Norway-Part 2
ClimateThe typically rainy climate of mainland Norway is surprisingly mild for its latitude - thanks to the Gulf Stream ( a relatively warm ocean current originating in the Gulf of Mexico), all its coastal port remain ice-free throughout the year.
Average July temperature are 16 degrees in the Oslo area and 11degrees in the north. However, temperature extremes are also possible, even in the Arctic region. In winter, heavy snow-falls are common and make for superb skiing. In January, the average maximum temperature is 1 degree in the south and -3 degrees in the north. However, it can get much colder, especially in area away from the coast.
August: approx. 11 degrees ~ 21 degrees
September: approx. 8 degrees ~ 16 degrees
October: approx. 2 degrees ~ 9 degrees
November: approx. -1 degree ~ 4 degrees
December: approx. -4 degrees ~ 0 degree
Society & ConductNorwegians tend on be independent and outdoor-oriented: on summer weekends hiking, fishing and boating are popular, while in winter Norwegians head for the ski runs. 'No trespassing' signs are virtually unknown and public access to wilderness area is gauranteed.
Norway holds on to many of its cultural traditions. The wearing of
bunad, an elaborate fold costume with regional variations, is still commonplace at weddings and other festive events. Interest in traditional folk music, dancing and singing has experienced resurgence and visitors can enjoy these activities at festivals around the country.
Storytelling us another centuries-old tradition, with trolls figuring prominently in Norrwegian folklore and forming the basis for the fireside storeytelling custom that helped pass the dark winter months. Trolls are especially associated with mountainous areas, and while some could be befriended, others were pesky creatures who lived in the ground under houses and barns, serving as a convenient source of blame for all of life's woes. Trolls live on in Noarway's place names, as mascots ad carved figurines, and as the subjects of scores of folk tales.
Although most Norwegians are straight-forward and easy-going, as a guest in a Norwegian home, remove your shoes at the front door and don't touch your drink before your host makes the toast (which you should return).
Facts for VisitorNorway is at its best and brightest from May to September. Late spring is a particularly pleasant time: fruit trees are in bloom, daylight hours arelonger and most hostels andsights are open but uncrowded. Midnight-sun days, when the sun never drops below the horizon, extend from 20 April to 21 August at Longyearbyen, 13 May to 29 July in Nordkapp and 28 May to 14 July in Lofoten. Even southern Norway has full daylight from 4am to 11pm in midsummer.
Unless you're heavily into winter skiing or searching for the aurora borealis of the polar nights, Norway's cold dark winters are not the prime time to visit.
Extracted from Scadinavian Europe (6th Edition) by Graeme Cornwallis, Carolyn Bain, Des Hannigan and Paul Harding, published by Lonely Planet.
Bonkers @ 5/04/2006 11:45:00 AM
