Norway

C

Coastline and Islands

Fjords form Norway’s most distinctive physical feature—its deeply indented coastline. Geologists believe the fjords were once mountain valleys that were gouged by glaciers as the glaciers moved slowly to the sea. Later, the sea flooded the valleys to form fingers of water extending far into the interior. The most spectacular fjords are in the west, where mountains descend steeply to the sea. The longest and deepest fjord, Sognafjorden, is there. It is about 204 km (about 127 mi) long, and, in places, its rock walls rise abruptly from the sea to heights of 1,500 m (5,000 ft) or more. Norway’s most important harbors and cities are situated along the fjords, and where the land permits, farms line the steep banks.

More than 150,000 islands protect the coastline and gateways to the fjords from the worst of the stormy weather that sweeps the Arctic Ocean, and they provide an inland channel that in places is remarkably calm. Many of these islands, known as the skerry guard, are little more than rocks washed by the surf, but others are of considerable size. The Lofoten and Vesterålen island archipelagos in the northwest comprise Norway’s largest coastal island groups. The islands are the glaciated tops of an ancient volcanic mountain range, now partially submerged. Norway has a coastline of approximately 2,740 km (about 1,700 mi). If all the islands and inlets are included, Norway’s coastline extends about 21,930 km (about 13,620 mi).

D

Climate

Despite its northerly location, Norway has a generally favorable climate, with cool summers and mild winters. The warm waters of the North Atlantic Drift, an extension of the Gulf Stream, flow along the western coast of Norway and give the country a warmer climate than that of other countries at the same latitude. A maritime climate generally prevails over the coastal islands and lowlands, and most of the country’s fjords and harbors remain ice-free all year. At Bergen the average high temperature in January is 3°C (38°F), and the average in July is 19°C (66°F). Rainfall is heaviest along the west coast, with precipitation decreasing inland. The average annual precipitation in Bergen is 1,930 mm (76 in).

In the interior, a more continental climate prevails. Winters are typically colder, and summers are warmer. At Oslo the average high temperature in January is 5°C (41°F), slightly warmer than Bergen; however, the average high in July is significantly warmer at 28°C (82°F). Precipitation is generally less here than on the west coast, averaging 760 mm (30 in) annually. In the highlands of northern Norway the climate is subarctic, although temperatures are significantly milder in coastal areas.

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E

Vegetation and Animal Life

Forests cover slightly more than one-fourth of Norway’s land area. Mainly deciduous forests are found in the coastal areas of southern and southwestern Norway. The principal species are birch, ash, hazel, elm, maple, and linden, but in some locations oak, yew, and holly may be found. To the east and north the forests contain increasing numbers of conifers. Thick boreal coniferous forests are found in coastal regions and in the valleys of eastern and central Norway. These forests are dominated by Scotch pine and Norway spruce, but also contain birch, alder, aspen, and mountain ash. Wild berries, such as the blueberry, lingonberry (the fruit of the mountain cranberry), and cloudberry, grow in most woodland areas. In the far north and at high elevations are tundra regions. The tundra is a treeless heath, with vegetation consisting mainly of hardy dwarf shrubs and wildflowers. Some 2,000 varieties of flowering plants grow in Norway.

Species of reindeer, polar fox, polar hare, wolf, musk-ox, and wolverine are common in the north and in the higher mountain areas. Moose, deer, fox, otter, and marten are found in the south and southeast. In the south large predatory animals, including wolf and bear, have been hunted nearly to extinction. Game birds, such as grouse, thrive in the mountains and valleys, and migratory seabirds breed on the shores of northern Norway. Both freshwater and saltwater fishes abound. Salmon, trout, grayling, perch, and pike are common in the streams and lakes. Herring, cod, halibut, haddock, mackerel, and other species spawn in coastal waters. One of Norway’s most curious inhabitants is the lemming, a small arctic rodent found in higher areas and in the north. Periodically, when overpopulation of lemmings leads to food scarcity, great hordes of the animals migrate to the lowlands in search of food, where some unwittingly plunge to their deaths in the sea.

F

Natural Resources

Norway has extensive waterpower resources. During the 20th century Norwegians began to harness the vast power of the many rivers that drain the country’s rugged mountain ranges to produce electricity. Today, Norway generates large quantities of inexpensive hydroelectric power, much of which is consumed by the country’s heavily energy-dependent electrochemical and electrometallurgical industries.

Norway’s principal mineral resources are petroleum and natural gas, which are extracted from the large reserves located along the continental shelf of the North Sea. Other mineral resources include modest amounts of iron ore, copper, zinc, and coal. Norway has Europe’s only molybdenite mine and its greatest deposit of ilmenite. Commercially useful deposits of chalk, dolomite, quartzite, graphite, and limestone are also found in Norway.

Agricultural resources in Norway are in short supply. Soils suitable for farming cover just 3 percent of Norway’s total area and are located mainly in the vicinities of Trondheim and Oslo. Forests cover more than one-quarter of Norway’s surface, and softwoods (mostly pine and spruce) are the country’s most important timber resource, furnishing forest products of many varieties for export. For centuries Norwegians have harvested marine life from the surrounding seas, and the fishing industry remains a major source of wealth for Norway.

G

Environmental Issues

One of the most serious environmental problems facing Norway is acid rain, a form of air pollution caused by industrial activity. Much of Norway’s acid rain stems from sulfur dioxide emissions originating mainly in the United Kingdom. Acid rain has damaged many of Norway’s forests and waterways. Because the country’s surface water and soils are especially susceptible to acidification, many Norwegian lakes can no longer support fish. This is a serious concern because fish are one of Norway’s primary food resources and a major export. Sulfur dioxide emissions have declined in much of Europe since the implementation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Sulphur Protocols, beginning in the 1970s. However, high levels of sulfur dioxide from abroad continue to adversely affect Norway’s environment. Nitrogen oxide, the majority of which originates in other countries, has also become a cause of significant air pollution. Norway itself contributes relatively little air pollution to the atmosphere because it relies heavily on hydroelectric power, an environmentally clean energy source.

The Norwegian government has shown commitment to improving environmental health and conservation, and many of the nation’s most pristine lands are protected in parks and reserves. Norway is party to international treaties concerning air pollution, biodiversity, climate change, endangered species, hazardous wastes, marine dumping, ship pollution, and wetlands.

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