Land of Fjords and Mountains

Norway is a country in northern Europe. It lies on the western half of a peninsula it shares with Sweden. Together with Denmark, these countries are known as Scandinavia. The many arms of the sea that stretch into Norway are called “fjords.” The longest rift gold and deepest of these is Sogne Fjord. Almost every part of the country is close to the sea or a fjord.

Norway is also covered with mountains. The two highest peaks are Galdhø Peak and Mount Glitter. Each of them is more than 8,000 feet tall. Glaciers can be found in some mountain ranges. The Jostedals Glacier is the largest in Europe.

Norway is a leading producer of oil, which comes from the North Sea. Many people work in forestry, harvesting trees for lumber. Most of Norway’s forests have evergreen trees such as pine and spruce. To the south, though, there are ash,rift gold, birch, and aspen trees. Elk, wild reindeer, lemmings, and wolverines live in the mountains and forests.
Fishing is a major industry in coastal areas. Other countries buy fish from Norway, especially frozen cod, canned sardines, and herrings. And whales can be seen, too, off the Norwegian coast. Norway’s long seagoing tradition includes many famous explorers, such as the Viking explorer Leif Eriksson and the adventurer-scientist Thor Heyerdahl.

Some of Norway’s native Sami people (also called Lapps) still practice traditional reindeer herding. Most of the people of Norway speak either Bokmal or Nynorsk, though many also speak English. Painter Edvard Munch, playwright Henrik Ibsen, and composer Edvard Grieg are famous Norwegians who have made important contributions to the arts.