1. Home of the Happiest People
The United Nations frequently ranks Norway as the best country to live in, primarily based on average levels of education and income, combined with life expectancy. However, another factor is that Norway has a large sense of well-being, which translates into happiness.
2. Land of the Midnight Sun
In the northern parts of Norway, you can experience the phenomenon of the "midnight sun." From late May to late July, the sun never completely drops below the horizon. This results in almost 24 hours of daylight – a striking difference to the dark Polar nights of the winter.
3. The World’s Longest Road Tunnel
The Lærdal Tunnel in Norway is the world’s longest road tunnel at an astonishing 24.5 km (15.23 miles) long. It's designed to be safe and comfortable to drive through - to prevent drivers from experiencing fatigue, the tunnel is divided into four sections separated by three large mountain caves.
4. Pioneer in Equal Rights
Norway pioneered equal rights in many aspects. It was one of the first countries in the world to give women the right to vote. Furthermore, it has a better record of gender equality than most countries, ranking third out of 144 countries in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index in 2020.
5. The Land of Fjords
Norway is known for its impressive fjords, two of which, the Geiranger fjord and the Nærøy fjord, feature on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The longest fjord in Norway is the Sognefjord, which stretches an impressive 205 kilometers.
6. They Have a 'Slow TV'
Norway started a strange new trend of 'slow TV' where hours and hours of seemingly dull activities like a seven-hour train journey or a day's salmon fishing are broadcast live, becoming surprisingly popular.
7. The Capital of Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held every year in Oslo, Norway. It’s the only Nobel Prize that's presented outside Stockholm, Sweden. The award recognises entities and individuals who've made significant contributions to world peace.
8. Home to Viking Heritage
Norway was once the home to the fierce Viking warriors. Numerous museums around the country, like the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, are dedicated to their sea-faring predecessors.
9. Oil-Driven Prosperity
Norway is one of the world's leading oil and gas producers. The discovery of offshore oil in the late 1960s transformed its economy. Norway chose to invest its oil revenues into a sovereign wealth fund. Today, the Government Pension Fund of Norway is over $1 trillion, making it the world's largest!
10. Environmental Consciousness
Norway is among the world's leading countries in environmental sustainability. It frequently comes at the top of rankings for electric vehicle usage - nearly 60% of new cars sold in 2020 were electric.
11. Moose Traffic System
Norway takes its wildlife, especially its moose population, seriously, creating the first known "moose detection system" for motorists and establishing several "moose warning" signs.
12. Norway’s Rich Folklore
Norway has a rich tradition of folklore, which includes the famous fairy tale characters, trolls. They're believed to live in hidden places, only venture out at night and turn to stone when exposed to sunlight.
13. Love of Skiing
Norway is often referred to as the 'cradle of skiing'. Norwegians are passionate about their winter sports. This love affair with skiing is so strong that they've won more Winter Olympic medals than any other country!
14. Home of the Northern Lights
Norway is one of the best places in the world to witness the natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, particularly between October and March.
15. Dig here for Trolls
Norwegian road signs in areas of outstanding natural beauty often carry an extra sub-sign saying 'Trollaktiv', indicating that it's a site where trolls have been sighted.
16. The Popular Brown Cheese
The Norwegians have their own take on cheese, or brunost (brown cheese). This caramel-like cheese is deliciously sweet, with a distinctive fudgy texture, making it popular among the locals.
17. Land of a Hundred Names for Snow
As a country with a heavy Winter snowfall, Norway supposedly has over 100 words for snow, each describing different types, conditions, and qualities of snow.
18. The Burger King's “No Whopper” Zone
In 2019, a Burger King in Norway with a unique sign became famous, simply stating: “No Whopper Zone,” as a marketing strategy to entice customers.
19. Christmas Tree Gift to the UK
Norway sends a Christmas tree to the UK every year as a token of gratitude for the British assistance during World War II. The tree is set up in Trafalgar Square and decorated in traditional Norwegian fashion.
20. Not a Member of the European Union
Despite being in Europe, Norway isn’t a member of the European Union. It has twice rejected the proposition in a referendum, once in 1972 and then again in 1994. However, it maintains close ties to the Union through membership in the European Economic Area.