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Population
4.5 million (2001). Population
density (at 14 per sq km) is one of the lowest in Europe.
Capital City
Oslo
Language
Norwegian (Bokmal and Nynorsk),
Sami
Principal Religions
90% Church of Norway (Evangelical
Lutheran).
International dialling
code from UK
00 47
Local currency
Norwegian Krone (NOK) 100 ore
= 1 Norwegian Krone. Notes are in denominations of NKr
1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations
of NKr 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 ore.
Weights and measures
Metric
Public holidays
| New Year's Day |
Jan 1 |
| Maundy Thursday |
March 28 |
| Good Friday |
March 29 |
| Easter Sunday |
March 31 |
| Easter Monday |
Apr 1 |
| May Day |
May 1 |
| Ascencion Day |
May 9 |
| National Day |
May 17 |
| Whit Sunday |
May 19 |
| Whit Monday |
May 20 |
| Christmas Day |
Dec 25 |
| Boxing Day |
Dec 26 |
Passports / Visas
EU residents do not require a
visa to enter Norway but should hold a valid passport
Health advice / risks
Norway has reciprocal health agreements
with most European countries and standards of healthcare
are high.
The agreement with the UK allows free hospital in-patient
treatment and ambulance travel on presentation of a
UK passport. The cost of other treatment may be partially
refunded under the Norwegian social insurance scheme.
Before leaving Norway, receipts should be presented
at the social insurance office (Trygdekasse) of the
district where treatment was carried out.
Chemists are called Apotek.
The Form E111, available from any Post Office, should
be completed and stamped (at the Post Office) before
you leave the UK and carried with you.
Travel routes to Norway
The main international airport
is Gardermoen in Oslo and the flight takes around 2
hours from London to Oslo. Direct flights also go from
Stansted to Torp airport (Oslo south). During the summer
months occasional direct flights are available to Tromso
and Trondheim.
Car ferry services also operate
to Norway and there are also a number of rail services
linking Norway with the rest of Scandinavia and Europe.
How to get to & from
the airport
There is a fast rail link from
Gardermoen airport into the centre of Oslo costing around
130NOK (approximately GBP10) for a single journey. There
are also airport buses calling at a number of city centre
stops, a single journey costing around 65 NOK (approximately
GBP5.40). The airport is some 70km north of Oslo so
a taxi to the city centre will cost around 650 NOK (approximately
GBP54).
The coach journey from Torp airport to central Oslo
costs 98NOK and will take up to 2 hours.
Travelling in Norway
Air Travel
Norway has an excellent network
of routes and connections. There are about 50 airports
and landing strips which make even the most northern
places easily accessible. The Airlines that operate
in Norway are SAS, Braathens and Wideroe.
Train Travel
The Norwegian State Railway has
a well developed network stretching from the Southwest
coast up to the North coast and connecting main cities.
In addition there is the Bergensbanenroute that crosses
the mountains from Oslo to Bergen. The northernmost
railway station at Narvik can be reached by train through
Sweden or by bus from Fauske.
There are many special offers
and discounts that make train travel reasonable.
Bus Travel
Norway's bus system is excellent
with branches reaching remote villages. Nearly all towns
and villages in Norway are accessible by bus. It is
usually not necessary to book in advance. A NOR-WAY
bus pass can be purchased through any of their agents.
Contact the Norwegian tourist board for details.
Taxis
Taxis can be picked up from ranks
in city centres or outside main stations and airports.
Taxis should be booked in advance if needed at night.
Hotels
Norwegian hotel standards are
usually very high. Prices are generally higher than
in London and a good business hotel can cost between
GBP80-130.
Restaurants
Norway offers a wide range of
local and international cuisine. Restaurant prices are
generally more expensive than in London, but food is
usually of a very good quality. Whilst a service charge
is included, it is customary to round the bill up.
Electricity supply
220V AC. Round-ended, two-pronged
continental points.
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