somewhere in denmark

midnight sun in norway

The Midnight Sun in Norway is a phenomenon occurring in latitudes north to the Arctic Circle and south and nearby to the north of the Antarctic Circle where the sun remains visible at the local midnight. Given fair weather, the sun is visible for a continuous 24 hours. The number of days per year with potential midnight sun increases the further north of the Arctic Circle or south of the Antarctic Circle one goes. The Arctic Circle in North Norway is located close to the Arctic town of Bodo and south of the Lofoten Islands. South of the Arctic Circle in Norway the nights are bright ("white") as well during spring/early summer due to the altitude, although the sun is not visible all night.

the wold`s most beautiful voyage

The Lonely Planet travel guide has named the Norwegian Coastal Voyage, known as Hurtigruten in Norwegian, as the most beautiful voyage by ship in the world. Passengers enjoy a panoramic view of the Norwegian fjords and may experience the midnight sun during the northernmost stretch of the journey.

Lonely Planet is a recognized purveyor of travel information. In its new book, “Lonely Planet Bluelist,” it designates the Norwegian Coastal Voyage as the world’s best sea voyage.

The round trip includes fabulous fjords and islands, midnight sun, a medieval monastery and art nouveau cities.

Norwegian Coastal Voyage ships have plied Norway’s coast since 1893. Today there are 11 vessels in all, carrying some 550,000 passengers a year. The journey lasts 11 days, beginning in the west coast city of Bergen and ending at Kirkenes in the far north. Along the way the ships make 34 stops. Passengers who do not wish to see the whole stretch may board for parts of the journey.

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Bragernes chruch

Bragernes Church lies in the heart of the city of Drammen. It is the most familiar and dramatic local landmark. It is sited just above the main square, and is in neo-Gothic style, with a tapering red brick tower and high copper spire. The altarpiece was completed in the same year that the church was consecrated, 1877. It is by Adolph Tidemann and depicts The Resurrection. The church holds regular services and is also the venue for concerts. It has thirty five bells which ring out tunes across the town.

norwegian kroner

The krone is the currency of Norway. The plural form is kroner. It is subdivided into 100 øre (singular and plural are the same). The ISO 4217 code is NOK, although the common local abbreviation is kr. The name translates into English as "crown".

History

The krone was introduced in 1875, replacing the Norwegian speciedaler at a rate of 4 kroner = 1 speciedaler. In doing so, Norway joined the Scandinavian Monetary Union, which had been established in 1873. The Union persisted until 1914 but, after its dissolution, Denmark, Norway and Sweden all decided to keep the names of their respective and now separate currencies.

Within the Scandinavian Monetary Union, the krone was on a gold standard of 2480 kroner = 1 kilogram of pure gold (1 krone = 403.226 milligrams gold). This gold standard was restored between 1916 and 1920 and again in 1928 but was suspended permanently in 1931, when a peg to the British pound of 19.9 kroner = 1 pound was established (the previous rate had been 18.16 kroner = 1 pound). In 1939, Norway pegged the krone to the U.S. dollar at a rate of 4.4 kroner = 1 dollar.

During the German occupation in the Second World War, the krone was pegged to the Reichsmark at a rate of 1 krone = 0.6 Reichsmark initially, later reduced to 0.57. After the war, a rate of 20 kroner = 1 pound (4.963 kroner = 1 U.S. dollar) was established. The rate to the pound was maintained in 1949 when the pound devalued relative to the U.S. dollar, leading to a rate of 7.142 kroner = 1 U.S. dollar.

Coins

In 1875, coins were introduced (some dated 1874) in denominations of 10 and 50 øre and 1, 10 and 20 krone. These coins also bore the denomination in the previous currency, as 3, 15 and 30 skilling and 2½ and 5 specidaler. Between 1875 and 1878, the new coinage was introduced in full, in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 øre and 1, 2, 10 and 20 krone. The 1, 2 and 5 øre were bronze, the 10, 25 and 50 øre and 1 and 2 kroner were silver, whilst the 10 and 20 kroner were gold.

The last gold coins were issued in 1910, with silver being replaced by cupro-nickel from 1920. Between 1917 and 1921, iron temporarily replaced bronze. 1917 also saw the last issuance of 2 kroner coins. During the German occupation in WWII, zinc was used in place of cupro-nickel in the 10, 25 and 50 øre, with production of the 1 krone suspended.

In 1963, 5 kroner coins were introduced, whilst, in 1972, production of 1 and 2 øre coins ceased. In 1973, the size of the 5 øre coin was reduced, with the denomination ceasing production in 1982, along with the 25 øre. 10 kroner coins were introduced in 1983. In 1992, the last 10 øre coins were minted. Between 1994 and 1998, a new coinage was introduced, consisting of 50 øre, 1, 5, 10 and 20 kroner, with the 20 kroner introduced in 1994.

Coins of the Norwegian krone

50 øre (1996); King's crown, fable animal

1 kr (1997); Harald V's monogram, a fowl

5 kr (1998); St.Olav's Order, acanthi leaves

10 kr (1995); Harald V, stave church roof

20 kr (1994); Harald V, viking ship

The 10- and 20-kroner coins carry the effigy of the current monarch. Previously the 1- and 5-kroner coins also carried the royal effigy, but now these denominations are only decorated with stylistic royal or national symbols. The royal motto of the monarch (King Harald's motto is Alt for Norge, meaning Everything for Norway) is also inscribed on the 10-kroner coin.

The coins and banknotes are distributed by the Central Bank of Norway.

Banknotes

In 1877, Norges Bank introduced notes for 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 kroner. In 1917, 1 krone notes were issued, with 2 kroner notes issued between 1918 and 1922. Because of metal shortages, 1 and 2 kroner notes were again issued between 1940 and 1950. In 1963, 5 kroner notes were replaced by coins, with the same happening to the 10 kroner notes in 1984. 200 kroner notes were introduced in 1994.

Banknotes of the Norwegian krone

50 kr; Peter Christen Asbjørnsen

100 kr; Kirsten Flagstad

200 kr; Kristian Birkeland

500 kr; Sigrid Undset

1000 kr; Edvard Munch

Summary of denominations issued

Denomination	Notes			Coins
	Printed	Invalid	Comments	Minted	Invalid	Comments
1 øre	-			1876-1972	1998	Bronze, iron 1918-21 & 1941-45
2 øre	-			1876-1972	1998	Bronze, iron 1917-20 & 1943-45
5 øre	-			1875-1982	1998	Bronze, iron 1917-20 & 1941-45
10 øre	-			1874-1991	2003	Silver 1874-1919, cupro-nickel 1920-92 (holed 1924-51), zinc 1941-45
25 øre	-			1876-1982	1998	Silver 1876-1919, cupro-nickel 1921-82 (holed 1921-50), zinc 1943-45
50 øre	-			1874	-	Silver 1874-1919, cupro-nickel 1920-96 (holed 1920-49), zinc 1941-45, bronze 1996-
1 krone	1917-1925 1940-1950	1926 1999	War time "coin notes"	1875-	-	Silver 1875-1917, cupro-nickel 1925- (holed 1925-51, 1997-)
2 kroner	1918-1925 1940-1950	1926 1999	War time "coin notes"	1876-1917	??	Silver 1878-1917
5 kroner	1877-1963	1999	Replaced by coin 1963	1963-	-	Cupro-nickel (holed 1998-)
10 kroner	1877-1984	1999	Replaced by coin 1984	1983-	-	Nickel-brass
20 kroner	-			1994-	-	Nickel-brass
50 kroner	1877-	-		-
100 kroner	1877-	-		-
200 kroner	1994-	-		-
500 kroner	1877-	-		-
1000 kroner	1877-	-		-

ice berg.

colloseo

The Colosseum's original Latin name was Amphitheatrum Flavium, often anglicized as Flavian Amphitheater. The building was constructed by emperors of the Flavian dynasty, hence its original name. This name is still used frequently in modern English, but it is generally unknown. In antiquity, Romans may have referred to the Colosseum by the unofficial name Amphitheatrum Caesareum; this name could have been strictly poetic. This name was not exclusive to the Colosseum; Vespasian and Titus, builders of the Colosseum, also constructed an amphitheater of the same name in Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli).

The name Colosseum has long been believed to be derived from a colossal statue of Nero nearby. This statue was later remodeled by Nero's successors into the likeness of Helios (Sol) or Apollo, the sun god, by adding the appropriate solar crown. Nero's head was also replaced several times and substituted with the heads of succeeding emperors. Despite its pagan links, the statue remained standing well into the medieval era and was credited with magical powers. It came to be seen as an iconic symbol of the permanence of Rome.

In the 8th century, the Venerable Bede (c. 672–735) wrote a famous epigram celebrating the symbolic significance of the statue: Quandiu stabit coliseus, stabit et Roma; quando cadit coliseus, cadet et Roma; quando cadet Roma, cadet et mundus ("as long as the Colossus stands, so shall Rome; when the Colossus falls, Rome shall fall; when Rome falls, so falls the world"). This is often mistranslated to refer to the Colosseum rather than the Colossus (as in, for instance, Byron's poem Childe Harold's Pilgrimage). However, at the time that Bede wrote, the masculine noun coliseus was applied to the statue rather than to what was still known as the Flavian amphitheatre.

The Colossus did eventually fall, probably being pulled down to reuse its bronze. By the year 1000 the name "Colosseum" (a neuter noun) had been coined to refer to the amphitheatre. The statue itself was largely forgotten and only its base survives, situated between the Colosseum and the nearby Temple of Venus and Roma.

The name was further corrupted to Coliseum during the Middle Ages. In Italy, the amphitheatre is still known as il Colosseo, and other Romance languages have come to use similar forms such as le Colisée (French), el Coliseo (Spanish) and o Coliseu (Portuguese).

Norwegian parliament

The Storting (Stortinget, literally "The Great Thing/Assembly") is the Norwegian Parliament, and is located in the capital city Oslo. It sits in the Storting building which was completed in 1866 and was designed by the Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet.

History

The Storting in its present form was first constituted at Eidsvoll in 1814, although its origins can be traced back to the allting or common assemblies as early as the 9th century. The alltings were localised assemblies charged with discussing legal and political matters. These gradually were formalised so that the tings, or assemblies, grew into regionalised meetings and acquired backing and authority from the crown, even to the extent that on occasions they were instrumental in effecting change in the monarchy itself.

As Norway became unified as a geopolitical entity in the 10th century the lagtings were established as superior regional assemblies. The archaic regional assemblies, the Frostating, the Gulating, the Eidsivating and the Borgating were amalgamated and the corpus of law was setdown under the command of King Magnus Lagabøte during the mid 13th century. This jurisdiction remained significant until King Frederick III of Denmark and Norway proclaimed absolute monarchy in 1660; this was ratified by the passage of the King Act of 1665, and this became the constitution of the Union of Denmark and Norway and remained so until 1814 and the foundation of the Storting.

The number of seats in the Storting has varied: from 1882 there were 114 seats, from 1903 117, from 1906 123, from 1918 126, from 1921 150, from 1973 155, from 1985 157, from 1989 165 and from 2005 169 seats.

Qualified unicameralism

One of the lions outside Stortinget

The Storting is unicameral, but is divided into two departments in legislative matters. After elections the Storting elects a quarter of its membership to form the Lagting a sort of "upper house", with the remaining three quarters forming the Odelsting or "lower house". The division is also used on very rare occasions in cases of impeachment. The original idea in 1814 was probably to have the Lagting act as an actual upper house, and the senior and more experienced members of the Storting were placed here. Today, however, the composition of the Lagting closely follows that of the Odelsting so that there is very little that differentiates them, and the passage of a bill in the Lagting is mostly a formality.

Bills are submitted by the Government to the Odelsting or by a member of the Odelsting (members of the Lagting may not propose legislation by themselves). A Standing Committee, with members from both the Odelsting and Lagting, then considers the bill,and in some cases hearings are held. If passed by the Odelsting, the bill is sent to the Lagting for review or revision. Most bills are passed unamended by the Lagting and are then sent directly to the King for assent. Today royal assent is also mostly a formality.

If the Lagting amends the Odelsting's decision, the bill is sent back to the Odelsting. If the Odelsting approves the Lagting's amendments, the bill is signed into law by the King. If it does not, then the bill returns to the Lagting. If the Lagting still proposes amendments, the bill is submitted a plenary session of the Storting. In order to be passed, the bill must then have the approval of a two-thirds majority of the plenary session. In all other cases a simple majority suffices.

Three days must pass between each time a department votes on a bill.

A proposal to amend the constitution and abolish the system of Odelsting and Lagting was introduced in 2004 and was passed by the Storting on February 20, 2007 (159–1 with nine absentees). It will take effect with the newly elected Storting in 2009.

In all other cases, such as taxes and appropriations, the Storting meets in plenary sessions.

dfds seaways

DFDS A/S, an abbreviation of Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab (literally The United Steamship Company) is a Danish shipping company. DFDS was formed in 1866 as a merger of various minor shipping companies under the leadership of industrialist Carl Frederik Tietgen. After the takeover of Thingvalla Line in 1898, the Scandinavian America Line was established.

During its history, DFDS has absorbed several other ferry operators, including Tor Line (purchased 1981) and Prinz Ferries (also purchased 1981). From 1982 to 1983 DFDS' passenger operations were branded as DFDS Danish Seaways (Esbjerg — Harwich/Newcastle/Torshavn, Copenhagen — Oslo, Newcastle — Oslo), DFDS Tor Line (Gothenburg — Harwich/Newcastle/Amsterdam) and DFDS Prins Ferries (Harwich — Hamburg/Bremerhaven). DFDS also operated the Fred. Olsen Bergen Line routes Newcastle — Stavanger/Bergen and Stavanger — Amsterdam.

Although DFDS have generally concentrated on freight and passenger traffic on the North Sea (and to a lesser extent the Baltic Sea), they operated a ferry service in the Mediterranean between 1971 and 1981, as well as a ferry service from New York to Freeport as well as Miami - Freeport in the early 1980s under the name Scandinavian World Cruises (which later developed into SeaEscape). Between 1988 and 1999 the company's passenger services were marketed under the name Scandinavian Seaways.

Today, passenger activities are operated by DFDS Seaways, whereas freight activities are operated by DFDS Tor Line, DFDS Lys Line and DFDS LISCO.

DFDS Seaways is the passenger-carrying division of DFDS A/S. It operates five cruiseferries and one ro-pax ferry on routes connecting Denmark to Norway; and the United Kingdom to the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. The company has recently (2006) renewed their fleet, purchasing MS King of Scandinavia and MS Princess of Norway to replace the last ships dating from the 1970s still in service. The company has acquired a reputation as something of an expert in purchasing used ships, as the last time DFDS Seaways ordered a newbuilding was in 1978 (although they have since taken over build contracts and taken delivery of newbuilds originally ordered by other companies). In 2006 DFDS Seaways stopped serving Sweden when MS Princess of Scandinavia was taken off service and the Copenhagen - Oslo service ships stopped calling at Helsingborg.

boat

switzerland mountain alps

The Alps cover 61% of Switzerland's surface area (41,285 km²) thus making her the second most alpine country after Austria. Despite the fact that Switzerland covers only 13.2% of the Alps total area (190,600 km²), many four-thousanders (48 of 82) are located in the Swiss Alps. The glaciers in the Swiss Alps cover an area of 1230 km² (3% of the Swiss territory), this represent 44% of the total glaciated area in the Alps (2800 km²).