By experience, I know that it's expensive as feck, by Swedish standards. Three days in Oslo ate all my money for breakfast and gave me an economic wedgie I'll never forget. Totally worth it, though. :3
It's a wonderful place, and Norwegian is such a upbeat, happy language. It just gets you in a good mood to hear it.
The flag is red, white and blue in the typical cross-formation and is mainly influenced by Dannebrogen (the Danish flag), which is fitting because it was the "original" of that flag design.
Norway isn't part of the EU (which is looking like the smarter choice by now, I must admit. Up yours, Brussels!) and got the oil. It's part of the whole Nordic progressive sensibility club, and is a very nice place to live. Taxes are a bit less astronomical than the neighbours, but they're still rather high. It does go towards a large welfare system, though.
Now when I think about it, Oslo is interesting in that it's pretty much reversed to most other Nordic cities when it comes to income and social class et cetera. In most Nordic cities, the inner city is the fashinable, well-maintained district, and the flats and services are typically expensive, while the lower classes are clustered around the city in suburb areas. Oslo works the other way around, for the most part. It was really the first time I noticed that fact, when it was turned the other way round.
On a similar note, I'm pretty sure I saw a full replica of that palace from Disney's Aladdin in the Grönland district, oddly.
Norway was invaded by the Germans in the second world war, but put up quite a fight considering their position. It has been in Danish and later Swedish hands, but proclaimed independence during the early 20'th century. Also, vikings. Danish and Norwegian vikings were the ones heading west, plundering, trading or just moving in with people along the way.
And last, least and most sadly, banana isn't actually called "guleböj" (yellowbend). :<
Kaleion said:
My mind immediately goes to vikings, seriously I know nothing about Norway except that they are vikings.
[sub]You're still vikings, right?[/sub]
Well, suppose there's a little viking in every Northerner.
(But in effect, no. Unless you ask the Neo-Nazis.)
IamQ said:
That you are inferior to us, the Swedish master race! We once used to own you guys, remember why you celebrate your national day, eh?
So scram now! We don't need your large mountains, or your blooming economy, or your large ammounts of oil...or y...or your... you suck!
*runs away*
*Whispers* They're in the NATO. We're not. Don't provoke them.
They might sick more frost trolls at us!
