Oslo Travel Guide

Oslo is the capital and largest city of Norway, and the third largest city of Scandinavia.

In 2010 it was ranked as the most expensive city in the world.

Following the latest reform of January 1, 2004, the city is divided into fifteen boroughs that are to a considerable extent self governed. Each borough is responsible for local services not overseen by the City Council, such as social services, basic healthcare, and kindergartens. For convience, and as... (more)

Following the latest reform of January 1, 2004, the city is divided into fifteen boroughs that are to a considerable extent self governed. Each borough is responsible for local services not overseen by the City Council, such as social services, basic healthcare, and kindergartens. For convience, and as most of the boroughs do not contain that much of interest, the city can be divided into five larger districts.

Oslo is the demographic, economic and political centre of Norway.

The history of the city can be traced back over 1,000 years, although according to the chronicles of Snorre Sturlason, Oslo was founded in 1048, by the king Harald Hardråde. The city became capital of Norway around 1300, but lost its privileges during the Danish-Norwegian union from 1348 to 1814. In 1624, a fire devastated old Oslo, and the city was moved some kilometres west to gain protection from the fortress at Akershus. The city was renamed Christiania, after the danish king Christian IV, a name that remained until it was officially renamed on January 1st 1925 to Oslo. Traces have been found close to indicating settlement as far back as 10,000 bc.

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