Welcome to Norway! By Finn C. Brevig

Norway - Where are we? “A trip to Rome” Far North – and East

Norway - some statistics About 2500 km Coast line (ca 1560 miles) 2 % Habited area 4 % Agriculture area 37 % Forest 45 % Open land – Bare mountains 5 million citizens

Mountains Galdhøpiggen 2469 m More than 100 mountains over 2000 m

Industries Oil sector Merchandising Public sector, ca 30 % Many smaller companies What about fishing?

Oilindustri 1958: “No oil” 1970: Det second poorest economy in Europe The Government Pension Fund 8.450 bill. NOK 1.000 bill. USD 72 countries 9000 companies 1,4 % Listed companies W.W. 2,4 % in Europe

Statistics 20 % of BNP 45 % of Export 25 % Government income

Historical background 880 Norway One United Kingdom 790 – 1066 Viking Age 1066 Stamford Bridge / Hastings 1349 Black Death – 60 % dead 1380 – 1905 Unions with Denmark / Sweden 1814 Our Constitution – 17th of May 1905 Totally independent

The Constitution 1814 Montesqieu: Separation of Powers Constitutional Monarchy Parliament Prime Minsiter - Government Supreme Court

Local Authorities We were 19 Counties 427 Municipalities «The Municipality Reform» - Where will it end?

The Municipality Law § 23: «The City Manager is the manager (CEO) of the total services in the municipality» Responsibilty Education (Prmiary and Secondery School) Kindergarten Primary healthcare Community Planning Social Services etc. The authorizations varies a little, but normally the CM: Hire and fire all employees, even the directors Wide authorizations when it comes to do budget transfers All employees act on behalf of the City Manager The Major has more or less none authorizations Oslo City – One of a few exceptions with a parlamentary model

Welcome to Norway I wish you all a nice stay Finn