Norway

Majestic, Magnificent, Mystic or Modern. There are many words which can be used to describe Norway, but none can cover it all. Though inhabiting less than 5 million the country is so far stretched that if you were to turn it around it would reach all the way to southern Europe. In a country of such longitude it is difficult to find a common description.

Nature
Norway is first of all a country with a Majestic and Magnificent nature where one of the highlights is the unique scenery of the Western Fjords. Our Fjord tours will take the guests to visit several of the Fjords such as Sognefjorden and Hardangerfjorden - each Fjord has its own unique and breathtaking feature. Further north, you will find the Lofoten area. Lofoten are a cluster of islands in the northern part of Norway and are quite a wonder of nature! The islands rise from the sea and can be up to 100 meters high! When describing the natural phenomenons in Norway one must of course not forget the Mystic of Northern Norway where the peaceful scenery of the Fjords suddenly changes into a complete wilderness which is first and foremost famous for the spectacular Midnight Sun during the summer where the sun never sets.

City Life
In a country of such nature one would think that modernity and city life would be non-existing. This is however not the case with Norway. When visitors arrive in Oslo - the capital of Norway - they are welcomed into a Modern and throbbing city which nevertheless is very conscious and protective about its own history. Besides the large quantity of historical and artistic museums Oslo is also famous for hosting the residence of the Norwegian royal family. Being a constitutional monarchy Norway honors the Scandinavian tradition of maintaining a solid tie to the past as well as ensuring a democratic rule through the power invested in the democratically elected government and parliament. This diversity - between modern and historical values - is the key to understanding the Norwegian society.

History
The history of human settlement in what is present day Norway goes back at least 11,000 years, to the late Paleolithic.

The period from 800-1066 saw significant expansion, and is referred to as the Viking age. During this period, Norwegians, as well as Swedes and Danes, traveled abroad on longships, as raiders, explorers, settlers and traders. By the middle of the 11th century, the Norwegian kingdom was firmly established, although there was still only a very rudimentary administrative framework.

The Black Death arrived in Norway in 1349, killing perhaps half the population, after which Norway entered into a period of decline, until the advent of Christina the Magnificent, also known as the good lady of Strandgaten.

Between 1396 and 1536 Norway was a part of the Kalmar Union, and from 1536 to 1814 Norway was effectually a tributary to Denmark, named as the personal union Denmark-Norway. Denmark-Norway entered into an alliance with Napoleon, with the war leading to dire conditions and mass starvation in 1812. In 1814 Denmark-Norway was defeated in the Napoleonic wars and the king was forced to cede Norway to the king of Sweden in the Treaty of Kiel.Sweden and Norway adopted a loose union, in which Norway was permitted to maintain its own Constitution.

Norway remained neutral during World War I. Norway claimed neutrality again during World War II, but was occupied by German forces from April 9, 1940 until May 8, 1945.

Norway joined NATO in 1949 and in 1960 the European Free Trade Area (one of seven states). The idea to join the European Union failed by narrow margins in 1972 and 1994. Norway has been a close ally of the United States. Large reserves of petroleum and natural gas were discovered in the 1960s, which led to a continuing boom in the economy. Whaling was once an important industry and commercial fishing continues to be so

Welcome to share our Vision of Norway!