• Population: 4,850,440
• Capital: Oslo
• Area: 385,252 square km
• Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK)
• Language: Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk), Sámi language.
• Religion: Protestant Christianity
• Ethnic groups: 89.4% - Norwegian and Sámi, 10.6% - other

The Viking Age, which began in the latter part of 8th century, lasting up to the middle part of 11th century, was the era in which the Norwegians started seeking new lands. Being skilful at building boats and ships, along with being well armed with iron weapons, they set off on voyages over the seas in search of wealth and land. These were the famous Vikings who came to be feared for their ferocity all over Europe. This was also the time that Scandinavia also actually became a part of Europe.

The Norwegians set up settlements on Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, as well as parts of Ireland and Britain. In fact, it was the Norwegians who established the modern-day cities of Ireland, Waterford, Dublin, and Limerick and also set up the trading communities nearby the Celtic settlements, Dublin and Cork.

The sea has always been Norway’s source of strength, ever since the Vikings set out in their sea going vessels in the 9th century. Nowadays, Norway’s fleets of oil-tankers and merchant ships can be counted amongst the largest in the world, while its fishing boats boast of getting the largest catch in Western Europe.

Since oil was discovered in Norway in 1969, it has been a source of wealth for this country, and subsidizes many public welfare and health programs. Although there was an economic downturn during the 1980s due to the Recession, however, since then Norway has recovered and has been enjoying a higher rate of economic growth compared to other countries of Europe.

The Laerdal tunnel, which was opened in 2000, situated on the Oslo-Bergen highway, is the longest road tunnel in the world, measuring 15.3 miles, or 24.5 kilometers. One of the aims of the tunnel was the hope it would encourage tourism to Norway’s beautiful fjords. The tunnel, which features huge caverns, which drivers can pull over into and rest, and which also simulate the rising sun, has become quite a tourist attraction by itself.