[Kingdom of the] Norway (or Norway), is a Nordic country on the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, bordering Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Norway has an approximate population of 4,600,000 people. The extensive coastline along the Atlantic Ocean is where the fjords can be found. The country is very long, and the Kingdom of Norway includes the Arctic island territories of Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Norway has mandatory military service of 12 months for men between the ages of 18 (17 with parental consent) and 44. Conscientious objectors serve 13 months in an alternative civilian national service. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of press are set forth by the country's constitution, but the use of the swastika is forbidden by penal code and punishable by up to three years in prison. The landscape is generally rugged and mountainous, topped by glaciers, and its coastline is over 83,000km (51,575 miles) long. Down the coast are fjords, islands, and inlets. The northern part of the country is known as the Land of the Midnight Sun because of its location--north of the Arctic Circle--where the sun doesn't set. That's true for part of each summer--and, in winter, the land remains dark for long periods. In the southern part of the country, this doesn't happen, except the sun is away for a few hours in the summertime. Norway is entirely bordered by water: the Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, Skagerrak, Norwegian Sea, and the Barents Sea. The climate of Norway is temperate along the coast, under the influence of the Gulf Stream. The inland climate can be more severe; to the north, more sub-arctic conditions are found, especially in Finnmark. Norway boasts a multitude of native celebrants, including playwrights, authors, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. There are yearly celebrations,including the May 17 parade, which was founded by Henrik Wergeland. The parade differs from those of many other countries because, unlike military parades, these parades are for children. There is no limit to the sights, sounds, and breath taking beauty that one can find in Norway. There is also no limit to the amount of information one can find on the Internet to enhance their knowledge of their travel destination.

Ålesund

Bardufoss

Bergen

Bodø