Before we begin, make sure you read our latest blog on “9 Amazing Facts About Togo” for some insightful information.
10. Did you think that Christopher Columbus was the first European to cross the Atlantic and reach North America? Well, guess again. Leif Erikson is the original European discoverer of North America and the United States. Precisely, 500 years before Christopher Columbus arrived. Although Leif was born in Iceland, his father was the famous Norwegian Viking, Erik the Red.
9. Scandinavia is the birthplace of the Vikings. The fearsome and skilled warriors and sailors who discovered, conquered and raided various regions for centuries before Christianity found its way here. Norway was home to some of the most famous Vikings of all time! Some famous Norwegian Vikings are Erik the Red, Leif Erikson, Eric Bloodaxe and Harald Hardrada.
8. In the winter you can see the Northern Lights. From October to March, it’s possible to get a glimpse of the magical and natural light show, also known as Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights. It can also be possible to see the Northern Lights for a longer period because the phenomenon is active all-year-round, but can only be seen when the sky is dark enough.
7. This is the global index to measure how good a country is when it comes to equality, expected lifespan, education and much more. Norwegians can pride themselves on being number 1 in the Human Development Index. Which essentially means that Norway is one of the best countries in the world.
6. Norway’s sovereign wealth fund is currently worth around $1 trillion. That’s a lot of money. People always say that Norway is so expensive, but when you think about it, the wages and money flow in the country is also a lot higher than most other countries.
5. The Fjords of Norway are world-famous and each year tourists from all around the world come to admire their beauty. There are over 1000 fjords scattered across the country which is the highest concentration of fjords in the world.
4. Did you know that the sun never goes down for several weeks during the summer? Moreover, during winter, the opposite thing happens as the sun never rises for several weeks. This is called “Midnight Sun” and “Polar Night” and occur in the Northern parts of the country. This means that for some weeks it’s constantly bright outside, and for some weeks it’s pitch-black all day long.
3. While this might not come as a surprise to everyone since Norway is home to some of the best ski slopes, it’s still a great accomplishment to have won as many medals at the Winter Olympic Games. Especially considering the total amount of the population. Norway is the most successful nation at the Winter Olympic Games.
2. Norway introduced salmon sushi to the Japanese in the eighties. The Japanese didn’t serve salmon sushi, and now it’s one of the most common options when you go to a sushi restaurant in Japan.
1. When there is equality, it’s easier to achieve transparency. Personal income tax was public in Norway since it was first introduced back to 1882. Today, you can see anyone’s income and tax returns with the click of a button, since these are posted online on the Norwegian Tax Administration’s website. This practice keeps companies in check and tax evasion almost non-existent, proving that there’s nothing Norwegians love more than being fair.
