The European Business Handbook for Young ... - MCAST
The European Business Handbook for Young ... - MCAST
The European Business Handbook for Young ... - MCAST
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Norway<br />
<strong>The</strong> Country<br />
Historical Background: <strong>The</strong> Viking period (9th to 11th centuries) was<br />
one of national unification and expansion in Norway. <strong>The</strong> Norwegian<br />
royal line died out in 1387, and the country entered a period of union<br />
with Denmark. By 1586, Norway had become part of the Danish<br />
Kingdom. In 1814, as a result of the Napoleonic wars, Norway was<br />
separated from Denmark and combined with Sweden. <strong>The</strong> union persisted<br />
until 1905, when Sweden recognised Norwegian independence.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Norwegian Government offered the throne of Norway to Danish<br />
Prince Carl in 1905. <strong>The</strong> Parliament unanimously elected him king. He<br />
took the name of Haakon VII, after the kings of independent Norway.<br />
Haakon died in 1957 and was succeeded by his son, Olav V, who<br />
died in January 1991. Upon Olav’s death, his son Harald was crowned<br />
as King Harald V.<br />
Norway was neutral during World War I, but as a result of the German<br />
invasion and occupation during World War II, Norwegians turned<br />
instead to collective security. Norway was one of the signers of the<br />
North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 and was a founding member of the<br />
United Nations.<br />
Photo: R.M.Sørensen/visitflam.com<br />
23<br />
Culture