About Norway: Cultural Background for the Norwegian Test A1-B2

Why is knowledge about Norway important for the Norwegian test?

Understanding Norway as a society, culture, and nation can be useful for succeeding on the Norwegian test A1-B2. The Norwegian test primarily evaluates language skills – your ability to understand, speak, read, and write Norwegian. However, knowledge about Norwegian culture and society can help you understand the context in texts and conversations used on the test.

Candidates who have good knowledge about Norway and Norwegian culture may find it easier to understand cultural references and context in the language tasks on the Norwegian test, even though the test primarily measures language skills.

Knowledge about Norway helps you with:

• Text comprehension: Understand references to Norwegian places, people, and events
• Cultural context: Interpret implicit messages in Norwegian texts
• Conversation topics: Participate actively in discussions about Norwegian conditions
• Writing tasks: Use relevant examples from Norwegian society
• Self-confidence: Feel more secure about Norwegian culture and values

Norway's Geography and Regions

Basic Geography

Norway is an elongated country in Northern Europe with:

• Area: 385,207 km² (including Svalbard and Jan Mayen)
• Population: Approximately 5.5 million inhabitants
• Capital: Oslo (approximately 700,000 inhabitants)
• Length: Over 1,750 km from south to north
• Borders: Sweden, Finland, and Russia
• Coastline: Over 25,000 km with fjords

The Five Regions

Eastern Norway (Østlandet)

Important cities: Oslo, Drammen, Fredrikstad, Hamar, Lillehammer

• Norway's most populated region
• Economic and political center
• Inland areas with forests and lakes
• Key industries: technology, finance, public sector

Western Norway (Vestlandet)

Important cities: Bergen, Stavanger, Haugesund, Ålesund

• Known for spectacular fjords
• Oil capital Stavanger
• Fishing and maritime traditions
• Rainy climate

Central Norway (Trøndelag)

Important cities: Trondheim, Steinkjer

• Historical capital with Nidaros Cathedral
• NTNU – important university
• Agriculture and technology
• Central location in Norway

Northern Norway (Nord-Norge)

Important cities: Tromsø, Bodø, Alta, Hammerfest

• Midnight sun and northern lights
• Sami culture and language
• Fishing and tourism
• Challenging climate

Southern Norway (Sørlandet)

Important cities: Kristiansand, Arendal, Mandal

• Popular vacation destination for Norwegians
• White sandy beaches
• Summer climate
• Traditional wooden towns

Norwegian History – Important Periods

Viking Age (793–1066)

• Norwegian Vikings explored and traded in Europe
• Viking ships and seafaring
• Important kings: Harald Fairhair, Olav the Holy
• Christianization of Norway

Union with Denmark (1380–1814)

• Norway in union with Denmark for over 400 years
• Copenhagen as capital
• Danish as written language
• Reformation and Lutheran Christianity

Union with Sweden (1814–1905)

• Own constitution at Eidsvoll
• National romanticism and identity
• Development of Norwegian culture and language
• Parliamentarism and democracy

Modern Norway (1905–present)

• Independence and own king
• Neutrality in World War I
• Occupation during World War II
• NATO membership (1949)
• Oil discovery in North Sea (1969)
• EU referendums (1972, 1994)

Norwegian Society

Political System

Form of government: Constitutional monarchy

• King: Harald V (head of state)
• Prime Minister: Leads the government
• Storting: National assembly with 169 representatives
• Constitution: From 1814, world's second oldest

Welfare State and Values

The Norwegian Model:

• Universal welfare services
• Free healthcare and education
• Strong trade unions
• High degree of equality
• Low degree of inequality

Core values:

• Solidarity: Community and support for vulnerable groups
• Equality: Between genders, classes, and groups
• Justice: Equal treatment and opportunities
• Trust: High trust in institutions and fellow humans
• Consensus: Seeking broad agreements rather than confrontation

Norwegian Culture and Traditions

Holidays and Celebrations

National Holidays

• May 17: Constitution Day – Norway’s national day
• June 23: Midsummer Eve (St. Hans)
• December 25: Christmas Day

Christian Holidays

• Easter: Major holiday with cabin trips
• Whitsun (Pentecost): Traditional confirmation time
• Christmas: Most important holiday with family gatherings

Outdoor Life and Nature

The Right to Roam (Allemannsretten):

• Right to free movement in nature
• Free access to forests and fields
• Responsibility not to harm nature
• Respect for private property and wildlife

Popular Activities:

• Skiing: National sport – cross-country and alpine
• Football: Most popular team sport
• Cabin life: Cabins in the mountains or by the sea
• Fishing: Both sea and freshwater fishing
• Hiking: Mountain hikes

Food and Culinary Culture

Traditional Norwegian Food

• Fish: Salmon, cod, herring – important part of the diet
• Meat: Reindeer, moose, sheep
• Potatoes: Main source of starch
• Bread: Coarse bread and crispbread

Typical Norwegian Dishes

• Fårikål: National dish with lamb and cabbage
• Rakfisk: Fermented fish
• Lutefisk: Dried fish treated with lye
• Lefse: Traditional flatbread
• Rømmegrøt: Creamy porridge

Modern Food Culture

• Organic and sustainable food: Gaining popularity
• International cuisine: Influences from all over the world
• Coffee culture: Norwegians drink a lot of coffee, often socially