Street scene, by a yellow building with balconies, Oslo

The first signs of a city date back to approximately 1000 AD. Medieval Oslo had only around 3000 inhabitants, while today�s population has risen to above 500 000.

The city has preserved many buildings and monuments from the past, including neighborhoods from the 17th and 18th centuries, the late 13th century Akershus Fortress (Akershus festning), many museums, the famous Vigeland Sculpture Park (Vigelandsparken), the sparkling new Norwegian Opera & Ballet (Den Norske Opera & Ballett) theater, and many other attractions for vistors of all ages.

In addition to being the political, cultural and economic center of the country, Oslo is home to approximately 980 companies and 8,500 employees within the maritime sector, among which are some of the world's largest shipping companies, shipbrokers and insurance brokers, and this because Norwegians own the world's third largest merchant marine fleet.

PHOTO SOURCE: Nancy Bundt, Innovation Norway, courtesy of the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry.

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