Norway

872 (c. AD): Viking Age begins with the Battle of Hafrsfjord

1030 (September 29, Sunday): King Olaf II (Saint Olaf) is killed at the Battle of Stiklestad, marking the start of Christianization of Norway

1319 (February 26, Wednesday): Norway enters a union with Sweden and Denmark under the Swedish King

1814 (May 17, Tuesday): Norway adopts its constitution, marking its independence from Denmark (though still under Swedish rule until 1905)

1905 (June 7, Wednesday): Norway gains full independence from Sweden

1940 (April 9, Wednesday): World War II: Nazi Germany invades Norway, beginning the occupation of Norway until 1945

1969 (November 3, Monday): Oil is discovered in the North Sea, becoming a major economic resource for Norway

1989 (November 9, Thursday): Fall of the Berlin Wall: Norway’s relationship with the European Community (EC) begins evolving

2000 (December 27, Wednesday): Oslo Accords: Agreement on the conflict resolution between Israel and Palestine, hosted by Norway

2004 (December 26, Sunday): Indian Ocean Tsunami: The tsunami reaches Norway’s coast, though the country is not directly impacted, it helps in international relief

2011 (July 22, Friday): Norwegian Attacks: Massacre carried out by Anders Behring Breivik, targeting a youth camp in Utøya and bombings in Oslo, killing 77 people

2020 (March 12, Thursday): COVID-19 Pandemic: Norway announces the first confirmed case of the virus, triggering national lockdowns

2022 (November 10, Thursday): Severe Flooding in Western Norway: Record rainfall leads to extensive flooding and landslides, particularly in the Bergen area

Continent: Europe
Location: Northern Europe, Scandinavia, bordered by Sweden to the east, Finland to the northeast, Russia to the far northeast, and the North Sea to the west
Capital: Oslo
Language: Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk)
Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Population: ~5.5 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET, UTC+1), Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2 in daylight saving time)

Borders: Sweden (east), Finland (northeast), Russia (far northeast)
Landscape: Mountainous, fjords, valleys, and coastal plains
Major Rivers: Glomma, Lågen, Numedalslågen, Drammenselva
Major Mountains: Galdhøpiggen (highest point), Glittertind, Store Skagastølstind
Deserts: No significant deserts
Lakes: Lake Mjøsa, Lake Røssvatnet, Lake Femunden
Volcanoes: No active volcanoes
Highest Point: Galdhøpiggen (2,469 m / 8,100 ft)
Lowest Point: The North Sea (sea level)
Climate: Subarctic and temperate along the coast, with cold winters and mild summers in the southern regions, colder and more extreme in the northern parts
Geological Features: Fjords, coastal cliffs, glacial landscapes, mountains

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Norwegian, with small minorities of Sámi, Kven, and others
Religion: Christianity (approx. 70%, mostly Lutheran), Islam (approx. 3%), other religions (approx. 3%)
Urban Population: ~81% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~19% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Fjords, Viking history, Scandinavian design, Nobel Peace Prize, outdoor activities
Cuisine: Fish (especially salmon and cod), brown cheese, meatballs, lutefisk, waffles
Arts: Classical music, Norwegian black metal, literature (Henrik Ibsen, Knut Hamsun), art (Edvard Munch, The Scream)
Sports: Winter sports (skiing, ice hockey), football (soccer), handball, cycling

Economy Type: Mixed, high-income, welfare state
GDP: Approx. $525 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Oil and gas, shipping, fishing, metals, telecommunications, tourism
Key Exports: Petroleum, natural gas, fish, ships, machinery
Unemployment Rate: ~4.5% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Oil-rich coastal areas, high-tech and industrial in the southern regions, rural and agricultural in the north

Government Type: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary system
Head of State: King Harald V (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral Parliament (Storting)
Constitution: Constitution of Norway, in effect since 1814

Oslo: The Viking Ship Museum, Munch Museum, Holmenkollen Ski Museum
Bergen: Bryggen (UNESCO World Heritage site), Fløibanen Funicular
Lofoten Islands: Stunning beaches, dramatic mountains, and traditional fishing villages
Geirangerfjord: UNESCO World Heritage site, breathtaking fjords
Trolltunga: Famous hiking destination with a scenic rock formation above the lake Ringedalsvatnet
Northern Lights: Visible in northern regions during winter months