Oslo, Capital of Norway
Oslo is the biggest city in Norway, and has been the country's capital since 1814. The Goverment and Parliament are located here, and at the end of Oslo's main street, Karl Johans gate, you find the Royal Palace.
Photo: VisitOSLO/Nancy Bundt
Photo: VisitOSLO/Nancy Bundt
The Green City of Oslo
Oslo has a great location at the head of the Oslo Fjord, surrounded by forested hills. The city is a great destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities.Even in the city centre, the nearest park is never more than a few blocks away. A ten-minute boat ride from the centre takes you to lovely beaches on the Oslo Fjord islands. In the winter Oslo has hundreds of kilometers of cross-country trails within the city boundries, in addition to eight ski centres.
In 2007 Reader's Digest ranked Oslo as number two on a list of the world's greenest, most liveable cities.
At the same time Oslo has everything you would expect from a capital. The city offers an abundance of attractions, shopping possibilities and a flourishing cultural life, and a choice of restaurants which is almost unparalleled in Scandinavia.
The possibilities are always many – whether you want to enjoy a sumptuous meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant or you prefer a brisk, refreshing dogsleigh ride in the snow-draped winter forest.
Oslo in Numbers
- Municipality of Oslo, total area: 454 km²
- Inhabitants 2008: Municipality of Oslo 560 000, urban area 860 000 (Norway approx. 4.7 million)
- Forest: 242 km²
- Parks, sports fields etc.: 8 km²
- Number of islands in the Oslo Fjord: 40
- Number of lakes within the city boundries: 343
- Length of the Oslo Fjord: 100 km
Intellectual resources
Oslo and its neighbouring county Akershus account for more than half of all Norwegian investment in research and development, making the region one of the top centres of research activity in Europe. According to a survey conducted by Volvo/Ergoma, the area is on a par with high-tech clusters in Germany and France in research, technology and development index.
There are about 130 higher education centres and universities in the region - over 50 percent of the educational establishments in Norway and the proportion of Norwegians enrolled in further education ranks fifth among the OECD countries.
Communications
The transport and communications infrastructures of the area are first class but further improvements are imminent.
The Oslo region is linked by high speed Inter city trains and the new international airport, just 20 minutes from the city centre, now under construction will also be linked by high speed rail to stations throughout the region.
A massive development of the motorway network is currently taking place and an extensive network of ferries connect the area to Scandinavia and Europe.
Industry/Commerce
Oslo and the Akershus comprise the "powerhouse" of the Norwegian economy and the regional government campaigns actively to attract investors from abroad.
The region¥s share of the GNP of Norway has been steady at 30 percent for the past 30 years - and the per capita GNP is 24 percent above the EU average - one of the highest in the world.
Company taxes are now the second lowest in the OECD.
Shipping, the traditional leading industry, is still an important contributor to the economy but advanced technology industries dominate the scene today.
Clusters of businesses specialising in telecommunications, bio-technology, information technology, petroleum and offshore exploration, and engineering have been established throughout the region.
Tourism Norway
Oslo, Norway capital, lies centrally located in the heart of Scandinavia. The city and surrounding area face the friendly blue waters of the Oslo Fjord and are fringed by extensive tracts of forested hills.
The centre of Oslo is small and compact, with most hotels, museums, entertainment facilities and stores located within walking distance of each other. The many small villages and towns that dot shores of the Oslo Fjord each have their own special charm.
More than one million tourists visit the area annually and in recent years Oslo has become one of the most exciting capitals in Europe, both for individual tourists and large international conferences.
Quality of life
The quality of life, culture Norway and leisure are important aspects of any area. Here too Oslo and Akershus excel.
The area is unique in Europe in offering the best of all worlds. Few other regions combine such superb employment opportunities with so much scope for outdoor activities and sports, or such a rich and varied cultural scene.
In short, the Oslo region is a good place to do business and a great place to live.
Oslo and its neighbouring county Akershus account for more than half of all Norwegian investment in research and development, making the region one of the top centres of research activity in Europe. According to a survey conducted by Volvo/Ergoma, the area is on a par with high-tech clusters in Germany and France in research, technology and development index.
There are about 130 higher education centres and universities in the region - over 50 percent of the educational establishments in Norway and the proportion of Norwegians enrolled in further education ranks fifth among the OECD countries.
Communications
The transport and communications infrastructures of the area are first class but further improvements are imminent.
The Oslo region is linked by high speed Inter city trains and the new international airport, just 20 minutes from the city centre, now under construction will also be linked by high speed rail to stations throughout the region.
A massive development of the motorway network is currently taking place and an extensive network of ferries connect the area to Scandinavia and Europe.
Industry/Commerce
Oslo and the Akershus comprise the "powerhouse" of the Norwegian economy and the regional government campaigns actively to attract investors from abroad.
The region¥s share of the GNP of Norway has been steady at 30 percent for the past 30 years - and the per capita GNP is 24 percent above the EU average - one of the highest in the world.
Company taxes are now the second lowest in the OECD.
Shipping, the traditional leading industry, is still an important contributor to the economy but advanced technology industries dominate the scene today.
Clusters of businesses specialising in telecommunications, bio-technology, information technology, petroleum and offshore exploration, and engineering have been established throughout the region.
Tourism Norway
Oslo, Norway capital, lies centrally located in the heart of Scandinavia. The city and surrounding area face the friendly blue waters of the Oslo Fjord and are fringed by extensive tracts of forested hills.
The centre of Oslo is small and compact, with most hotels, museums, entertainment facilities and stores located within walking distance of each other. The many small villages and towns that dot shores of the Oslo Fjord each have their own special charm.
More than one million tourists visit the area annually and in recent years Oslo has become one of the most exciting capitals in Europe, both for individual tourists and large international conferences.
Quality of life
The quality of life, culture Norway and leisure are important aspects of any area. Here too Oslo and Akershus excel.
The area is unique in Europe in offering the best of all worlds. Few other regions combine such superb employment opportunities with so much scope for outdoor activities and sports, or such a rich and varied cultural scene.
In short, the Oslo region is a good place to do business and a great place to live.
By visitoslo.com and randburg.com