Norway is located in northern Europe, occupying the western and northern portions of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The country's name, meaning "northern way," reflects its importance in linking the many small fjord and valley communities that are separated by rugged mountains. The area is 323,877 sq km (125,050 sq mi). Oslo is Norway's capital and largest city. Norway has preserved a rich folk culture that retains elements from the Viking age.

Norwegians today have a great interest in preserving folk art and music. Modern Norwegian culture has evolved from the great flowering of the arts that occurred in the 19th century under the influence of national romanticism. Oslo is the undisputed cultural center of Norway. Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger are important regional centers. The country's largest art museum is the National Gallery in Oslo. Natural history museums are located in Oslo, Stavanger, Bergen, Trondheim, and Tromsø. Other museums display artifacts of regional and national culture, for example the Norwegian Folk
Museum in Oslo. Performing-arts organizations include the National Theater and the national ballet and opera and the National Stage. The Oslo Philharmonic is the principal orchestra; other permanent orchestras are in Bergen and Trondheim. A film festival is held annually in Haugesund.