NORWAY

The name Norway (in Norwegian, Norge or Noreg) is derived from Norvegr, meaning "the way to the north." The Vikings used the term more than 1,000 years ago to describe the shipping route along the west coast of Norway. Norwegians have been seafarers since the dawn of history, so it seems natural for the country to have a nautical name.

Norway is a land of tradition, exemplified by its rustic stave churches and its folk dances. But Norway is also modern. This technologically advanced nation is rich in petroleum and hydroelectric energy. Norwegians also enjoy a well-developed national social insurance system that provides pensions, health insurance, unemployment insurance, and rehabilitation assistance. The system is financed by contributions from the insured, which makes Norway one of the most heavily taxed nations on earth.

One of the last great natural frontiers of the world, Norway invites exploration, with its steep and jagged fjords, salmon-filled rivers, glaciers, mountains, and meadows. In the winter, the shimmering aurora borealis (northern lights) are the lure, before giving way to the midnight sun of summer.