Fun facts about Oslo
5 facts - tap any card to flip it and learn more.
Oslo is the only city in Norway where two administrative levels, municipality and county, are integrated.
Oslo
Norway
Oslo is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of 724,290 in 2025, while the city's greater urban area had a population of 1,110,887 in 2025, and the metropolitan area had an estimated population of 1,546,706 in 2021.
From the “Urban region” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: Ryan Hodnett · CC BY-SA 4.0
Oslo was named Christiania after being rebuilt in 1624, but the name was changed back to Oslo in 1925.
Oslo
Norway
Oslo is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of 724,290 in 2025, while the city's greater urban area had a population of 1,110,887 in 2025, and the metropolitan area had an estimated population of 1,546,706 in 2021.
From the “Name and seal” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: Ryan Hodnett · CC BY-SA 4.0
The city of Oslo was founded around 1049, but archaeological evidence suggests there was a settlement prior to AD 1000.
Oslo
Norway
Oslo is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of 724,290 in 2025, while the city's greater urban area had a population of 1,110,887 in 2025, and the metropolitan area had an estimated population of 1,546,706 in 2021.
From the “History” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: Ryan Hodnett · CC BY-SA 4.0
Oslo has 343 lakes, with Maridalsvannet being the largest and a main source of drinking water.
Oslo
Norway
Oslo is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of 724,290 in 2025, while the city's greater urban area had a population of 1,110,887 in 2025, and the metropolitan area had an estimated population of 1,546,706 in 2021.
From the “Geography” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: Ryan Hodnett · CC BY-SA 4.0
In 2019, Oslo became the first city in the world to implement a climate budget to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Oslo
Norway
Oslo is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It constitutes both a county and a municipality. The municipality of Oslo had a population of 724,290 in 2025, while the city's greater urban area had a population of 1,110,887 in 2025, and the metropolitan area had an estimated population of 1,546,706 in 2021.
From the “Environment and decarbonization” section
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photo: Ryan Hodnett · CC BY-SA 4.0