Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
suicide in Norway is about 11.9 persons per 100,000, while Austria stands at over 15.0 per
100,000, the U.S. at 11.0, Sweden at 12.7, and Canada at 11.3.
Norway's population is almost 4.9 million, scattered over 125,000 square miles. Its
population density is sparse: thirteen persons per square mile (Saudi Arabia's is nine; Ger-
many's is 230). Two-thirds of Norway is mountainous, and the isolation of farmsteads
tempts Norwegians to migrate to urban places. About one-quarter of Norway's 4.5 million
people live in Oslo's metropolitan area; three-quarters of all Norwegians live in urban set-
tlements. Even so, Norwegians have a strong attachment to their countryside. A simple
summer home (a hytte) is the dream (some would say birthright) of every Norwegian. The
same can be said for a boat to sail Norway's bays, inlets, and countless lakes. Norwegians
invented skiing, a splendid way to travel over snow-covered ground. (The words ski and
slalom are Norwegian.)
WHO SAYS OIL AND WATER DON'T MIX?
Until recently, geography consigned Norway to the ranks of the relatively poor. By tradition
and necessity, Norwegian farms are small. The countryside's small valleys and rocky hill-
sides do not lend themselves to farming that achieves an economy of scale. To preserve
Norway's farming tradition (and with memory of Norway's wartime need for a food sup-
ply), the government gives farmers an income sufficient to match those of city dwellers.
Norway's principal exports have been timber from its extensive forests (Norway invented
the water-driven power saw) and fish from ocean waters.
Until the middle of the twentieth century, Norway also earned much of its foreign ex-
change through its fleet of freight-carrying ships. But poverty and lack of economic oppor-
tunity sent Norwegians on a nineteenth century exodus. The United States was the principal
place for social and economic opportunity, and the state of Illinois was a favorite destina-
tion; from about 1830 to 1920 some 750,000 Norwegians emigrated to distant places.
Then, in the late 1960s oil was discovered offshore, and Norway's long history of
a cash-strapped government ended. Equally important, the oil and natural gas industries
provided thousands of well-paying jobs. With a prudence that other oil-producing countries
might envy, Norway invested much of its oil revenues in its infrastructure and long-term
social capital. All-weather roads were built to almost all inaccessible hamlets. New schools
were built, and universities were handsomely supported, including free tuition. Universal
health care was extended, along with generous provision for unemployment insurance, ma-
ternity leave, and single-parent support. Anticipating a future drop in oil earnings, success-
ive governments have earmarked a portion of oil revenues for investment and future earn-
ings. As Norwegians are fond of saying, “Oil has made Norway a pleasant place to live,”
a sentiment confirmed by a recent United Nations index of best places to live. Norway
topped the list according to three measures: life expectancy, education, and income.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search