All About Norway

We learned yesterday that this year's Celebration Horse is a Norwegian Fjord , so today we will be exploring the country this hearty breed is from!

Norway is a mountainous northern European country that lies in between Sweden and the north Atlantic Ocean. Due to the difficult terrain found in the interior of the country most people have settled in the southern regions and along the coast.  The capital, Oslo, is home to the majority of the people living in Norway.

The rich culture of this country is heavily influenced by early medieval settlers who relied on the land and sea for fishing, farming, and raising livestock such as sheep. The national dish is Fårikål which is a hearty lamb and cabbage stew. Living off the land and having a deep connection to nature was important in early settlements which has influenced many of Norway’s festivals and celebrations. Midsummer is a celebration of the longest day of the year where you can find people dancing around a maypole, feasting, and hosting bonfires. Other notable festivals include Lucia Day and Walpurgis Night to welcome spring.

During the Great Ice Age repeated glaciation and melting of the land help carve the stunning fjords Norway is known for. With over 1,700 fjords throughout the country, tourists come from all over to see the diverse beauty of these natural wonders. Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord are two of the most famous fjords in Norway and are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Norway has a variety of plant and animal life outside of the sea and fjords. Spruce and pine forests are home to an abundance of wildlife that include reindeer, wolverines, lemmings, foxes, lynxs, and badgers to name a few. Along with the diverse wildlife Norway has an abundance of livestock including cattle and sheep. Also found on many farms is the country’s national horse breed, the Norwegian Fjord. This small hardy breed is known for its dun coloring and distinct mane. Along with the Fjord, horses native to Norway include the Dølehest, Nordland horse, North Swedish Horse, and Norwegian Coldblood Trotter. 

If you’ve traveled to Norway, what was your favorite thing you experienced there?  Post it in the comments!  Stay tuned for our next post as we explore another Nordic country!