Facts about Norway
Norway follows the western edge of Scandinavia from Skagerrak to the Barents Sea. Fjords cut deep into its coast, mountain valleys connect the interior, and regional cities link communities with the wider world. Explore the places alongside the history and everyday life behind them.
- Population, 1 Jan 2026
- 5,627,400
- Capital
- Oslo
- Currency
- Norwegian krone (NOK)
- Mainland counties
- 15
- Written Norwegian
- Bokmål and Nynorsk
- Highest point
- Galdhøpiggen, 2,469 m
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Oslo sits at the head of its fjord, with Bergen on the western coast and Trondheim beside Trondheimsfjord. Farther north, Bodø leads towards Lofoten and Tromsø serves as an Arctic regional centre. Fifteen counties divide mainland Norway, including Oslo itself.
The coast benefits from warm Atlantic currents, while inland valleys can have much colder winters. Svalbard and Jan Mayen are geographically separate from the mainland. The maps here focus on the mainland and its coastal islands, with Arctic territories explained in the reading.
Geography of Norway
Follow a deeply indented coast from Skagerrak to the Barents Sea, with mountain valleys inland and Arctic islands farther north.
- What is a fjord?
- A fjord is a sea inlet occupying a valley carved by glaciers. Norway’s steep western fjords are well-known examples.
- How many counties does Norway have?
- Norway has fifteen counties under the division introduced in January 2024. Oslo is both a county and a municipality.
- Does this map include Svalbard?
- These maps cover mainland Norway and its coastal islands. Svalbard and Jan Mayen are geographically separate and are discussed in the reading.
History of Norway
Viking voyages and medieval kingdoms led into centuries of union, followed by a constitution in 1814 and independence in 1905.
- What happened on 17 May 1814?
- Norway’s constitution was adopted at Eidsvoll. Constitution Day commemorates that event.
- When did Norway become independent from Sweden?
- The union dissolved in 1905. Norway then chose Prince Carl of Denmark as king, and he took the name Haakon VII.
- When did Norway’s oil era begin?
- The Ekofisk field was discovered in the North Sea in 1969. Production began in 1971.
Languages of Norway
Bokmål and Nynorsk are written standards of Norwegian. Regional dialects and several Sámi languages add to the country’s linguistic life.
- Are Bokmål and Nynorsk two different spoken languages?
- They are two written standards of Norwegian. Spoken dialects vary across regions and do not follow a single official spoken norm.
- Which Norwegian do these lessons teach?
- The lessons introduce everyday Bokmål forms. The pronunciation guides are approximate and do not capture every regional accent.
- Is Sámi one language?
- Sámi is a group of related but distinct languages. Northern Sámi is the most widely spoken, and Norway also has Lule Sámi and Southern Sámi communities.
Culture in Norway
Children’s parades on 17 May, time outdoors and a strong artistic tradition connect local communities with the wider country.
- What is a bunad?
- A bunad is a traditional Norwegian outfit. Designs are often associated with particular regions, and people wear them on occasions such as 17 May.
- What does friluftsliv mean?
- It refers to outdoor life and spending time in nature. Everyday walks can be part of it as readily as mountain expeditions.
- Who painted The Scream?
- Edvard Munch. He produced several versions of the image, which became an internationally recognised work of modern art.
Norway’s economy
Petroleum exports support public finances, while seafood, shipping and mainland industries link the coast with global markets.
- Why does Norway have an oil fund?
- The Government Pension Fund Global saves and invests petroleum wealth abroad so it can benefit future generations as well as today’s population.
- What currency does Norway use?
- The Norwegian krone, with the currency code NOK. Norway does not use the euro.
- Where does Norway’s electricity come from?
- Hydropower supplies most domestic electricity. This differs from the oil and gas that Norway produces largely for export.
Government in Norway
A constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament, Norway participates in the European single market through the EEA.
- What is Norway’s parliament called?
- The Storting. It has 169 elected members and makes national laws, approves budgets and scrutinises the government.
- Is Norway in the European Union?
- No. It participates in the European single market through the EEA and is a member of EFTA.
- What is the Sámi Parliament?
- Sametinget is an elected representative body for Sámi people in Norway. Its main building is in Karasjok in Finnmark.
Nature and wildlife in Norway
Boreal forests and mountain plateaus meet a long marine coast, while Svalbard supports a separate Arctic ecosystem.
- Can you see polar bears on mainland Norway?
- Wild polar bears occur around Svalbard, far from the mainland. They are part of the Barents Sea population.
- Does the sun stay below the horizon all winter everywhere?
- No. Polar night occurs north of the Arctic Circle, with its duration depending on latitude. Southern cities such as Oslo and Bergen still have winter sunrises.
- What is the right to roam?
- Allemannsretten gives access to uncultivated land with conditions and responsibilities. Visitors must respect local rules, homes and the natural environment.
Food in Norway
Coastal fisheries, preserved foods and everyday baking connect Norwegian meals with the seasons and landscapes.
- What is brown cheese?
- Brunost is made by concentrating whey, sometimes with milk or cream. Heating gives it a brown colour and a sweet flavour.
- What is the difference between stockfish and klippfisk?
- Stockfish is dried without added salt. Klippfisk is salted and dried.
- Is all lefse made with potatoes?
- No. Lefse comes in different regional forms. Potato lefse is one familiar variety, alongside versions based on flour.
Landmarks of Norway
Historic trading towns and timber churches share the UNESCO list with dramatic western fjords.
- Which Norwegian fjords are UNESCO-listed?
- Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord together form the West Norwegian Fjords World Heritage property.
- What is a stave church?
- A medieval timber church built with an upright wooden structural frame. Urnes is a surviving example on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- Where is the Global Seed Vault?
- Near Longyearbyen on Svalbard. It safeguards backup samples of seeds held by gene banks around the world.
People and everyday life in Norway
A population of about 5.6 million lives across a country with busy southern cities and widely separated northern communities.
- How many people live in Norway?
- Statistics Norway recorded 5,627,400 residents on 1 January 2026, about 5.6 million. This is a dated count rather than a permanent figure.
- Where do most people live?
- The Oslo region and the southern part of the country contain much of the population. Regional cities and smaller settlements extend along the coast.
- Are all Sámi people reindeer herders?
- No. Sámi communities have diverse livelihoods and histories. Reindeer herding is an important cultural tradition for some families and regions.