This book offers a fresh perspective on how this small country in the far north of Europe has developed and emerged as a modern society. The identity of the country can be seen as balancing culturally between urban and rural, and ideologically between market and social democratic values. The authors are researchers in geography, social science, economics and political science at major universities, university colleges and research institutions in Norway.

Professionals, students, scholars, tourists and other adults who visit or move to Norway will gain valuable insight and useful knowledge from reading this book.