Norway By: Darell
A land of rich history and cultural traditions, Norway is the home to people who love their freedom given to them by their government. The people fought against all odds to gain freedom during World War II. The country utilizes its natural resources, the most prominent being water flowing from its rivers and its oil found in the North Sea. Oil supports the economy of a nation that, in terms of the population, is one of the most prosperous nations in the world. Norway is also famous for its people's love of food and many food delicacies. Norwegians eat fish a lot because most of the population lives near the coast. Some fish that are commonly seen at the dinner table at a Norwegian household are herring and lutefisk (lye fish). Other foods ate a lot in Norway are goat cheese, lefse (potato pancake), and spakeskmke (sweetened ham), often with adults these meals are served with akevitt, a very strong liquor. Norwegians enjoy holidays with big celebrations and when they celebrate the holidays with quiet time with their families. A big holiday in Norway is Syttende Mai, which is celebrated on the Seventeenth of May. It is celebrated with marches, cheering, and parades. On Christmas Eve every year at 5:00, church bells ring. But by contrast Christmas is usually a quiet time with most people staying at home to celebrate with family and friends. Long before Christianity was brought to Norway, Norwegians celebrated the Winter Solstice. Norway is predominantly Christian, but a lot of religions are practiced. Ninety percent of Norwegians are Lutheran, and the Government controls it as the Church of Norway. The Government pays the ministers and other church officials. Though most Norwegians are religious, only a few go every week to the sermons. Most of Norway may be Christian but freedom of religion is a basic right to the people of Norway. Norway is a country with a fair and equal government with all of the people getting their own voice and power. Norway is a Constitutional Monarchy, which means that it has a parliament that the people vote for, but has a King. The King's job is mostly ceremonial. There are 18 justices in the Norwegian Supreme Court and 165 members of the parliament who are elected to four-year terms. The Prime Minister of the Parliament is chosen by the King and is usually that one chosen is the leader of the political party in control of the parliament. The Prime Minister usually serves until age 70 but can be dismissed. The Kingdom of Norway was founded in 1814. The King chooses high officials such as judges. Transportation is very important in the average Norwegian's day. Norway has 450 vessels that link South Norway to Middle Norway to Northern Norway. There are more than 40,000 miles of highway in Norway and the Norwegian government has laid about 2,700 miles of railroad track. In the air, the government owned Scandinavian Airlines flies around the globe. In terms of economy, Norway is one of the most prosperous nations in the world. Norway has utilized hydroelectric from its waters since 1900, and Phillips Petroleum (US) discovered oil in the 1960's in the North Sea. Fifteen percent of Norway's GNI is from oil, fifty percent of its GNI is from the factories located mainly near the largest city and capital of Norway, Oslo. Fourteen percent of the GNI is from manufacturing. Norway is hard to use for plant growing and though Agriculture used to be very important in Norway's, it is now only 3% of Norway's GNI. The most important single thing to Norway's economy is the North Sea oil deposit. The enormous investment to collect this oil is burdened on huge, multinational companies. Norway's whole economy suffers if oil prices plunge like in the 1980's. Norway has basically two types of climate. It is surprising to learn that though the Loften Islands are at a high latitude, they have an average January temperature of 45 degrees. The Gulf Stream, a stream of warm water flowing off the coast, which keeps ports ice-free, affects Norway quite a bit. In summer, it is warmer inland because the mountains block the cold air off the ocean. Likewise in the winter except that the mountains block the warm air from going inland. Norway is a land with a vast array of landscapes from its beautiful mountains to its fjords formed by the ocean over many thousands of years. Norway, on the whole, is a long, narrow, rugged nation located in Northwestern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula, which consists of the countries of Norway, Sweden and Finland. Norway has been divided into five regions: Trondelag, Nord Norge, Vestandet, Ostland, and Sorlandet. Most of the middle of Norway is mountainous and only mountains do not cover the southernmost (around Oslo) and the northernmost points of Norway Norway has a very interesting history with Vikings, exploring, and occupation. It all began when in about 2000 B.C, the Germanic ancestors of today's Norwegians arrived. These weren't the first people to live in Norway, the Lapps had been living there for centuries. By 870 ad, the Vikings had started exploring westward and terrorized England with its raids for goods. They colonized Iceland at that time while exploring westward across the ocean. The reason the Vikings didn't go east was because the crossing of the mountains would be harder than across the water. The biggest finds by the Vikings were the islands of Iceland and Greenland and the continent of North America, "discovered" by Leif Erikson, son of Erik the Red, who discovered Greenland. Oslo was founded in 1050. From 1941-1945 during World War II, Norway was occupied by the superpower Germany. Norway had tried to remain neutral, but eventually had to enter after the Axis powers started attacking its merchant ships. Soon after, it was invaded. Olav V became king of Norway in 1957 and was king until he died in 1992 and was succeeded by King Harald V. Norway is a land of beautiful landscapes, wonderful people, and many cultures. The land holds the tale of many Viking expeditions and of the Lapps, who have conquered the bitter cold climate to make Norway their home. In a recent article in Newsweek, the article found that Scandinavian foods are becoming a lot more popular around the world and in the U.S. To summarize all this, Norway is important in the world, important to the world, and important to the people who love the nation. Works Cited Braun, Eric. Norway in Pictures. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Lerner Publications Company, 2003. Hintz, Martin. Enchantment of the World Norway. Chicago, Illinois: Childrens Press, 1982. Kopka, Deborah. Norway. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Carolrhoda Books Inc, 2001. Zickgraf, Ralph. Major World Nations, Norway. Philadelphia, Pennsylavania: Chelsea House Publishers, 1999. Http://www.homeatfirst.com/ "Norway". World Book Encyclopedia, 1981 ed.