Oslo [antikvár]

INTRODUCTION Norway's energetic capital sits at the top of its own horseshoe-shaped fjord, relishing its role as the gateway to a stunningly beautiful country that has thrived on new sources of wealth. The Oslo Fjord juts into southeastern Norway from the waters that join the Baltic to the North Sea, and a cruise or ferry up the fjord from, for example, Copenhagen, is a spectacular way to approach this oldest of Scandinavian capitals. A Prosperous Capital Even if you're heading in from the airport north of the city, the signs of Oslo's prosperity are apparent at once, from the terminals' hardwood floors, to the high-speed train line into the city, to the new Mercedes and Volvos in the taxi fleet. Construction cranes abounded in recent years, constantly reshaping the city's landscape. The prosperity is relatively new, fuelled in large part by the discovery of offshore oil in 1969. It took a while for the oil wealth to pump up a national economy still struggling to rebuild after the German occupation of World War II. Today Norway ranks as one of the world's largest oil exporters - not bad for a small country of just 4.5 million people on the northern fringe of Europe. Its capital, along with the rest of the country, enjoyed a near embarrassment of riches when oil prices soared a few years ago. The revenues from the oil led to low unemployment and a windfall for a state treasury that nevertheless continues to tax its citizens (and visitors) heavily. While the practical and largely modest Norwegians are stashing most of the wealth away for the benefit of future generations, their affluence and an easing of strict government controls have Relaxing in front of Norway's Parliament