Magazine above by mariamidthjell

THE NORWEGIAN NATURE

Above is a magazine that is about showing the beauty of the world viewed from above. In this edition, we have focused on Norway and its astonishing and distinctive nature. Petter Dulsrud is a landscape photographer from Norway, and is the single photographer of this edition of the magazine. He travels all around the world to take extraordinary pictures of the nature, to capture the natural colours and forms around him. He loves the natural beauty and recreational opportunities available in Norway, and was drawn to exploring the moods of nature by hiking.

01 THE NORWEGIAN NATURE

02 THE CAPITAL OF NORWAY

03 THE NORWEGIAN FJORDS

04 THE HIKING SEASON

05 THE HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN THE

06 SURFING ALONG THE SEASIDE

07 NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

07 BIKING ACROSS NORWAY

THE NORWEGIAN

NATURE Text: articlesfactory Photo: Petter Dulsrud

This country is elegant and boasts of its natural wealth. If you ever wish to cruise through the deep Atlantic fjords or climb mountains. Not only the fjords but grand mountains, astonishing waterfalls, glaciers and cities rich Nature seems to in natural and modern assets make Norway a hot favourite have bestowed also tourist destination in the world.

upon Norway the most of its mercy.

Its unfading beauty speaks out itself the glorious history and recommends the travellers to pay a visit to this amazingly beautiful country. The moment you get into the Norwegian territory, nature greets you with some amazing gifts of stunningly beautiful sights. Landing on the airport in Oslo, The capital city, follows some memorable sightseeing experience. Museums and parks in important corners of this charming city have something great to make you inquisitive.

THE CAPITAL OF

NORWAY Text: articlesfactory Photo: Petter Dulsrud

In the middle of the city you´ll fint the Royal Palace. For those not used to the kind of freedom enjoyed by the Norwegian royals, the palace can be quite a surprise. There are no fences surrounding it and the gardens are open to the public at all times. You´ll find families picknicking there and peoplewalking their dogs. There are guards but they generally leave you alone.As the late King Olav once said, who needs bodyguards when you have the entire population of your country protecting you? From the Palace, Karl Johans Gate leads down towards the parliament buildings. The road is diveded in two, with poen-air cafes and gardens in the middle. People of all ages congregate here. but it´s especially popular with younger people enjoying a half litre of lager. Karl Johan is also the main shopping street of Oslo but be warned, prices in Norway are higher than you´re probably used to. Make sure you´ve taken enough of your hard earned cash with you.

Text: articlesfactory Photo: Petter Dulsrud

Cruise ships are fun, but if you really want to get up close and personal with the still and deep Norwegian fjords or the wilder coastline, kayaks or canoes are more intimate options.

PADDLING THE AMAZING FJORDS OF NORWAY

THE NORWEGIAN

FJORDS

Text: visitnorway Photo: Petter Dulsrud

The narrow fjords, majestic mountains and a variety of islands provide a really special setting. Here you can find your very own beach, stay in a traditional rorbu (fishermen’s cottage) and experience the local culinary Many Norwegians use traditions as part of your their canoes on the paddling tour. Similarly, you can pull your kayak up to shore, and many inland lakes go climbing and mountaineering and rivers, typically before heading back out on the clear blue seas.

bringing a tent and a camping stove to cook

If you are rather new to paddling or you prefer quieter waters, you may want to consider the fjords in the west of Norway, for example the UNESCO-¬listed Nærøyfjord. The waters are least cold and the sun is at its most warming in July and August, with late sunsets and mild summer nights. The 1957 Norwegian open air act, states that everyone in Norway has a right of access to the unfenced countryside. In other words, you can camp pretty much anywhere you like in the wilderness for 48 hours, and thesurroundings.

THE HIKING

SEASON Text: visitnorway Photo: Petter Dulsrud

Rays of sunlight are finally showering the landscape, forcing the snow in the mountains a silent retreat, and waking the flowers after their winter sleep. Enter the start of the hiking season. After a long winter, people of all age groups and social backgrounds head outdoors and go trekking in the mountains, along the coast or in the forests. And you are more than welcome to join us in our unashamed love affair with nature. The varied scenery, from popular marked trails and tourist attractions to wild and untamed mythical landscapes, has earned Norway a well-deserved reputation as major hiking destination in Europe.

Numerous wooden cabins all over the country offer convenient and affordable accomondations for hikers. Many are of a fairly basic standard, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be Surprised if you come across a hiking lodge with a fancy design quite a few have been designed by ambitious architects. If you worry that even a basic cabin is beyond your budget, you will be pleased to hear that it is allowed to pitch a tent in most places for free, as long as you follow the few simple rules outlines in the so-called right of access. Many people choose hiking as a opportunity to explore the Norwegian fjords and landscapes or take a guided tour on a glacier.

Text: visitnorway Photo: Petter Dulsrud

Historian Finn Erhard Johannessen at the University of Oslo believes Norwegians are the happiest because the standard of living has been raised to a level where we can allow ourselves to relax. “We have a welfare system that takes care of us, a safety net. When it comes to income and standard of living the inequality is low, and our society Norway jumped from safe and harmonious, without internal conflicts. We don’t have to fourth to first place worry, as it cannot go too wrong in as the world’s happiest Norway. This gives us a fundamental feeling of safety country. But why, and freedom, both socially, and has it always financially and security-wise.”

been like that?

Social researcher Ottar Hellevik, said that something has changed in Norwegians’ value orientation since the beginning of the millennium. For instance, he says, more have replaced a materialistic way of life with an idealistic one.”There is a clear tendency for a more content population. More Norwegians than before believe they could get by on less, and more say they are happier,”. A good economy and proper health care have both had an effect on the degree of happiness. Though not many decades ago the Norwegian health care was miles from today’s welfare system, in some areas based on volunteer work, like housewives’ groups doing checkups on newborn infants. Electricity didn’t reach the rural parts until the mid-60s. At about the same time the Norwegian car fleet started growing.

“In addition, the import of commodities increased after years of war. I remember how happy we were when we got oranges for the Christmas party,” says historian Johannessen. In the 1950s Oslo’s population counts revealed how a sizable family could share the same one bedroom apartment which today houses only one person. The toilet was out in the backyard or in the stairway, while several neighbouring families shared a kitchen. “They didn’t even use the space they had. The nice living room was only for when they had guests over. It was important for their self-respect, they wanted to demonstrate that they were doing well.”Another stop on Norway’s road to happiness, Johannessen believes, is the shift away from an authoritarian society. “When I went to school in the 60s, I was always terrified that the strict headmaster would punish me. And the hospitals back then were almost like military barracks, where patients had to get up at 6 am for a temperature check. Now they rest, perhaps they sleep till 9 and get some breakfast whenever they feel like it,” says Johannessen. He believes the so-called 68s, the generation of radical students in 1968 and the following years, should take some credit for this development.

SURFING ALONG THE SEASIDE Text: visitnorway Photo: Petter Dulsrud

As most coastal areas are free and open to the public, Norwegians have a short, but intense love affair with the seaside during summer A myriad of beaches is located in the south, while some very unique ones ca be found in the west and north. Norway’s best surf is found along the beaches of Jæren. This stretch of coastline invites you to explore the North Sea for wind and waves. The spots range from easy and gentle beginner beaches, to the more demanding and better boulder rock points, which doesn’t work as often as the beaches. The summer season is most welcoming for beginners, while the late autumn and winter has more exciting conditions, rewarding for those who brave the colder temperatures. Modern wetsuits and equipment open the entire winter season for both wave-, wind- and kitesurfing. Especially suited for beginner level surfing are Sola beach, Hellestø beach, Sele point/beach, Bore beach, Brusand and Ogna beach. Windsurfing and kiting is a popular activity at at the Solastrand beach due to its relatively sheltered wave conditions even in strong winds. Talk to the surf shops in Stavanger for local knowledge about the conditions. Please respect local landowners and agriculture when travelling and parking along the Jæren landscape.

NATURE

PHOTOGRAPHY Text: articklesfactory Photo: Petter Dulsrud

The best results come when you develop an understanding of natural light. Nature photography is part nature, part photography. You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get far without the essential camera skills, but that is only half the story. The best results come when you understanding of photography developan natural light.

Nature is part nature, part photography. You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get far without the essential camera skills, but that is only half the story.

When the sunlight is very low, it creates a soft, warm light that is very attractive in a photo. Shining from a low angle, it also illuminates the face of the subject more evenly. Furthermore, due to the contrast, the shadows you can see are less harsh than in the middle of the day. So for several reasons, early morning (up to about 9am) and late afternoon towards sunset are often the best times to take your photos.

Black and white photography is a little different from other photography. Instead of subjects being defined by subtle shades of colour, black and white photography makes use of strong lines and shadows. The best effect can be produced by higher contrast in the light. So when you are thinking black and white photography, you may find yourself seeking the brighter light of the middle part of the day.

BIKING ACROSS

NORWAY Text: visitnorway Photo: Petter Dulsrud

Norway is a hilly country, but the threshold for doing a roundtrip on a bike isn’t necessarily high. there’s a lot more to Norway than hair-raising peaks. Thanks to a remarkably varied topography, even the more inexperienced “couch cyclists” among us can find suitable routes. It is a wonderful way to get closer to nature, discover hidden gems in the countryside and perhaps even experience an extra amount of goodwill from the locals. The interest for cycling in Norway has skyrocketed in the last few years. A number of local and national initiatives are turning the country into a top cycling destination in Europe. This is evident in the increasing number of destinations and facilities available for cycling tourists – for example in bike parks like Hafjell, Trysil and Geilo, cyclist-friendly accommodation options and bike rental and bike repair establishments.It doesn’t matter where you start if you want to go on a biking holiday in Norway. There are pearls to be discovered everywhere.

Above is a magazine that is about showing the beauty of the world viewed from above. In this edition, we have focused on Norway and its astonishing and distinctive nature.