What is the capital of Norway?
Oslo is the capital and largest city of Norway. It sits at the head of the Oslofjord in the southeast of the country and has about 700,000 residents.
Oslo was founded around the year 1040. After a great fire in 1624, King Christian IV rebuilt the city and renamed it Christiania. It took back the name Oslo in 1925. Today, it is Norway's political, economic and cultural center, home to the royal palace and the parliament, called the Storting.
Oslo is surrounded by forests and hills, and residents can reach hiking and ski trails by metro. The city is known for modern architecture such as the Opera House, whose sloping roof visitors can walk on, and the Munch Museum, which displays works by painter Edvard Munch, including versions of The Scream.
The Nobel Peace Prize
Oslo is where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded each December 10. While the other Nobel Prizes are presented in Stockholm, Sweden, Alfred Nobel's will gave the task of choosing the peace prize winner to a committee appointed by the Norwegian parliament.
Did You Know?
Oslo was named European Green Capital in 2019, and most new cars sold in Norway are now fully electric.