NORWAY: Prime Travel Data.

NEED TO KNOW

So here you are in Norway and you need to know some elementary stuff — like how to make a phone call, get local money, or contact the American Embassy to report your stolen passport. Here is a convenient source for that information, plus a bit more.

This web page originally appeared in the first editon of my book How To Europe: The Complete Travelers Handbook in a section titled "Country Data Sheets" over thirty years ago. I've updated and improved it for 2016.

Important information about this data sheet.
Native name	Norge
Capital	Oslo
Postal code	N
Telephone code	+47 See chapter 19, Telephoning to, from, and within Europe.
Language	Norwegian
Currency	Krone See The Euro and Other Currencies.
European Union	Not a Member. See chapter 25, Customs Duty, USA and Europe.
Schengen Agreement	Member. See chapter 3, Passport and Visas.
Time zone	GMT+1 See chapter 28, European Dates and Time Zones.
Electricity	220 volts, 50 Hz. See chapter 11, European Electricity: Travel Voltage Fundamentals..

DATE	HOLIDAY	Helgedag
Jan 1	New Year's Day	Nyttårsdag
	Holy Thursday	Skjærtorsdag
Jan 6	Good Friday	Langfredag
	Easter Monday	2. Påskedag
May 1	May Day	Offentlig Hoytidsdag
	Ascension Day	Kristi himmelfartsdag
May 17	Constitution Day	Grunnlovsdag
	Whit Monday	Annen pinsedag
Dec 25	Christmas	Første juledag
Dec 26	Boxing Day	Annen juledag

Norwegian Offices in the USA
Embassy	Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington 2720 34th St. NW Washington, DC 20008 T 202-333-6000 F 202-337-0870
Consulates	Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco
Tourist Office	Norwegian Tourist Board 655 Third Avenue, Suite 1810 New York, NY 10017 T 212-885-9700 F 212-885-9710

American Offices in Norway
Embassy	Embassy of the United States Oslo Norway Drammensveien 18 0244 Oslo T 02-244-8550 F 02-243-0777
Consulates

USA is known as	De forente stater

Recommended books for further information:

The books that you see listed here are those that I have personally used and am satisfied with, and/or are from publishers whose other travel books are reliable. I am a consumer when it comes to travel guides, and a critical one. Notice that I do not recommend any Frommers, Dummies, Steves, or other inferior guides. For some of the reasons please go to the hoi polloi.

As one example of a substandard guide, in his 1,280 page book titled Rick Steves' Best of Europe 2010 there is not a word about Norway, Oslo, or the magnificent coast and the fjords. There is no mention of Denmark, Sweden, or Finland either. If he had written a "best" book about the United States he would have left out California and Florida. He is decidedly skewed in his opinions and observations. For example, a good chunk of his coverage of Amsterdam is devoted to buying marijuana. Most of his so-called maps prominently indicate the "red light district." Steves seems to be preoccupied with dope and whores. His "Best" book includes a few pages advertising his whirlwind guided bus tours, backpacks, sink stoppers (is this a joke!), and Steves' other branded products. Steves is really strong on self promotion but weak on meaningful content.

Amazon.com pays a small commission to Enjoy-Europe.com when you click a title here and then order the book, if you buy it within 24 hours. You benefit when buying here because Amazon.com has a 20% to 30% discount on many items plus a free shipping deal. You win we win. Thanks for your support!

Note: emphasis in the titles is mine -- to help you in finding the information you need. Don't worry too much about publication dates. Many books are updated every three to six years. The monuments and cathedrals haven't moved in centuries!