Norway is a beautiful country located in Scandinavia. While it is known for its stunning landscapes and pristine environment, there are many other interesting things about Norway that often go unnoticed.
Norway is a stunning country located in the far north of Europe. Although it’s a small nation, it has plenty to offer visitors. From its unique landscapes and culture to its delicious food and outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful country.
What is Norway known for? Norway is known for a lot of things – its breathtaking landscapes, its abundance of oil and gas reserves, skiing and its thriving economy, to name a few. But what many people don’t know is that Norway is also home to some of the world’s most unique tourist attractions.
Here are 15 things that Norway is known for.
1. Oslo
Oslo is Norway’s capital. It also happens to be the most populated city in Norway, with over 600 000 inhabitants. Oslo is home to many companies and institutions including the oil industry, commercial banks and international corporations. The city has several pristine beaches along its coast, surrounded by lush forests for those who like to explore outside of town.
2. Fjords
With over 200 000 km of coastline, Norway is no stranger to fjords. There are several different types of fjords around the country, including saltwater and freshwater fjords. They are formed when glaciers retreat and cut into the land where bodies of water used to be. Some can stretch inland for nearly 100 kilometers!
3. Trolltunga
This is one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions. Trolltunga is a piece of rock that hangs out over a vertical cliff, about 700 meters above the valley floor. It’s a challenging hike to get there, but the views are well worth it.
4. Voss Water
Voss Water isn’t just famous in Norway – it’s also very popular throughout Europe! This bottled water comes from the Voss region in western Norway and is known for its high quality and refreshing taste. It’s often called the “champagne of waters” and has even been awarded several gold medals.
5. The Northern Lights
The Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, are a natural phenomenon that can be seen in the night sky over Norway. These colorful lights are caused by the interaction of particles from the sun with the Earth’s atmosphere and can be seen throughout Scandinavia, Alaska and Canada.
6. The Sami People
The Sami people are an indigenous group that inhabits northern Europe, including parts of Norway. They are traditionally known for their reindeer husbandry and have unique cultural traditions.
7. Nordkapp
Nordkapp is one of Norway’s most northern points. During the summer solstice, you can see the midnight sun from here – all 71 days of it! Due to its location at the tip of the arctic circle, this spot is also 24 hours above mean sea level during winter – so if you’re looking to escape all seasons, this might be your ideal destination!
8. The Norwegian coastline
Norway is known for its stunningly beautiful coastline. With its rocky cliffs, picturesque villages and crystal clear water, it’s no wonder why this coastline is such a popular destination for tourists.
9. The Midnight Sun
The Midnight Sun refers to the phenomenon where the sun remains visible in the sky for 24 hours during summer solstice. In Norway, you can experience this natural phenomenon in the far north of the country – up near the Arctic Circle.
10. Salmon
Norwegian salmon is some of the best in the world. This pink fish is a popular ingredient in many dishes, and can be found in supermarkets and restaurants around the country.
One of the most famous dishes in Norway is salmon – which you’ll find at every dinner table during the summer months. Salmon has been an important part of Norwegian cuisine since Viking times and can be found preserved or fresh today.
11. The Lofoten Islands
The Lofoten Islands are a group of islands located off the coast of Northern Norway. These islands are known for their dramatic landscapes, with jagged peaks, steep cliffs and white sand beaches. They are also home to a small indigenous population known as the Lofoten Vikings.
12. Jostedalsbreen
Jostedalsbreen is the largest glacier in Europe. It covers an area of about 1,550 square kilometers and has a volume that is estimated to be about 3 gigatonnes of ice. Jostedalsbreen’s name comes from its location on the border between two municipalities: Jølster and Gloppen.
The glacier is wide enough for one person to walk across it without touching either side, making it seem like they are walking on water. Jostedalsbreens’ name comes from its location on the border between two municipalities: Jølster and Gloppen.
13. Arctic Animals
One of the things that makes Norway so unique is the arctic animals that live there. There are two wild predators in Norway – Arctic foxes, and wolves. These two often come into conflict with each other as they compete for food and territory.
The Norwegian government has created a law to protect game species like deer, elk, wild boar, hare, ptarmigan and grouse. There are also endangered species of crustaceans including crustaceans such as Atlantic salmon and shrimp.
14. Bergen
Bergen is one of Norway’s most popular cities – situated on the west coast of Norway, it offers stunning views as well as an abundance of quality restaurants and outdoor activities (it even has skiing facilities).
There are plenty of art galleries and museums where visitors can admire the brilliant works of local artists. For families looking for fun things to do in Bergen, there’s always a children’s festival or carnival going on.
15. The Norwegian Languages
Norway has two official languages – Norwegian and Sami. These are both North Germanic languages, closely related to each other and Danish – so if you speak one of these three languages, you’ll be able to hold a conversation in the other two!
Norwegian is spoken by over 5 million people worldwide, with between 1-2 million speakers in Norway itself. It’s an important trade language in Northern Europe due to its proximity to Sweden, Denmark and Russia. Sami is spoken by an estimated 40 thousand people in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.
Read more: What is Sweden known for?
Final words
These are just a few of the things that make Norway such an interesting place to visit! There’s something for everyone in this Nordic country – from dramatic landscapes to delicious food, you’re sure to have a memorable holiday. So what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Norway today!
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