Facts about Norway

 As I am practicing my skills as Tour Guide, here are facts about Norway.

Voting

1898, men over 25 years were allowed to vote. 

1907, women with an income were allowed to vote. 

1913, all women were allowed to vote. 

1814, 17th May the Norwegian constitution was adopted with 15 counties and 356 municipalities. 

1884 Parlamentarism was introduced with 169 parliamentarians, elected every 4 years.

2025, 41% of the parliamentarian are women. 


Politics & Economy

1945, a founding member of UN

1949, joined NATO

1992, joined EEA

2001, joined Schengen

Foreign AID: Luxembourg made the largest contribution as a percentage of gross national income (GNI) at 1.05%. Norway gave 1.02%, Sweden gave 0.99% and Denmark gave 0.71%. 

8% of the population work in Tourism. Tourism contributed with 4% of GDP.

70% of norwegian are in active labour.

Parental leave is 49 weeks paid with full salary. 15 weeks are dedicated to the father. 

History 

9th century until 1537 Norway was Roman Catholic for ca 600 years.

Reformation with Protestant Evangelical Lutheran Christian from 1537 until 2012.

2012, the church of Norway separated from the state. Since then the royal family can choose their religion too. Before 2012, every member of the royal family had to be lutheran christian. 

70% of the population belong to the church of Norway. 

Bergen was trading HUB to Hanseatic merchants for ca 400 years from 1366 to 1754.

Geography

Highest mountain, Galdhopiggen at 2469 meters.

Longest river, Glomen is 623 kilometers.

Longest and deepest fjord is the Sognefjord with 204 kilometers. Which is also NR 2 deepest in the world.

Biggest lake, Mjossa with 368 km2.

Deepest lake, Honindalsvatnet, also the deepest lake in Europe.

Largest mainland glacier, Jostedalbeen.

Fun Facts

1740, Potato was introduced to Norway by Pastor Atche.

1858, steamboats

1868, Norwegian Trekking Association is also the largest outdoor life organisation. 

1883, Voss - Bergen railroad

1909, Voss - Oslo railroad

1864/1889, Fleischers hotel in Voss

1880, the discovery tour by Cook Travels, to Voss, Stalheim, Hardanger and Sognefjord. 

1885, Stalheims hotel in Stalheim

1889 - 1914, Kaiser Wilhelm II, King of Germany, visited Gudsvangen, Stalheim region every summer for 25 years. 

1902/1911, Commercial Bus company: Voss - Stalheim - Gudvangen

1957, Allemansrätten introduced. 


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