Travel Guide: Oslo / Scandinavian Miami
From rags to riches
There is a before and an after in Oslo’s history. In the late 1960s, Norway found oil in the bottom of the Northern Sea. At first, the findings were limited, but soon it was evident that the small, impoverished northern country had found a natural source that would soon make them rich.
Historically, Norway had both lacked funds and independence. In 1905, Norway’s union with Sweden had been dissolved (nearly creating a Scandinavian war, as Sweden was unwilling to relinquish its influence over Norway).
A few years before, in 1899, the country had developed its own flag; a symbol of the Norwegians hopes and aspirations to one day be free of their controlling “big brother”, as Sweden (not affectionately) is referred to as in both Norway and Denmark. And before Norway was governed by Sweden, it had been under Danish rule.
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