OSLO. – Called Cristiania for three centuries, until 1925 (after King Christian IV), O., the capital of Norway, is situated on the Aker River, at the northern extremity of the O. fjord, which is approximately 100 km long and constitutes a major maritime traffic route.
Because of its geographical position, east of the Norwegian mountains and far from the Skagerrak, O. has a more continental climate than is generally found in the country. The present population of the capital, including the extensive suburban area of the neighboring municipalities, is approximately half a million inhabitants, that is, about 18–20% of the total population of the State. The principal center of Norwegian maritime traffic,
O. benefits from having a port in which storms are extremely rare and the average tidal range is minimal (average 20 cm). The mean annual temperature is 5°.8, with an annual average of 645 mm of precipitation; snow is abundant and frequent. Imports are considerably greater (approximately three times) than exports, and industries are varied. The city of O. forms a county; topographically, the original city of Cristiania may be distinguished within it, now constituting the business and banking district. Founded in 1050 by King Harald III the Severe, it saw the construction there, by Duke Håkon, later Håkon V, King of Norway, of the fortress of Akershus, which subsequently became the principal fortress of the Kingdom. A fire that broke out in 1624 destroyed the city, which subsequently assumed the characteristic appearance of Renaissance cities. Among the museums, the historical and ethnographic museums are noteworthy. – Vedi tav. XXVII.
The vicariate has an area of 155,000 sq. km. and a population of 2,340,000, of whom 3,800 are Catholics, with 41 catechumens; the remainder are Protestants. There are 2 national priests and 27 foreign priests; 1 brother and 183 sisters. Primary stations 33, secondary stations 1, churches 19, chapels 21. Elementary schools 8. The work of evangelization is very difficult. For the history, V. NORVEGIA, II. Civil and ecclesiastical history. Saverio Paventi