Changes

===20th century===

===20th century===

[[File:Oslo Christian Frederiks plass Norway.JPG|thumb|280px|Oslo, Christian Frederiks plass.]]

[[File:Oslo Christian Frederiks plass Norway.JPG|thumb|280px|Oslo, Christian Frederiks plass.]]

The Norwegian Government offered the throne of Norway to Danish Prince Carl in 1905. After a plebiscite approving the establishment of a monarchy, the Parliament unanimously elected him king. He took the name of Haakon VII, after the kings of independent Norway.

The Norwegian Government offered the throne of Norway to Danish Prince Carl in 1905. After a plebiscite approving the establishment of a monarchy, the Parliament unanimously elected him king. He took the name of [[Haakon VII]], after the kings of independent Norway.

Before 1900 Norway was one of the poorest countries in Europe, with an economy focused on farming, forestry, and fishing. Norway's harsh environment—the high latitudes and short growing seasons, the poor soils, the excessive precipitation, and the cool summers—have made farming difficult. Today only 3% of the land is used for farming; the main products are forage grains and dairy products. About one of every four Norwegian families cultivates its own garden plot.

Before 1900 Norway was one of the poorest countries in Europe, with an economy focused on farming, forestry, and fishing. Norway's harsh environment—the high latitudes and short growing seasons, the poor soils, the excessive precipitation, and the cool summers—have made farming difficult. Today only 3% of the land is used for farming; the main products are forage grains and dairy products. About one of every four Norwegian families cultivates its own garden plot.