This informative website below provides information about Norwegian culture. It touches on language, folklore, religion, major holidays, rights of passage, architecture, politics, marriage, economy, relationships, living conditions, family life, clothing, food, education, cultural heritage, employment, sports, recreation, etc.
“While 90 percent of the population are members, fewer than 20 percent are regular churchgoers. Norway also has small numbers of Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Methodists, Baptists, Anglicans, Muslims, and Jews.” (Norwegians, 2017, pg.1)
Same website:
Norwegians. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2017, from http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Norway-to-Russia/Norwegians.html
Norway. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2017, from http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Norway.html
This website below provides information about certain Norwegian dances.
Norwegian Dances. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2017, from http://www.visigral.com/austinscandi/norwegian.html
Marriage was one of the topics discussed in the first website above (every culture). This is a map of the divorce rates in Norway in 2014. This map supports the cultural element of family, relationships, and marriage. Relationships are an important cultural element to consider when researching a certain country. The amount of people married can change the economic status of a country or parts of that country.
Fewer divorced and separated. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2017, from https://www.ssb.no/en/befolkning/statistikker/ekteskap/aar-detaljerte-tal/2014-08-21
The two graphs above represent babies per women in Norway from 1975 to 2009. "The population is going to be much older in the long run. The number of people aged 67 and over will increase fast, from 625 000 in 2010 to around 1.5 million in 2060 – or more than twice the current level. Statistics Norway assumes that fertility will slightly rise in the covered period, to 2.1 children per woman. The total fertility rate has increased from 1.75 in 2002 to 1.98 in 2009, the highest level in Norway since 1975." (Norway: Continued high population growth, 2017, pg.1)
"Norway: Continued high population growth." Barentsobserver. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2017.
"Norway: Continued high population growth." Barentsobserver. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2017.
The two graphs above displays economic inflation from 1830 to 2015 in Norway. You can see that Norway is part of the "wealthy and healthy" category discussed in this weeks material. "[Noway] is one of the most wealthy nations in the world, both measured as GDP per capita and in capital stock. On the United Nation Human Development Index, Norway has been among the three top countries for several years, and in some years the very top nation. Huge stocks of natural resources combined with a skilled labor force and the adoption of new technology made Norway a prosperous country during the nineteenth and twentieth century. Table 1 shows rates of growth in the Norwegian economy from 1830 to the present using inflation-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP). This article splits the economic history of Norway into two major phases — before and after the nation gained its independence in 1814." (Economic History of Norway, 2017, pg.1) Table 1
Phases of Growth in the Real Gross Domestic Product of Norway, 1830-2003 (annual growth rates as percentages)
YearGDPGDP per capita
1830-18431.910.86
1843-18752.681.59
1875-19142.021.21
1914-19452.281.55
1945-19734.733.81
1973-20033.282.79
1830-20032.832.00
"The Economic History of Norway." EHnet. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2017.
Analysis of Graphs:
After comparing the four graphs it is obvious that population growth was not as dramatic as other countries. It is a consistent trent shown in all graphs. Norway has slowly became wealthier and wealthier throughout the years. This country has come a long way from where it started. "Between 2008 and 2009, Norwegian health authorities gave out the contraceptive pill free to women...[By introducing] free birth control or women up to 25 years resulted in reduced number of abortion" (Törnkvist, 2017, pg.1) Birth control was easily obtained in Norway so planning parenthood came easy. Women in Norway typically have children in their late 20's or early 30's. Since Norway is considered one of the wealthiest countries in the world, having the proper necessities for a child comes easy for Norwegians.
Törnkvist, Ann. "Free contraceptive pill halves Norway's abortion rate."The Local. The Local, 26 July 2013. Web. 03 Mar. 2017.
Phases of Growth in the Real Gross Domestic Product of Norway, 1830-2003 (annual growth rates as percentages)
YearGDPGDP per capita
1830-18431.910.86
1843-18752.681.59
1875-19142.021.21
1914-19452.281.55
1945-19734.733.81
1973-20033.282.79
1830-20032.832.00
"The Economic History of Norway." EHnet. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2017.
Analysis of Graphs:
After comparing the four graphs it is obvious that population growth was not as dramatic as other countries. It is a consistent trent shown in all graphs. Norway has slowly became wealthier and wealthier throughout the years. This country has come a long way from where it started. "Between 2008 and 2009, Norwegian health authorities gave out the contraceptive pill free to women...[By introducing] free birth control or women up to 25 years resulted in reduced number of abortion" (Törnkvist, 2017, pg.1) Birth control was easily obtained in Norway so planning parenthood came easy. Women in Norway typically have children in their late 20's or early 30's. Since Norway is considered one of the wealthiest countries in the world, having the proper necessities for a child comes easy for Norwegians.
Törnkvist, Ann. "Free contraceptive pill halves Norway's abortion rate."The Local. The Local, 26 July 2013. Web. 03 Mar. 2017.
Religion in Norway
The two main religions in early Norway was Pre-Christian Sami religion (BC 8000) and the Pre-Christian Norse religion (AD 500-1000). When Christianity was introduced it slowly spreads in about 950. “Christianity was introduced to Norway around 1,000 years ago and, since the Reformation in the 1500s, Lutheran Christianity (Protestantism) has been the dominant religion in Norway.In the past, Norwegians were not allowed to withdraw from the state church and it was only around a hundred years ago that it became legal to organize a non-Christian religious community in Norway. Today’s society is becoming more and more secular. This means that religion has become less important in society than in the past among private individuals and when drafting the country’s laws.” (Samfunnskunnskap, 2017, pg.3)
“Almost 100% of Norway’s population is Christian, with more than 90% people being Evangelical Lutherans. The balance of the population is either Roman Catholic or Protestant. Although in larger cities, many people- especially the younger generation- don’t practice religion very actively, in the small towns and villages, you’ll still find very devout followers. Churches are usually crowded on Sundays, and most shops and other establishments remain closed as well.” (Religion in Norway, 2017, pg.1) Considering most people in Norway do not practice religion very often, it does not affect society as much as other countries.
“The Church of Norway has represented the main expression of religious belief in Norway for a thousand years. It has belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran branch of the Christian church since the 16th century, and has been a state church since then until 2012. Around 73 per cent of Norway’s populations are currently baptized members.” (Church of Norway, 2017, pg. 2)
“Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim is the largest medieval building in Scandinavia and the most important church in Norway. Since its foundation in 1066 it has been an important pilgrimage destination, thanks to its relics of St. Olav, a Norwegian king and national hero” (Scared Destinations, 2017, pg.1)
“In 1539, the Norwegians refused to accept Christiern the third as their King; they rebelled and slew or expelled his supporters. He sent and army into Norway and completely conquered it…as for religion, stringent laws were passed by which all the inferior clergy were compelled wither to embrace Lutheranism or to fly the country. Many, chiefly monks, preferred exile to apostasy.” (Catholic, 1970, pg. 9) Depending on the ruler, new laws were passed.
Works Cited
Catholic, R. (1970, January 01). The Reformation in Denmark, Norway and Iceland. Retrieved March 17, 2017, from http://theradicalcatholic.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-reformation-in-denmark-norway-and.html
Church of Norway. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2017, from https://kirken.no/nb-NO/church-of-norway/
Religion in Norway. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2017, from http://journeymart.com/de/norway/religion.aspx
Sacred Destinations. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2017, from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/norway/trondheim-nidaros-cathedral
Samfunnskunnskap.no. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2017, from http://www.samfunnskunnskap.no/?page_id=360&lang=en
FOODS OF NORWAY
Norwegian breakfasts tend to revolve around sea, with meals including smoked salmon, fish in various sauces and marinades (such as sardines in mustard sauce or tomato sauce, or pickled herring), smoked whitefish served with hard-boiled eggs or carviar (kaviar in Norwegian). Seafood is the heart and soul of Norwegian fare. Norwegians love their fish and consume seafood an average of three to four times a week. Fish is poached, smoked, grilled, fried, salted and dried, and cured.
With such a spread of wildlife, it leaves one to wonder what meats they bring home to the kitchen table. Game in Norway ranges widely, from goose to duck to reindeer. Often, game is grilled or roasted and served with traditional Norwegian side dishes, such as raspeballer, which is minced fish, fresh or salted, added to potato dough.
Come midday, make a sandwich of brown goat's cheese (geitost) or slices of salmon on lefse.
Dinner is usually simple, consisting of hot meat, boiled potatoes and vegetables - this is the only hot meal of the day.
Those on cruises in Norway won't want to miss dessert. Indulge in a sweet milk dish called gomme or rømmegrøt, which is a sour cream porridge.
The average Norwegian consumes 40 gallons (160 quarts) of milk annually. If voyagers swing by a market, chances are they'll find milk cartons from the two dairy companies, Tine melk and Q melk.
Since salmon is so popular in Norway here is a recipe for smoked salmon wraps...
SMOKED SALMON WRAPS WITH DILL CREAM CHEESE, LETTUCE AND RED ONION
Cuisine: Norwegian
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
SMOKED SALMON WRAPS WITH DILL CREAM CHEESE, LETTUCE AND RED ONION
Cuisine: Norwegian
INGREDIENTS
- 3 lefse or tortillas
- Cream cheese, dill or herb flavored (mayonnaise is a good alternative)
- Smoked salmon, sliced
- Lettuce
- Red onion, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
- Lay the lefse or tortilla flat and spread with a good layer of cream cheese or mayonnaise.
- On top of the cream cheese, layer the smoked salmon, lettuce and red onion, but reserve a bit of space at the end of the lefse or tortilla. This will be used to secure the roll.
- Roll the lefse onto itself to form a log. Be sure to press the reserved end into a roll in order to secure the log.
- Using a sharp knife, cut into rounds and serve.
Norway and Obesity
- One in six children is overweight or obese.
- One in five adults is obese.
- Overweight and obesity increase the risk for type 2 diabetes and a number of other chronic diseases.
- Overweight and obesity have increased in the Norwegian population in recent decades but there are signs that this trend has leveled off among children.
- According to global obesity levels Norway is 77th on the list of obesity (23.1% of adults are obese)
References:
Traditional cuisine of Norway. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2017, from https://www.hurtigruten.us/must-read-articles/cuisine/traditional-cuisine-of-norway/
Love, W. (2014, June 09). Smoked Salmon Wraps. Retrieved April 27, 2017, from http://thanksforthefood.com/smoked-salmon-wraps/
Overweight and obesity in Norway - Public health report 2014. (n.d.). Retrieved April 27, 2017, from https://www.fhi.no/en/op/public-health-report-2014/risk--protective-factors/overweight-and-obesity-in-norway---/