Norway forms the western part of the Scandinavian peninsula, facing the sun falling over the North Sea. This fortuitous geographic position gives rise to several of the advantages enjoyed by Norway. The fact that the North Atlantic Current (Gulf Stream) flows all along the west coast bringing warmer water, gives Norway the most temperate climate of any place in the world at the same latitude.
Hopperstad stave church built around 1130 ((c) Per Eide/ Innovation Norge) |
The average annual temperature for example in Lofoten, north west coast, is a full 25C higher than the normal at this latitude. West coast climate is favourable for fruit production with very few days of freezing weather. Generally the humidity carried by the prevailing west winds is carried farther north than anywhere else in Europe, again favourable for agriculture. Also of course, the North Sea provides one of the richest fishing grounds in the world. And of course, this is also where the oil is found.
If the climate favours agriculture, the mountainous terrain does not. Approximately one half of the country is covered in rock, either flat pre-ice age terrain or the mountainous peaks formed by ice-age glacial activity. |
These are the mountains Norway is famous for. Where they lie close to the fjords, the sight of nearly vertical walls rising straight from the sea, and often where the fjord may be no more than several hundred meters across, is breath taking.
The south and east of Norway have a more cultivation friendly topography with rich soil where a variety of crops are grown and dairy cattle graze. Although these crops and livestock thrive, the cultivatable area is limited and the growing season short.
In inland areas, far from the sea, the summers are warmer and the winters are colder. In Finnmark (north east) for example, the winters can be severe with –30C rather common. However it can also be +30C in the summer in the south. The people are hardy however and enjoy the unique climate. Summers are short but glorious with a brief period like no where else. Finnmark is also home to Norway’s domestic reindeer population.
The Arctic Circle divides Norway roughly in two if we consider the long axis of the country, from north to south, although the greatest land mass is south of the circle. The N-S length of the country is often commented upon. It would take 4-5 days from top to bottom by road. North of the Arctic circle there are days when the sun never rises in the winter and when it never sets in the summer. The 24 hr sunlight of these long summer days gives the far north of the Nordic countries the nickname “Land of the Midnight Sun”.
The People:
In the year 2000 the population exceeded 4.5 million, similar in size to Denmark and Finland and about ½ the size of Sweden. The five Nordic countries (including Iceland) are tied politically, though rather loosely. They share geographic and climactic commonalities though differing culturally.
The coastal town of Lyngør in southern Norway (by Matti Bernitz/Innovasjon Norge)
Norway itself has three official languages. Bokmål is said to be the language of the cities. It was highly influenced by Danish and became the common language for the whole country. Given the terrain of much of Norway however, people were often separated by mountains and valleys, giving rise to some rather different dialects. Several of these rural dialects were gathered into a common written language known as Nynorsk. The indigenous Sami people, of different origin than the Scandinavians, have there own language which is still strong among these proud people.
While a few towns have evolved around mining (Røros, copper), most towns arose from fishing along the coast or agriculture and lumbering in the interior. Some buildings still remain from the middle ages the most well known perhaps the stave churches, as well as some stone churches. The most dramatic however, is probably the Nidarosdome, the cathedral of Trondheim, built in the 900’s. It is built over the tomb of St. Olav who as king had Christianised Norway.
Norway was a dominant force in Northern Europe around the year 1000 because of its peoples ship building and sailing skills. This however changed in the following centuries and Norway, as most of the rest of Europe fell on hard times. At the end of the 1800’s, tens of thousands of Norwegians left to seek their fortune elsewhere, just as in much of the rest of Europe. By the time Norway achieved its independence in 1905, a huge portion of the population had emigrated, many to North America. It is said that in the early 1900’s the Norwegian Independence Day parade was larger in Brooklyn New York than in Oslo.
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Waterfall at Vaksdal - Water Power (Photo (c) Per Eide/Innovasjon Norge)
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Between WW I and WW II however, hydro-electric power was more successfully harnessed and the fishing and shipping industries began to grow. Exports increased and the economy stabilized. A labour government moved the country toward a welfare state as WWII started. After the war this work continued and Norway made considerable strides in improving its economy. Then, in the mid-1970’s, oil was discovered and then successfully pumped from the North Sea floor. The oil boom was a fact.
Because of the nature of the energy sources in Norway, both the citizens and the government have become more aware of the dangers of a one sided economy and especially of the problems of non-renewable fossil energy sources. The current mood in Norway is to combat the problems of global warming and to protect the environment. To this end, national legislation is tightening regarding industrial emission. |
Seeing Norway
Norwegians are not born with skis on their feet and polar bears do not roam the streets even in the far north. There are no Trolls lurking in the forest. Even so, there is a tremendous amount to be seen and experienced here. While the height of the mountains is modest by world standards, the fjords with their steep walls rising from the sea to mountain peaks, are quite spectacular. This may be the Norway many outside of the country know best from posters and calendars. Lush forests invite hikers in the summer and skiers in the winter. There is something for everyone.
Nature lovers often travel by foot. Outdoor life is enjoyed by Norwegians and visitors as well. The Public Access Laws guarantee the right of the public to access to the forests, mountains and sea. There are 18 national parks in Norway as well as many other areas easily accessible.
The North Cape (Photo (c) Frithjof Fure/Innovasjon Norge
)The Norwegian Touring Association operates a network of cabins in the forests and mountains in many areas and wandering the forests and hills and high plateaus is a very special experience.
Some prefer to travel by rail. Trips over the mountains from Oslo to Bergen or Stavanger and through the valleys and along spectacular rivers to Trondheim offer exciting views to the traveller in the comfort of modern rail cars. These cities of destination also have their own culture and beauty as well as many sites worth experiencing.
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Geiranger Fjord (photo by (c) Per Eide / Innovasjon Norge)
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Travelling by sea may the most popular mode of travel among visitors. Everything is available from two hour sightseeing tours on Oslo Fjord to several weeks on the Hurtigruta, the Norwegian Coastal Ship Lines. Having operated for over 120 years they provide a once in a life time experience. Trips are available from different starting points on the west coast and with different destinations, some ranging as far north as Spitzbergen.
Very popular are the modest trips of several days that combine travel by bus or rail and by sea. Starting in Oslo, one travels north and west by rail or bus to one of the fjords where one transfers to a ship which explores the fjord, later to return to Oslo by rail or bus. |
As BMS 2010 approaches, we will up-date the website providing details of a variety of concrete suggestions re travel and with internet web-site details where one can get more information and booking can be made.
Join us in Oslo in 2010. Enjoy a major international scientific congress but make the most of your trip to Norway also. See you in Oslo! Start planning now!