Page 622 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

620  SC ANDINA VIA

Edvard Grieg, dramatist Henrik Ibsen,
Expressionist painter Edvard Munch,
and polar explorer Roald Amundsen.
Following independence from Sweden
in 1905, the government set about
industrializing the country, expanding
the merchant fleet, and establishing
healthcare and education as the
cornerstones of a welfare state.
Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen checking his position after Norway pursued a policy of neutrality in
reaching the South Pole in 1911 World War I and World War II. The price
was high in World War I, since German
“Golden Age,” when Norway flourished submarines attacked shipping
under strong centralized government. indiscriminately and Norway lost half
In 1262, both Iceland and Greenland its chartered tonnage. In World War II,
came under Norwegian rule. However, Germany occupied the country, but
in the following century, after suffering encountered a massive resistance
terrible losses in the Black Death, Norway movement. Norway’s part in the war
was reduced to being the least important helped it gain in status and it became
of the Scandinavian countries. From 1380 one of the founding members of the UN
to 1905, it was under the rule first of in 1945 and entered NATO in 1949.
Denmark and then of Sweden. The biggest issue of the postwar years
The 19th century saw the growth of a has been whether or not to join the EU.
national identity and a blossoming of Twice Norway has refused, but the
Norwegian culture. Most of Norway’s economy thrives regardless, thanks in
most famous individuals were born in this large part to revenues from North Sea oil.
century, among them the composer
Language and Culture
KEY DATES IN NORWEGIAN HISTORY There are two official Norwegian languages:
AD 800–1050 Viking Age Bokmål (book language), a modernization
866 Vikings control most of England of old Dano-Norwegian used in the days
900 Norway united under hereditary rule of Danish rule, and Nynorsk, based on rural
1030 Christianity established dialects, which was codified in the 19th
1217–63 Reign of Haakon IV century as part of the resurgence of
1380–1814 Norway in union with Denmark nationalism. Despite the government’s
1660 Modern boundaries of Norway established, efforts to preserve the use of Nynorsk, it is
through Treaty of Copenhagen in decline. As in other parts of Scandinavia,
1814 Union with Sweden, but Norwegian you don’t need to speak Norwegian to get
parliament, the Storting, has extensive powers by, since most people speak English.
1887 Norwegian Labour party is founded Perhaps because independence was so
1905 Norway established as a separate kingdom long in coming, most Norwegians are
1940–45 German occupation of Norway during
World War II great patriots. National Independence
Day (May 17) is celebrated the length
1969 Discovery of oil and gas in North Sea
1972 Following a referendum, Norway declines and breadth of the country, with festive
membership of the EU gatherings even at remote farms.
1994 Second referendum on membership of the EU; Norwegians also have a great attach-
majority again votes “no” ment to outdoor pursuits – fishing,
2011 Seventy-seven people die in terror attacks hiking, and skiing – and many families
2013 Norway celebrates 100 years of women’s suffrage have a hytte (cottage or cabin) in the
2014 Norway celebrates 200 years of its Constitution
mountains or on the coast.

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