This country, located on the Scandinavian Peninsula, is famous for its stunning scenery and high standard of living. However, it gained its independence only a hundred years ago, so its language was formed in an interesting way.

For the whole world, Norwegians speak Norwegian, but for the Norwegians themselves, there are several official dialects. What language is spoken in this northern country? In this article, we will cover the main dialects of Norway!

1 Norwegian language

In the 21st century, Norwegian is officially recognized on the territory of this Scandinavian country. But in fact, two forms of the modern language are common among Norwegians - Bokmål and Nynoshk. Both dialects are recognized by the state as official.

There are also informal forms of the language: Rixmol, a more conservative variant of Bokmål, used in writing; högnoshk - "high Norwegian".

So, what is the difference between these adverbs?

The fact is that for studying the inhabitants of Norway, you can choose three language options. Bokmål is a classic version of literary speech, it (and riksmol) are used by 90% of citizens, and foreigners study it. Nyunoshk is a relatively new literary modern language, which is chosen by 10% of the inhabitants when studying.

2 A bit of history

Norway owes this separation of languages ​​not only to historical events, but also to geographical location. Norwegian is close to Icelandic, but Danish has had a huge influence on it.

However, all these languages ​​belong to the Scandinavian group. During Viking times and until about the 13th century, Old Norse was used in these territories, and then each country began to use its own language.

In the XIII century, Old Norwegian was formed, but after the merger with Denmark, the language of this country became dominant. Until 1814, Norway was dependent on Denmark, and then entered into an agreement with. And in the 1840s, the Norwegians began to demand independence, and this primarily affected the language.

3 Finding a mother tongue

In the 1840s, writers began to use more Norwegian words in their texts. Soon after the initiative of the nationalists, the grammar and spelling were changed.

In 1899, new standards were finally adopted and the language was called Rixmol. It was used by the highest circles of Norway. But the Norwegian linguist Ivar Osen put a lot of effort into creating a new spoken language. He traveled around his native country and studied the variety of dialects in order to understand how Icelandic managed to resist the influence of foreign ones, but Norwegian did not.

By 1929, two dialects were officially formed - Nynoshk and Bokmål. Subsequent reforms tried to introduce a single form of the language, samnoshk, but were unsuccessful. Bokmål and Nynoshk remained popular among Norwegians.

4 Varieties and division of the official language

Since only five million inhabitants live in Norway, geographically the settlements were very far from each other. Because of this, apart from the main division, Norwegian is full of dialects. There are a great many of them, and it is customary to divide all dialects into two groups - East Norwegian and West Norwegian.

The main difference is the use of Bokmål, Riksmål and Nynoshka. Buksmol and especially riksmol are usually advocated by adherents of the country's historical traditions. But more radical Norwegians call for the introduction of a nurse.

5 Dialects and features of the language

All dialects are divided into four groups: estlannsk (eastern), vestlannsk (western), tröndeshk (center) and nurnoshk (northern). Basically, Norwegians can understand each other, the main dialect differences consist of grammar, vocabulary and syntax.

In addition, in the municipalities of Finnmark and Troms, Sami is recognized along with Norwegian. Yes, it is still used by the inhabitants of the north of Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula in Russia. It is called native by about 25 thousand people.

Do not forget that although Norway is a European country, English is practically not common here. There are few inscriptions in English, and even in large cities you rarely meet an English-speaking person. Of course, in some tourist areas, employees have knowledge of a foreign language, but this is a rarity.

The official language in Norway is very revered, so they put a lot of effort into preserving even the rarest dialects. For a tourist, it is best to learn a few phrases in Norwegian in advance, as you can not hope for knowledge of English in Norway.

7 Some interesting facts

1. Norwegian is considered a transitional language between and Danish. The inhabitants of these countries do not understand each other, but they can easily understand a Norwegian!
2. The Norwegian alphabet is very similar to Danish and also has 29 letters. However, the Norwegians were the first to include the last letter in the alphabet, they did it in 1917, and the Danes in 1948.
3. In recent years, Norwegian has been greatly influenced by English. A lot of English words have found their way into Norwegian speech from the internet and pop culture influences.
4. Norwegian is tonal, which is a rarity for Indo-European languages. Most often, tonality is found in Asian languages, such as Chinese.

In general, Norwegian has been greatly influenced by the geographical location of the country - an abundance of valleys and mountains, as well as dependence on Denmark for several centuries. Norwegian became independent relatively recently!

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Which has about 5 million speakers, mainly in Norway. Norwegian speakers are also found in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Canada and the USA.

Early Norwegian literature - mainly poetry and historical prose - was written in the West Norwegian dialect, and its heyday dates back to the 9th-14th centuries. After that, Norway came under the rule of the Swedish, and then the Danish crown. The Norwegian language continued to be used in colloquial speech, but Danish became the language of business documentation, literature and higher education.

After Norway seceded from Denmark in 1814, it was used in schools until the 1830s, when a movement began to create a new national language. The rationale was that written Danish was so different from spoken Norwegian that it was difficult to learn, and the belief that every country should have its own language.

A significant debate erupted around which approach to use when creating a national language, resulting in two languages ​​- Landsmal(lannsmål, national language), which is based on colloquial Norwegian and regional dialects (particularly West Norwegian dialects), and Riksmal(riksmol, national language), which was originally used in writing and is very similar to Danish.

Lannsmol renamed to Nynorsk(nyunoshk, new Norwegian) in 1929, and riksmol currently officially called Bokmal(bokmål, book speech). A small number of people over the age of 60 still use riksmol, which is considered an obsolete form Bokmola and has only minor differences.

Currently, in schools in Norway, both variants of the Norwegian language are required to be studied. Students study both options and can only designate the one that will be the main one for them. Civil servants are required to know both options.

For a short time, there was a movement in Norway to create a single literary language called Samnorsk(samnoshk, single Norwegian). Political figures were fascinated by the idea of ​​creating a unified Norwegian language, while ordinary people considered it a waste of time. Project to create a unified Norwegian language Samnoshk was officially closed on January 1, 2002.

Norwegian alphabet (norsk alphabet)

A a	Bb	c c	D d	e e	F f	G g	H h	I i	Jj
a	be	se	de	e	eff	ge	ha	i	je/jadd
Kk	l l	M m	N n	O o	Pp	Q q	R r	S s	T t
ke	ell	em	enn	o	pe	ku	ærr	ess	te
U u	Vv	Ww	X x	Y y	Zz	Æ æ	Ø ø	Å å
u	ve	dåbbelt -ve	ex	y	sett	æ	ø	å

Listen to the Norwegian alphabet

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Phonetic transcription of the Norwegian language

Vowels and diphthongs

Consonants

Notes

• e = [ə] in unstressed syllables
• = [o] before two consonants and [u] before one consonant (with some exceptions)
• g = [j] before i and y, [g] anywhere else
• k = [ç] before i and y, [k] in any other position
• sk = [ʃ] before i and y
• In Western dialects, kj and tj = [ʧ]
• In southern dialects sj= and skj=
• Retroflexive sounds appear only in eastern and northern dialects, in other dialects rd = [ʀd], rl = [ʀl] and rn = [ʀn]
• In Eastern dialects, rd and l = [ɽ] at the end of a word and between vowels
• q, x, z and w appear exclusively in loanwords and names
• x = [s] at the beginning of a word and in any other position

The modern Norwegian language is a heterogeneous and varied formation with many local dialects. But in order to understand why there is still no single Norwegian language even at the state level, it is necessary to briefly trace its history, starting ... literally - from the very beginning!

Initially, the entire population of the Scandinavian Peninsula used the Old Norse language, at the moment it is a dead proto-language and belongs to the so-called Germanic branch, which is part of the Indo-European language family. However, one must understand that archaeological artifacts dating from the era preceding the Early Middle Ages are few and fragmentary, so modern linguists do not have a clear language theory regarding this issue. We are talking only about hypotheses that are now well-established in the scientific community.

The Old Norse language, in all its variety of dialect forms, turned into a more or less stable linguistic phenomenon around the 8th century (the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the "Viking Age"). It was spoken by the population of modern Denmark, Sweden and Norway. In other words, it was spoken by the Vikings, who, through their traders and (rarely) warriors, spread it over the vast territories of the European continent (including the regions of Eastern Rus').

In 872, Harald the Fairhair unified Norway, and based on archaeological data (including runestones), it can be judged that the Old Norse language at that time had very few local differences. At the beginning of the 11th century, Christianity came to the region, as a result, the Latin language began to be used everywhere. Some original dialects adapted, others were completely supplanted, but it was at this moment that the Norwegian language began to form into a separate linguistic structure, separating, in particular, from Danish.

The Old Norse language developed in two main dialect directions - eastern (Denmark and Sweden) and western (Iceland, settled in the 9th century, and Norway proper). By the beginning of the 14th century, the Western version of Old Norse had completely transformed into two original forms, which modern linguists call Old Norse and Old Norse. However, in 1397, the Norwegians entered into an alliance with the Danes, which implied the political dominance of Denmark over both regions. The Danish language gradually supplanted Old Norse, primarily at the level of official writing. Danish, borrowing many elements from Low German, spread first among the Norwegian elite, and then among ordinary people.

Everything changed when Norway became independent from Denmark in 1814 (becoming dependent on Sweden instead). For many decades, active work was carried out to “Norwegianize” Danish, until in 1899 the Norwegian parliament adopted the single language standard “riksmol” (in translation, “riksmål” means approximately “sovereign speech”). However, due to the active development of nationalist movements, many researchers (some of them self-taught, such as the legendary Ivar Osen) continued to develop a more "original" Norwegian language. This is how "lannsmål" (literally "landsmål" can be translated as "folk language") appeared, it was developed on the basis of Icelandic, which was not directly influenced by other continental languages ​​​​(unlike Norwegian).

In 1929, the authorities decided to rename "riksmol" to "bokmål" ("bokmål" can be loosely translated as "bookish language"). In turn, "lannsmål" received the more tolerant name "nynorsk" ("nynorsk" means "new Norwegian"). Even earlier, they tried to bring both languages ​​together at the state level, later two similar reforms were carried out (1938 and 1959), they set as their goal the formation of a universal Norwegian language that could become generally accepted.

This (potentially unified) language was called “samnoshk” (“samnorsk” is translated as “single Norwegian”), by the end of the 1950s it was supported by almost 80% of the country's population. However, radical groups (who advocated the complete disposal of the Norwegian language from the influence of Danish in favor of the original version of "lannsmål") created active resistance to the authorities, and from the 1960s the spread of "samnoshka" gradually decreased until the very concept of this hybrid language disappeared in 2002. systems.

The Norwegian language now is Bokmål, Nynoshk, Rixmol, Högnoshk...

To date, in Norway, Bokmål and Nynoshk have been adopted at the state level, both language systems can rightfully be called the Norwegian language. Their grammar and syntax have a number of differences (not always conceptual ones). For example, in "Bokmål" the phrase "this is a horse" would be written like this: "Dette er en hest". On "nanny" the same phrase looks a little different - "Dette er ein hest". At the same time, the phrase "I'm from Norway" in "Bokmål" is written like this - "Jeg kommer fra Norge", and in "nunnery" like this - "Eg kjem frå Noreg". That is, sometimes the differences are really great, which also applies to oral speech.

According to official polls, "Bukmal" is used by about 90% of the country's population, but this does not mean at all that the same percentage of the population recognizes this form of the language. In Norway, there are many who seek to bring Bokmål and Nyunoshk closer together, so Rixmol, which includes many linguistic features of both forms, does not lose, and in some regions even gains popularity. Some variants of "bokmål" are extremely close to "riksmol" and over the past hundred years both forms have been used at the official level - in the media and government documentation.

At the same time, the key block of differences between these languages ​​\u200b\u200b(meaning “Bokmål” and “Riksmol”) is not in oral, but in written form, but they are not as significant as it might seem at first glance, and are quite comparable with the difference between American and traditional English. "Nyunoshk" in this regard differs significantly from both forms, although some of its variants (which are called moderate) are quite close to "Bokmål". In turn, there are variants of "bokmål" that strongly resemble "nunoshk" (such forms are called radical).

In addition, at an unofficial level, a form of the Norwegian language called "høgnorsk" ("høgnorsk" literally translates as "high Norwegian") continues to exist. This variant is closer than all other forms to the original Lannsmol and, apparently, it really retained a maximum of original linguistic elements and norms from Old Norse. However, among all the Norwegian languages ​​\u200b\u200bnow used - "bokmål", "riksmol", "nynoshk" and "högnoshk" - the latter is less common than others.

But here it is more important to note another point. Each of the listed forms of the Norwegian language has dozens (this is true!) of local variants, some of them are dialectal in the full sense, but others are modern reconstructions and developments of lone linguists. "Estlannsk" (east), "westlannsk" (west), "tröndeshk" (central part) and "nurnoshk" (north) are the main groups of dialect forms by regions of the country.

Features of Modern Norwegian

Thus, the Norwegian language differs significantly depending on the region, however, as already noted, 90% of the population know "Buksmol", so this form and its dialects can be called the most widespread. The pronunciation of the Norwegian language in the context of "Boksmål" has a considerable similarity with the Danish language and, obviously, there is a minimal influence of the original Old Norse language here.

However, you need to understand that the differences come down to transcription and rules, but not to the alphabet. The Norwegian language in any of its forms uses 29 letters. It is curious to note that these are all letters of the traditional Danish language. Today the Norwegian alphabet looks like this: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, I, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u , v, w, x, y, z, æ, ø, å. That is, we see in front of us an almost completely Latinized series of language units, which has nothing to do with the original runic writing of the Scandinavian region.

The grammar of the Norwegian language at the present stage of its development is quite stable, in particular, the following basic rules are typical for "Buxmol". The noun has a static basis, the endings change, indicating the number, case and gender. However, there are bases that make up a group of exceptions that change with declension.

Adjectives always correspond to nouns, agreeing with them in number and gender. At the same time, regardless of the gender, the form of the adjective is unchanged. Verbs in Norwegian change according to moods and tenses, they are divided into weak and strong. Weak ones obey special rules and have 4 form-building classes in their composition.

Adverbs, like adjectives, change only in degrees of comparison and almost always correspond to adjectives in the neuter gender. Pronouns are used to refer to objects, but do not say anything about their qualities. Numerals are divided into quantitative and ordinal, in the Norwegian language two forms of counting are accepted.

Of course, these are only the most general indications that will say little to a person who is far from linguistics and philology. However, this article does not pursue didactic purposes, it only tells about what a difficult path the Norwegian language has passed and what it is turning into today.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that many conceptual moments in the modern Norwegian language still remain the same, regardless of the context - whether it is “boksmol” or “nunoshk”. For example, Mandag, Tirsdag, Onsdag, Torsdag, Fredag, Lørdag, Søndag. These are the days of the week in Norwegian, from Monday to Sunday, they are spelled and sound the same in all forms and dialects. And those who are at least a little familiar with the culture of Ancient Scandinavia, calling on their powers of observation, can easily notice that Wednesday is still Odin's day, Thursday is Thor's day, Friday is Freya's day, and so on. In other words, a small fragment of the original tradition is still alive in the Norwegian language. It is a pity that such examples are rare.

Form of government a constitutional monarchy Area, km 2 385 186 Population, people 5 006 000 Population growth, per year 0,34% average life expectancy 80 Population density, person/km2 12,7 Official language Norwegian Currency Norwegian krone International dialing code +47 Zone on the Internet .no Time Zones +1

brief information

Norway, due to the fact that there is a polar day from May to July, is sometimes called the "Land of the Midnight Sun". This, of course, is a mysterious and even somewhat romantic name, but it does not cause a strong desire to come to this country. However, Norway is not only the Land of the Midnight Sun. First of all, Norway is the Vikings, amazingly beautiful fjords, some of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and, of course, prestigious ski resorts.

Geography of Norway

Norway is located in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. In the northeast, Norway borders on Finland and Russia, in the east - on Sweden. In the northeast, Norway is washed by the Barents Sea, in the southwest by the North Sea, and in the west by the Norwegian Sea. The Skagerrak Strait separates Norway from Denmark.

The total territory of Norway, including the islands of Svalbard, Jan Mayen and Bear in the Arctic Ocean, is 385,186 square kilometers.

A significant part of the territory of Norway is occupied by mountains. The highest of them are Mount Gallhöppigen (2469 m) and Mount Glittertinn (2452 m).

There are a lot of rivers in Norway, the longest of which are Glomma (604 km), Logen (359 km), and Otra (245 km).

Norway is sometimes referred to as the "Lakeland". This is not surprising, given that there are several hundred lakes in it. The largest of these are Mjøsa, Rösvatn, Femunn, and Hornindalsvatnet.

Capital

The capital of Norway is Oslo, which is now home to more than 620 thousand people. It is believed that Oslo was founded in 1048 by the Norwegian king Harald III.

Official language of Norway

The official language in Norway is Norwegian, which consists of two dialects (Bokmål and Nynorsk). Most often, Norwegians speak Bukol, but for some reason Nynorsk is popular with Norwegian Internet users.

Religion

More than 80% of Norwegians are Lutherans (Protestants) belonging to the Church of Norway. However, only about 5% of Norwegians go to church every week. In addition, 1.69% of Norwegians are Muslims and 1.1% are Catholics.

State structure of Norway

Norway is a constitutional monarchy in which the head of state, according to the Constitution of 1814, is the King.

The executive power in Norway belongs to the King, and the legislative power belongs to the local unicameral parliament - the Storting (169 deputies).

The main political parties in Norway are the liberal-conservative Progress Party, the social democratic Norwegian Labor Party, the Christian Democratic Party and the Social Left Party.

Climate and weather

Norway is at the same latitude as Alaska and Siberia, but this Scandinavian country has a much milder climate. In late June - early August in Norway, the weather is warm and the days are long. At this time, the average air temperature reaches + 25-30C, and the average sea temperature - + 18C.

The warmest and most stable weather is always observed on the southern coast of Norway. However, even in the north of Norway in summer the air temperature can exceed +25C. However, in the central regions and in the north of Norway, the weather often changes.

In winter, most of Norway tends to turn into a real snow paradise. In winter in Norway, the air temperature can even drop to -40C.

Sea in Norway

In the northeast, Norway is washed by the Barents Sea, in the southwest by the North Sea, and in the west by the Norwegian Sea. The Skagerrak Strait separates Norway from Denmark. The total coastline of Norway is 25,148 km.

Average sea temperature in Oslo:

January – +4C
- February - +3C
- March - +3C
- April - +6C
- May - +11С
- June - +14C
- July - +17C
- August - +18С
- September - +15C
- October - +12C
- November - +9С
- December - +5C

The real beauty of Norway is the Norwegian fjords. The most beautiful of them are Naeroyfjord, Sognefjord, Geirangerfjord, Hardangerfjord, Lysefjord, and Aurlandsfjord.

Rivers and lakes

There are a lot of rivers in Norway, the longest of which are Glomma in the east (604 km), Logen in the southeast (359 km), and Otra in Serland (245 km). The largest Norwegian lakes are Mjøsa, Rösvatn, Femunn, and Hornindalsvatnet.

Many tourists come to Norway to fish. In Norwegian rivers and lakes, salmon, trout, whitefish, pike, perch and grayling are found in large numbers.

History of Norway

Archaeologists have proven that people on the territory of modern Norway lived as early as the 10th millennium BC. But the real history of Norway began in the Viking Age, whose cruelty is still legendary on the coast of Great Britain, for example.

From 800-1066, the Norse Vikings became known throughout Europe as brave warriors, ruthless invaders, cunning merchants and inquisitive seafarers. The history of the Vikings ended in 1066, when the Norwegian king Harald III died in England. Olaf III became King of Norway after him. It was under Olaf III that Christianity began to spread rapidly in Norway.

In the XII century, Norway captured part of the British Isles, Iceland and Greenland. It was the time of the greatest prosperity of the Norwegian kingdom. However, the country was greatly weakened by competition from the Hanseatic League and the plague epidemic.

In 1380, Norway and Denmark entered into an alliance and became one country. The union of these states lasted more than four centuries.

In 1814, Norway, according to the Treaty of Kiel, became part of Sweden. However, Norway did not submit to this and the Swedes invaded its territory. In the end, Norway agreed to be part of Sweden if they were left with the constitution.

Throughout the 19th century, nationalism grew in Norway, and this led to a referendum in 1905. According to the results of this referendum, Norway became an independent state.

During the First World War, Norway remained neutral. During the Second World War, Norway also declared its neutrality, but it was nevertheless occupied by German troops (for Germany, this was a strategic move).

After the end of World War II, Norway suddenly forgot about its neutrality, and became one of the founders of the NATO military bloc.

Culture of Norway

The culture of Norway differs markedly from the cultures of other peoples of Europe. The fact is that this Scandinavian country is located far from such European cultural centers as Florence, Rome and Paris. However, tourists will be pleasantly impressed by the Norwegian culture.

Many Norwegian cities have annual music, dance and folklore festivals. The most popular of them is the international cultural festival in Bergen (music, dance, theater).

It cannot be said that the Norwegians have made a huge contribution to world culture, but the fact that it was significant is undeniable. The most famous Norwegians are polar explorers Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen, composers Varg Vikernes and Edvard Grieg, artist Edvard Munch, writers and playwrights Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun, and traveler Thor Heyerdahl.

Cuisine of Norway

The main products of Norwegian cuisine are fish, meat, potatoes and other vegetables, and cheese. Norwegians' favorite traditional snack is pölse (potato cake with sausage).

Fenalår - dried lamb
- Fårikål - lamb stew with cabbage
- Pinnekjøtt - salted ribs
- Roast wild elk or deer
- Kjøttkaker - fried beef meatballs
- Laks og eggerøre - smoked salmon omelet
- Lutefisk - baked cod
- Rømmegrøt - sour cream porridge
- Multekrem - cloudberry cream for dessert

The traditional alcoholic drink in Norway is Aquavit, which is usually 40% ABV. The production of aquavita in Scandinavia began in the 15th century.

Sights of Norway

Norwegians have always been distinguished by the fact that they are very careful about their history. Therefore, we advise tourists to visit Norway to see:

North Cape

norwegian fjords

Changing of the guard ceremony at the Royal Palace in Oslo

Bryggen wooden quarter in Bergen

Sculpture park in Oslo

Holmenkolle Ski Jump

Snow hotel in Kirkenes

Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim

Viking ships in the maritime museum in Oslo

National Historical Museum in Oslo

Cities and resorts

The largest Norwegian cities are Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger.

Norway is famous for its great ski resorts. Every winter in Norway there are different championships in skiing. The top ten Norwegian ski resorts include, in our opinion, the following:

1. Trysil (Trisil)
2. Hemsedal (Hemsedal)
3. Hafjell (Hafjell)
4. Geilo (Geilo)
5. Tryvann
6. Norefjell
7. Oppdal (Oppdal)
8. Hovden (Hovden)
9. Kvitfjell (Kvitfjell)
10. Kongsberg (Consberg)

Souvenirs/Shopping

We advise tourists from Norway to bring a real Norwegian wool sweater, toy trolls, modern dishes, wooden kitchen utensils, silverware, ceramics, jerky, brown goat cheese, and Norwegian vodka - aquavit.

Office Hours

Stores open:

Mon-Wed and Fri: 09:00-17.00/18:00
Thu: 09:00-20.00
Sat: 10:00-18.00
Supermarkets are usually open on Mon-Fri from 09:00 to 20.00, and on Sat from 10:00-18.00.

Banks:
Mon-Fri - 08:00-15.30

Most hotels, restaurants and large shops accept major international credit cards.

The Kingdom of Norway occupies the western and northern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula, and covers Jan Mayen Island and the Spitsbergen archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, as well as Bouvet Island, Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land in the Southern Hemisphere. In terms of area, Norway ranks sixth in Europe. However, Norway is sparsely populated and ranks 28th in terms of population. The length of the coast of Norway, including fjords and bays, exceeds 20 thousand kilometers. In the east, Norway borders on Sweden, Finland and Russia, in the north, west and south the country is surrounded by seas. These are the Barents Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the North Sea and the Skagerrak Strait. Only a small part of Norway is suitable for agriculture and forestry, while the country is rich in natural resources, including oil, natural gas, as well as ores, fish, timber and hydroelectric power. These natural resources, as well as the country's proximity to the most important Western European markets and free access to electricity, political stability and high standards of education, have helped Norway become one of the richest countries in the world per capita.
Climate

Norway climate

Although geographically located in the far north, Norway has a remarkably mild climate. Norway is the northernmost country in the world with a non-freezing sea area. This is due to the trade winds that blow from the American continent across the Atlantic Ocean, and warm currents moving from the equator to the Norwegian Sea, where the curve of the coast of Norway and free access to the Arctic Ocean help to direct warm air and water to more northern latitudes. The climate of Norway changes from year to year, especially in the northern part of the country, which is located on the border of the temperate climate zone. The lowest temperature was recorded in the city of Karasjok in northern Norway and was -51°C. The average annual temperature varies from 8° on the West Coast of the country to sub-zero temperatures in the mountains. The coldest months are considered to be January and February, and the warmest time in the interior of the country is mid-July, while in the coastal and mountainous regions the temperature reaches its peak a little later. The high mountain range that separates mainland Norway protects a large area of ​​the eastern part of the country from precipitation, providing this area with a more continental climate. Some of these areas to the east of the mountain ranges have an annual rainfall of less than 300 mm. The greatest amount of precipitation from the sea falls on the West coast of Norway, where in some areas their total maximum amount is 3000 mm per year. The strength and direction of the wind in Norway varies greatly as a result of rapidly moving atmospheric fronts, and therefore the winds in the coastal and mountainous regions of the country are quite strong.
Politic system
The political system in Norway is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democratic system of government. All citizens are eligible to be elected to the Storting (Norwegian National Parliament), county and municipal governments. The government has no right to make decisions without the approval of the Storting. The government, in accordance with the Constitution, receives power from the hands of the King. The King currently has limited political power, but has significant symbolic significance as head of state and official representative of Norwegian society. State power is officially distributed among three authorities: the Storting (legislative power), the Government (executive power) and the court.
The Storting is the highest political authority in the country. Elections to the Storting are held every four years. The government is formed from among its members. The Storting controls the two main instruments of power: the adoption of laws and the approval of the state budget, and also exercises control over the actions of the Government. The Storting consists of 165 elected representatives, each of whom belongs to one party or another. The Storting is a modified unicameral parliament, since in the performance of legislative functions it is divided into two chambers: Odelsting (Odelsting), (3/4), and Lagting (Lagting), (1/4), with equal power. Government bills are first submitted to the Odelsting and then to the Lagting. The Government of Norway performs the functions of the executive power, which are the submission of bills and draft budgets for discussion in the Storting and the implementation of its decisions through the activities of the Ministries. The government is formed by parliament and headed by the prime minister. Formally, the King instructs the leading party to form a government or a workable coalition.
Population
Norway has a population of 4,525,000 with an annual growth of 0.57%. In 1769, according to the first census, 700,000 people were registered in Norway. Norway reached the figure of 1,000,000 in 1822, two million in 1890, three in 1942, four in 1975. In October 2000, the population of Norway exceeded 4.5 million. Calculations showed that by the beginning of 2030 the population in Norway will exceed 5 million people.
As one of the richest countries in the world, Norway is developing according to the idea of ​​creating a welfare state. In 2003, according to the ranking of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Norway ranked first for the third time in a row. Average life expectancy in Norway is 78.7 years (2001 data). The average level of health of the nation is very high, and the death rate among newborns is very low. The percentage of literate people in the country is actually 100%, and almost all citizens have completed secondary education. In Norway, it is almost impossible to meet poor people, and compared to other member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the number of relatively poor people is very small. Norway is characterized by a high level of gross domestic product per capita, and wealth is fairly evenly distributed among citizens. Gender equality is clearly expressed at all social levels. In keeping with the idea of ​​the welfare state, Norway has introduced a system of universal public health care, which is financed by taxpayers, as well as a national universal insurance system, which covers all Norwegian citizens and permanent residents in the country. This system entitles you to a wide range of benefits.
Language
The official language in Norway is Norwegian, a North Germanic language related to Danish and Swedish. The geographical location of Norway and the peculiarities of the settlement of the country contributed to the development of many local and regional dialects, which are still preserved and play a significant role in society. There are two official written versions of Norwegian, Bokmål ("Book Norwegian") and Nynorsk ("New Norwegian"). Bokmål is based on Danish-Norwegian, and developed from written Danish adapted to the dialects of Eastern Norway. Nynorsk was created by the linguist Ivar Osen in the 1850s from the dialects of Western Norway. Bokmål and Nynorsk have received the same official status, however Bokmål is more commonly used in Oslo and other major cities. Nynorsk is used by about 10-15% of the population, mostly on the west coast, but also in government documents, literature, theater, television, and worship.
Currently, about 20 thousand people in Norway consider Sami as their mother tongue. The Sami language belongs to the Finno-Ugric language group, and this language is as old as Norwegian. The language of the Northern Sami was proclaimed the state language on a par with Norwegian in the northern regions of Norway.
Religion
Norway has an official state church based on the evangelical teachings of Luther. But, despite this, all citizens have the right to freedom of religion, in accordance with the amendment to the Constitution of 1964. Nine tenths of native Norwegians practice the state religion. The state church of Norway is the Protestant Church, headed by the King of Norway, and the Royal Family is required to profess Lutheranism. The Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs has all administrative powers, while the Storting is responsible for passing all laws and budgets related to the activities of the church. All bishops and priests are appointed by the government. The supreme church body is the General Synod.
Education in Norway
Norwegian educational policy is based on the principle of universal equal rights to education for all members of society, regardless of their socio-cultural affiliation and place of residence. The main task of educational institutions is not only the introduction of knowledge and instilling cultural skills, but also the satisfaction of social needs and the provision of general welfare. Teaching in Norwegian schools is focused on the individual development of students' abilities and skills. Special education is provided for people with physical or mental disabilities, as well as for those who, due to any circumstances, do not have the opportunity to attend a school with regular teaching. According to the conditions set by Norwegian education policy, special attention must be paid to the needs of those students who belong to a linguistic minority in order to enable them to complete secondary education, continue higher education and get a job. Norway has a single school system based on a common standard. To control the educational standards set by the government, a national curriculum was developed. In Norway, the compulsory educational program involves ten years of education, that is, primary, incomplete secondary and complete secondary education. The higher education system includes educational programs conducted at universities and university institutes. The right to pass such programs are, as a rule, those who have received a complete secondary education. With the exception of a few private universities, all higher education institutions in Norway are public. Public education in Norway is free, including upper secondary education. The State Loan Fund, founded in 1947, provides student loans and living allowances.
Primary and secondary education
There are approximately 3,250 primary and secondary schools in Norway with about 620,000 students. In Norway, there is a ten-year primary and secondary school education. Children start going to school at the age of six. All children and young people should become familiar with the common foundations of culture, knowledge and core values. Since the autumn of 2006, primary and secondary education has been divided into two main levels, primary (grades 1-7) and secondary (grades 8-10). There are large differences between schools in terms of enrollment, ranging from co-educational schools for children of different ages in sparsely populated areas, in which students from different grades study together, to large schools with several hundred students in the largest cities. Some schools provide only primary education, others only secondary education, and others provide full education from grade 1 to grade 10.
The following subjects are taught in primary and secondary schools in Norway: Christianity and religious and moral education, Norwegian language, mathematics, social studies, arts and crafts, science, English, foreign language, music, nutrition and health, physical education. A program for teaching sign language as a first language has been developed for deaf children.
High school education
High school education covers all training in vocational skills and abilities between secondary and higher education. A law passed in 1994 gives everyone between the ages of 16 and 19 the right to a three-year high school education designed to prepare them for higher education programs. Since the autumn of 2006, high school students have been given a choice of the direction of their educational and practical training: sports and physical education, music, dance and drama, discipline by specialty, construction and engineering, design and crafts, electrical engineering, social assistance and health care , media, agriculture, fishing and forestry, catering, services, transport and communications, technology and production.
Higher education institutions
The six universities in Norway are the University of Oslo (the oldest and largest), the University of Bergen, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, the University of Tromsø, the University of Stavanger and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) in Åse. The six specialized institutes are the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration in Bergen and the Oslo-based Norwegian Academy of Music, the Norwegian Higher School of Sports, the Norwegian Higher School of Veterinary Medicine, the Norwegian Higher School of Theology (MF), and the Higher School of Architecture and Design in Oslo. In addition, there are two national institutes of the arts, located respectively in Oslo and Bergen. In addition, many institutions offer training programs for applicants for master's and doctoral degrees. Often, students combine studying at the university with studying at the institute. Norway is one of the first European countries to meet the higher education targets set by the Bologna Process. In addition, Norway implemented a three-year quality reform program in higher education, which was completed in 2003 and aimed, among other things, at increasing student mobility and promoting international cooperation in education. With the introduction of the new degree system, it has become easier for students with full or partial education in Norway to have their diplomas recognized in other countries.
Education at universities and institutes is assessed on a scale of academic credits according to the standard criteria of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). A full academic year is equivalent to 60 credits. Undergraduate and graduate students are graded on a scale from A (excellent) to F (poor), with E being the lowest passing grade. However, some subjects are simply credited.
Lifelong Learning
The Norwegian education system attaches great importance to giving people the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills throughout their lives. In 1976, Norway became the first country in the world to pass an adult education law. Correspondence education is widespread in Norway. Each year, between 20,000 and 30,000 students graduate from courses offered by 13 accredited independent distance learning institutes. With the increased use of computer-based educational programs and e-learning programs, distance learning is becoming essential to meeting Norway's future needs for continuing education and professional development at all levels.
Scientific research in Norway
Approximately 27% of all scientific research in Norway is carried out at universities and institutes. These institutions have a special responsibility for basic research and scientific training, and have recently been given greater responsibility for the commercial exploitation of the inventions made by their employees. There are 13 technology parks in Norway, which are in close contact with universities, institutes and independent research centres. Technoparks play an important role in "building bridges" between research and development institutions and the commercial and industrial sector. Norway has a large number of research institutes, both public and private. They account for nearly 23% of all R&D spending.
International students in Norway
Norwegian higher education institutions are happy to welcome applications from competent students from all over the world. Nearly 10,000 international students are currently registered at this level of the Norwegian educational system. International students can access a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs of study. Some universities and colleges offer specially designed programs for international students. These programs are taught in English and admission does not require permanent residency. International students are defined in the same way as all non-resident students accepted in Norway. There are three categories of international students: self-financed students; exchange students; students participating in various scholarship programs. Eligibility for an exchange or fellowship program is usually determined on the basis of a national and bilateral regional agreement and the fulfillment of minimum requirements. Participation in a number of funded programs is restricted to applicants from certain countries. All international applicants must fulfill the same basic requirements as Norwegian students. These requirements vary depending on the country in which the candidate completed their primary and secondary education. Applicants are usually required to have completed secondary education. In addition, there are special entry requirements for programs in certain subjects. In some cases, special abilities or professional experience may qualify for admission to a study program. Currently, the following degrees can be obtained at Norwegian universities and university colleges: bachelor's degree (three years); master's degree (two years); PhD (three years). In some subjects, students will be admitted to a five-year course of a single degree (master's degree). Certain professional programs, such as medicine, philosophy, and theology, will continue to follow the degree program, which takes four to six years. All Norwegian universities require a good knowledge of English. International students who are not native English speakers must document their knowledge. Foreign students accepted for a bachelor's degree must complete a preparatory Norwegian language course before they start the main course, in cases where they cannot document good knowledge of the Norwegian language.
There are no tuition fees in higher education in Norway, although fees are sometimes required for some vocational education programmes, special education and private educational institutions. Payment for housing is provided only to foreign students accepted under separate scholarship programs. Self-funded students must provide proof that they possess a minimum of NOK 80,000.
Story
9000 BC - 8000 BC Earliest settlements.
8000 BC - 4000 BC Old Stone Age (Palaeolithic): hunters and fishermen, rock carvings.
4000 BC - 1500 BC New Stone Age (Neolithic): early agriculture, livestock.
1500 BC - 500 BC Bronze Age: farming implements, jewelry, glass, weapons 500 BC - 800 AD Iron Age: iron plows and scythes.
800 AD - 1050 AD Viking Age: boats, trade and raids, runic writing, discovery of new countries, Leif Eriksson discovers America.
900 AD Norway becomes a single kingdom.
1030 Introduction of Christianity to Norway.
1130 Beginning of the High Middle Ages: population growth, consolidation of both royal and ecclesiastical power.
1100 - 1200 Monarchy controls church, abolition of slavery.
1350 Plague (the Black Death) reduces the population by almost two-thirds.
1380 - 1536 Union with Denmark through marriages between members of the royal families. 1536 Norwegian kingdom loses its independence.
1814 Adoption of the Norwegian Constitution based on the Declaration of Independence. 1814 - 1905 Union with Sweden.
1905 End of the union. Haakon VII becomes king of Norway.
1913 Norway is one of the first countries in the world to grant women the universal right to vote.
1914 Norway, Sweden and Denmark take a position of neutrality in the First World War.
1920 Norway joins the League of Nations.
1929 Norway suffers significant losses as a result of the worldwide economic depression.
1939 World War II begins. Norway takes a position of neutrality.
1940 German troops invade Norway on 9 April. A government-in-exile is formed in London. Vidkun Quisling declares himself Prime Minister of Norway.
1945 The German army surrenders on 8 May. Quisling was shot on charges of treason. Norway becomes one of the founding members of the UN.
1949 Norway joins NATO.
1957 Death of King Haakon VII. King Olav V takes the throne.
1959 Norway becomes a founding member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Late 1960s Oil is discovered in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.
1970 Start of development of oil and gas fields. In the early 1980s, oil and gas will account for almost a third of Norwegian exports.
1972 In a referendum, the people of Norway reject the offer of the Workers' Party-led government to join the EEC. The government is resigning. 1973 Norway signs a free trade agreement with the European Economic Community (EEC).
1981 Gro Harlem Brundtland becomes the first female Prime Minister of Norway.
1986 The International Commission on Whaling imposes a temporary ban on whaling. Norway opposes the ban.
1991 Death of King Haakon VII. King Olav V takes the throne.
1994 In a referendum, Norwegians again refuse to join the European Union.
1995 Norway becomes the world's second largest oil exporter after Saudi Arabia.
Economy
The Norwegian economy is a capitalist market economy with a strong state participation. The development of industry in Norway was mainly carried out according to the laws of private property, however, some types of industrial activities are owned by the state, which allows us to classify the Norwegian economy as a combination of market and planned economy. The industrial sector is mostly privately owned, but at the same time, the state is the owner of such major corporations as Statoil and Norsk Hydro. Statoil (the state oil company) dominates the oil industry on the Norwegian continental shelf, marketing and exporting oil. Agriculture and fishing are owned by private companies, with the exception of 10% of forest land, which is in the hands of the state. In the banking sector, there are state banks for the most important industries (agriculture, fishing and heavy industry), for the needs of municipalities, regional development, housing improvement and education. The state owns a significant part of the hydro and power plants. Although the state has a monopoly on railroads and postal services, more freedom has been given to state-owned companies, which in turn has created a competitive environment. Norway is a highly developed, industrial country characterized by an open, export-oriented economy. Large-scale trade and contacts with other countries provided the Norwegian industry with the basis for the development of the economy. Norway is not a member of the European Union (EU), but it is part of the European common market as a member of the European Economic Area agreement between the EU countries and the European Free Trade Association. Within one century, Norway has evolved from a quiet agrarian society to a dynamic, high-tech nation with a top position in the global economy. It is one of the world's largest oil exporters and is one of the world leaders in such industries as aquaculture, marine industries, construction of hydraulic structures, ecology, energy, technology and telecommunications.
The Norwegian economy has always depended on the country's vast natural resources. Since the Middle Ages, Norway has been exporting timber, fish, minerals and other goods. At the beginning of the XX century. the country began to use the energy of waterfalls in such energy-intensive industries as the metallurgical, chemical and paper industries. The sea has always played a vital role in the Norwegian economy. The maritime transport of raw materials laid the foundation for Norway's role as a leading maritime power in today's international arena. These maritime traditions, in turn, have provided the framework for the development of the modern maritime industries of the Norwegian economy, such as oil and gas exploration, shipbuilding and mining, and seafood processing. Recently, the role of tourism has increased as one of the fastest growing industries in the country. In the future, the development of the regions of the Far North (the Barents Sea region, the Northern Shelf, Svalbard and the Arctic) will begin to acquire particular importance in terms of oil exploration, marine biology, Arctic geology, fish resources, climate research, as well as the general development of these territories.
In just a few decades, Norway has evolved from a resource-based economy to a high-tech society. Norwegian companies are working on the development of efficient, environmentally friendly and high-tech methods in order to increase the productivity of the industry and improve skills. The priority of research and innovation activities and joint ventures with foreign companies has contributed to the accumulation of national experience and knowledge in new areas, including software and communication technologies, space and engineering industries and biotechnology. The information and communication technology (ICT) industry is the newest national flagship. Information and communication technology is currently the second largest industry in Norway in terms of product sales. Norwegian companies have also made revolutionary attempts in the field of telemedicine and distance learning. Innovative finds in this industry, applied in the public sector, will soon enter the international market.
Norway exports almost 40% of its goods and services, while imports account for a solid third of the country's GNP. The main market is the Nordic countries and Europe, although individual products such as oil, gas, minerals and seafood are successfully sold all over the world. Norway is not a member of the European Union, but its membership in the European Economic Area gives it full access to the EU internal market. Currently, trade with the EU is ¾ of the total.
Norway is a leading maritime power that has gained international prestige for its rich experience in the field of maritime transport and for its ability to develop new niches in the world market. The Norwegian maritime economy comprises a highly developed network of shipping and aquaculture industries providing an ever-increasing variety of goods and services. The Norwegian shipbuilding industry brings together more than 50 small and large shipyards, technically equipped and able to withstand competition on the world stage. The industry focuses on ship repair and the construction of specialized vessels, including ro-ro ships, chemical tankers, advanced fishing vessels, fast catamarans and earthquake resistant vessels. Norwegian shipbuilding developed against the background of the constant growth of the Norwegian fleet. The country's shipbuilding factories offer a wide range of first-class products - from deck winches and ship signaling systems to advanced electronic systems that ensure cargo transportation and ship stability. Special equipment for ships intended for fishing in coastal areas and in the depths of the sea occupies another important niche. Robust modern fishing equipment (such as purse nets, motorized winches, cranes and fish loading equipment, and modern navigation systems) enables anglers to efficiently locate and catch fish and transport their catch. For the past three decades, Norwegian aquaculture has been at the forefront of global development. The country has accumulated rich experience in the production of equipment for fish rearing (including feeding and breeding), monitoring and various production technologies in the field of fish processing.
Oil and gas activities are of great importance for Norway. This sector provides one third of government revenues (according to (2005). Almost 80 thousand people work in this industry, many work in industries related to oil and gas production. Norway ranks third in the world among exporters of oil and gas. At the moment Less than a third of Norway's proven hydrocarbon reserves have been produced.During 40 years of offshore oil and gas production in the most difficult natural conditions, Norway has accumulated the knowledge and skills that allow us to extract hydrocarbon resources in the most efficient and safe way.The priority of Norwegian energy policy has always been the acquisition of advanced experience in oil and gas production Norway is a world leader in safety technology for oil and gas production.It is extremely important to work on the shelf in a way that does not harm the environment.An important step in this direction is the establishment of a system to prevent emissions.
Norway is a major global supplier of such metals as aluminium, magnesium and ferroalloys, as well as one of the world's largest producers and exporters of primary aluminium. Aluminum alloys are widely used in construction, transport, and packaging. Ferroalloys such as ferrosilicon, ferromanganese and ferrochromium are used in steel production. Norway also produces silicone, zinc, nickel and copper.
Created by Norsk Hydro, the first large-scale hydropower complex in Norway was put into operation in 1907. The largest power complex in Europe at that time was intended to supply electricity to the production of agricultural fertilizers. Currently, Norsk Hydro is the leading European supplier of nitrate and complex fertilizers, urea and saltpeter. Norway is also a source of vinyl chloride monomer and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which are used as raw materials for the production of synthetic paints.
The combination of rich forest resources and affordable hydropower has also given Norway a leading role in the global pulp and paper market. Approximately 90% of pulp and paper produced in the country is exported. Norwegian mills produce a variety of pulps, including short and long staple sulphate pulp, which is an important component of newsprint and magazine paper.
Environmental pollution from the Norwegian processing industry has led to the introduction of a number of "green taxes", which are designed to ensure the production of environmentally friendly products. Over the past ten years, the production of harmful substances has decreased by 90%, and the production of greenhouse gas - by about 10%.
Thanks to the fjords and sea areas, Norway has the opportunity to use the rich marine resources. Their wealth has become an important part of the coastal economy. Breeding, biotechnology, premium food production and logistics are some of the key concepts behind the important and profitable projects associated with the use of marine resources. Approximately 10,000 fishing vessels are registered in Norway, 1,000 of which fish all year round. Norway is the largest supplier of fish and fish products to Europe. Over the past decade, supply revenues have doubled to more than 30 billion crowns. 95% of products are exported in the form of more than 2 thousand different types to 150 countries of the world. Approximately 30 thousand people are involved in various areas of the fishing industry. The volume of farmed fish and crustaceans is about 600 thousand tons.
Norway is the world's sixth largest producer of hydroelectric power. The topographic features of the country and the hydrological state determine the concentration of precipitation in the western regions of the country, which in turn leads to the release of huge water masses through waterfalls and rivers. A large number of natural lakes and waters at high altitudes in sparsely populated or uninhabited mountain areas made it possible to build several dams and reservoirs to store water obtained in spring, summer and autumn, for further use in the following winter. Another equally important resource in the domestic energy consumption system is oil from the Norwegian continental shelf. In addition to hydropower, Norway's renewable energy resources include wave, solar, wind and biomass energy. These alternative energy sources can provide about 20 billion square meters per hour. Norway has opportunities to use wind energy, especially in coastal areas, but the cost of equipment is still extremely high. Electricity trade between Norway and other countries takes place with the assistance of Nordel and Nord Pool, the Scandinavian electricity exchange system.
Tourism
Norway offers you a wide variety of holiday opportunities. When visiting the country as a tourist, you can choose from a wide range of attractions, from folk museums to unique natural sites. No matter what field you are interested in - history, geology, flora or fauna - you will find the opportunity to broaden your horizons during your stay in Norway. Variety will give you the freedom to choose the best way to spend your holiday. Among the main attractions are Viking museums, majestic fjords, magnificent waterfalls, the Sami culture of the Norwegian North, medieval wooden churches and much more. Norway also has some of the best chefs in the world. Of particular interest is the culture of the coast, which contrasts intriguingly with the urban life of the