What is the capital of Norway?

Oslo is the capital and largest city of Norway, located at the head of the Oslofjord in the country's southeast. The city has a metropolitan population of roughly 1 million people and serves as the seat of the Norwegian government, parliament (Storting), and royal family. Oslo is known for its museums, waterfront, and high standard of living.

What currency does Norway use?

Norway uses the Norwegian Krone (NOK, symbol kr) as its official currency. Despite close ties to the European Union through the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement, Norway is not an EU member and has voted against joining in two referendums (1972 and 1994). Norges Bank, founded in 1816, is the central bank.

What time zone does Norway use?

Norway observes Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) during daylight saving, which runs from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. The country experiences extreme seasonal variation — the midnight sun in northern regions in summer and polar night in winter.

What is Norway's sovereign wealth fund?

Norway's Government Pension Fund Global (often called the Oil Fund) is the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, valued at over USD 1.6 trillion as of 2024. It was established in 1990 to invest surplus revenues from Norway's petroleum sector. The fund owns on average about 1.5% of all listed shares globally and is managed by Norges Bank Investment Management.

Is Norway a member of the EU?

No. Norway is not a member of the European Union. Norwegians voted against EU membership in referendums in 1972 and 1994. However, Norway participates in the EU's single market through the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement and has adopted most EU regulations. Norway is also a founding member of NATO (1949).

What is Norway's international calling code?

Norway's country calling code is +47. When dialing from abroad, dial your country's exit code, then 47, followed by the local 8-digit number. Norway does not use area codes — all landline and mobile numbers are 8 digits and dialed the same way domestically and internationally (minus the +47 prefix).

Norway Country Facts

Browse key facts about Norway — geography, demographics, economy, and government — all organized in a searchable reference card.

Official Name

Kingdom of Norway

Kongeriket Norge (Bokmål) / Kongeriket Noreg (Nynorsk)

Capital City

Oslo

Largest city; located at the head of the Oslofjord in southeastern Norway

Total Area

385,207 km²

148,728 sq mi — rank 61st globally; includes Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Continent / Region

Northern Europe

Scandinavian Peninsula; borders Sweden (east), Finland and Russia (northeast)

Bordering Countries

Sweden, Finland, Russia

Longest border with Sweden (1,619 km); sea borders with Denmark and the UK

Time Zone

UTC+1 / UTC+2

CET in winter; CEST (daylight saving) in summer

Coastline

25,148 km

15,626 mi; 5th longest globally; deeply cut by fjords and over 50,000 islands

Highest Point

Galdhøpiggen — 2,469 m

8,100 ft; highest peak in Norway and all of Scandinavia; in Jotunheimen

Longest Fjord

Sognefjord — 204 km

127 mi; world's second deepest fjord (1,308 m) and longest in Norway; UNESCO listed

Population (2024)

~5.5 million

~14 people/km²; majority in the south and around Oslo

Official Languages

Norwegian

Two written forms: Bokmål (~85%) and Nynorsk (~15%); Sami is a recognized minority language

Calling Code

+47

All numbers are 8 digits; no area codes — dial +47 then the 8-digit number

Religion

Largely secular

Church of Norway (Lutheran) ~68% nominal membership; active attendance is low

Largest Cities

Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger

Also: Trondheim, Drammen, Fredrikstad, Kristiansand, Sandnes

Life Expectancy

~83.2 years

2023 estimate; consistently among the highest in the world

Government Type

Constitutional monarchy

Parliamentary democracy; unicameral Storting (parliament) with 169 seats

Monarch

King Harald V

In office since January 17, 1991; ceremonial role only

Prime Minister

Jonas Gahr Støre

In office since October 14, 2021; Labour Party leader

Independence

June 7, 1905

Dissolution of union with Sweden; Constitution Day celebrated May 17, 1814

Administrative Divisions

15 counties (fylker)

Further divided into 356 municipalities (kommuner); Svalbard is a special territory

NATO Member

Yes (founding member)

Founding member since April 4, 1949; not an EU member (voted against in 1972 and 1994)

Currency

Norwegian Krone (NOK, kr)

Not a euro member; Norges Bank (founded 1816) manages monetary policy

Nominal GDP (2023)

~USD 546 billion

Rank ~27th globally (IMF); boosted significantly by petroleum revenues

GDP per Capita (2023)

~USD 99,600

Among the highest in the world; PPP: ~USD 82,800 (IMF estimate)

Sovereign Wealth Fund

Over USD 1.6 trillion

World's largest sovereign wealth fund; funded by petroleum revenues since 1990

Top Exports

Petroleum, natural gas, fish

Also: metals, chemicals, ships, machinery; Europe's largest gas exporter

Major Industries

Petroleum, shipping, fish farming

Also: hydropower, aluminum, maritime technology; world's 2nd largest salmon exporter

Internet TLD

.no

Administered by Norid (the Norwegian registry for domain names)

ISO Codes

NO / NOR

ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 and alpha-3

Constitution Day

May 17

Syttende mai; celebrates the signing of the Norwegian Constitution on May 17, 1814

Drives On

Right side of the road

Vehicles keep to the right; overtaking is normally on the left

UNESCO Heritage Sites

8 sites

Includes West Norwegian Fjords (Geirangerfjord, Nærøyfjord), Bryggen in Bergen, and Urnes Stave Church

Nobel Peace Prize

Nobel Peace Prize host

Awarded in Oslo since 1901; the only Nobel Prize not given in Stockholm, per Alfred Nobel's will

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Summary

Norway is a Northern European country occupying the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, covering 385,207 km² with a population of approximately 5.5 million people. Famous for its fjords, the midnight sun, and the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, Norway consistently ranks among the top nations for human development and quality of life. This reference tool presents Norway's essential facts — geography, demographics, government, economy, and culture — in a clear, searchable layout.

How it works

All facts are organized into thematic sections: Geography, People, Government, Economy, and Culture.
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Use cases

Quick lookup for students doing geography or social studies homework.
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Business professionals researching Norway's economy and sovereign wealth fund.
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Researchers studying Norway's fjords, oil industry, or welfare state model.
Anyone curious about Norway's geography, government, history, or culture.

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Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu

Norway Country Facts

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