Norwegians have created a successful symbiosis between man and nature. Beyond their cities lie virtually untouched forests and pristine shores of picturesque fjords, where human presence is barely noticeable.

1. Whaling is still legal in Norway. They continue to kill animals legally, while almost all countries in the world have abandoned this barbaric practice.

2. Children are excellent skiers and snowboarders, and begin learning to ski at age four. Almost all Norwegians participate in winter sports.

3. Many Norwegians fly the national flag near their homes.

4. When a Norwegian volunteers to help public services, for example, by rescuing people or putting out fires, the authorities pay them several thousand kroner. And if a power outage leaves people without power, the utility company compensates each household.

5. Norway sees little sun, and in the north, above the Arctic Circle, there’s none at all for several months of the year. The town of Rjukan found a solution in 2013 by installing three enormous mirrors at an altitude of 450 meters. Now its central square is bathed in reflected sunlight for long periods.

6. Some bus stops in Norway are decorated like rooms in a house. They have chairs, tables with vases, and curtains. People treat everything with care and keep it clean.

7. Self-service stalls are often found near farms: vegetables are neatly packaged in paper bags, and you can buy them by placing money in a special box.

8. In Norway, fishing is allowed without restrictions or licenses, unlike in other European countries.

9. 90% of Norwegian fathers take 12 weeks of parental leave to care for their newborns.

10. Prisons in Norway aren’t the usual concrete dungeons, but comfortable apartments with all the necessary amenities. Highly dangerous criminals live in a prison on Bastøy Island: cozy wooden houses, walks against a backdrop of mountains and picturesque bays, and outdoor work.