Norway is a wonderful, beautiful place to be. It has good food, fun activities, and unique religion. It is in Europe and is a part of Scandinavia.   

Myths and Legends
There are a lot of myths and legends Norwegians believe though I can only tell you a few. Norwegian Mythology says an ash tree connects three levels together. Each level has about three worlds. On the highest level are the worlds Alfheim (world of the Light Elves), Asgard (world of the Aseir gods also known as the warrior gods), and Vanaheim (world of the fertility gods). On the middle level, are the worlds Midgard (also known as Earth), Nidavellir (world of the dwarves), Jotunheim (world of the giants), and Svartalfheim (world of the Dark Elves or Wood Elves). Last, but not least, there’s the bottom level. Nilfheim is one of the worlds, with its spirits who died from sickness. The ones who die from war are brought to Odin’s (king of the gods) hall to battle all day, and then eat to their health. Nilfheim also has Hel, queen of the dead. There is also Muspell, and in it is the swordsman Surt, and his great sword. When the time is right, he is going to lead the creatures of Muspell to the god’s doom.

There once was a place called Ginnungagap on the bottom level, in between Niflheim and Muspell. There were eleven rivers in Ginnungagap. They froze, and then melted to make two figures, Ymir, the first frost giant, and Audunla, the cow. Ymir drank Audunla ‘s milk, while Audunla licked the ice. When Ymir slept, he sweated. That sweat made more frost giants.

One time when Audunla was licking the ice, she found a figure in the ice. Audunla licked the ice until the figure was free. This human-like figure’s name was Buri. Later on, Buri had a son named Bor. Bor married the frost giantess Bestla. Bor and Bestla had three sons. The three sons were Odin, Vili, and Ve, the first gods.The three brothers hated the frost giants so much, they killed Ymir. Ymir’s blood flooded the area and made the other frost giants flee.
The three gods used Ymir’s body parts to make the world. They: used Ymir’s flesh to make the world, used his bones and teeth to make rocks and mountains, used his skull for the dome, used his brains for the clouds, and his blood for the rivers, seas, oceans, and lakes. 

Government
The Norwegian Government has a good welfare system. The Prime Minister is head of Government. The Storting President is head of Parliament. They also have a King and Queen. The Government has more power than the King and Queen though. The S’ami are like our Indians with their own Government. They mainly live in Finnmark.

Geography
There are very Interesting things about Norway’s geography. It’s really beautiful. For example, the biggest fjord is Sogna Fjord, is 110 miles long. There is also Jostedals, the biggest glacier in Europe. It is 188 sq. miles. There are about 160,000 lakes, and about 150,000 islands in Norway. It is strange though that only 3% of Norway is good for farmland. The Glåma River is 327 miles long. Lake Mjøsa, is 142 square miles. The highest elevation in Norway is Galdhøpiggen, and it is 8,100 feet high. The lowest elevation is the sea level around the coast of Norway. Even though Norway’s coastline is 13,267 miles, with Norway’s islands, peninsulas, and fjords, Norway’s coastline would be about half the distance around the world.

During the ice age, ice and snow covered Norway two miles thick. When it melted, glaciers created the fjords of Norway.
 
Vikings
The word Viking in Norwegian means “men of the bays”. Norway is a part of Scandinavia. Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are all parts of Scandinavia. Vikings live in Scandinavia. Vikings can be farmers, rarely raiders. They could be traders, fishermen, explores, blacksmiths, carpenters, and sailors.  Though the Vikings raided the coasts of Britain, Ireland, France, Spain, and the Mediterranean.

The towns of the Vikings are usually near river and have ports since Vikings usually travel by water. The towns also have it so a stream comes through streams also come through town for washing.

One of the most famous explorers was Leif Erickson. He was the real, first discoverer of America. Leif named it “Vineland.” He called it because the place was prefect for growing vines. The Indians drove the Vikings out of Vineland.

Who I Interviewed And What I Learned My first interview was with my Uncle Seth on January 25, 2006; from 3:00 pm.-6:00 pm. I chose him because he’s been to Norway twice.  He also has all the information about the family tree. He told me about my great, great, great, great, grandfather John Watten Severtsen Hegg. He told me John sailed away to America in 1898. When he got to America he changed his name to John Watten, because usually Norwegians change their names when they go to a different country. When he came to America, he lived in Minnesota. There he met my great great great great grandmother. Her name was Carolina, but was called Lina. He also told me on Trondheim’s 1,000th birthday, America brought over a statue of Leif Eriksson, the first one to discover America. There are also plaques with the names of those who sailed away from Norway. On one of the trips my Aunt and Uncle took, they had my great, great, great, great, grandfather’s name put on the plaque. At the end of the Interview, he told me that the story with the three Billy goats and the troll under the bridge originated from Norway.

Bibliography Bashfield, Jean. Norway. Canada: Childrens Press, 2000, Pg. 11,13-15,17-? Evans, Cheryl and Millard, Anne. Norse Myths and Legends EDC Publishing, .Tulsa, Oklahoma. Pg. 8-11. Morley, Jacqueline First Facts about the Vikings .New York: Peter Bedrick Books. Pp. 7-15. Norway Facts and Information Norwegian Coastal Voyage Inc. Bergen Line Services Pg. 9. Watten, Seth. Personal Interview. January 25, 2006.

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