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OSLO - NORWAY
Oslo is the capital city of Norway, and has 518,929 inhabitants, which is
11.4% of the total population in Norway. The conurbation extends into the
surrounding county of Akershus and has a population of 801,028 (Jan. 2004).
The urban municipality (bykommune) of Oslo and county (fylke) is the same
entity, covering an area of 454.0 km², of which 115 km² is built-up and 7
km² is agricultural. The open areas within the built-up zone amounts to 22
km² .
Physical environs
Oslo occupies an arc of land at the northern end of the Oslofjord. The fjord,
which is nearly bisected by the Bygdøy peninsula opposite Oslo, lies to the
south; in the other directions Oslo is surrounded by green hills and
mountains. There are 40 islands within the city limits, the largest being
Malmøya (0.56 km²), and scores more around the Oslofjord. Oslo has 343 lakes,
the largest being Maridalsvannet (3.91 km²). This is also a main source of
drinking water for large parts of the western part of Oslo, mainly Vestre
Aker and Nordre Aker. The highest point is Kirkeberget, at 629 m. Although
the city's population is small compared to most European capitals, it
occupies an unusually large land area. Its boundaries encompass many parks
and open areas, giving it an airy and often very green appearance.
History
According to the Norse sagas, Oslo was founded around 1048 by king Harald
Hardråde. Recent archaeological research has uncovered Christian burials
from before 1000, evidence of a preceding urban settlement. This called for
the celebration of Oslo's millennium in 2000. The origin of the name is
still somewhat unclear. It has been regarded as the capital city since the
reign of Håkon V (1299-1319), who was the first king to reside permanently
in the city. He also started the construction of the Akershus castle. A
century later Norway was the weaker part in a personal union with Denmark,
and Oslo's role was reduced to that of prvincial administrative centre, with
the kings residing in Copenhagen. The fact that the University of Oslo was
founded as late as 1811 had an adverse effect on the development of the
nation.
When I was young, the capital of Norway was not called Oslo. It was called
Christiania. But somewhere along the line, the Norwegians decided to do away
with that pretty name and call it Oslo instead. -- Roald Dahl, Boy.
Oslo was destroyed by fire in 1624, and was rebuilt at a new site across the
bay, near Akershus castle, by king Christian IV of Norway and given the name
Christiania (later Kristiania). The original name of Oslo was restored in
1924. But long before this, Christiania had started to regain its stature as
a centre of commerce and culture in Norway. In 1814 Christiania once more
became a real capital when the union with Denmark was dissolved. Many
landmarks were built in the 19th century, including the Royal Palace
(1825-1848), the Parliament (1861-1866), the University, The National
Theatre and the Stock Exchange. Among the world-famous artists who lived
here during this period were Henrik Ibsen, Edvard Munch, Knut Hamsun and
Sigrid Undset (the latter two won the Nobel Prize for literature).
Oslo's prominence in the political, cultural and economical life of Norway
has been and still is a source of considerable controversy and friction.
This has not changed during the last century, despite numerous attempts at
decentralizing power by giving incentives to investors in other regions and
moving government institutions outside the Oslo area.
The city was once referred to as Tigerstaden (City of Tigers) by the author
Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson around 1870. This name has over the years achieved an
almost official status, to the extent the 1000 year jubilee was celebrated
by a row of tiger sculptures around the City Hall. A harsh picture of the
city was drawn by Knut Hamsun in his novel Sult (Hunger) from 1890 (cinematized
in 1966).
Some points of interest
Akershus Castle and Fortress
Norsk Folkemuseum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History at Bygdøy, with
a large open air museum
The Armed Forces Museum
The City Hall, where the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held
The Holmenkollen ski jump, arena of the 1952 Winter Olympic Games,
Holmenkollen
The Holmenkollen Ski Museum, Holmenkollen
The Kon-Tiki Museum, Bygdøy
The Munch Museum, Tøyen
The National Gallery
The Norwegian Maritime Museum, including ships Fram and Gjøa, Bygdøy
The Oslo City Museum, at Frogner Manor in the Vigeland Park
The Royal Palace
The Henie-Onstad Art Centre, Høvikodden in Bærum
The Storting, parliament building
The Vigeland Park (Frognerparken), Frogner
The Viking Ship Museum, displaying the Oseberg and Gokstad ships, Bygdøy
Colleges
University of Oslo (Universitetet i Oslo)
Oslo University College (Høgskolen i Oslo)
Norwegian School of Management (Handelshøyskolen BI)
Communications
Air
Oslo Airport served by high speed train (Flytoget)
Sandefjord Airport
Sea
There are daily ferry connections to:
Kiel (Germany), Copenhagen (Denmark), Frederikshavn (Denmark).
Train
Connections in the directions of: Trondheim, Bergen, Stavanger, Stockholm,
Gothenburg and Copenhagen, Vestfold, Skien, Gjøvik.
Local public transport
All public transport within Oslo operate on a common ticket system, allowing
free transfers within a period of one hour, if you buy a regular ticket.
Oslo has the following public transportation systems: Bus, Tram, Metro
(T-bane), Ferries to Oslo islands and Train. Oslo's Tram- and Metro system
is the largest in Europe compared to the number of innhabitants.
Administration
The city of Oslo constitutes a county of Norway. It is governed by a city
government (Byråd) based on the principle of Parliamentarism. The government
consists of 6 government members called commissioners (byråder, sing.
byråd), and is appointed by the city council, which is the supreme authority
of the city. The council consists of 59 popularly elected representatives.
Following the latest reform of January 1, 2004, the city is divided into 15
boroughs (bydel) that are to some extent self governed:
Alna
Bjerke
Frogner
Gamle Oslo
Grorud
Grünerløkka
Nordstrand
Nordre Aker
Sagene
St. Hanshaugen
Stovner
Søndre Nordstrand
Ullern
Vestre Aker
Østensjø
In addition to these boroughs, there are:
The main city centre, with 1,331 inhabitants as of January 1, 2004, covering
an area of 1.8 km².
The rural/recreational areas (Marka), having 1,636 inhabitants as of January
1, 2004, and covering an area of 301.1 km².
Sports
Oslo was host city for the 1952 Winter Olympic Games. Except for the
downhill skiing at Norefjell, all events took place within the city limits.
The Bislett Stadion was used for speed skating events at the Olympics, but
in recent years it has been better known for its annual Bislett Games track
and field event. The whole Bislett Stadion is now beeing re-built, prior to
the Bislett Games 2005.
Two football teams from Oslo, Vålerenga I.F. Fotball and Lyn Fotball, play
in the Norwegian premier league (2004) .
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