Norway

About Norway

     Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a country in Northern Europe that occupies the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is bordered by Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Norway has a very elongated shape: The country's extensive coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean is home to its famous fjords.

     The Kingdom of Norway also includes the Arctic island territories of Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Norwegian sovereignty of Svalbard is based upon the Svalbard Treaty, but this does not apply to Jan Mayen. Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic Ocean and claims for Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land in Antarctica are also external dependencies, but these are not part of the Kingdom.

      Since World War II, Norway has experienced rapid economic growth, and is now amongst the wealthiest countries in the world, with a fully developed welfare system. This economic progress is caused in part by the exploitation of oil and gas reserves off coast. Norway has ranked top among all countries in human development since 2001. It also rated the most peaceful country in the world in a 2007 survey by Global Peace Index.

    The Germanic Norwegian language has two official written forms, Bokmål and Nynorsk. They have officially equal status, i.e. they are both used in public administration, in schools, churches, radio and television, but Bokmål is used by the vast majority, about 85-90%. Around 95% of the population speak Norwegian as their native tongue, although many speak dialects that may differ significantly from the written language. In general Norwegian dialects are inter-intelligible, though some may require significant effort. Several Finno-Ugric Sami languages are spoken and written throughout the country, especially in the north, by the Sami people. The state recognises these languages as official, and speakers have a right to get education in Sami language no matter where they are living, and receive communications from government in various Sami languages. The Kven minority speak the Finno-Ugric Kven language/Finnish.

     The main foreign languages (primærfremmedspråk) taught in Norway are English, German and French. People may contact the authorities or take their exams in any of the three main foreign languages as well as in the two other Scandinavian languages (Danish and Swedish)

     Any Norwegian student who is a child of immigrant parents is encouraged to learn the Norwegian language. The Norwegian government offers language instructional courses for immigrants wishing to obtain Norwegian citizenship.

     Norwegian is highly similar to the other Scandinavian languages, Swedish and Danish. All three languages are intelligible and all the languages can be used to communicate with each other.

 

About Gjovik

     Gjøvik is a town and municipality in the county of Oppland, Norway.

     Gjøvik was separated from Vardal as a town and municipality of its own in 1861. The rural municipalities of Biri, Snertingdal and Vardal were merged with Gjøvik January 1, 1964.

     Gjøvik is one of the three towns bordering on Lake Mjøsa, Norway's biggest lake, along with Hamar and Lillehammer. The town administration of Gjøvik also covers the rural districts of Biri, Snertingdal, and Vardal. The municipality population is about 27,000. About 16,000 people live in the urban area proper.

     Gjøvik is bordered on the north by Lillehammer municipality, in the south by Østre Toten and Vestre Toten, and in the west by Søndre Land and Nordre Land. Across Lake Mjøsa to the east lies Ringsaker municipality in Hedmark county.

     The highest point is Ringsrudåsen with a height of 842 meters.

     Gjøvik owes much of its early growth to a glassworks, which was established there in 1807. In the early 19th century there was considerable immigration there from Valdres and Vestlandet, aiding Gjøvik’s growth. It was granted a town charter in 1864. Later, Mustad became one of the world's largest manufacturers of fishing hooks .

     Today, it is the center of regional trade, industry, agriculture, services and education. Gjøvik University College specializes in engineering and medical services.

     Gjøvik is the northern terminus for the Gjøvikbanen railway line.