Location: Oslo is on an arc of land at the northernmost end of the Oslofjord. There are 40 islands within the city limits Time: GMT + 1 Hour Language: Norwegian although English is widely spoken.

Climate: A humid continental climate with cold snowy winters and mild and pleasant summers. Area: 454sq.km.

Population: City: 575,000, urban: 856,915, metropolitan: 1,283,533

Religion: Norway is a Protestant Christian country.

Electricity: 230 volts at 50 Hz Telephone code: +47

Currency: The Norwegian Krone (NOK)

Passport/visa requirements: Holders of a valid United Kingdom passport can stay for up to three months without a visa.

National airline: SAS (www.flysas.com)

Airports: Oslo Airport (Gardermoen), Sandefjord Airport, Moss Airport

Flight time: Approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

Public Holidays- 2009 2009 New Year's Day 1 January Palm Sunday 5 April Maundy Thursday 9 April Good Friday 10 April Easter Sunday 12 April Easter Monday 13 April Public holiday 1 May Constitution Day 17 May Ascension Day 21 May Whit Sunday 31 May Whit Monday 1 June Christmas Day 25 December Boxing Day 26 December UK

Tourist Office details: Royal Norwegian Embassy, 25 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8QD.Tel: 020-7591 5500.

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