NORWAY

The country is on the western part of Scandinavia.

In pre-historic times it was inhabited by primitive hunting gatherers.

9th century AD rivalry between chiefs for more land made the Vikings to sail to Greenland, Iceland and England.

10th century AD brought a political organisation under Harold Fairhair and Olaf I followed by Olaf II

In 1028 the Danish king Canute started to rule Norway and Olaf II fled to Russia. Assisted by Norwegian nobles Canute had control till his death. After that the Throne was returned to Norway again.

HAROLD HARDRADA

Harold Hardrada attempted to claim the English throne in 1066 but failed and a civil war followed.

Eventual the Norwegian throne was claimed by Sverrir. who claim to be the illegitimate son of the Norwegian king Sigurd.

During the ruler Haakon IV between 1204 and 1263 Greenland and Iceland was added to Norway and from 1254 trade flourished with the Hanseatic League creating prosperity.

MARGARET  I

HAAKUN  VI

In 1397 Norway, Sweden and Denmark  were united by the Danish monarch Margaret I, wife of Haakon VI.

It was dissolved in 1523 but Norway continued to be ruled by Danish governors until 1807 when it established its own Parliament, it was ceded to Sweden in 1814.

HAAKUN  VII

A rivalry of nationalism started a demand for complete Independence and it was granted in 1884. The union with Sweden was finally dissolved in 1905 and Prince Charles of Denmark was elected as Haakon VII.

Norway kept neutral in both World Wars  but in 1940 Germany invaded Norway. Germany established a puppet government under the Norwegian fascist Vidkun Quisling.  He gave himself up in 1945.

The monarchy and a Labour Government returned.

The exploitation of North Sea Oil  during 1970 boosted the country's economic. It was expanded during the  1990s.

During 1981 and 1993 Gro Harlem  Brundrland

KING OLAF  V

was Norway's first woman Prime Minister and won the vote again in 1993.




In 1991 King Olaf V was succeeded by his son Harold V.

KING HAROLD  V

Although a foundling of European Free Trading Association (EFTA) by 1990 the majority Norway's export was coming from the European Community and only 15 pc from EFTA.

In 1992 Norway led negotiation for an establishment of the European Economic Area - the EC including Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein. It came into force in 1993.

Norwegians voted against joining the European Union.