10 facts you didn't know about Norway

Norway is a gem of Scandinavia and is one of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet. Where mighty fjords sit juxtaposed to craggy mountain tops and where elusive wildlife runs free and happy. A Norwegian Fjords cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that any avid cruiser should experience. In this guide, we uncover 10 fascinating facts about Norway you might not have known, so keep reading if you want to find out more.

10 facts you didn’t know about Norway:

·        The sun doesn’t set in summer

·        Norway introduced salmon sushi to Japan

·        There are two versions of the Norwegian language

·        Europe's biggest herd of wild reindeer lives in Norway

·        Norway gave the world the cheese slicer

·        Norway rules the Winter Olympics

·        Norwegians are massive bookworms

·        Norway supplies London with a Christmas tree every year

·        The country is home to the longest road tunnel

·        Roald Dahl based the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on a factory in Oslo

The sun doesn’t set in summer

The Midnight Sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs during the summer months in locations in the Arctic Circle and in Norway there is 78 days of constant sunlight from May through to July. Comparatively, the country is also plunged into darkness during Polar Nights which run from November through to January. It is well worth visiting Norway during both Midnight Sun and Polar Nights as the country takes on two completely different personas.

Norway introduced salmon sushi to Japan

You may think that sushi is a Japanese invention as it is an iconic dish of the country, but salmon sushi was introduced by Norwegian in the 1980s. The low stocks in Japan at the time and the fresh, abundant fish that was available in Norway meant a deal was struck and salmon from Norway  was used by the Japanese.  

There are two versions of the Norwegian language

As with most languages, there are usually several variations that may once have been in circulation over the years, but Norway still has two languages that are in use. Bokmål is the language that is used most across the country, whereas Nynorsk is frequently used in more rural areas, particularly in the western Fjord region.

READ MORE: A Norwegian Fjord Cruise packing guide

Europe's biggest herd of wild reindeer lives in Norway

When you think of reindeer, you may initially think of the Arctic or Lapland, but the biggest and largest herd of reindeer in Europe live in Norway. Calling Hardangervidda National Park their home, the number of reindeer in the winter months can reach numbers more than 7,000 in the National Park alone.

Girl About the Globe explains a little more about her experience with Reindeer in Norway on her blog, explaining: “Feeding reindeer in Norway is such a humbling, magical experience. If you've ever wanted to experience reindeer feeding and learn about the Sami culture, Tromsø in the Arctic Circle is a great place to do it.”

Norway gave the world the cheese slicer

If you’ve ever used a cheese slicer, then you have a Norwegian to thank. Invented in 1925 by Thor Bjørklund, it became a compulsory element of all Scandinavian kitchens and still proves popular to this day. Norway loves its cheese, and even though cheese is often sold pre-sliced, many households still choose the traditional method of slicing themselves.

Norway rules the Winter Olympics

As a country that is known for being capped in snow during certain months of the year, it is no shock that Norway are often top of the medal podium at the Winter Olympics. The country is the world’s most successful nation at the Winter Olympics having won more medals than any other country at the games. The country hosted the winter games back in 1952 in Oslo and in 1994 in Lillehammer.

READ MORE: UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Norway 

Norwegians are massive book worms

There is nothing Norwegians love more than a good book and it is said that as a nation, they read more than any other country. More than 2,000 books are published in the country annually and is known for being the birthplace of great authors like Knut Hamsun and Henrik Ibsen.

Norway supplies London with a Christmas tree every year

As the type of Christmas tree would suggest, Norway supplies Trafalgar Square with a stunning Norwegian Spruce tree every year. The generous donation to London is an age-old tradition dating back to 1947 and is Norway’s way of thanking the British Isles for their support during World War 2.

The country is home to the longest road tunnel

Did you know that Norway is home to the world’s longest road tunnel? The Lærdal Tunnel is a whopping 15km in length but is marvelled for its mighty design and lighting. The tunnel features different light settings to keep the attention of drivers and help with mental strain.

Roald Dahl based the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on a factory in Oslo

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a world-famous film that is marvelled at across the globe, but did you know the factory is based on a factory in Norway? Roald Dahl based the books on Freia Chocolate Factory in Oslo.

As this article suggests, Norway is a country of splendour, charm, and mystery, which makes it the perfect place to enjoy a cruise to Norway with Ambassador Cruise Line. Take a look at our cruise deals to find your perfect cruise.