Norway is a Northern European country covering 385,207 km² along the western edge of the Scandinavian Peninsula, defined by a dramatic, fjord-carved coastline, the towering Scandinavian Mountains, and a position so far north that about one-third of its territory lies above the Arctic Circle. Home to roughly 5.5 million people and governed from its capital Oslo, Norway combines glaciated valleys, thousands of coastal islands, and vast northern tundra into one of the most rugged and visually striking landscapes in Europe.
Norway's geography is the single most important force shaping its history, economy, and culture. The mountains and sea pushed settlement to the narrow coastal fringe, fed a seafaring tradition that produced the Vikings, and today supply the hydropower and offshore oil that make Norway one of the wealthiest nations on Earth. This guide breaks down the physical landscape, climate, resources, and human geography that make the country so distinctive.
Where Is Norway Located?
Norway occupies the western and northern portions of the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It shares a long land border with Sweden to the east, and shorter borders with Finland and Russia in the far northeast. To the west and south lies the open water of the Norwegian Sea, the North Sea, and the Skagerrak strait, which separates Norway from Denmark. The country stretches an extraordinary distance from north to south — more than 1,750 km as the crow flies — giving it the elongated, narrow shape that earns it the nickname "the long country." Norway also administers the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and the remote island of Jan Mayen, extending its reach deep into the polar north.
Physical Geography and Terrain
The defining feature of Norway's physical geography is the contrast between mountain and sea. The Scandinavian Mountains (the Scandes) run the length of the country along the Swedish border, forming a high spine that was shaped and scoured by Ice Age glaciers. The highest summits rise in the Jotunheimen range, which contains more than 250 peaks above 1,900 metres. Among them stands Galdhøpiggen at 2,469 m — the highest mountain in Norway and all of Northern Europe — closely followed by Glittertind at 2,452 m.
Between the peaks, glaciers carved deep U-shaped valleys that flooded with seawater when the ice retreated, creating Norway's world-famous fjords. The longest and deepest is Sognefjorden, reaching 204 km inland and plunging 1,308 m below the surface. Norway's rivers are mostly short, steep, and powerful as they tumble from the highlands to the coast, though the Glomma (604 km) ranks as the longest, followed by the Numedalslågen and the Drammenselva. This abundance of fast-falling water is the foundation of the country's enormous hydropower capacity.
The Coastline, Fjords, and Islands
Few coastlines on Earth are as intricate as Norway's. The mainland coast, if measured in a straight line, is modest — but once every fjord inlet and island shore is included, the total exceeds 100,000 km, enough to circle the planet more than twice. Roughly 50,000 islands fringe the coast, sheltering the inner waters and creating the protected shipping lane known as the Norwegian skerry coast. The Lofoten Islands, lying well above the Arctic Circle, are among the most photographed, prized for jagged peaks rising straight from the sea and a climate far milder than their latitude would suggest. At the country's northern tip, the North Cape (Nordkapp) marks one of the northernmost points reachable by road in Europe.
Climate and Weather
Despite sitting at the same latitude as Greenland and Alaska, much of Norway enjoys a surprisingly mild climate, thanks to the Gulf Stream (the North Atlantic Current), which carries warm water up the coast. The result is several distinct climate zones:
- Maritime temperate along the western and southern coast, with mild, very wet winters — Bergen alone receives about 2,250 mm of rain a year.
- Continental in the sheltered inland valleys, with colder winters and warmer summers.
- Subarctic and Arctic in the far north and at high elevations, where snow lingers much of the year.
Because so much of Norway lies above the Arctic Circle, the country experiences the midnight sun — continuous daylight in summer — and the polar night, when the sun does not rise for weeks in winter. These extremes shape everything from farming and fishing seasons to tourism and daily rhythms of life.
Natural Resources and Environment
Norway is unusually rich in natural resources, and its economy is built directly on them. It is the largest oil and gas producer in Western Europe, drawing petroleum from major fields beneath the North Sea — wealth that funds one of the world's biggest sovereign investment funds. At the same time, Norway is a global leader in clean power: roughly 96% of its electricity comes from hydropower, generated by the steep, water-rich rivers descending from the mountains.
Beyond energy, the country has extensive fisheries (salmon, cod, and herring), timber from its boreal forests, and mineral deposits including iron ore and titanium. Its ecosystems are equally varied: taiga forests in the south, Arctic tundra in the north, productive fjord and marine habitats teeming with whales and seabirds, and the polar bear habitat of Svalbard. Balancing resource extraction with conservation of this natural heritage remains a central national priority.
Human Geography
Norway's population of roughly 5.5 million is heavily concentrated in the south and along the coast, where the climate is milder and flat land is more available. The capital, Oslo, anchors a metropolitan area of about one million people and serves as the political and economic centre. Other major cities include Bergen (about 285,000), the historic port of the western fjords; Trondheim (about 210,000); the oil hub of Stavanger (about 145,000); and Tromsø (about 77,000), the largest city in the Arctic north. Vast stretches of the mountainous interior and far north remain very sparsely populated, leaving Norway with one of the lowest population densities in Europe. You can learn more about the country's broader profile in our Norway country guide and explore the national banner in our guide to the flag of Norway.
Key Facts
- Area: 385,207 km² (Northern Europe, on the Scandinavian Peninsula)
- Population: approximately 5.5 million
- Capital: Oslo
- Highest point: Galdhøpiggen, 2,469 m
- Longest river: Glomma, 604 km
- Longest/deepest fjord: Sognefjorden, 204 km long and 1,308 m deep
- Largest glacier: Jostedalsbreen, 487 km² — the largest in continental Europe
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Norway have so many fjords?
Norway's fjords were carved by massive glaciers during the last ice age. As the ice flowed toward the sea, it gouged deep U-shaped valleys into the mountains. When the glaciers melted and sea levels rose, ocean water flooded these valleys, creating the long, deep, steep-walled inlets that define the Norwegian coast today.
How much of Norway is inside the Arctic Circle?
About one-third of Norway lies north of the Arctic Circle. Within this region, the sun stays above the horizon around the clock during part of the summer (the midnight sun) and never rises for a stretch of the winter (the polar night).
What is the highest mountain in Norway?
The highest mountain is Galdhøpiggen at 2,469 metres, located in the Jotunheimen range. It is also the highest peak in all of Northern Europe. The second highest, Glittertind, stands nearby at 2,452 metres.
Why is Norway's climate milder than its latitude suggests?
The Gulf Stream, also called the North Atlantic Current, carries warm water from the tropics up along Norway's coast. This keeps coastal ports ice-free year-round and gives places like the Lofoten Islands — which lie farther north than most of Alaska — a far milder climate than their position would otherwise allow.