Norway is a northern European country lying on the western part of the Scandinavian peninsula. It borders with Sweden, Finland and Russia. The Kingdom also includes the Arctic archipelago of Spitsberge and the island of Jan Mayen.
This beautiful country stretches to the very north of the European continent. 61.1% of the territory consists of mountains, 4.8% consists of lakes and rivers, 1.4 perpetual snow and ice and 21.3% of the territory is under forests. The coast of Norway is furrowed by narrow sea bays called fjords. They form natural harbors protected from storms. Although in the far north, coastal Norway has a fairly mild climate thanks to the Gulf Stream.
Due to its many natural attractions such as fjords, endless shores, waterfalls, crystal rivers and lakes, Norway is a favorite tourist destination. It abounds in interesting places and cities that are a combination of culture, history and modern lifestyle. Thousands of unpolluted rivers and lakes provide excellent opportunities for fishing and enjoyment in the wildest parts of Europe.
The capital of Norway is Oslo, the modern Norwegian capital with a population of about 1 million. In general, over 50% of Norway citizens live in the cities. It is the cultural and political center of Norway and one of the most beautiful cities in northern Europe. The city was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century, and experienced its development only in the 18th century. It is located in the fjord of the same name, which is over 100 km long and ends in the Skagerrak of the Baltic Sea.
Oslo abounds in interesting destinations to visit, like Akershus Castle and Fortress, the Norwegian National Museum, the City Hall where the Nobel Prize is awarded, the Royal Palace where the residence of the Norwegian royal family is located, the Cathedral, Vigeland Park, the Viking Ship Museum and many more.
Although all Norwegian cities are really beautiful, their inhabitants are always doing something to make them even more beautiful, which can be seen at every turn, in the capital Oslo, as well as in Trondheim, Stavanger, Dramen, Kristiansand, Lillehammer (a place that became famous after the 1994 Winter Olympics), Frederikstadt, Skjeberg and others. The Hardangervid plateau offers a view of the moon-like landscape with beautiful lakes.
And at the end of a wonderful trip around Norway, if you come at the right time, you should definitely see the aurora borealis, an amazing, unforgettable and somewhat unreal experience, visible in winter in certain places in northern Norway.