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Norway

Some interesting facts about Norway:

The first setlements in Norway date to 9,000 B.C. The Longships of the Vikings arrived around 800 A.D.

Norway is a constitutional democracy of 4.8 million people.

After 400 years of Danish rule, Norway's Constitution was created in 1814 and it joined with Sweden.  On June 7, 1905, Norway declared its 91 year union with Sweden dissolved.

The Head of State is His Majesty King Harald V of Norway, the Head of Government is Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

Norway was the first country to require 10 weeks paid parental leave for fathers. Parental leave of 46 weeks is available at 100% pay or 56 weeks of leave is available 80% pay.

Norway has the oldest Stave Church still existing in Northern Europe. A Stave Church is a wooden church constructed in the Middle Ages. The oldest in Norway is Urnes Stave Church, built in Luster, beside the Sognefjord, in 1150 as a private church for a powerful family.

What is a fjord?  A fjord is a valley formed by glaciers and filled with the sea to create a steep-walled inlet.

On Norway's National Day is May 17, Constitution Day.

In Arctic Norway, the Land of the Midnight Sun, the sun never sets in the summer, so there are months of sunshine 24 hours.  In the winter, the sun disappears, however, the astounding Northern Lights appear, also known as a "rainbow at night." 

Recommended foods to try in Norway:

 "Reker" - Shrimps Norwegian Style - Peel shrimps yourself, pile them on white bread, squeeze fresh lemon juice, add mayonnaise on top and sprinkle with dill

"Faikal" - A typical autumn dish - Lamb simmered with cabbage and whole peppercorns

"Laks og eggerore" - Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs