Norway is famous for its fjords, northern lights and Viking history. But we called our documentary “Land of Surprising Facts” because of the unusual stories you run into in its everyday life, its history and even its zoos. Here are 12 of them. For trip planning, check out our Norway travel guide.
Nature at the extremes
1. Days when the sun never sets, and never rises. North of the Arctic Circle, the sun doesn’t set for weeks in summer, while in winter comes the polar night, when it doesn’t rise at all.
For travelers: Bring a sleep mask in summer; in winter, daylight may be limited to a few hours, so concentrate your sightseeing around midday.
2. The world’s longest road tunnel. The Lærdal Tunnel, on the road between Oslo and Bergen, is about 24.5 kilometers long. To keep drivers alert, it has cave-like sections lit in different colors.
3. Fjords stretch the coastline. Measured with all its fjords and islands, Norway’s coastline becomes one of the longest in the world.
Gifts to the world
4. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo. While the other Nobel Prizes are presented in Stockholm, the Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, as Alfred Nobel’s will specified.
5. The cheese slicer was invented by a Norwegian. The plane-style cheese slicer used around the world today was developed by a Norwegian carpenter in the 1920s.
6. Salmon in sushi was Norway’s idea. Using raw salmon in sushi wasn’t common in Japan; promotional campaigns by Norwegian salmon producers in the 1980s played a big role in spreading the habit.
7. A Christmas tree for London every year. Since 1947, Norway has sent a giant Christmas tree to London’s Trafalgar Square every year to say thank you for Britain’s support during World War II.
Unusual stories
8. A knighted penguin. A king penguin living at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, the mascot of the Norwegian King’s Guard, has been honored with a knighthood by the regiment.
9. The doomsday seed vault. In the Svalbard archipelago, the Global Seed Vault, carved into a mountain, stores seed samples from around the world as insurance against disaster.
10. No burials in Longyearbyen. In this Svalbard town, there have been no burials since the 1950s, because the permafrost prevents bodies from decomposing.
Everyday Norway
11. The right to roam. The principle of “allemannsretten” lets you hike, and even camp, on private land as long as you follow the rules.
For travelers: When camping, stay at least 150 meters from houses and respect fire bans.
12. Oil-rich but an electric car champion. While saving its oil revenue in one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, Norway has become one of the countries with the highest share of electric cars in new car sales.
Final word
Traveling in Norway can be expensive, but once you see how much the country values nature, equality and long-term planning, you’ll better understand why it’s such a different place.
Frequently asked questions
Is Norway a member of the European Union?
No. Norway isn’t an EU member, but it’s in the Schengen Area and part of the European Economic Area.
When can you see the midnight sun?
North of the Arctic Circle in summer, from roughly late May to late July; the dates vary with latitude.
