Norway: flag, capital, currency and history

Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a country in Northern Europe, Europe. Its capital is Oslo. The currency is the Norwegian krone. Languages spoken include Norwegian Nynorsk, Norwegian Bokmål and Sami.

Quick facts about Norway

Official name: Kingdom of Norway
Capital: Oslo
Region: Europe, Northern Europe
Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK, kr)
Languages: Norwegian Nynorsk, Norwegian Bokmål, Sami
Calling code: +47
Internet domain: .no
Area: 323,802 km² (125,021 sq mi)
Land borders: Finland, Sweden, Russia
Demonym: Norwegian
National day: Constitution Day, May 17

Flag of Norway

Download the flag of Norway as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇳🇴.

SVG (vector)

History of Norway

Norway was settled after the last Ice Age, and Norse seafarers became prominent in the Viking Age from around 800. Over the following centuries the separate petty kingdoms were gradually united into one realm. In 1397 Norway entered the Kalmar Union with Denmark and Sweden and remained under the Danish crown until 1814. That year it adopted a constitution and then entered a union with Sweden, which was peacefully dissolved in 1905. German forces occupied the country from 1940 to 1945. Norway is a constitutional monarchy and a founding member of NATO.

Key dates

c. 800The Viking Age begins, with Norse raids and settlement across northern Europe and the Atlantic.
1397Norway joins Denmark and Sweden in the Kalmar Union.
1814Norway adopts a constitution on 17 May and enters a union with Sweden.
1905The union with Sweden is dissolved and Haakon VII becomes king.
1940Germany invades Norway, beginning an occupation that lasts until 1945.
1949Norway becomes a founding member of NATO.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.