Sami folks residing within the nation.

They’ve their very own language (round a 3rd of the Norwegian inhabitants converse it), their very own capital known as Karasjok, full with its personal parliament, and plenty of nonetheless dwell off the land as reindeer herders.

23.) Norway celebrates Nationwide Day on Could 17

Everybody’s obtained to have a Nationwide Day, proper? Norway’s is on Could 17, which is the day in 1814 on which Norway obtained its personal structure (even when it wasn’t truly impartial). Kids placed on parades via city, there are common festivities, and many individuals costume up in conventional costumes generally known as bunad. They’re simply having fun with being Norwegian.

24.) The Laerdal Tunnel is the longest street tunnel on this planet

When you’re a fan of tunnels and completely geeky information about Norway, sit tight; the Laerdal Tunnel, connecting Oslo and Bergen, is precisely 15.23 miles lengthy (that’s 24.51 kilometers). This huge feat of engineering slices via an impassable mountain vary and was opened in 2000.

25.) Mountains make up two-thirds of Norway’s panorama

These massively uninhabited landscapes comprise 300 peaks that soar greater than 6,500 ft above sea degree. Mountaineers, hikers, and adventurers will love the sheer wilderness of this rugged nation. It’s fairly epic!

26.) There are extra bears in Svalbard than folks

The Norwegian island of Svalbard, near the North Pole (the one with the German troopers who surrendered to a seal hunter), is distant and wild. Assume glaciers, tundra, and sure – numerous bears.

Round 2,000 folks dwell there, which is comparatively excessive for a nowhere type of place; we expect that’s since you don’t really want a visa to dwell in Svalbard!

27.) Norwegian passports are actually cool

Belief us, they are surely. Put a real, 100% genuine Norwegian passport below a UV gentle, and growth – you may see the Northern Lights!

Not the precise aurora borealis, however an image of 1 that makes these passports in all probability the good on this planet, should you ask us. And it’s one of many coolest enjoyable information about Norway, too.

28.) Norway has gained probably the most medals on the Winter Olympics

Like, ever. Winter Sports activities are Norway’s forte. We imply, there’s numerous snow on this nation. And winter lasts for about half the yr.

No marvel they’ve obtained so many medals. To be exact, the full variety of medals they’ve gained is 368 (132 gold, 125 silver, 111 bronze). They’re winners, alright. 

29.) The Nobel Peace Prize is determined by a committee in Norway

Although the Nobel Prizes are named after the Swedish inventor of dynamite Alfred Nobel, the Nobel Prize is the one accolade on the Nobel roster that isn’t handed out in Stockholm. A committee in admittedly very peaceable Norway decides on who ought to get it, and the occasion is placed on in Oslo City Corridor.

30.) Norway has no official faith

Nevertheless it does have a state faith. This implies it joins only a handful of nations worldwide as these with governments intertwined with faith. For instance, in England, the Queen is the pinnacle of the English Church.

31.) It’s unlawful to promote to kids in Norway

Nicely, kids below 12 years outdated. Keep in mind all these motion determine commercials and stuff while you have been up early watching morning cartoons on the weekend?

Nicely, they don’t have any of that in Norway, which is without doubt one of the most attention-grabbing information about Norway! Dangerous information for capitalism, excellent news for childhood innocence.

32.) Reoffenders virtually don’t exist in Norway

With extra progressive techniques by way of incarceration, Norway’s recidivism (reoffending) fee is without doubt one of the lowest on this planet at 20%, in contrast with the US fee of greater than 60%.

Norway’s jails are a number of the finest and most humane on this planet, specializing in rehabilitation moderately than punishment.

33.) Police brutality additionally doesn’t exist (virtually)

Whereas police could be fairly trigger-happy in different international locations, Norway is just not that type of place. In any respect. In truth, the final time anybody was shot and killed by Norwegian police was in 2006.

In 2007, no pictures have been fired by police in any respect. Solely ten law enforcement officials have been killed in Norway since WWII. By comparability, an evaluation in 2015 discovered that US police kill extra folks in sooner or later than Norway has within the final 9 years.

34.) Norway is dwelling to the Tallest waterfall in Europe

This is without doubt one of the most loopy Norway information. The best waterfall in Europe is Vinnufossen, at 2,280 ft tall, making it the eigth-highest waterfall on this planet. Norway is nuts on the subject of nature.