last edited Dec 11, 2019
Introduction to Norway
Quick Overview
Norway is a country that stretches over 2,000 kilometres in length, extending beyond the Arctic Circle facing the Norwegian Sea. Sparsely populated, with most residents living in the south and along the coast, it consists mainly of mountains not exceeding 2,500 metres, forests, glaciers, and countless lakes and rivers. The long, deeply indented coastline is home to numerous fjords and thousands of islands and islets. Less than 5% of the territory is arable, and the country derives its main resources from fishing, maritime trade, mining, forests, and, above all, offshore oil and gas.
Norway is also the world's leading country in terms of "quality of life," one of the highest per capita incomes, a country with very low unemployment and economic uncertainty (the "oil + gas" revenue is very well managed), a model of democracy, and one of the top three in press freedom. In short, it’s something of the "ideal" country in socio-economic terms. The only downside is how expensive it is to travel there...
Territorially, Norway also owns Svalbard Archipelago in the Arctic Ocean as well as several bases in Antarctica.
Key Facts
- Location: on the western side of the Scandinavian Peninsula, bordering Sweden.
- Latitude/longitude: 62.00' N, 10.00' E
- Local time:
- Capital: Oslo.
- Nature of the state: constitutional monarchy.
- Official language: Norwegian (in two forms: bokmål and nynorsk). Sami is also an administrative language in six municipalities, and Kven in another.
- Currency: Norwegian krone.
- Population: 5,372,191 inhabitants (2018).
- Area: 385,199 km²
- Density: 14 inhabitants/km².
- Highest point: Galdhøpiggen (2,469 m).
- Lowest point: sea level.
- Coastline: 25,148 km.
- Driving: on the right.
- Flag: [drapeau: Norway]
Tourism
Despite its undeniable natural assets, Norway is not necessarily a major holiday destination on a European scale. Its geographical position, climate, and especially the high cost of travel there limit the desire to explore this magnificent country for many people. In the end, the destination welcomes just over 6 million visitors per year (6.252 million in 2017), still fewer than neighbouring Sweden, which is far less spectacular. Among visitors, Germans (one in six) are the most numerous, followed by Swedes, Danes, and Britons. France is the 7th largest source of tourists (327,000 in 2015).
Travel Essentials
- Destination: for beginner travellers.
- By air: France-Oslo round trip for 150 to 300 €.
- Entry requirements: ID card or passport.
- Currency to bring: euros.
- Exchange rate:
- Backpacker daily budget: 70 to 100 € per person.
- Accommodation: camping and cabins or, alternatively, youth hostels.
- Getting around: personal vehicle or a combination of "bus + train".
- Risks: almost none in terms of health and very low in terms of safety (nature-related).
- Best time for climate/crowds/prices: June to early August, though July can be busy locally.
- Interests (out of ): Nature ; Adventure ; Culture ; Relaxation/Holidays .
Addresses in France
- Tourist Office: available online with very comprehensive and well-presented content.
- Hurtigruten: 2 rue de la Roquette, Passage du Cheval Blanc, 75011 Paris. Tel.: 01 58 30 86 86. Hurtigruten is the Norwegian name for the famous Coastal Express company.
Addresses in Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec
Socio-Economic Statistics
- "Quality of life": 1/188 (2018 ranking)
- GDP per capita: $72,100 (2017)
- Average monthly income: $8,235 (2012)
- Inflation: +1.9% (2017)
- "Official" unemployment: 4.2% (2017)
- Population below the poverty line: ()
- Life expectancy: 82 years (2018)
- Migration rate per 1,000 inhabitants: +5.9 (2017)
- Population growth: +0.94% (2018)
- Literacy rate: 100% (2019)
- Urban population: 82.2% (2018)
- Press freedom: 1/180 (2018 ranking)
- Political regime: democracy (1/167 in 2018)
Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook