To the north are long deep fjords and an offshore island belt, and in the south are forests and many lakes. The climate is modified in coastal areas by the North Atlantic Drift.
Summers become warmer and winters colder inland.
Following German occupation during World War II, Norway abandoned a long-standing policy of neutrality and in 1949 joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A minority Labour government has been dominant, interspersed with periods of coalition rule. The minority Labour government, led by Gro Brundtland, believe that industry would benefit from competition, more investment and trading partners. When put to the test in a referendum in November 1994, the electorate voted against membership. Among those rejecting the Union were farmers, fearful of the loss of generous subsidies, fishermen anxious to avoid competition from other nations in Norwegian waters and those with interests in the oil industry, who wished to protect home ownership of reserves.