FJORD LANDSCAPES
Huge glaciers from the Ice Age have shaped Norway and especially its incomparable fjords. The Norwegian word is also used elsewhere for these long, narrow estuaries, but nowhere are they more beautiful than here. Some of the largest glaciers in Europe still cover extensive plateaus and mountain ranges in the country and stretch their tongues into the depths, where they form countless blue meltwater lakes.
LAND OF WATER
Short NO for abbreviationfinder, Norway offers its visitors an awe-inspiring landscape; in some places ships can travel up to 160 km up the fjords. Between dizzying cliffs, on which small farms are enthroned, fishing boats chug over the waves and in the background mighty snow peaks watch over the entire scene.
Proud residents
The Norwegians are ardent patriots – perhaps because they were deprived of their independence for so long. The approximately 5 million residents also have every reason to be proud of their magnificent home. The country extends 2800 km from north to south, not counting the remote Svalbard archipelago (Spitzbergen) in the Arctic Ocean; this makes Norway the longest nation in Europe according to by countryaah. However, if one were to walk along the winding coastline with all its incisions, one would come to an astonishing 23,000 km, and that does not include the 150,000 large and small islands.
Prospering cities
Oslo is the quietest of the three Scandinavian metropolises, but still offers a wide range of sights – from old Viking ships to modern art. The city looks clean, not overcrowded and prosperous. Cheerful, colorful Stavanger is the bustling headquarters of the offshore North Sea oil industry. Bergen, the former capital and Hanseatic trading port, is also involved in the oil business and attracts many tourists who explore the western fjords from here. Many cruise ships stop in Bergen.
Along the coast
On your journey you will be lured higher and higher to the north by geographical attractions: Crossing the Arctic Circle is a special experience, soon to be followed by the Lofoten Islands, the sheer cliffs of the Northern Cape and finally the Russian border. The picturesque harbor towns line the coast. They are protected from the rough seas by offshore islands or are hidden at the end of a long fjord. Lonely fishing villages with neat, brightly painted houses add colorful accents to the landscape. In the local shops you can find the latest fashion, DVDs, offers for package tours to the Canary Islands – and of course the latest in satellite navigation equipment and mobile phones. In the endeavor To keep the country together (and to make people want to stay in the remote areas), the government has invested huge sums of money in the infrastructure, especially in northern Norway. Bridges or tunnels connect almost all of the larger islands to the mainland. Every small port and the loneliest settlement have access to the main road network. They also try to keep the roads open in winter. Even in small villages, airfields ensure daily connections to the outside world. The most comfortable way to explore the coast and islands is with the Hurtigruten ships. On land, the main road runs through wild rock and moorland, which are often snow-covered after the start of summer and become swampy as soon as the thaw sets in. In summer the reindeer graze on the colorful carpet made of lichen and moss. Several towns and villages are arguing for the title of “northernmost place”, but this is due to Longyearbyen on Svalbard (Spitzbergen). The archipelago is halfway between Northern Norway and the North Pole. Here, in the realm of polar bears, the sun does not set for four months in summer. But even the winter darkness is not pitch black: the moon and stars shine supernaturally bright and bathe snow-covered mountains and plains in a pale light. On a clear night you can see the fascinating northern lights. But even the winter darkness is not pitch black: the moon and stars shine supernaturally bright and bathe snow-covered mountains and plains in a pale light. On a clear night you can see the fascinating northern lights. But even the winter darkness is not pitch black: the moon and stars shine supernaturally bright and bathe snow-covered mountains and plains in a pale light. On a clear night you can see the fascinating northern lights.
NATURAL RESERVE
In Norway and especially in the arctic parts of the country, environmental protection is very important. It is forbidden to collect endangered plants and animals and their products, to damage them or to bring them out of the country. Driving off the normal roads with motorized vehicles is prohibited. If possible, only hike on marked paths, even if everyone’s right applies. Many companies in Scandinavia have decided to work particularly ecologically, starting with the food, whereby emphasis is placed on local ingredients. Waste minimization and sorting are further keywords. We hope for your support in order to preserve flora and fauna and the unique natural landscapes in their origins.