Norway
Located in northern Europe, Norway is surrounded by the North Sea to its south, the Norwegian Sea to its west and north and Finland, Sweden and Russia to its east. Although Norway lies on the outskirts of Europe, it is not a member of The European Union. It is a leader in waste management with what is claimed to be the most efficient recycling plant on the planet, located in Skedsmokorset near the city of Oslo.
Norway is a country with a rich history that includes Vikings, adventurers, tradesmen, artists and kings. The Vikings were fierce warriors, which enabled them to conquer many lands. They were also clever businessmen, skilled sailors, talented metalsmiths, woodworkers and amazing storytellers. Because of their sailing skills and sturdy ships, they traveled to and explored places like Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland and even North America. Vikings are credited with founding Dublin, Ireland, and Normandy, France. Many credit Vikings with inventing the comb – they made them out of antlers. They are also thought to be the first to use the magnetic compass.
Here are some interesting facts about Norway:
- It is more than twice the size of Georgia, just slightly larger than New Mexico.
- Oslo is the capital of Norway.
- The landscape is a combination of rugged mountains, fertile valleys and plains with a coastline with many fjords. The north is arctic tundra.
- 27 percent of the land is forest.
- Most people live in the south where it is warmer.
- Norway has one active volcano: Beerenberg on Jan Mayen Island in the Norwegian Sea.
- There are approximately 5,320,000 people living in Norway.
- People from Norway are called Norwegians.
- Norway has two official languages: Bokmal Norwegian and Nynorsk Norwegian. Sami and Finnish are also common languages in Norway.
- Norway has many natural resources, including oil and gas, hydropower, fish, forests and minerals.
- Norway is the second-largest seafood exporter in the world. China is the largest.
Sources:
https://www.historyonthenet.com/viking-literature-stories-sagas-and-myths/
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/no.html
https://www.visitnorway.com/things-to-do/art-culture/vikings/
http://www.goodnet.org/articles/norway-now-has-most-efficient-recycling-plant-on-earth
http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/6-things-we-owe-to-the-vikings
https://www.livescience.com/44366-vikings-sun-compass-after-sunset.html