Norway is a country located in Europe with name that begins with letter N. The landscape of Norway is characterized by fjords and plateaus, the fells. Because of the fjords, the Atlantic coast is almost 25,000 km long – ten times longer than it would be without the indentations. Almost half of the country is mountainous. The highest mountain in Norway is Galdhøpiggen at 2,469 m in the Jottunheimen Mountains, which in turn is part of the Skanden mountain range. The Scandinavia traverses the Scandinavian peninsula from the Norwegian Skanderag coast in the south to the North Cape. A total of 26 Norwegian peaks are over 2,300 meters high, most of them are glaciated.
Entry
Citizens of the EU and Switzerland need a passport or identity card to stay in Norway.
Climate
Thanks to the Atlantic Gulf Stream, the Norwegian climate is milder than the northern latitude suggests. In the summer in southern Norway it can be up to 30 °C on some days, in winter it is also comparatively mild in the north with average temperatures of -5 ° to + 2 °C. The Skanden mountain range, which runs through the country, forms a weather divide that ensures that the Norwegian coast receives more rainfall than the interior in the west.
Due to the northern latitude, the differences between day and night are very pronounced over the course of the year. In Hammerfest – for a long time the northernmost city in Europe – the sun does not rise between November 22nd and January 21st; in summer it does not set from May 19 to July 26.
Food and drink
Herring in all forms has long been considered a staple food for the Norwegians. Even if the cuisine has become more varied, fish still plays a major role and salmon is even an important culinary export item. In addition, meat and sometimes whale meat are on the menu.
Norway’s national drink is coffee: 160 liters per person are consumed annually.
Cultural characteristics
The Danish-Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose created ten rules of conduct in a novel from 1933, which have entered the general consciousness as “Janteloven” (Jante Law). The highest commandment is: “You shouldn’t believe that you are special.” Even if Sandemose referred his 10 commandments to a fictional place, the very egalitarian Norwegians could and can identify with the 10 Nordic commandments against overestimating themselves to this day.
Medical advice
No special vaccinations are required to enter Norway. In parts of the country, early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE) is transmitted through tick bites from April to October, which makes a TBE vaccination advisable. It is advisable to take a personal first-aid kit with you, given the long distances in this sparsely populated country.
Security
Norway is a very safe country – even for women traveling alone – even if theft can occur naturally. Individual travelers who explore the country on foot are more likely to be warned of the capricious weather. There are only a few prohibition signs or warnings (for example in front of dangerous crevasses) in Norway’s nature. If you see one, you should definitely pay attention to it!
Special provisions
Carrying even the smallest amounts of drugs usually leads to arrest at the border, an entry ban or imprisonment.
Climate and travel time
There are two climates; in the south the weather is more moderate than in the north. Despite the northern location, the climate on the coast is relatively mild due to the Gulf Stream. The winter period is long, with a severe cold period and long darkness lasting several weeks. The interior of the country has a continental climate.
The Norwegian nature conservation authorities recommend not to get too close to the glacier fronts at the moment, since the glaciers are more unstable due to the unusually high temperatures currently prevailing.
All about money
1 euro is equivalent to 9.43 Norwegian kroner
We recommend withdrawing the required money from ATMs in larger cities, as the rate is usually the cheapest here. Of course, you can also change at home at the bank before your trip.
Tip
Tipping is not common in Norway, as a certain amount of service is often included in the bill. In restaurants and when driving a taxi, the invoice amount can be rounded up to the nearest straight amount or by 3-10%. In restaurants it is common to leave the tip on the table instead of giving it to the waitress directly.
Other essential information
Electricity
The electrical voltage in Norway is 230 volts. The sockets and plugs are two-pole as in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. You therefore do not need an adapter to use your electronic devices.
