Norway has a very unique culture that has a rich folk culture that hold on to elements from the Viking age.  It has strongly-developed artistic tradition which can be seen through their crafts, wood carving, and jewelry.  The stave churches built after Christianity was introduced into Norway also show their artistic ability. 

            Norway has a few well know composers such as Ludvig Holberg.  Ludvig staged his plays in Copenhgen, the capital of Norway at the time.  Copenhagen's University was the only place where Norwegians could take academic studies.  As a result, a dynamic culture was taking place in architecture, beautiful art, wonderful music, and folk tales.

            In the 19th century there was a new era of artistic development with Henrick Isben's plays, the paintings of Edvard Munch and Johan Christian Dahl, writer Knut Hamsun.  On the other hand during the 20th century Norway, and many other countries, were influenced by world war two.  This resulted in an interesting mixture of contemporary artistic life.  In recent decades Norwegian culture showed improvement in the number of literary and performing artists mostly in contemporary dance, fine arts, and music and have won many international awards for their work.

            Norway has 4.5 million inhabitants are closely related to the Danes, the Icelanders, and the Swedes.  The Sami, the first people thought to live in Norway, are becoming a minority in the area.  There are 70,000 total and 40,000 live in Norway.