In 1050, Norwegian King Harald Hardråde built a small town and his royal residence right at the top of the Oslo fjord, where a settlement had been in existence since the 8th century. The location was perfect in terms of fertile soil, sailing routes and the warmth offered by the Gulf Stream. The origins of the name Oslo are thought to be os, meaning mountain, and lo meaning plain or river. Oslo was the place beneath the mountains. This modest settlement grew rapidly during Viking times. Agriculture, trade and shipbuilding were important commercial activities, and Oslo is often referred to as the 'Viking Capital’. Approximately half of Oslo’s population died during the time of the Black Death in 1349. The depredations wrought by the epidemic caused Norway to submit to rule by Denmark, and during this time Copenhagen was the actual capital of Norway.

Oslo was completely destroyed by fire in 1624. King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway decided to move the city from what we today call the Old Town and rebuild it near the Akershus Fortress.

A completely new city was created and named Christiania.

Norway was united with Sweden in 1814, and in the same year Christiania became the capital of Norway. The city grew substantially in economic and political power right up until the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905. So too did the population—from 1850 to 1900 it expanded from around 30,000 people to 220,000. The original name of Oslo was re-instated in 1924.

The past five years have seen a strong expansion in the construction of apartments in mid-town, but despite this, prices per square metre are higher than ever and are reaching those of Paris.

POLITICS

A constitutional monarchy, Norway gives the King only symbolic power. Although most of his duties are ceremonial, he has influence as the symbol of national unity. The King is also head of the Church of Norway, the state church, and the supreme commander of the Norwegian armed forces.

Although the 1814 constitution grants important executive powers to the king, these are almost always exercised by the Council of State. The council must have the confidence of the Norwegian legislative body, known as the Storting.

In practice, the monarch will ask the leader of a parliamentary block that has a majority in the Storting to form a government. Since World War II, non-Socialist governments have been coalitions and Labour Party governments have relied on the support of other parties to retain the necessary parliamentary votes.

The 169 members of the Storting are elected from 19 fylker (counties) for four-year terms according to a system of proportional representation. After elections, the Storting divides into two chambers, the Odelsting and the Lagting, which meet separately or jointly depending on the legislative issue under consideration.

The special High Court of the Realm hears impeachment cases. The regular courts include the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, city and county courts, and conciliation councils.

ODIN (www.odin.no) is the official website of the Office of the prime minister, his cabinet, the 16 ministries that constitute the central government and other national agencies and institutions. Documents of international interest will generally exist in English translation.

The English version of the Norwegian portal to public sector information and services at the state, county and municipal levels is at www.norway.no.

RELIGION

Christianity is still the official state religion in Norway, and this institution’s future is regularly discussed in the media, with an ever-growing percentage of the population wanting to split the state and the church. While nearly 100% of the Oslo population described themselves as Christians only 35 years ago, today the city counts more than 50,000 Muslims and 8,000 Buddhists among its citizens. Sikhs, Hindus and other religions are so far modestly represented. In December, a third Oslo mosque was finished in the district of Grønland, and it’s now the biggest of its kind in Scandinavia. Oslo’s many churches may be empty most of the time, but they work hard to attract people with art and entertainment.

ECONOMY

In Europe, only the Swiss earn more per year than the Norwegians. The average income in Norway is 30% higher than in most European countries, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Great Britain. Oslo has a slightly higher living standard than the rest of the nation, although the difference isn’t as significant as that between London and the rest of the UK.

Of Oslo’s inhabitants, 85% work in the private/public service sector and 13% in manufacturing (including high-tech manufacturing), construction and process industries. Computer and internet-related industries have become very important, and some companies, like software manufacturer Opera, have become international players. The Oslo Stock

Exchange also now plays an important role in European financial markets. The oil industry has its base in the west coast town of Stavanger.

The recently-opened Gardermoen Oslo Airport has helped the economy and made the city more attractive for both investments and tourism.

POPULATION

Oslo has just under 540,00 inhabitants, of which 17% are immigrants from non-Western countries leading to 32% of the students in Oslo public schools being of non-Western origin. The most densely populated area in the city is Frogner, in the West End, which contains 45,000 residents. Gamle Oslo, where the city was founded 1,000 years ago, covers most of the East End and has more than 34,000 inhabitants.