Norway

 

Good morning, all hope everyone is doing well and either had a good weekend or are having a good weekend, my weekend was good I did bugga all.

This week we are looking at Norway, another Scandinavian country encompassing mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords. Oslo, the capital, is a city of green spaces and museums. Preserved 9th-century Viking ships are displayed at Oslo’s Viking Ship Museum. Bergen, with colourful wooden houses, is the starting point for cruises to the dramatic Sognefjord. Norway is also known for fishing, hiking and skiing, notably at Lillehammer’s Olympic resort.

The capital is Oslo and the population is 5.5 million and currency is the Norwegian Krone and the official language is Norwegian. Most Norwegians have a reasonable level of English. You will find that you can speak English in most shops and restaurants, as well as in public offices and with service providers. If you are not comfortable holding a conversation in English, it is even more important to learn Norwegian.

They are not a member state of the European Union, but they are associated with the Union through its membership in the European Economic Area (EEA).

The national flag of Norway is red with a navy-blue Scandinavian cross bordered in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog, the flag of Denmark‎.

It was designed in 1821, and is based on the Danish flag, the Dannebrog, marking the union with the Kingdom of Denmark from 1397 until 1814. The blue cross symbolises the union between Norway and Sweden from 1814 until 1905.

Norway is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The country is governed by a prime minister, a cabinet, and a 169-seat parliament (Storting) that is elected every four years and cannot be dissolved. The current Prime Minister is Jonas Gahr Støre he is the country’s 36^th Prime Minister.

The current King is Harald V, he succeeded to the throne on 17 January 1991. Harald was the third child and only son of King Olav V of Norway and Princess Märtha of Sweden.

The country is known for its mind-boggling fjords, lakes, soaring white mountains, emerald-green forests, urban excursions, and more. It is a perfect blend of remote quaint villages and bustling hubs. Known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun”, an experience unique to the country is the Northern Lights.

Norwegians are proud of their traditions of equality and humanitarianism. The country often takes in refugees and people seeking asylum from other countries. The people of Norway have one of the highest standards of living in the world.

They have universal health care, funded primarily by general taxes and by payroll contributions shared by employers and employees.

Anyone registered as a resident in Norway has a right to access the Norwegian state healthcare system. State healthcare in Norway is not completely free. Healthcare costs are covered by both the state and through patient contributions (user fees).

Norwegian citizens do not have to pay tuition at public universities. Also, students who are citizens of the EU/EEA or Switzerland can study for free at Norway public universities. Until 2022, international students from other nationalities could also study for free at Norway public universities.

In Norway's schools, there are two semesters. The new academic year begins in the middle of August. The first semester begins in August and ends in December. The second semester begins in January and ends in June. The school year of primary and lower secondary education consists of 38 weeks (190 days) for pupils and 39 weeks for teachers and is divided into two terms.