Norway: “The Northern Way”

1. Norway: “The Northern Way” Presentation by Shyanne Solivan

2. Land and Climate • Covers a total of 125,023 square miles; slightly larger than New Mexico. It’s coastline is approximately 1,000 miles long. • Fjords are a major feature of the coastline, with numerous islands scattered throughout. • Very cold climate; one of the most sparsely populated European nations, with only 3% of country being inhabitable. Norwegian Fjord

3. History • Initially inhabited by Vikings. The first known leader was Harald the Fairhead, who ruled around 872. • By 1030, Christianity was already making an impact. • Ruled by Danish from 1381 to 1814, when it was signed over to Sweden by a Peace Treaty agreement. • Eventually declared independence through the writing of its Constitution, however Norwegians continued to recognize the Swedish monarchy as the supreme ruler until 1905. • Involved in World War II, but not in World War I; it became temporarily occupied by the Germans in the former. • Currently a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Economic Area (EEA), but has so far refused to join the European Union (EU).

4. People • Total population of about 4.6 million; one of the smallest European populations. Grows very slowly every year, by about .33 percent. • Primary language is Norwegian, which is of Germanic descent. Two forms of Norwegian are spoken, the more common one being Bokmål and the second being Nynorsk. English is also generally taught around age seven and is considered the country’s second language. • The official state church, the Church of Norway, is traditionally Evangelical Lutheran, however freedom of religion is supported. Less than half the population actively participates in church activities, with visits reserved for special holidays. Norwegian Cathedral

5. Lifestyle • Families are generally small, with a mother, father, and two children being the average. • Both parents generally work outside the home, and both receive generous maternity/paternity leave when a child is born. Government aids in funding a child’s life until 18 years of age. • Typically, families restore older houses rather than buying new ones, though new houses are becoming trendy in recent years. Many Norwegians enjoy decorative houses, given that the majority of the winter months will be spent there. • Dating is normally encouraged in the early teens, with common activities including dancing, movies, and outdoor activities, such as skiing. Marriage is optional, with some couples preferring to live together without marrying. • On average, about 50% of marriages end in divorce.

6. Society • Governed by a monarchy, with the king holding only limited power (heads the military and also serves as a symbol for national stability). The monarch’s first born child, as of a change to the Constitution in 1990, takes control of the throne, regardless of gender. • The Prime Minister is decided as the leader of the dominant party in Parliament. • All citizens gain the right to vote at 18 years of age. • Norway has a strong economy as well as one of the strongest living standards worldwide. They export a large number of resources, including natural gas, oil, aluminum, and technology. • Free healthcare is provided for all citizens, though some fees do apply on medication and procedures.

7. Education • Free education is provided for all students, regardless of level. This includes secondary schooling as well as colleges and universities. • All children between the ages of six and sixteen are required to attend school, with two more years provided as optional. The latter two years do not have an age limit, though the majority of attendees are ages sixteen to eighteen. Further education is provided with universities. • Many universities are crowded, so citizens often seek schooling outside of the country, with generous aid provided by their motherland. Norwegian University of Science and Technology

8. Customs and Holidays • Generally places importance on courtesy, with the people being friendly and willing to offer handshakes after a meeting. However, only close friends refer to each other by first names; most acquaintances, save the younger generation, greet each other using last names as a sign of respect. • Visiting is not uncommon, with hospitality being the rule when one’s house receives a guest. Refreshments are always offered by the host, and it is considered rude for the guest to refuse. Many guests bring gifts, such as flowers, when visiting a house for the first time. Private topics, such as finances and social status are avoided. • National holidays include: New Year’s Day, Easter (Thurs. to Mon.), Labor Day (May 1st), Constitution Day (May 17th), and Christmas (Dec. 24th-26th).

9. Diet • Breakfast and lunch are fairly simple, usually consisting of an open-faced sandwich and coffee or milk. • Dinner is more extravagant, usually including meat or fish, potatoes, other vegetables, and soup. Dessert is often served immediately after the main course. • Norwegian specialties include dishes which serve native fish, like salmon or cod, and mutton. Vegetables are a staple served with every meal. Open-Faced Sandwiches

10. Leisure • The majority of Norwegians enjoy physically active lifestyles. Common activities include skiing and fishing, including summer activities, such as hiking, swimming, soccer, and boating. Reading is also commonly enjoyed by Norwegians. • Numerous styles of art are widely appreciated in Norway, including, but not limited to, theater, music (predominately folk music), dancing, mural painting, and contemporary arts. Some famous artists were from the country, including Edvard Munch. The Scream by Edvard Munch

11. Citations • "Norway." CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest, 2011. Web. 25 Feb 2011. • Pictures courtesy of www.wikipedia.org.