More About Norway
More About Norway
Oslo is a vibrant cosmopolitan city that delights visitors with its array of exquisite buildings, exotic eateries, excellent infrastructure, malls and bars, cafés and cuisine, and bustling commercial activity. Prominent among its many museums and art galleries are the Folk Museum, Munch Museum, Viking Ships and the Vigeland Park featuring modern sculptures. The cathedral as well as the royal palace in the city give a glimpse of the bygone days of Norway’s glory.
Enthralling fjords deeply set in the coastline, scintillating water-falls, tiny villages and panoramic landscape are the main attractions in South-Western Norway. Located here is Bergen, a historical city established in 1070. Second only to Oslo, Bergen is noted for its open-air museum, stylish wooden buildings and an attractive harbour, among other things. Two stunning lakes are a cynosure in this region–Hornindal Lake, reputed to be the deepest in the whole of Europe, and Skarvatnet Lake that teems with big-sized goldfish. When you are at Steinsdalen, don’t miss the mystical sights of the cascading waterfall.
If you are a connoisseur of classical architecture and historical monuments, a visit to the Central Norway region is a must. Here you will find one of the largest and oldest (1200) churches in Heddal, as also the Stave church at Lom that has an interesting museum (1100) to boot. Don’t miss a visit to the musty old village of Aurland, and to a well-preserved church (1150) in Urnes. For entertainment and recreation drop in at the gaming farm in Langedrag or the Bo Sommarland close to Selfjord.
Enjoy leisurely days at the warm and friendly villages and towns of Southern Norway. Kids will especially find the Kongeparken charming and full of thrills. A giant model of the famously known novel character Gulliver is a huge attraction here, not to speak of a variety of joy rides and entertainment. Blooming fruit gardens, garish white painted houses made of wood, cobbled streets, churches and cathedrals–these and many more sights are a sure draw in the musty old villages and medieval towns of the South. Of special note is the town of Kristiansand established by King Christian IV. Among others, the villages of Farsund, Flekkerfjord and Mandal and the 12th century town of Stavanger are not to be missed.
South-Eastern Norway is a veritable treasure house, particularly for kids. Chief among them are the Vikinglandet theme park and the Playland located in Hunderfosson. The former is a magic land that transports you back to the hoary ages of the Vikings. Playland features a massive troll, perhaps the largest known in the world. Another must-go location is Hunn, the sprawling archaelogical treasure house in the whole of Norway. If you prefer something more contemporary, go out and explore the Winter Olympics (1994) township of Lillehammer. Or take a close look at the 17th century garrison town of Fredrikstad. A visit to the mining town of Kongsberg is also worthwhile.
Norwegians trace their origins to the Teutonic race, much akin to the Danish and Swedish people. From the 8th to 11th centuries, the Norsemen, also called Vikings, went on a conquering spree in north-western Europe. Their first king, Olaf II Haraldsson, converted many Norwegians to Christianity. Danish kings ruled Norway from 1442 to 1814. After unification with Sweden, it gained independence to some extent. In 1905 the parliament of Norway negotiated a peaceful separation from Sweden.
The Germans invaded Norway during World War II in 1940. King Haakon fled to London and set up a government in exile. The later part of the 20th century saw minority governments alternating in power between the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. Norway has shown tremendous growth in economic development and in 1995 emerged as the second largest oil exporter in the world.
