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Overview
United by Harald Fairhair around 872, Norway was later joined to Denmark and then Sweden before winning full independence in 1905. North Sea oil transformed it into one of the world's wealthiest societies.
Basic Information
CapitalOslo
Population5.5 million
Area385,207 km²
CurrencyNorwegian krone (NOK)
LanguagesNorwegian
RegionWestern Europe
History Timeline
- c. 872Harald Fairhair unifies Norway
- 1030Battle of Stiklestad; Christianization
- 1380 – 1814Union with Denmark
- 1905Independence from Sweden
- 1969Discovery of North Sea oil
Ancient Peoples
- Norse
- Sámi
Ancient Kingdoms
- Kingdom of Norway
Empires
Religions
- Lutheranism
Culture
Ibsen, Grieg, Munch, stave churches and outdoor life.
Language
Norwegian is a North Germanic language with two written forms.
Important Battles
- Battle of Stiklestad1030
Death of Olaf II
- Battle of the Atlantic1939 – 1945
Norwegian merchant marine
Historical Figures
Harald Fairhair
c. 872 – 930
First king
Fridtjof Nansen
1861 – 1930
Explorer and humanitarian
Archaeological Sites
- Oseberg ship
- Alta rock carvings
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Bryggen (Bergen)
- Urnes Stave Church
- West Norwegian Fjords
Dynasties
- Fairhair
- Sverre
- Oldenburg
Colonial Period
Never a colonizer.
Modern History
Wealthy constitutional monarchy; not an EU member.