Norway's History

Tradition says Harold Fairhair united Norway in 872 at the beginning of the Viking Age, however people had been living in Norway from 10,000BC. During the Dark Ages, Viking adventurers set off in their long boats from the Fjords of Norway across the North Atlantic and became the scourge of the British Isles and beyond.  In 1319 Norway joined the Kalmar Union with Sweden and Denmark and stayed when Sweden left the Union in 1521. Danish support for Napoleon, resulted in Sweden gaining Norway in 1814 and in 1905 complete independence was achieved. Norway remained neutral during WWI and its attempt to do the same in WWII were ignored by everyone. The Allies planned to invade Norway in April 1940, but the Germans beat them to it by arriving on the 9th. Following WWII Norwegian prosperity grew with the discovery of offshore oil and gas with the country remaining outside the European Union.

Right Now

Norway has a strong and diversified economy. Beginning in 1971 oil and gas discoveries have seen the country become the largest European exporter of fossil fuels contributing to the high standard of living enjoyed by the country. Norway also has an important fisheries industry and manufacturing sectors, especially petroleum technology machinery. Norway has twice rejected membership of the European Union in referenda. The stunning natural beauty of Norway’s many fjords and icy wounders of its glaciers and arctic areas are popular tourism drawcards, as are its pristine winter skifields. The breathtaking scenery of Norway’s Arctic Circle islands of Svalbard are especially popular for Cruise liners.

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