Norwegian is by no means one of the most popular languages ​​in the world. However, it is spoken by about 4.5 million people. This language is used exclusively in Norway, its dialects are distinguished by a significant variety in vocabulary and grammar. Norwegian is distinguished by its peculiar beauty, in fact, like the country itself, where it is used.

1. The Norwegian language belongs to the Germanic group, the Scandinavian subgroup. It comes from Old Norse, which was once one of the most common dialects of its time. It is believed that Norwegian began to take shape at the time of the arrival of Christianity in Scandinavia (approximately 1030), with which the Latin alphabet also came. Prior to this, the Scandinavians used runic writing.

2. Norwegian is very similar to and. And this is not surprising, because for a long time Norway was part of Denmark, and then completely dependent on Sweden. For a while, Danish was even the official written language of the country, used by the society's elite. Norway became completely independent only in 1905. And since then, the Norwegians have paid a lot of attention to preserving the originality of their language. Also close to Norwegian are Icelandic and Faroese.

3. Interestingly, Norwegian as a result has become, as it were, in the middle between Swedish and Danish. Swedes and Danes are quite capable of understanding Norwegian speech, but at the same time they practically do not understand each other.

4. Officially it is believed that there are two official forms of the Norwegian language - Bokmål (bokmål, literally "book speech") and Nynorsk or Nynoshk ("nynorsk" - "new Norwegian"). Legislatively, both of them were enshrined relatively recently, in 1929. At the same time, Bokmål is much more common, it is spoken by about 90% of people living in cities, it is more often used by the media. It is this dialect that is mainly studied by foreigners. Nynorsk is more common in rural areas.

5. As is often the case with European languages, Norwegian has a lot of dialects. Their exact number is not even known. So, the situation is considered quite typical when the inhabitants of one village speak a separate dialect, which is difficult to understand for people from another, even if not far from the settlement. However, with time and the development of communications, the difference between dialects is gradually erased.

6. Over the years, the difference between Bokmål and Nynorsk is gradually blurred, it is believed that both dialects will gradually merge into one language. Attempts to do this artificially were made repeatedly at the beginning of the 20th century, but all of them did not lead to anything because of the unwillingness of the population to change anything in their speech, and also because of the inaccessibility of some parts of Norway.

7. Just like in Norway, there is a special language council - Norsk språkråd. He defines language norms and rules of the language. Due to the large number of dialects and two official language forms at once, the activities of this organization are difficult. And the decisions it makes sometimes become the cause of fierce discussions.

8. In 1917, the most thorough grammatical "reworking" of the Norwegian language was carried out. In particular, it was decided to “Norwegianize” the words foreign origin. As a result, words that came from the English language ending in "-tion" changed their endings to "-sjon" (nation - nasjon). In general, at that time a lot of rearrangements and changes were made, the basis for which were political reasons.

9. If complicated grammar scares you, maybe you should start learning Norwegian. For example, the verb “er” (“to be”), which is mandatory for all European languages, has the same form for all pronouns: jeg er, du er, vi er ... Negation is formed by adding particles after the verb, regardless of its tense "likke". For example, jeg er ("I am") jeg er likke (I am not). To make the sentence become interrogative, simply put the verb before the pronoun: er jeg? ("I have?"). The same rules are accepted for the verb "ha" ("to have"): jeg har, du har, vi har ...

10. The very first dictionary of the Norwegian language appeared in 1634. It was the book "Termini legales norvegici", which was created by the Norwegian nobleman Jens Bjelkes (Jens Bjelkes). The dictionary was intended for Danish statesmen who went to serve in Norway. The era of mixing of these languages ​​began.

11. One of distinguishing features Norwegian is the letter "å", which is also found in other Scandinavian dialects. Nevertheless, it appeared in the language relatively recently, in 1917, when it began to be used instead of the double "aa". "å" came from the Swedish language, which was used in the 16th century. However final victory this letter has not yet won, there are still words containing "aa".

12. There is no definite article in Norwegian. In order to point to an object, the speaker simply rearranges the indefinite article at the end of the word. For example, en katt (cat) becomes katten. At the same time, there are three indefinite articles in the language: en for the masculine, ei for the feminine and et for the middle.

The country of fjords, located in the north and west of the Scandinavian Peninsula, has a single official language. But in Norway, it has two official forms and the inhabitants of the state use "bokmål" as a book speech and "nynoshk" as a new Norwegian. Both language forms are present in absolutely all aspects of life and Norwegians can get an education, watch TV programs, listen to the radio or apply to official organizations in both Bokmål and Nyunushka.

Some statistics and facts

• To completely confuse the rest of the world, the Norwegians came up with a couple more forms of their state language. In Norway, "riksmol" and "högnosk" are also in use, which, although not officially accepted, are popular,
• As an everyday language, 90% of the country's inhabitants use Bokmål and Rixmol, and less than 10% use Nynoshkom.
• All Norwegian dialects originate from the Old Norse language, which went through the territories of modern Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
• During the Middle Ages, Danish became the main language of the Norwegian elite. It remained the written language of Norwegians until the first half of the 19th century.
• The modern Norwegian alphabet contains the same 29 letters as the Danish alphabet.

The number of dialects spoken in the Norwegian province is more than a dozen. Differences in grammar and syntax allow you to speak your own dialects in almost every Norwegian village.

Note to the tourist

If you are in Norway on a business trip or on vacation, be prepared for the fact that English is understood only in large settlements and mostly the younger generation. Norwegians are very conservative and are not in a hurry to learn foreign languages, despite the world processes of globalization and entry into the Schengen area.
In large hotels and near state attractions, information in English can usually be found, but the passage of others tourist routes can cause some "translation difficulties".

There are many countries in the world, but even more different languages ​​and dialects, the emergence and consolidation of which took place over many thousands of years. The official language of Norway is Norwegian, however, in some regions of this constitutional monarchy, Sami is considered the official language.

Varieties and division of the official language

Recognized all over the world Norwegian within this state has two forms:

• Bokmål is used as book speech;
• how the new Norwegian is used by the nurse.

Moreover, both forms of the language are widespread, used in everyday speech and official workflow. That is why it is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to the question of what language is spoken in Norway.

These linguistic features are of interest not only to those who are going to visit Norway on a trip, but also to those who are simply interested in various features states of the globe.

Facts of history and statistics

To understand how it was formed official language Norway and where all its features came from, it must be borne in mind that all dialects and adverbs have a common beginning - the Old Norse language, which was used on the territory of several ancient states: Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

In addition to the two main forms, the inhabitants of Norway also use several other varieties of the language. Rixmol and högnosk are considered popular, although they are not officially accepted. In general, almost 90% of the population of the country speaks two forms of the language - Bokmål and Rixmol, and also use them in documents, correspondence, in the press and in Norwegian books.

Bokmål passed to the Norwegians during the Middle Ages, when the Norwegian elite used the Danish language. It developed on the basis of writing and was adapted to the Norwegian dialect in the east of the country. But nynoshk was created in the mid-1800s, it arose on the basis of the dialects of the west of Norway and introduced into circulation by the linguist Ivar Osen.

Dialects and features of the language

It has a slightly different history and roots, it belongs to the Finno-Ugric language group. Today it is spoken by about 20,000 people in Norway, out of a total population of just over 4.5 million. This is not such a small group, given that the official language of Norway is different from Sami.

Regardless of which language is official in Norway, almost every region and even village has its own characteristics and dialects. The number of dialects is several dozen, and it is rather difficult to find out their exact number. For this would have to long years study every remote piece of the territory of the constitutional monarchy.

Norwegian has 29 letters, just like official Danish. Many words have a common origin and even spelling, but over time they sound more and more different in Norwegian rendition. To learn the written language of Norway, you will have to take courses and long time tinker with grammar. The Norwegian language is far from the Slavic group, so it is not so easy to understand it.

When going on a trip or a business trip, you need to remember that this is a special country - Norway. The official language is revered by the inhabitants of the monarchy as something sacred and special, they respect and honor their history. Therefore, English is taught here little, and they speak it with reluctance, even with foreign tourists.

Globalization is being followed mainly by young Norwegians who live in major cities and tend to work in companies cooperating with other countries. In this case, they have to learn English and be able to speak fluently. However, even tourist places and monuments rarely have English description. To feel all the color and beauty of this one, you will have to learn at least a few phrases in Norwegian.

The official language of Norway seems complex and difficult to remember, but the simplest and most common phrases can be learned without much effort. Any Norwegian will be pleased if he is asked about where to live or eat deliciously, in his native language.

The most common words and phrases

When going to Norway, it is worth remembering at least a few basic phrases in the language of this country.

Norway is a beautiful and amazing country, although for many tourists it seems cold and inhospitable. But a travel lover needs to visit this state at least once, enjoy the beauties of nature, diverse national cuisine and be sure to learn how to speak at least a few phrases in Norwegian.

Which has about 5 million speakers, mainly in Norway. Norwegian speakers are also found in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Canada and the USA.

Early Norwegian literature - mainly poetry and historical prose - was written in the West Norwegian dialect, and its heyday dates back to the 9th-14th centuries. After that, Norway came under the rule of the Swedish, and then the Danish crown. Norwegian continued to be used in colloquial speech, however, the language of business documentation, literature and higher education became Danish.

After Norway seceded from Denmark in 1814, it was used in schools until the 1830s, when a movement began to create a new national language. The rationale was that written Danish was so different from spoken Norwegian that it was difficult to learn, and the belief that every country should have its own language.

A significant debate erupted around which approach to use when creating a national language, resulting in two languages ​​- Landsmal(lannsmål, national language), which is based on colloquial Norwegian and regional dialects (particularly West Norwegian dialects), and Riksmal(riksmol, national language), which was originally used in writing and is very similar to Danish.

Lannsmol renamed to Nynorsk(nyunoshk, new Norwegian) in 1929, and riksmol currently officially called Bokmel(bokmål, book speech). A small number of people over the age of 60 still use riksmol, which is considered an obsolete form Bokmola and has only minor differences.

Currently, in schools in Norway, both variants of the Norwegian language are required to be studied. Students study both options and can only designate the one that will be the main one for them. Civil servants are required to know both options.

For a short time, there was a movement in Norway to create a unified literary language entitled Samnorsk(samnoshk, single Norwegian). Political figures were fascinated by the idea of ​​creating a unified Norwegian language, while ordinary people considered it a waste of time. Project to create a unified Norwegian language Samnoshk was officially closed on January 1, 2002.

Norwegian alphabet (norsk alphabet)

Listen to the Norwegian alphabet

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Phonetic transcription of the Norwegian language

Vowels and diphthongs

Consonants

Notes

• e = [ə] in unstressed syllables
• = [o] before two consonants and [u] before one consonant (with some exceptions)
• g = [j] before i and y, [g] anywhere else
• k = [ç] before i and y, [k] in any other position
• sk = [ʃ] before i and y
• In Western dialects, kj and tj = [ʧ]
• In southern dialects sj= and skj=
• Retroflexive sounds appear only in Eastern and Northern dialects, in other dialects rd = [ʀd], rl = [ʀl] and rn = [ʀn]
• In Eastern dialects, rd and l = [ɽ] at the end of a word and between vowels
• q, x, z and w appear exclusively in loanwords and names
• x = [s] at the beginning of a word and in any other position

The Kingdom of Norway occupies the western and northern parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula, and covers Jan Mayen Island and the Spitsbergen archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, as well as Bouvet Island, Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land in southern hemisphere. In terms of area, Norway ranks sixth in Europe. However, Norway is sparsely populated and ranks 28th in terms of population. The length of the coast of Norway, including fjords and bays, exceeds 20 thousand kilometers. In the east, Norway borders on Sweden, Finland and Russia, in the north, west and south the country is surrounded by seas. These are the Barents Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the North Sea and the Skagerrak Strait. Only a small part of Norway is suitable for agriculture and forestry, while the country is rich in natural resources, including oil, natural gas, as well as ores, fish, timber and hydroelectricity. These natural resources, as well as the country's proximity to the most important Western European markets and free access to electricity, political stability and high standards of education have helped make Norway one of the richest countries in the world per capita.
Climate

Norway climate

Although geographically located in the far north, Norway has a remarkably mild climate. Norway is the northernmost country in the world with a non-freezing sea area. This is due to the trade winds that blow from the American continent through Atlantic Ocean, and warm currents moving from the equator to the Norwegian Sea, where the curve of the coast of Norway and free access to the Arctic Ocean help to guide warm air and water to more northern latitudes. The climate of Norway changes from year to year, especially in the northern part of the country, which is located on the border of the temperate climate zone. The most low temperature was recorded in the city of Karasjok in northern Norway and amounted to -51°C. The average annual temperature varies from 8° on the West Coast of the country to sub-zero temperatures in the mountains. The coldest months are considered to be January and February, and the warmest time in the interior of the country is mid-July, while in coastal and mountainous areas the temperature reaches its peak a little later. The high mountain range that separates the mainland of Norway protects a large area of ​​the eastern part of the country from precipitation, providing this area with a more continental climate. Some of these areas to the east of the mountain ranges have an annual rainfall of less than 300 mm. The largest number precipitation from the sea falls on the west coast of Norway, where in some areas their total maximum amount is 3000 mm per year. The strength and direction of the wind in Norway varies greatly as a result of rapidly moving atmospheric fronts, and therefore the winds in the coastal and mountainous regions of the country are quite strong.
Politic system
The political system in Norway is constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democratic system of government. All citizens are eligible to be elected to the Storting (Norwegian National Parliament), county and municipal governments. The government has no right to make decisions without the approval of the Storting. The government, in accordance with the Constitution, receives power from the hands of the King. At present, the King has limited political power, but has important symbolic meaning as head of state and official representative Norwegian society. Government officially distributed among three authorities: the Storting (legislative branch), the Government (executive branch) and the court.
The Storting is the highest political authority in the country. Elections to the Storting are held every four years. The government is formed from among its members. The Storting controls the two main instruments of power: the adoption of laws and the approval of the state budget, and also exercises control over the actions of the Government. The Storting consists of 165 elected representatives, each of whom belongs to one party or another. The Storting is a modified unicameral parliament, since in the performance of legislative functions it is divided into two chambers: Odelsting (Odelsting), (3/4), and Lagting (Lagting), (1/4), with equal power. Government bills are first submitted to the Odelsting and then to the Lagting. The Government of Norway performs the functions of the executive power, which are the submission of bills and draft budgets for discussion in the Storting and the implementation of its decisions through the activities of the Ministries. The government is formed by parliament and headed by the prime minister. Formally, the King instructs the leading party to form a government or a workable coalition.
Population
Norway has a population of 4,525,000 with an annual growth of 0.57%. In 1769, according to the first census, 700,000 people were registered in Norway. Norway reached the figure of 1,000,000 in 1822, two million in 1890, three in 1942, four in 1975. In October 2000, the population of Norway exceeded 4.5 million. Calculations showed that by the beginning of 2030 the population in Norway will exceed 5 million people.
As one of the richest countries in the world, Norway is developing according to the idea of ​​creating a welfare state. In 2003, according to the ranking of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Norway ranked first for the third time in a row. Average life expectancy in Norway is 78.7 years (2001 data). Average level health of the nation is very high, and the death rate among newborns is very low. The percentage of literate people in the country is actually 100%, and almost all citizens have completed secondary education. In Norway, it is almost impossible to meet poor people, and compared to other member countries of the Organization economic cooperation and development, the number of relatively poor people is very small. Norway is characterized high level internal gross product per capita, and wealth is fairly evenly distributed among citizens. Gender equality is clearly expressed at all social levels. In keeping with the idea of ​​the welfare state, Norway has introduced a system of universal public health care, which is funded by taxpayers, as well as a national universal insurance system, which covers all Norwegian citizens and permanent residents in the country. This system entitles you to a wide range of benefits.
Language
The official language in Norway is Norwegian, a North Germanic language related to Danish and Swedish. The geographical location of Norway and the peculiarities of the settlement of the country contributed to the development of many local and regional dialects, which still survive and play a significant role in society. There are two official written versions of Norwegian, Bokmål ("Book Norwegian") and Nynorsk ("New Norwegian"). Bokmål is based on Danish-Norwegian, and developed from written Danish adapted to the dialects of Eastern Norway. Nynorsk was created by the linguist Ivar Osen in the 1850s from the dialects of Western Norway. Bokmål and Nynorsk have received the same official status, however Bokmål is more commonly used in Oslo and other major cities. Nynorsk uses about 10-15% of the population, mainly for west coast, as well as in government documents, literature, theatre, television and worship services.
Currently, about 20 thousand people in Norway consider Sami as their mother tongue. The Sami language belongs to the Finno-Ugric language group, and this language is as old as Norwegian. The language of the Northern Sami was proclaimed the state language on a par with Norwegian in the northern regions of Norway.
Religion
Norway has an official state church based on the evangelical teachings of Luther. But, despite this, all citizens have the right to freedom of religion, in accordance with the amendment to the Constitution of 1964. Nine tenths of native Norwegians practice the state religion. The state church of Norway is the Protestant Church, headed by the King of Norway, and the Royal Family is required to profess Lutheranism. The Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs has all administrative powers, while the Storting is responsible for passing all laws and budgets related to the activities of the church. All bishops and priests are appointed by the government. The supreme church body is the General Synod.
Education in Norway
Norwegian education policy is based on the principle of universal equal rights education for all members of society, regardless of their socio-cultural affiliation and place of residence. The main task of educational institutions is not only the introduction of knowledge and instilling cultural skills, but also the satisfaction of social needs and the provision of general welfare. Teaching in Norwegian schools is focused on the individual development of students' abilities and skills. Special education is provided for people with physical or mental disabilities, as well as for those who, due to some circumstances, do not have the opportunity to attend a school with regular teaching. Under the terms of the Norwegian education policy, Special attention should be given to the needs of those students who belong to a linguistic minority in order to enable them to complete secondary education, continue higher education and get a job. Norway has a single school system based on a common standard. To control educational standards set by the government, a state academic plan. In Norway, the compulsory educational program involves ten years of education, that is, primary, incomplete secondary and complete secondary education. The higher education system includes educational programs conducted at universities and university institutes. The right to pass such programs are, as a rule, those who have received a complete secondary education. With the exception of a few private universities, all higher education institutions in Norway are public. public education in Norway free of charge, including complete secondary education. The State Loan Fund, founded in 1947, provides student loans and living allowances.
Primary and secondary education
There are approximately 3,250 primary and secondary schools in Norway with about 620,000 students. In Norway, there is a ten-year primary and secondary school education. Children start going to school at the age of six. All children and young people should be familiar with common ground culture, knowledge and core values. Since the autumn of 2006, primary and secondary education has been divided into two main levels, primary (grades 1-7) and secondary (grades 8-10). There are large differences between schools in terms of enrollment, ranging from co-educational schools for children of different ages in sparsely populated areas, in which students from different grades study together, to large schools with several hundred students in the largest cities. Some schools only give elementary education, others - only secondary, in the third full training is provided from the 1st grade to the 10th.
The following subjects are taught in primary and secondary schools in Norway: Christianity and religious and moral education, Norwegian, mathematics, social studies, arts and crafts, science, English, a foreign language, music, nutrition and health, physical education. A program for teaching sign language as a first language has been developed for deaf children.
Training in high school
High school education covers all training in professional skills and abilities between secondary and higher education. A law passed in 1994 gives everyone between the ages of 16 and 19 the right to three years of high school education designed to prepare them for higher education programs. Since the autumn of 2006, high school students have been given a choice of the direction of their educational and practical training: sports and physical education, music, dance and drama, discipline by specialty, construction and engineering, design and crafts, electrical engineering, social assistance and health care , MASS MEDIA, Agriculture, fishing and forestry, public catering, services, transport and communications, technology and production.
Higher education institutions
The six universities in Norway are the University of Oslo (the oldest and largest), the University of Bergen, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, the University of Tromsø, the University of Stavanger and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) in Åse. The six specialized institutions are the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration in Bergen and the Oslo-based Norwegian Academy of Music, the Norwegian Higher School of Sports, the Norwegian Higher School of Veterinary Medicine, the Norwegian Higher School of Theology (MF), and the Higher School of Architecture and Design in Oslo. In addition, there are two national institutes arts, located respectively in Oslo and Bergen. In addition, many institutions offer training programs for applicants for master's and doctoral degrees. Often, students combine studying at the university with studying at the institute. Norway is one of the first European countries to meet the higher education targets set by the Bologna process. In addition, Norway implemented a three-year quality reform program in higher education, which was completed in 2003 and aimed, among other things, at increasing student mobility and developing international cooperation in the field of education. With the introduction of a new system scientific degrees It has become easier for students who have received their full or partial education in Norway to get recognition of their diplomas in other countries.
Education at universities and institutes is assessed on a scale of academic credits according to the standard criteria of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Full academic year equates to 60 credits. Undergraduate and graduate students are graded on a scale from A (excellent) to F (poor), with E being the lowest passing grade. However, some subjects are simply credited.
Lifelong learning
The Norwegian education system attaches great importance to giving people the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills throughout their lives. In 1976, Norway became the first country in the world to pass an adult education law. Correspondence education is widespread in Norway. Each year, between 20,000 and 30,000 students graduate from courses offered by 13 accredited independent distance learning institutes. With the increased use of computer-based educational programs and e-learning programs, distance learning is becoming essential to meeting Norway's future needs for continuing education and professional development at all levels.
Scientific research in Norway
Approximately 27% of all scientific research in Norway is held at universities and institutes. These institutions have a special responsibility for basic research and scientific training, and have recently been given greater responsibility for the commercial exploitation of the inventions made by their employees. There are 13 technology parks in Norway, which are in close contact with universities, institutes and independent research centres. Technoparks play an important role in "building bridges" between research and development institutions and the commercial and industrial sector. Norway has a large number of research institutes, both public and private. They account for nearly 23% of all R&D spending.
Foreign students in Norway
Norwegian higher education institutions are happy to welcome applications from competent students from all over the world. Nearly 10,000 international students are currently registered at this level of the Norwegian educational system. International students can access a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs of study. Some universities and colleges offer specially designed programs for international students. These programs are taught in English and admission does not require permanent residency. International students are defined in the same way as all non-resident students accepted in Norway. There are three categories of international students: self-financed students; exchange students; students participating in various scholarship programs. Eligibility for an exchange or fellowship program is usually determined on the basis of national and bilateral regional agreement and meeting the minimum requirements. Participation in a number of funded programs is restricted to applicants from certain countries. All international applicants must fulfill the same basic requirements as Norwegian students. These requirements vary depending on the country in which the candidate completed their primary and secondary education. Applicants are usually required to have completed secondary education. In addition, there are special entry requirements for programs in certain subjects. In some cases, special abilities or professional experience may qualify for admission to a study program. Currently, the following degrees can be obtained at Norwegian universities and university colleges: bachelor's degree (three years); master's degree (two years); PhD (three years). In some subjects, students will be admitted to a five-year course of a single degree (master's degree). Certain professional programs such as Medicine, Philosophy, and Theology will continue to pursue a degree program that takes four to six years to complete. All Norwegian universities require a good knowledge of English. International students who are not native English speakers must document their knowledge. Foreign students accepted for undergraduate studies must complete preparatory Course in Norwegian before they start their main course of study, in cases where they cannot document good command of the Norwegian language.
There are no tuition fees in higher education in Norway, although fees are sometimes required for some vocational education programmes, special education and private schools. educational institutions. Payment for housing is provided only to foreign students accepted under separate scholarship programs. Self-funded students must provide proof that they possess a minimum of NOK 80,000.
Story
9000 BC - 8000 BC Earliest settlements.
8000 BC - 4000 BC Old Stone Age (Palaeolithic): hunters and fishermen, rock carvings.
4000 BC - 1500 BC New Stone Age (Neolithic): early agriculture, livestock.
1500 BC - 500 BC Bronze Age: farming implements, jewelry, glass, weapons 500 BC - 800 AD Iron Age: iron plows and scythes.
800 AD - 1050 AD Viking Age: boats, trade and raids, runic writing, discovery of new countries, Leif Eriksson discovers America.
900 AD Norway becomes a single kingdom.
1030 Introduction of Christianity to Norway.
1130 Start High Middle Ages: population growth, consolidation of both royal and ecclesiastical power.
1100 - 1200 Monarchy controls church, abolition of slavery.
1350 Plague (the Black Death) reduces the population by almost two-thirds.
1380 - 1536 Union with Denmark through marriages between members royal families. 1536 Norwegian kingdom loses its independence.
1814 Adoption of the Norwegian Constitution based on the Declaration of Independence. 1814 - 1905 Union with Sweden.
1905 End of the union. Haakon VII becomes king of Norway.
1913 Norway is one of the first countries in the world to grant women the universal right to vote.
1914 Norway, Sweden and Denmark take a position of neutrality in the First World War.
1920 Norway joins the League of Nations.
1929 Norway suffers significant losses as a result of the worldwide economic depression.
1939 World War II begins. Norway takes a position of neutrality.
1940 German troops invade Norway on 9 April. A government-in-exile is formed in London. Vidkun Quisling declares himself Prime Minister of Norway.
1945 The German army surrenders on 8 May. Quisling was shot on charges of treason. Norway becomes one of the founding members of the UN.
1949 Norway joins NATO.
1957 Death of King Haakon VII. King Olav V takes the throne.
1959 Norway becomes a founding member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Late 1960s In the Norwegian sector North Sea discover oil.
1970 Start of development of oil and gas fields. In the early 1980s, oil and gas will account for almost a third of Norwegian exports.
1972 In a referendum, the people of Norway reject the offer of the Workers' Party-led government to join the EEC. The government is resigning. 1973 Norway signs a free trade agreement with the European Economic Community (EEC).
1981 Gro Harlem Brundtland becomes the first female Prime Minister of Norway.
1986 International Commission whaling imposes a temporary ban on whaling. Norway opposes the ban.
1991 Death of King Haakon VII. King Olav V takes the throne.
1994 In a referendum, Norwegians again refuse to join the European Union.
1995 Norway becomes the world's second largest oil exporter after Saudi Arabia.
Economy
The Norwegian economy is a capitalist market economy with a pronounced state participation. The development of industry in Norway was mainly carried out according to the laws of private property, however, some types of industrial activities are owned by the state, which allows us to classify the Norwegian economy as a combination of market and planned economy. The industrial sector is mostly privately owned, but at the same time, the state is the owner of such major corporations as Statoil and Norsk Hydro. Statoil Company (state-owned oil company) occupies a dominant position in oil industry on the Norwegian continental shelf, in the field of oil sales and export. Agriculture and fishing are owned by private companies, with the exception of 10% of forest land, which is in the hands of the state. In the banking sector, there are state banks for the most important industries (agriculture, fishing and heavy industry), for the needs of municipalities, regional development, housing improvement and education. The state owns a significant part of the hydro and power plants. Although the state has a monopoly on railways and postal services, state-owned companies were given more freedom, which in turn led to the creation of a competitive environment. Norway is a highly developed, industrial country characterized by an open, export-oriented economy. Large-scale trade and contacts with other countries provided the Norwegian industry with the basis for the development of the economy. Norway is not a member European Union(EU), but it is part of the common European market as a member of the agreement on the European Economic Area between the EU countries and the European Free Trade Association. Within one century, Norway has evolved from a quiet agrarian society to a dynamic, high-tech nation with a top position in the global economy. It is one of the world's largest oil exporters and is one of the world leaders in such industries as aquaculture, marine industries, construction of hydraulic structures, ecology, energy, technology and telecommunications.
The Norwegian economy has always depended on the country's vast natural resources. Since the Middle Ages, Norway has been exporting timber, fish, minerals and other goods. At the beginning of the XX century. the country began to use the energy of waterfalls in such energy-intensive industries as the metallurgical, chemical and paper industries. The sea has always played a vital role in the Norwegian economy. The maritime transport of raw materials laid the foundation for Norway's role as a leading maritime power in today's international arena. These maritime traditions have, in turn, provided the framework for the development of the modern maritime industries of the Norwegian economy, such as oil and gas exploration, shipbuilding and mining, and seafood processing. AT recent times the role of tourism as one of the fastest growing industries in the country has increased. In the future, the development of the regions of the Far North (the Barents Sea region, the North Shelf, Svalbard and the Arctic) will begin to acquire particular importance in terms of oil exploration, marine biology, Arctic geology, fish resources, climate research, as well as general development these territories.
Within just a few decades, Norway has evolved from a country whose economy was based on natural resources, into a high-tech society. Norwegian companies are working on the development of efficient, environmentally friendly and high-tech methods in order to increase the productivity of the industry and improve skills. The priority of research and innovation and joint ventures with foreign companies has contributed to the accumulation of national experience and knowledge in new areas, including software and communication technologies, space and engineering industries and biotechnology. The information and communication technology (ICT) industry is the newest national flagship. Information and communication technology is currently the second largest industry in Norway in terms of product sales. Norwegian companies have also made revolutionary attempts in the field of telemedicine and distance learning. Innovative finds in the industry, applied in public sector will soon enter the international market.
Norway exports almost 40% of its goods and services, while imports account for a solid third of the country's GNP. The main market is the Nordic countries and Europe, although individual products such as oil, gas, minerals and seafood are successfully sold all over the world. Norway is not a member of the European Union, but its membership in the European Economic Area gives it full access to the EU internal market. Currently, trade with the EU is ¾ of the total.
Norway is a leading maritime power that has gained international prestige for its rich experience in the field of maritime transport and for its ability to develop new niches in the world market. The Norwegian maritime economy comprises a highly developed network of shipping and aquaculture industries providing an ever-increasing variety of goods and services. The Norwegian shipbuilding industry brings together more than 50 small and large shipyards, technically equipped and able to withstand competition on the world stage. The industry focuses on ship repair and the construction of specialized vessels, including ro-ro ships, chemical tankers, advanced fishing vessels, fast catamarans and earthquake resistant vessels. Norwegian shipbuilding developed against the background of the constant growth of the Norwegian fleet. The country's shipbuilding factories offer a wide range of first-class products - from deck winches and ship signaling systems to advanced electronic systems that ensure cargo transportation and ship stability. Special equipment for ships intended for fishing in coastal areas and in the depths of the sea occupies another important niche. Robust modern fishing equipment (such as purse nets, motorized winches, cranes and fish loading equipment, and modern navigation systems) enables anglers to efficiently locate and catch fish and transport their catch. For the past three decades, Norwegian aquaculture has been at the forefront of global development. The country has accumulated rich experience in the production of equipment for fish rearing (including feeding and breeding), monitoring and various production technologies in the field of fish processing.
Oil and gas activities are of great importance for Norway. This sector provides one third of government revenues (according to (2005). Almost 80 thousand people work in this industry, many work in industries related to oil and gas production. Norway ranks third in the world among exporters of oil and gas. At the moment less than a third of explored hydrocarbon reserves owned by Norway have been produced. natural conditions Norway has accumulated the knowledge and skills that make it possible to extract hydrocarbon resources in the most efficient and safe way. The priority of Norwegian energy policy has always been the acquisition of advanced experience in the oil and gas sector. Norway is a world leader in safety technology for oil and gas production. It is extremely important to work on the shelf in such a way as not to cause damage environment. an important step in this direction are measures to establish a system to prevent emissions.
Norway is a major global supplier of metals such as aluminium, magnesium and ferroalloys, as well as one of the world's largest producers and exporters of primary aluminium. Aluminum alloys are widely used in construction, transport, and packaging. Ferroalloys such as ferrosilicon, ferromanganese and ferrochromium are used in steel production. Norway also produces silicon, zinc, nickel and copper.
Created by Norsk Hydro, the first large-scale hydropower complex in Norway was put into operation in 1907. The largest power complex in Europe at that time was intended to supply electricity to the production of agricultural fertilizers. Currently, Norsk Hydro is the leading European supplier of nitrate and complex fertilizers, urea and saltpeter. Norway is also a source of vinyl chloride monomer and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which are used as raw materials for the production of synthetic paints.
The combination of rich forest resources and affordable hydropower has also given Norway a leading role in the global pulp and paper market. Approximately 90% of the pulp and paper produced in the country is exported. Norwegian mills produce various types of pulp, including short and long staple sulphate pulp, which is an important component of newsprint and magazine paper.
Pollution of the environment by Norwegian enterprises processing industry led to the introduction of a number of "green taxes", which are designed to ensure the release of environmentally friendly products. Over the past ten years, the production of harmful substances has decreased by 90%, and the production of greenhouse gas - by about 10%.
Thanks to the fjords and maritime territories, Norway has the opportunity to use the rich marine resources. Their wealth has become an important part of the coastal economy. Breeding, biotechnology, premium food production and logistics are some of the key concepts important and profitable projects related to the use of marine resources. Approximately 10,000 fishing vessels are registered in Norway, 1,000 of which fish all year round. Norway is the largest supplier of fish and fish products to Europe. In the last decade, supply revenues have doubled to more than 30 billion crowns. 95% of products are exported in the form of more than 2 thousand tons. various kinds in 150 countries of the world. AT various fields about 30 thousand people are involved in the fishing industry. The volume of farmed fish and crustaceans is about 600 thousand tons.
Norway is the world's sixth largest producer of hydroelectric power. The topographic features of the country and the hydrological state determine the concentration of precipitation in the western regions of the country, which in turn leads to the release of huge water masses through waterfalls and rivers. A large number of natural lakes and waters at high altitudes in sparsely populated or uninhabited mountainous areas made it possible to build several dams and reservoirs to store water obtained in spring, summer and autumn, for further use in the following winter. Another equally important resource in the domestic energy consumption system is oil from the Norwegian continental shelf. In addition to hydropower, Norway's renewable energy resources include wave, solar, wind and biomass energy. These alternative energy sources can provide about 20 billion square meters per hour. Norway has opportunities to use wind energy, especially in coastal areas, but the cost of equipment is still extremely high. Electricity trade between Norway and other countries takes place with the assistance of Nordel and Nord Pool, the Scandinavian electricity exchange system.
Tourism
Norway offers you a wide variety of holiday opportunities. When visiting the country as a tourist, you can choose from a wide range of attractions, from folk museums to unique natural objects. No matter what field you are interested in - history, geology, flora or fauna - you will find the opportunity to broaden your horizons during your stay in Norway. Variety will give you freedom of choice and you will choose the best way to spend your vacation. Among the main attractions are Viking museums, majestic fjords, magnificent waterfalls, the Sami culture of the Norwegian North, medieval wooden churches and much more. Norway also has some of the best chefs in the world. Of particular interest is the culture of the coast, which contrasts intriguingly with the urban life of the