Norway

Norway is a long, narrow country in northern Europe. It has stunning fjords, which are deep waterways carved by glaciers. Norway was once home to the Vikings. Today it is one of the happiest and richest countries in the world.

Land and People

About 5.5 million people live in Norway. The capital is Oslo. The coastline is full of deep fjords and thousands of islands. In the far north, you can see the midnight sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter.

Very old writing telling stories about Viking travelers.
Very old writing telling stories about Viking travelers. (B. Thorpe / Wikimedia Commons)

Culture and Fun Facts

Norwegians love outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, and fishing. The Vikings came from Norway over 1,000 years ago and explored far across the seas. Norwegians eat brunost, a sweet brown cheese. Cross-country skiing is almost like a national pastime.

Fun Facts

  • Norway's coastline is so jagged with fjords that if you straightened it out, it would reach halfway around the world.
  • Vikings from Norway reached North America about 500 years before Columbus.
  • Norway has the longest road tunnel in the world at over 15 miles.

Did You Know?

Vikings from Norway sailed all the way to North America around the year 1000, about 500 years before Christopher Columbus. A Viking named Leif Erikson landed in what is now Canada. The remains of a Viking village were found in Newfoundland.