Oslo (called Christiania 1624-1878, Kristiania 1878-1924) is the capital and largest city of Norway. The population of the city proper is 544,073 (2006). The Greater Oslo region covers a population of approximately 1.3 million. In the entire Oslo Fjord region there is a total population of 1.7 million.
Fly to Oslo's airport Gardermoen or Sandefjord Airport Torp. There are also ferry connections to Kiel (Germany), Copenhagen (Denmark), Frederikshavn (Denmark) and Nesodden (Norway). The public transportation system in Oslo is managed by the municipal transport company Oslo Sporveier. This includes metro, tram, bus and ferry, but not the local train lines, which are run by the state railway company NSB.
Oslo (coordinates: 59o 56'N 10o 45'E) occupies an arc of land at the northernmost end of the Oslofjord. The fjord lies to the south; in all other directions Oslo is surrounded by green hills and mountains. There are 40 islands within the city limits and Oslo has 343 lakes. Although the city's population is small compared to most European capitals, it occupies an unusually large land area, of which two thirds are protected areas of forests, hills and lakes.
Its boundaries encompass many parks and open areas, giving it an airy and often very green appearance. It is not uncommon to encounter wild moose in suburban areas in winter. Oslo has a hemiboreal continental climate and the average temperatures are:
April - May: 4.5 to 10.8 degrees Celsius (40F to 51F)
June - August: 15.2 to 16.4 degrees Celsius (60F to 61,5F)
September - October: 6.3 to 10.8 degrees Celsius (43,3F to 51,4F)
November - March: 0.7 to –4.3 degrees Celsius (33F to 24F)
More interesting facts in: Weather in Norway + Oslo temperatures
Founded c.1050 by Harold III, Oslo became (1299) the national capital. In the 14th century it came under the dominance of the Hanseatic League. After a great fire (1624), the city was rebuilt by Christian IV and was renamed Christiania (or Kristiania) - in 1925 the name Oslo again became official. The city's modern growth dates from the late 19th century, when it also replaced Bergen as the main city in Norway.
Oslo has a lot to offer. You can find local festivities and events along with attractions and regional hotel/dining reviews in this helpful travel guide: Oslo Travel Guide.
