The first settlers in the territory Norway appeared, perhaps, 10.000 -11.000 thousand years ago. People settled mainly along the sea, which fed them. In addition, they were engaged in hunting. Approximately five thousand years later, the ancestors of the Norwegians were already engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding. However, in the north Norway, as before, only hunting and fishing gave life to people. Norwegian villages were usually located in such a way as to reveal their presence as little as possible (the Norwegians have a joke about this that the best neighbor is the one who is not visible). For some time, these small groups lived like this: independently of each other and of the whole world. Beautiful, but cold nature (and at that time it was even colder here) made it difficult for a person to survive in the territory of the present Norway. Gradually, agriculture developed, settlements acquired a sustainable character. In the fourth century A.D. e. V Norway some Germanic tribes appear (rugii, chords). Perhaps the invasion of these foreigners led to the beginning of the Viking Age? Be that as it may, by the 700th year all the lands were explored, inequality was strengthened, and society was divided into masters and servants. Neighborly enmity was forgotten, the rooks were built and fury was at a boiling point. The Vikings were ready to conquer Europe, conquer Britain, found Russia (or were the Swedes involved in this?) and discover America.
Three Norwegian ships sailed for England. The Vikings, in their usual manner, killed the representative of the king, who went to them. This was the first mention in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of a Viking invasion. The next attack, on June 8, 793, was made on one of the monasteries that existed then on the territory of present-day Britain, the kingdom of Northumbria. The Vikings attacked the defenseless nuns and monks, killed some, slaughtered their cattle, loading their ships with provisions... The Viking saga began...
Initially, they settled in Shetland and Orkney. From there they headed north to the Faroe Islands and south to Northern Scotland. By 820, the entire Irish coastline was inhabited by the Vikings. Anyone who got in their way was unceremoniously kicked out. Even now, there are about 100,000 places with Norwegian names in Shetland! And the farmers here spoke Norwegian until the early 19th century!
Voyages of conquest continued in the south, along the rivers of France, in Spain, in the Mediterranean. In France and Southern Europe the Norwegian Vikings operated alongside the Danes, while in Constantinople they met the Swedes. Moreover, the Norwegians in their campaigns landed even in East Africa, on the territory of present-day Morocco! By the end of the 9th century, the Vikings kept all of Europe at bay. By this time, the attacks themselves had grown from scattered sorties into organized, well-planned campaigns of large detachments. The Vikings combined their conquests with trade in everything (including slaves) that they managed to carry away from the occupied territories. Around the same time, a transition is planned from robbery and tribute collection to the settlement of conquered lands. In Northern France, the Vikings establish the Duchy of Normandy.
It is the Norwegians who populate Iceland and Greenland. Reaching America...
It is reliably established that the first Norwegian to set foot on the American coast was Life Eriksson (although in reality the man who first discovered America was called Bjarne Herolfsson, but he did not bother to go ashore!). According to the Norwegian saga, Life Eriksson, the discoverer of the new continent, actually intended to sail to Greenland (which was discovered, by the way, by his father, Eric the Red), but ended up in America. This is how historical events sometimes happen!
The Viking Age lasted until around 1050. Most strong influence she had on: the kingdom of Dublin, settlements in the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Orkney County, and Greenland. As mentioned above, around 1050 the Viking campaigns stopped. Some scholars argue about the reasons that prompted the Vikings to so suddenly abandon the "noble" cause in which they had been doing nothing more or less for 250 years. As a joke version, you can put forward the idea that when the Norwegians got to the southern territories, they (given the difference in climate) were exposed to the sun, and they simply began to get a sun tan. They didn’t like the darkening of their skin at all, which prompted them to return ... Unlike the reasons that prompted the Vikings to retreat, the reasons why the Norwegians initiated the conquests are more or less known: the strengthening of the nobility, for which military booty served important source enrichment, the relative overpopulation of coastal areas, the lack of land suitable for cultivation, the development of trade ...
What good can be said about the Vikings in custody? Were they only barbarians, versed only in murder, ruin and violence? Of course not! Do not forget about their fair laws, active trade, the art of shipbuilding, the most beautiful ornaments ... about the mythology that they left as a legacy to their descendants ...
The time when Norway began to acquire the features of a single state, it is considered 9-10 centuries. Around 900, King Harald the Fair-Haired (Harald Herfagre), subjugated the rulers of other areas and became the first supreme ruler Norway. Around the same time, the Christianization of Norway began (in fact, it was the instrument with which attempts were made to unite the country). It must be said that both of these processes were rather slow and met with the resistance of the people. The Norwegian kings were opposed by the nobility and the peasants, who were on their own minds, and defended their patriarchal democratic orders. With regard to this country, it is fair to say that it was baptized with fire and sword. Those who did not agree with the new order were either made slaves or simply destroyed. A vivid example is King Olaf Haraldson, who paid with his life for excessive efforts. This, however, did not prevent him from receiving the status of a saint after his death. Moreover - the day of July 29 is immortalized in his honor.
As a result of the struggle, the church was endowed with large land holdings, while the lands were distributed to the peasants on a short-term basis. Thus, the peasantry of that time had a contradictory position: they had personal freedom, the right to participate in local peasant meetings (tingas), to bear arms, but at the same time their position was rather precarious: the peasants were not endowed with strong rights to land, they carried heavy state duties. This situation was the cause of discord. The most serious attempt to change the situation was the uprising of 1184, as a result of which the impostor Sverrir came to the throne. However, he failed to do anything drastic. Sverrier abolished the privileges of the church, tried to make the church dependent on royalty. However, the followers of Sverrir reconciled with the church, and the struggle ceased.
Gradually, feudalism Norway got stronger Things, from organs local government turned into bodies controlled by the king, a nationwide code was adopted - the Land of Words, in 1262-1264 to Norway the Orkney and Shetland Islands, Greenland, Iceland departed, were subordinated to the Saami.
However, not rich in terms of natural resources, the country lived for quite a long time on subsistence farming, cities and trade remained undeveloped, which contributed to the strengthening of the Hanseatic merchants. On top of all the troubles, in 1347-1350. An epidemic of plague struck Norway, killing a significant part of the population. Perhaps no country was hit harder by the Black Death than Norway.
These circumstances led to the conclusion of a union with Sweden in 1319, with Denmark in 1380, and in 1397 - the Kalmar Union of the Scandinavian kingdoms. Dependence on Denmark persisted until the 19th century (while Sweden left the union in 1523). In the 16th century Norway was completely turned into a Danish province, as a result of which the Danish king began to own half of all Norwegian lands. During this time Norway lost Orkney and Shetland, Iceland and Greenland. From the very beginning of the union, and further, over time, the struggle for independence grew in the country. This was facilitated by the national identity of the Norwegians, the economic rise of the state. As a result of popular resistance, the Danes were forced to make some concessions. By the 19th century, in Norway, 75% of the peasants were landowners, the export of timber, fish, and iron was steadily growing. But in general, Norway remained a poor state. Its relative prosperity was due to the fact that the Danish-Norwegian kingdom remained neutral in European wars, until 1807. However, the Anglo-Danish War of 1807-1814 followed, and in Norway hunger began.
Under these conditions, the Norwegian kingdom was freed from the Danish yoke, and obliged to enter into a union with Sweden. In these extraordinary circumstances, the Constituent Assembly was assembled in the country, which on May 17, 1814 adopted the basic law of the country. This constitution is valid for Norway and to this day, being one of the oldest in the world! The Norwegian Basic Law is also called the Eidsvoll Constitution, after the name of the place where the Constituent Assembly met (Eidsvoll is located in the south of the country, not far from the capital). For that time, the constitution contained advanced ideas and provisions. She established a parliamentary monarchy in the country. The head of the kingdom was proclaimed by the king, who had the right of suspensive veto.
In honor of acceptance into Norway The constitution established the most important Norwegian national holiday - Constitution Day, celebrated on May 17th. However, the Norwegians failed to gain independence in the 19th century, since in the summer of 1814 a war broke out with Sweden, which forced Norway yield and remain in union with his "elder brother" for almost a hundred more years. Relations between Norway and Sweden were fixed by a special law, according to which Norway gained internal independence. It is for the next period of time that the beginning of active political life Norwegian society. In 1884, the country's two leading political parties took shape: the left, Venstre, and the right, Höyre. Then in Norway formed a parliamentary system. In 1898, during the elections to the Storting, the rule begins to operate - one person - one vote. In 1913, women were allowed to vote.
The desire with which the Norwegians desired independence found an outlet in everything. In law, for example, Norway was the first Scandinavian country to adopt a penal code in 1842. With this and more, the people Norway I tried to show my independence. At the same time, the international prestige of the country grew, which was facilitated by activities. R. Amundsen, F. Nansen, G. Ibsen, And so, in June 1905, the Storting unanimously terminates the union with Sweden. In October 1905, a referendum was held to confirm this decision. Norway becomes an independent state...
IN beginning of the 1st World War II, Norway declared its neutrality. In 1920 she received the island of Svalbard. Then came the world economic crisis which seriously affected the situation of the Norwegian people. In the first three years, production levels have fallen by 25%, 30% of workers are losing their jobs, there are mass demonstrations interspersed with riots.
In foreign policy Norway adheres to the principle of non-intervention, and at the beginning World War II war declares its neutrality. However, this did not prevent Germany on April 9, 1940 from starting the landing of its troops on the territory Norway. Under these conditions, the government and the king moved to Britain. Most of the citizens of the country had nothing left to do but watch how their region was engaged in German soldiers- 10,000,000th German army, which, after five years, will increase by 300,000 people. Naturally, some resistance was offered - from April to June, the Norwegian army lost about 850 people. All in all, it is considered that Norway lost 10,000 people. It seems to be not so much when compared with other countries. But for such a small country, this loss was a national catastrophe. In a society where everyone knows each other, the loss of a person is felt especially acutely and irreparably. In general, one cannot say that the Norwegians from the very first day of the occupation, all as one, stood up against the German forces. Many simply did nothing, or at least did not do it in an organized manner. Some part of the population was not at all hostile to the aliens ... The reasons for this are different. Perhaps a positive role was played by the fact that the Germans in Norway there was no such catastrophic damage that was inflicted in other countries. Perhaps the fact that the Norwegians and Germans are peoples slightly similar in culture, language, views is also important ... And yet, speaking of "insignificant damage", one should not forget that the north of Norway suffered quite seriously. There, during the withdrawal of the German troops, 11,000 residential buildings, 420 shops, 53 hotels and inns, 106 schools, 21 hospitals, 27 churches and much more were destroyed ... One of the results of the invasion, by the way, was the fact that from the German fathers the Norwegians about 9,000 babies were born...
After the surrender of Germany, Norway a series of litigations followed and litigation, the main result of which was the punishment of 46,000 (!) Norwegians from the National Socialist Party (in 1948, an amnesty was declared against them). In addition, 12 Germans and 25 Norwegians were executed. Among the latter was Vid kun Quisling, the head of the Norwegian Nazis.
Talking about post-war development Norway, it is necessary to immediately note three dates: 1949 - joining NATO, December 23, 1969 - production of the first barrel of oil, September 22, 1972 - a negative answer in a referendum on the issue of entry Norway weight. (in 1994 in a second referendum, on the same issue - the same decision)
Post-war development Norway characterized by the evolutionary development of social and economic life countries. Norwegians are moving from the formal "you" to the more familiar "you". Work week is gradually decreasing, vacations are increasing, along with inflation, wages are also growing. Foreign capital is actively penetrating the Norwegian economy. Finally, in the early 70s, oil was found in the country - it began new era, an era of pent-up satisfaction from the successes one achieves Norway especially in the economic sphere. From the most backward Scandinavian state, Norway, in the end, turns into the most prosperous ...
About 8,000,000 people live in Scandinavia, 8 times less than in Germany (which it exceeds by 1.5 times in space). The mass of the population is made up of Swedes and Norwegians - peoples related to the Danes and constituting with them one group of northern Germans. In the north, besides them, two other peoples of the yellow race live: the Lapps and the Finns, who together number only a few tens of thousands of people.
Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland.
What is Norwegian Cuisine? After all, even potatoes, which are considered a real Norwegian dish, were actually brought to Norway only 250 years ago. When a survey was conducted in Norway in 1994 regarding favorite dishes, it turned out that in all regions, kvitsoyballs (fish meatballs) ranked first, lefs came second, and the specialty of the Norwegian capital Oslo, lutefisk (dried cod soaked in lye). There is one long line in the history of Norwegian cuisine. It is closely connected with the gifts of nature: lake and sea fish, forest and mountain game, cereals, milk and meat. And, despite the influence of the "West and East", the cuisine has managed to maintain the dominance of traditional products and customs associated with their preparation. The Norwegian table is a wonderful sight: the food is served not "packed" in sauces and jellies, but in such a way that the natural taste of the products is emphasized as much as possible. In addition, ONLY Norwegian-made products are sold in the country, with the exception, of course, of exotic fruits. And now
Of the sea delicacies in Norway, of course, salmon occupies the first place, but besides it there are many other fish that attract attention: herring, cod, trout, halibut, mackerel, catfish, and in summer you just need to try fresh Norwegian shrimp. Norwegians like to buy them directly from fishing trawlers that have just returned from the sea. It is quite possible to taste whale meat in a restaurant or buy it at the fish market, although whale hunting is strictly limited today.
For over 1000 years, Northern Norway has been exporting dried cod and herring to Europe. There were always so many of the latter here that they fed cattle in winter when there was no hay. Herring is cooked in different ways, for example, beaten in water with wooden mallets, soaked and served with mustard or butter. By the way, when smoked, this herring acquires a sharp spicy aroma and red color. And "lutefisk" (lutefisk) - dried cod - is soaked in lye to make it softer, and then boiled, as a result of which the fish becomes almost as juicy as freshly caught. Lutefisk is served with pea pudding, fresh potatoes, fried bacon, mustard and goat cheese.
Herring is considered one of the main food products here. An old saying goes: "A true Norwegian eats herring twenty-one times a week." What is not cooked here from herring! These are cold appetizers, and pies, and salads, and soups, and hot dishes, and pies. Every Norwegian starts his morning with breakfast: coffee and a herring sandwich.
Non-fish attractions
Another Norwegian delicacy is fried pork ribs and canned lamb and sheep heads. As a rule, these dishes are eaten at Christmas. Lamb boiled with stewed cabbage and peppercorns and subsequently baked with them in a brown flour sauce is another national dish. It is called "forikol" and is traditionally prepared in autumn.
As a delicacy meat, tourists are recommended to try elk and venison. Elk has one very important advantage over all other meat: it is a healthy and environmentally friendly food, since without exception, all moose live in natural conditions and it is allowed to hunt them in Norway only at certain times.
It is impossible not to mention brown goat cheese, which is made only in Norway, and tourists buy it as a souvenir. It has several varieties, each with its own taste, and the color varies from the usual yellow to dark brown, almost chocolate.
Baking a homemade pie is part of the Norwegian culinary tradition. This is done in accordance with the established traditions of each region (fylke). The same goes for bread, which is why home bakeries in Norway are more popular than regular bakeries.
If you want to drink or just drink ...
Norwegians usually drink milk or coffee. No other country in the world consumes as much milk per capita as here.
Of the alcoholic beverages, the absolute leader is "akevit" (akevitt), which is made from potatoes with cumin. The most famous - "Linie-akevitt" - according to the recipe, it must sail in the hold of a ship to Australia and back, that is, cross the equator twice (linie - equator), and only then does it find its true taste.
Speaking of beer, Norwegian beer is Rignes. Quite worthy and at the level of famous European breweries.
And the most "winter" drink in Norway is "gløgg" (gløgg). It is brewed closer to winter from red wine with cardamom, cloves, raisins and almonds. Served with gingerbread cookies.
"Strawberries in the Snow"...
Summer long nights Norway has the most beneficial effect on many plants and berries. Proof of this is the fragrant strawberries, which are tastier here than in most other European countries. Therefore, in Norway, the most traditional dessert is strawberries with cream or sugar. And the flowering of fruit trees in the Hardanger area is just a fantastic sight.
The favorite dessert of Norwegian families is prepared quite easily: a layer of crumbs from cookies or biscuit is poured on a layer of applesauce (it is enough to beat baked apples without a peel with a mixer), and whipped cream is spread on top, then apples again, then crumbs and so on. You can put the dessert in the freezer for an hour or two to make a wonderful ice cream cake.
short summer Strawberries in northern Norway often ripen in forests and gardens already under the first snow, and in order to collect them, you have to sweep away snowdrifts. Therefore, the "most Norwegian" dessert is "Earthlings" In Norway, there are dishes that, in no other country, can cook so tasty. These are traditional salted herring snacks, but especially fish from the crystal clear mountain rivers and fjords - especially salmon and trout.
The meat of young lamb, which, due to the unpretentiousness of these animals, is used most often, is prepared in a variety of ways, such as, for example, lamb with cabbage headlights and clav.
Favorite holiday foods include reindeer and roe deer liver. Delicious roe deer saddle in Norwegian under cream sauce and, oddly enough, currant jelly, which gives the dish a slight sourness.
In many hot dishes, sour cream is often used, which replaces spices. With a shortage of southern spices for flavoring and spicing dishes, Norwegians have developed their own ways to improve the taste of dairy products, meat and fish. Typical of Norway brown cheese varieties from cow and goat milk, various ways of roasting and smoking meat.
Norwegians have one national product that is highly appreciated by lovers of hard liquor: Vodka Linier Aquavit. Line means "equator". It owes its name to the fact that at first this vodka in oak barrels is transported by sea to the southern hemisphere and back, while it crosses the equator twice. Thanks to the constant movement inside the barrel, vodka absorbs the aroma of wood, acquires a pleasant velvety taste and a yellowish color. And only after that the drink is bottled and goes on sale. On the inside of the label of each bottle, you can read which ship the vodka was transported through the equator. ika in the snow"...
It is believed that the name of this distinctive country and one of the most breathtaking places on our planet was given by the Old Norse word Norðrvegr, which literally means "the way to the north." The Norwegians themselves call themselves that: nordsmenn, that is, a northerner or a person from the north.
General information
The main part of Norway is located in the "head" and then stretches out in a narrow strip, indented by fjords, along the entire ridge or "back of the tiger" for 2 thousand kilometers. It is with him, this harsh and beautiful, but rather a southern predator, that we have been accustomed to since school times to compare the outlines of the Scandinavian Peninsula and thus recognize it on the map of Europe.
For more than one and a half thousand kilometers, Norway borders on Sweden, its border with Finland stretches for 736 km, and about two hundred kilometers of the border line separates the country from Russia.
State and administrative structure
Norway has a constitutional monarchy, nominally ruled by King Harald V. The seat of government is located in Oslo.
The country covers an area of 385 thousand square meters. km. The main administrative unit in Norway is the fylke (a kind of analogue of regions, provinces or provinces in other countries), which are internally divided into communes. There are 432 communes in the country.
Trondheim
At one time - the first capital with royal residence and the main Christian landmark of Norway, Nidaros Cathedral. An architectural sign of the new time is a tall TV tower with a revolving restaurant. There are many suitable places for excellent fishing in the surrounding rivers and lakes. The city of Trondheim is described in detail in.
Lillehammer
An ancient Norwegian city, mentioned in ancient sagas. In modern times - the center of winter sports. In 1994, the Winter Olympic Games were held here, which gave another impetus to the development of mass sports in the country and made it possible to update its infrastructure. In 2016, the Winter Youth Olympic Games were held here. Read .
Geiranger fjord
The top of the 15-kilometer Geirangerfjord pierces into the high mountains like an arrow. And in the place where the waters of the mountain river Geirangelva flow into it, near the mountain road, to the rocks overgrown with forest, a picturesque village with only a few hundred inhabitants has stuck. A deep bay, high mountains - all this splendor, like many other places in Norway, is on the list of UNESCO world natural heritage sites. Geiranger is visited annually by thousands of tourists from around the world. Read .
Rock of the Preacher (Preikestolen)
Almost square, a huge stone platform from the side really looks like a professorial chair. But people did not put their efforts into its creation - everything was done by nature. From the 604-meter cliff, thrill-seekers will see amazing panoramic views of the surrounding area. The only way to get to the plateau is on foot along a picturesque but difficult mountain path. See details on how to do this.
Fish is the basis of the Norwegian diet
Rakfisk - fermented trout Fish and seafood have been the main food on the Norwegian table for centuries. In Norwegian coastal waters, they are caught and bred by more than two hundred species - a wide variety of fish and shellfish. If you list in alphabetical order only the usual ones, those that are heard, and then the list will be impressive: from the Arctic char and catfish to the common and silver saithe. You can count two dozen valuable and tasty varieties of fish that are found in sea and river Norwegian waters.
Norwegian cod, crabs and smoked salmon are famous all over the world. And, of course, herring, salmon and trout. Whale meat is also eaten here, for which there are quotas for Norwegian whalers.
Currency
NOK is the Norwegian krone, the currency of Norway. 1 crown = 100 ore (ore). Coins in circulation: the largest is 20 crowns. In addition: 10, 5, 1 crown and 50 ore. Paper banknotes are issued in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 crowns.
There are exchange offices in banks, airports and train stations, in all Forex offices and post offices, but not in all hotels. You can pay with credit cards, but you also need to have some cash with you.
There are ATMs even in the smallest villages. We accept Visa and MasterCard, as well as Diners and Amex.
Tipping in Norway is usually left in the amount of 5-15% of the order value.
Transport
You can move around the country by air, rail, road and sea.
Airports
Domestic air traffic is one of the most important in passenger traffic across the country, stretched for 2.5 thousand km and with such a difficult terrain. IN winter time the plane is sometimes the only way to get to the islands or mountains.
Norwegian roads are among the best in the world. Their total length is more than 100 thousand km. All highways have a hard surface and are cleared of snow drifts in winter. The roads are often winding, there are many sharp turns in the mountains. Here at any time of the year you need to drive with the headlights on, in some areas there are restrictions on driving with trailers. The maximum allowable speed on the highway is 80 km / h, in settlements 30-50 km/h.
18 national tourist roads with a total length of about 2000 km run through picturesque landscapes in the fjord region, along the west coast, in the mountains in the south and north of Norway. They have a convenient infrastructure, original engineering and architectural solutions with viewing platforms and recreation areas.
Car rent
If you have an international driving license, you can rent a car in Norway. You also need an identity card and medical insurance. Approximate rental price is 780 NOK and depends on the car class. A prerequisite is to use seat belts and have a warning emergency sign in the trunk. Norway has the highest fines for traffic offenders in Europe.
Parking lots are paid. Approximately 50 road sections are also paid, on average about 20-30 NOK, on some it is even more expensive.
Buses in Norway
Bus routes connect all large and small cities, all airports of the country and ferry terminals. 200 large and comfortable buses with air conditioning, dry closets and comfortable seats carry passengers to the farthest corners of the country. On some routes, the trip can last more than a day.
Routes, fares and schedules of all bus carriers have a single Norwegian booking network (www.nor-way.no) Bus tickets are expensive, sometimes including the cost of crossing, but more often, anyway, it is more profitable than traveling by train or the cost of air travel. In addition, there is a system of identical discounts and tickets that are valid throughout the country. In addition to the possibility of buying a ticket at the box office and travel agency, you can simply buy it from the driver before departure.
Railway transport
The infrastructure of Norwegian railways is slightly behind the level of technical equipment of other modes of transport in the country. Therefore, one and a half times more funds were allocated for the modernization of this sphere in 2014-2023 than in the previous decade.
The total length of Norwegian railways is 4114 km. Slightly more than half of them are electrified. On the high-speed line Oslo - Oslo Airport - Eidsvol (64 km), the Flytoget express train travels at a speed of 210 km/h.
On NSB Railways - State railways 775 tunnels have been laid and 3,000 bridges built, many of which are toll-free.
The trains are equipped with 1st and 2nd class cars and run in four main directions:
- south: Oslo-Stavanger;
- to the north: Trondheim-Bodø (Nordlandsbanen);
- to the central regions: Oslo-Trondheim (Dovrebanen) and the side branch Dombos-Ondalsnes (Raumabanen).
Two branches have a railway connection with Sweden.
Traveling by train in Norway is not cheap, but the company constantly sells tickets for various promotions. There are also discounts for early bookings and for privileged categories of the population.
You can also save money by purchasing travel tickets: they can be purchased for 3 days, for a week and for 3 weeks. Tickets are sold at railway ticket offices at stations and at www.nsb.no. You can pay by credit card.
Important. Smokers need to be patient. There is a strict ban on smoking in trains and railway station buildings in Norway.
Water transport in Norway
All islands, small towns and big cities along the Norwegian coast are connected by car ferries and express boats.
About a dozen large ferry companies operate in the fjord region. Everywhere at the piers there are private boats, they also take travelers on fishing trips and excursions. Tickets - at the box office of ferry terminals or on the websites of carrier companies.
Leading carriers: Senja Ferries, Kolumbus, Tide, Rodne Fjordcruise, Fjordline, and Hurtigruten. The price is high, but there are ways to save money: early booking, sales and promotions.
Sea travel lovers can choose the most beautiful thing to their taste on this site - www.hurtigruten.com.
Public transport
There are 5 metro lines with 101 stations in the capital, there is a developed network of bus, tram and ferry routes, however, as in other large cities. For all modes of transport, a one-time ticket of the same cost (approximately 15 NOK), daily 40, for a week - 140 NOK. Tickets are not valid at night.
For tourists, the Oslo Card is beneficial, which can be bought at the hotel, travel agency and newsstand for 150 - 200 - 250 NOK for a day, two or three, respectively. Children's Oslo Card is half the price. It is beneficial in that, in addition to travel by all types of public transport (except for some ferries), holders of such a card visit museums for free and pay only half the cost for car rental, bus and most ferry excursions. In addition, the card has a discount on purchases in some stores and payment for orders in restaurants.
Here it is an expensive mode of transport and works only in the city. You can pay by card. Travel 1 km costs 1.3 euros, and the price at landing is 5. Very expensive waiting fee. According to tourists, the highest taxi prices are in Trondheim, and the lowest in Bergen.
The largest taxi company in Norway is NorgesTaxi. Its website contains detailed tariffs and phone numbers for ordering a taxi in any city.
Visas (for citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus)
Citizens of Russia and Belarus to enter Norway must have a valid Schengen tourist or visitor visa. Citizens of Ukraine with a biometric passport do not need a visa to visit Norway for up to 90 days (for any purpose other than work and study).
Before everyone travels foreign citizens you need to take out medical insurance.
Cellular and Internet
There is roaming from all major operators, but it is not cheap. It is better to buy a local SIM card, they are sold of all types (regular, mini- and nano-) in the offices of local operators, in mobile phone stores, in mini-markets (7-Eleven network).
Norway has GSM 900/1800 standards. The three most famous Norwegian mobile phone companies - Telenor, Tele2 and Lebara Mobile offer two types of cards to non-resident tourists: with a prepaid rate and without a contract. You don't need a passport to buy cards.
The last company has 4 types of cards:
- Lebara Mobile World: beneficial for international calls
- Lebara Mobile Norgespakken: around Norway
- Lebara Mobile EU-pakken: across Europe
- Lebara Mobile Norden: for calls to Denmark, Sweden and Finland
With the World card (250 NOK) a call to Russia costs 0.99 NOK/min. to mobile and 0.69 NOK/min. to a city number. A call within Norway is also 0.99 NOK/min.
The tariffs of the other two companies are not very different in cost from Lebar Mobile. Is that the quality of communication with the Norwegian giant Telenor is always on top: and on high mountain, and in the subway. You can top up your balance with a scratch card or bank card on the Lebara Mobile website.
You can also call with Skype, Wi-Fi is available in almost all restaurants, cafes, hotels, Internet cafes, but not everywhere is free.
Free (within 30 minutes) you can use a desktop computer in libraries: read the mail, search for the necessary information.
You can also go online from your mobile, Beeline and Megafon have GPRS roaming. But at the same time, it is cheaper to connect an Internet package, you can consult about them in the communication shops on the spot.
prehistoric period
There are two periods of Viking expeditions: in the first, the Norwegians sail across the sea in small detachments, attack only the shores and islands and retire home for the winter; in the second, they gather in large troops, go deep into the territory, stay for the winter in the country that they rob, build fortifications there and, in the end, settle in them. In some of the lands visited by the Vikings, this period begins earlier, in others - later: in Ireland and at the mouth of the Loire - in 835, in England and along the lower reaches of the Seine - in 851. The Vikings visited almost all parts of Europe: they sailed around the Iberian Peninsula, plundered the Baltic states, landed in the Apennines, traveled around Kievan Rus, and even served in the Varangian guard of the Byzantine emperor in Constantinople.
Harald Fair-Haired is considered the first king of the country. His descendants ruled the country until 1319. However, Icelandic tradition refers to his reign as a tyranny. Snorri Sturluson, who wrote his sagas three hundred years later, even claims that the king took the lands from the bonds and returned them only on the rights of a fief (the so-called "taking away the odal"). However, historians believe that in this case we are talking only about the introduction of a tax on land property as a tax, while Harald did not interfere in the form of land relations.
Harald left behind many sons, two of whom became kings of Norway. Even during his lifetime, he appointed his son Eirik, nicknamed the Bloody Axe, as co-rulers. After the death of Harald, Eirik had to fight with his brothers for supremacy in Norway. First, he defeated two brothers who fell in battle. However, soon another one appeared in the country, the youngest son of Harald - Hakon, born from a concubine. He was brought up by the English king Æthelstan. Hakon promised the Bonds to restore their ancient rights and quickly gained their support. As a result, Eirik was forced to leave Norway and go to England, where he found his death.
After coming to power, Hakon, brought up at the English court in a Christian spirit, tried to introduce Christianity in Norway, but met with a serious rebuff from the bonds. He did not become zealous, so the country remained pagan for several decades. The reign of Hakon, who received the nickname "Good", was accompanied by constant clashes with the sons of Eirik. In the last of these, at the battle of Fitjar, despite the victory, Hakon was mortally wounded. The dying king, who had no sons, handed over power to his rival, Eirik's son Harald Grayskin.
The new king had to fight the jarls of Hladir, who did not want to obey the central government and enjoyed the support of the Danish kings. In the end, Harald died, lured into a trap by the Danes. After that, power in Norway passed to the Danish king Harald Sinezuby. He appointed Jarl Hladir Hakon the Mighty as his henchman. He, however, soon broke with Harald Sinezuby after the Danes tried to introduce Christianity in Norway. Hakon was an ardent pagan and broke off relations with Harald, and after the battle he won at Hjörungavag, he actually became an independent ruler of the country. Despite the fact that, in general, the reign of Hakon is characterized positively, at the end of his life he aroused the dissatisfaction of the bonds with his dissolute behavior. They supported the new pretender to the throne - Olaf Tryggvason, a paternal descendant of Harald the Fair-Haired, and in 995 Hakon was killed.
Olaf Tryggvason succeeded in what his predecessors failed to baptize Norway. However, this caused mass discontent bonds headed by the sons of Hakon the Mighty. They again turned to the Danes for help, and then to the Swedes. Olaf fell at the Battle of Svolde in 1000. At the same time, Norway remained a Christian country, but the Danish kings again reigned in it. Hakon's sons, Svein and Eirik, ruled on their behalf.
The next Norwegian king was Olav Haraldsson, canonized after his death. Subsequently, he was given the title of "Eternal King of Norway". Olaf came to power amid dissatisfaction with the local population over the dominance of the Danes. He united all of Norway under his rule, rebuilt Nidaros, founded by Olaf Tryggvason and then destroyed, and made it the capital of the state. Olaf the Holy resolutely fought against paganism, planted a new faith everywhere and pursued a policy of strengthening the power of the king. This led to a break with the powerful bonds and a new uprising. After an unsuccessful military expedition to Denmark, Olaf fled to Sweden in 1028, gathered a new army, returned to Norway two years later, where he suffered a final defeat and died in the Battle of Stiklastadir. Norway came under the rule of the Danish king Knut the Mighty, who appointed his son Svein as his governor.
However, the Norwegian bonds again quickly got tired of the Danish order. The same people who participated in the Battle of Stiklastadir on the side of the Danes brought from Novgorod the ten-year-old son of St. Olaf - Magnus and proclaimed him king. At first, Magnus was eager to get even with the killers of his father, but in the end, in the interests of the unity of the country, he abandoned this idea, for which he received the nickname "Good". In 1042, Magnus inherited the crown of Denmark. Shortly before the death of Magnus, the half-brother of St. Olaf Harald the Severe, who served in the Varangian squad, arrived in the country. Magnus and Harald showed prudence, did not conflict and divided the country. Soon Magnus died without issue, and Harald became the ruler of all of Norway. In 1048 he founded Oslo.
The name of Harald the Severe is associated with the last major Viking invasion of England. In 1066, under the pretext of an agreement on the succession to the English throne, Harald landed with a large army in Northern England. Having won a number of victories, the Norwegian king fell into a trap and was killed in the battle of Stamford Bridge with the Anglo-Saxon troops, led by King Harold Godwinson. The latter, in turn, died less than a month later, repelling the attack of William the Conqueror.
Middle Ages
After this came the more peaceful reign of Olaf the Quiet, who ruled Norway peacefully for 27 years. During his reign, Norway achieved considerable prosperity. After the death of Olaf, in the city, Norway was again divided into two states, and endless strife arose again, until one of the kings, Magnus III, became again the sovereign of a united Norway. He made expeditions to foreign countries, conquered the Hebrides and Orkney Islands and the English Isle of Man, and fell in Ireland in the city. He was succeeded by his sons, Eric and Sigurd. First wise government contributed to the peaceful annexation of new regions to Norway, built churches, monasteries, etc. Sigurd, on the contrary, was distinguished by the brave, restless spirit of the ancient Vikings. In - gg. he undertook a crusade to the Holy Land and returned with many looted treasures. In Jerusalem, he pledged to the patriarch to establish a bishopric in Norway and establish a church tithe, which he did.
From this came the hostile attitude towards the dominion of foreign kings and a whole series of troubles arose; the people refused to submit to foreigners and vigorously resisted all sorts of encroachments on local laws and customs. Troubles in Denmark gave the Norwegians the opportunity to defend their independence and turn the union into a personal and equal (g.). Each state retained its separate name and its laws, was governed by its compatriots, had its own separate finances and treasury. Karl Knudson, chosen by the Norwegians as king, ceded his rights Danish king Christian I. It was decided that Norway would always have a king in common with Denmark; the choice of the king must take place in Halmstadt, and if the king of the Christians leaves behind his sons, they must first of all be subject to election. Since then, Norway had kings in common with Denmark.
Swedish-Norwegian Union
In November 1905, Michelsen submitted a proposal to the Storting to set the civil list of the Norwegian king at 700,000 crowns for the entire duration of his reign (until now, the civil list was set for a year). Extreme left-hand side protested both against doubling the size of the civil list and against fixing it for a long time. Nevertheless, both measures were passed by a majority of 100 votes to 11.
First years of independence (1905-1914)
young independent state experienced at the beginning of the 20th century the same problems as its Scandinavian neighbors: on the one hand, they experienced a period of rapid economic development, on the other hand, they lagged behind the most developed countries of that time and were not among the powers that decided the fate of world politics.
Concession Law
In accordance with the Law on Concessions, the ban of 1906 was lifted, but the concessions became urgent, the period was set at 60-80 years, after which the rights to water arteries again passed to the state. In addition, the government reserved the right to gratuitously alienate in favor of the state all constructed structures after this period.
According to Høire and Frisinnede Venstre, this law violated the principles of private property, but the conservatives could not force the Knudsen government to revise this law.
Norway in World War II
Norway has been under military occupation since the 9 April 1940 invasion. German troops and the German civil administration in cooperation with the pro-German puppet government. The occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany ended on 8 May 1945 after the surrender of German forces in Europe.
Norway after 1945
- 1945, June 7 - King Haakon VII returns to his homeland after five years of exile
- 1945 - Establishment of the Council of Economic Coordination; political parties agree on a "Common Program" for economic recovery
- 1946 - The volume of GNP and individual consumption reaches the level of 1939; establishment of the National Housing Bank; foundation of the university in Bergen; the introduction of child benefits received by the mother; creation of the CAC airline; agreement on the establishment of production committees at the level of individual enterprises; groundbreaking of the state-owned enterprises Norsk Jernverk (steel plant in Mo i Rana) and Ordal Werk (aluminum plant)
- 1947 - industrial production and fishing reach the level of 1939; foundation of the State Bank for Education Loans; increasing the duration of vacation up to 18 working days; development of the first macroeconomic "national budget"; adoption of the law on sectoral committees; "Leke Brufoss": the establishment of state control over prices and production; the beginning of economic assistance under the "Marshall Plan"
- 1948 - Agricultural production reaches 1939 levels; developed the first long-term program economic development; Norway joins
A report about Norway for a schoolchild will briefly tell a lot useful information about this amazing maritime country. Also, a report on Norway will help prepare for a lesson in geography.
Norway: briefly about the country
It is a maritime country whose territory is washed by 3 seas: the North, Norwegian and Barents. The coastline is literally strewn with small islands. There are about 50,000 of them. The country also includes the island of Bouvet in the Atlantic, the Svalbard archipelago, the islands of Jan Mayen, Bear. The highest mountain in Norway is Galldhöpiggen; the most long river— Glomma; the largest lake is Miessa.
Norway is a democratic hereditary constitutional monarchy. It gained state independence in 1905. Prior to that, the country was ruled by Denmark and Sweden.
Climate of Norway
Norway is an amazing country. Even the locals often joke that one day here you can see summer, autumn, winter and spring. Temperatures can vary greatly depending on the region. Thus, the average winter temperature in the north is -17 0 C, and on the southwestern coast +1-20 0 C. The average summer temperature in the north is +7 0 C, in the south - +17 0 C.
In winter, snow covers the entire territory of Norway. The farther from the coastline, the lower the temperature. In the interior of the country, the temperature can be -40 0 C. Rain falls along the sea coast at any time of the year. But the warm Gulf Stream makes the climate milder than in Siberia, Alaska or Greenland, which, by the way, are on the same latitude as Norway.
Relief of Norway
The country occupies the western mountainous part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The highest peak is Mount Gallhöpiggen. Also, the country is crossed by such mountain ranges as: Hardangervidda, Jotunheimen, Finnmarksvidda, Dovrefjell, Sunnmer Alps, Troll Tongue, Lyngsalpene. Almost all mountains are covered with forests and tundra vegetation, there are lakes, waterfalls and non-melting glaciers. The ridges on the coast are indented by fjords.
Water resources of Norway
Large rivers flow through the country - Tana, Glomma, Otra, Paz, Alta, Namsen, Logen. They are mostly mountainous and deep, have rapids. Food glacial and rain. Many rivers have waterfalls, and their beds have a lot of fish. There are about 400 lakes in Norway.
Flora and fauna of Norway
The vegetation of the sea country is quite interesting. The coastal areas are the territory of forests and shrubs, to the north are plantations of dwarf birches, deciduous and coniferous forests. Grasses, mosses and lichens grow at the heights. On the territory of the kingdom there are wolves, brown bears, hares, squirrels, elks, foxes, red deer.
Natural resources of Norway
Norway has relatively few minerals. The main part is represented by gas, oil, iron ore, which are mainly concentrated on the islands. The country is famous for its fish stocks, seafood and timber.
Sights of Norway
If you decide to visit Norway, be sure to visit Vigeland Park, Bryggen, Oslo Royal Palace, Geiranger Fjord, Akershus Fortress and Castle.
- The standard of living in the country is the highest in the world.
- The most famous landmark of the country is the frame ancient church - Borgunn Stave Church. It was built in the 12th century.
- Here is the highest waterfall in Europe - Vinnufossen.
- Norway is the birthplace of modern skiing.
- Local public universities are free for all students in the world.
We hope that brief report about Norway helped you prepare for the lesson and you learned a lot of useful information about this country. And you can expand the story about Norway through the comment form below.
The first settlers on the territory of Norway appeared, perhaps, 10.000 -11.000 thousand years ago. People settled mainly along the sea, which fed them. In addition, they were engaged in hunting. Approximately five thousand years later, the ancestors of the Norwegians were already engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding. However, in the north, as before, only hunting and fishing gave life to people. Villages were usually located so as to reveal their presence as little as possible ( on this score, the Norwegians have a joke that the best neighbor is the one who is not visible). For some time, these small groups lived like this: independently of each other and of the whole world. Beautiful, but cold nature (and at that time it was even colder here) made it difficult for a person to survive on the territory of present-day Norway. Gradually, agriculture developed, settlements acquired a sustainable character. In the fourth century A.D. e. some Germanic tribes appear in Norway (rugii, chords). Perhaps the invasion of these foreigners led to the beginning of the Viking Age? Be that as it may, by the 700th year all the lands were explored, inequality was strengthened, and society was divided into masters and servants. Neighborly enmity was forgotten, the rooks were built and fury was at a boiling point. The Vikings were ready to conquer Europe, conquer Britain, found Russia (or were the Swedes involved in this?) and discover America.
Three Norwegian ships sailed for England. The Vikings, in their usual manner, killed the representative of the king, who went to them. This was the first mention in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle of a Viking invasion. The next attack, on June 8, 793, was made on one of the monasteries that existed then on the territory of present-day Britain, the kingdom of Northumbria. The Vikings attacked the defenseless nuns and monks, killed some, slaughtered their cattle, loading their ships with provisions... The Viking saga began...
Initially, they settled in Shetland and Orkney. From there they headed north to the Faroe Islands and south to Northern Scotland. By 820, the entire Irish coastline was inhabited by the Vikings. Anyone who got in their way was unceremoniously kicked out. Even now, there are about 100,000 places with Norwegian names in Shetland! And the farmers here spoke Norwegian until the early 19th century!
Voyages of conquest continued in the south, along the rivers of France, in Spain, in the Mediterranean. In France and Southern Europe the Norwegian Vikings operated alongside the Danes, while in Constantinople they met the Swedes. Moreover, the Norwegians in their campaigns landed even in East Africa, on the territory of present-day Morocco! By the end of the 9th century, the Vikings kept all of Europe at bay. By this time, the attacks themselves had grown from scattered sorties into organized, well-planned campaigns of large detachments. The Vikings combined their conquests with trade in everything (including slaves) that they managed to carry away from the occupied territories. Around the same time, a transition is planned from robbery and tribute collection to the settlement of conquered lands. In Northern France, the Vikings establish the Duchy of Normandy. It is the Norwegians who populate Iceland and Greenland. Reaching America...
It is reliably established that the first Norwegian to set foot on the American coast was Life Eriksson (although in reality the man who first discovered America was called Bjarne Herolfsson, but he did not bother to go ashore!). According to the Norwegian saga, Life Eriksson, the discoverer of the new continent, actually intended to sail to Greenland (which was discovered, by the way, by his father, Eric the Red), but ended up in America. This is how historical events sometimes happen!
The Viking Age lasted until around 1050. She had the strongest influence on: the kingdom of Dublin, settlements in the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Orkney County, and Greenland. As mentioned above, around 1050 the Viking campaigns stopped. Some scholars argue about the reasons that prompted the Vikings to so suddenly abandon the "noble" cause in which they had been doing nothing more or less for 250 years. As a joke version, you can put forward the idea that when the Norwegians got to the southern territories, they (given the difference in climate) were exposed to the sun, and they simply began to get a sun tan. They didn’t like the darkening of their skin at all, which prompted them to return ... In contrast to the reasons that prompted the Vikings to retreat, the reasons why the Norwegians initiated the conquests are more or less known: the strengthening of the nobility, for whom military booty served as an important source of enrichment, relative overpopulation coastal areas, the lack of land suitable for cultivation, the development of trade ...
What good can be said about the Vikings in custody? Were they only barbarians, versed only in murder, ruin and violence? Of course not! Do not forget about their fair laws, active trade, the art of shipbuilding, the most beautiful ornaments ... about the mythology that they left as a legacy to their descendants ...
The time when Norway began to acquire the features of a single state is considered to be the 9th-10th centuries. Around 900, King Harald the Fair-Haired (Harald Herfagre), subjugated the rulers of other areas and became the first supreme ruler of Norway. Around the same time, the Christianization of Norway began (in fact, it was the instrument with which attempts were made to unite the country). It must be said that both of these processes were rather slow and met with the resistance of the people. The Norwegian kings were opposed by the nobility and the peasants, who were on their own minds, and defended their patriarchal democratic orders. With regard to this country, it is fair to say that it was baptized with fire and sword. Those who did not agree with the new order were either made slaves or simply destroyed. A vivid example is King Olaf Haraldson, who paid with his life for excessive efforts. This, however, did not prevent him from receiving the status of a saint after his death. Moreover - the day of July 29 is immortalized in his honor.
As a result of the struggle, the church was endowed with large land holdings, while the lands were distributed to the peasants on a short-term basis. Thus, the peasantry of that time had a contradictory position: they had personal freedom, the right to participate in local peasant meetings (tingas), to bear arms, but at the same time their position was rather precarious: the peasants were not endowed with strong rights to land, they carried heavy state duties. This situation was the cause of discord. The most serious attempt to change the situation was the uprising of 1184, as a result of which the impostor Sverrir came to the throne. However, he failed to do anything drastic. Sverrir abolished the privileges of the church, tried to make the church dependent on royal power. However, the followers of Sverrir reconciled with the church, and the struggle ceased.
Gradually, feudalism in Norway got stronger. Tingi, from local governments turned into bodies controlled by the king, a nationwide code was adopted - "Landslov", in 1262-1264 the Orkney and Shetland Islands, Greenland, Iceland, were subordinated to the Saami.
However, not rich in terms of natural resources, the country lived for quite a long time on subsistence farming, cities and trade remained undeveloped, which contributed to the strengthening of the Hanseatic merchants. On top of all the troubles, in 1347-1350. An epidemic of plague struck Norway, killing a significant part of the population. Perhaps no country has been hit harder by the Black Death than Norway.
These circumstances led to the conclusion of a union with Sweden in 1319, with Denmark in 1380, and in 1397 - the Kalmar Union of the Scandinavian kingdoms. Dependence on Denmark persisted until the 19th century (while Sweden left the union in 1523). In the 16th century, Norway was completely turned into a Danish province, as a result of which the Danish king began to own half of all Norwegian lands. During this time, Norway lost the Orkney and Shetland Islands, Iceland and Greenland. From the very beginning of the union, and further, over time, the struggle for independence grew in the country. This was facilitated by the national identity of the Norwegians, the economic rise of the state. As a result of popular resistance, the Danes were forced to make some concessions. By the 19th century, in Norway, 75% of the peasants were landowners, the export of timber, fish, and iron was steadily growing. But, in general, Norway remained a poor state. Its relative prosperity was due to the fact that the Danish-Norwegian kingdom remained neutral in European wars, until 1807. However, the Anglo-Danish War of 1807-1814 followed, and famine began in Norway.
Under these conditions, the Norwegian kingdom was freed from the Danish yoke, and obliged to enter into a union with Sweden. In these extraordinary circumstances, the Constituent Assembly was assembled in the country, which on May 17, 1814 adopted the basic law of the country. This constitution is valid in Norway to this day, being one of the oldest in the world! The Norwegian Basic Law is also called the Eidsvoll Constitution, after the name of the place where the Constituent Assembly met (Eidsvoll is located in the south of the country, not far from the capital). For that time, the constitution contained advanced ideas and provisions. She established a parliamentary monarchy in the country. The head of the kingdom was proclaimed by the king, who had the right of suspensive veto.
In honor of the adoption of the constitution, the most important Norwegian national holiday, Constitution Day, celebrated on May 17, was established. However, the Norwegians failed to gain independence in the 19th century, since in the summer of 1814 a war broke out with Sweden, which forced Norway to cede and remain in union with its "elder brother" for almost a hundred more years. Relations between Norway and Sweden were fixed by a special law, according to which Norway received internal independence. It was for the subsequent period of time that the beginning of the active political life of Norwegian society falls. In 1884, the country's two leading political parties took shape: the left, Venstre, and the right, Höyre. Then the parliamentary system was formed. In 1898, during the elections to the Storting, the rule begins to operate - one person - one vote. In 1913, women were allowed to vote.
The desire with which the Norwegians desired independence found an outlet in everything. In law, for example, Norway was the first Scandinavian country to adopt a penal code in 1842. With this and many others, the people of Norway tried to show their independence. At the same time, the international prestige of the country grew, which was facilitated by the activities R. Amundsen, F. Nansen, G. Ibsen, E. Griga, E. Munch. And so, in June 1905, the Storting unanimously terminates the union with Sweden. In October 1905, a referendum was held to confirm this decision. Norway becomes an independent state...
At the beginning of World War I, Norway declared its neutrality. In 1920 she received the island of Svalbard. Then the world economic crisis broke out, which had a grave effect on the position of the Norwegian people. In the first three years, production levels have fallen by 25%, 30% of workers are losing their jobs, there are mass demonstrations interspersed with riots.
In foreign policy, Norway adheres to the principle of non-intervention, and at the beginning of World War II declares its neutrality. However, this did not prevent Germany on April 9, 1940 from starting the landing of its troops in Norway. Under these conditions, the government and the king moved to Britain. Most of the citizens of the country had nothing left to do but watch how their region was occupied by German soldiers - 10,000 thousandth forces of the German army, which, after five years, increase by 300,000 people. Naturally, some resistance was offered - from April to June, the Norwegian army lost about 850 people. In total, it is believed that Norway lost 10,000 people. It seems to be not so much when compared with other countries. But for such a small country, this loss was a national catastrophe. In a society where everyone knows each other, the loss of a person is felt especially acutely and irreparably. In general, one cannot say that the Norwegians from the very first day of the occupation, all as one, stood up against the German forces. Many simply did not do anything, or at least did not do anything. organized. Some part of the population was not at all hostile to the aliens ... The reasons for this are different. Perhaps a positive role was played by the fact that the Germans in Norway did not inflict such catastrophic damage as was done in other countries. Perhaps the fact that the Norwegians and Germans are peoples slightly similar in culture, language, views is also important ... And yet, speaking of "insignificant damage", one should not forget that the north of Norway suffered quite seriously. There, during the withdrawal of the German troops, 11,000 residential buildings, 420 shops, 53 hotels and inns, 106 schools, 21 hospitals, 27 churches and much more were destroyed ... One of the results of the invasion, by the way, was the fact that from the German fathers the Norwegians about 9,000 babies were born...
After the surrender of Germany, a series of trials and trials dragged on in Norway, the main result of which was the punishment of 46,000 (!) Norwegians from the National Socialist Party (in 1948, an amnesty was declared against them). In addition, 12 Germans and 25 Norwegians were executed. Among the latter was Vidkun Quisling, the head of the Norwegian Nazis.
Speaking about the post-war development of the country, it is necessary to immediately note three dates:
1949 - joining NATO
December 23, 1969 - production of the first barrel of oil.
September 22, 1972 - a negative answer in a referendum on Norway's accession to the EU.
(in 1994 in a second referendum, on the same issue - the same decision)
The post-war development of Norway is characterized by the evolutionary development of the social and economic life of the country. Norwegians are moving from the formal "you" to the more familiar "you". The working week is gradually shortening, vacations are increasing, along with inflation, wages are also growing. Foreign capital is actively penetrating the Norwegian economy. Finally, in the early 70s, oil is found in the country - a new era begins, an era of pent-up satisfaction from the successes that Norway achieves, primarily in the economic sphere. From the most backward Scandinavian state, Norway, in the end, turns into the most prosperous ...
All of the above are my own fabrications based on reading relevant foreign and domestic books, literature, TV and radio programs I watched, publications on the Internet, communication with Norwegians and Russians ... Here I tried to describe as objectively as possible what happened to Norway over the past at least a thousand years. Of course, you can argue and disagree with me about something, so if you want, write me. I will be very grateful for reasonable criticism.
