======Norway======
=====Location Information=====
  * **Type:** [[Country]]
  * **Location:** [[Scandinavia]], Northern [[Europe]]
  * **Residents:** [[Norwegian Ridgeback]]s, [[Norway National Quidditch team]]
  * **Key Features:** Mountainous terrain providing a natural and secluded habitat for [[dragons]]
=====Description and History=====
Norway is a country in Northern [[Europe]], known in the [[Wizarding world]] primarily as the native home of the [[Norwegian Ridgeback]] [[dragon]] species. Its vast and sparsely populated mountain ranges provide an ideal environment for these magical creatures to live away from the notice of [[Muggles]], which helps to maintain the [[International Statute of Secrecy]].
The country also participates in the international [[Quidditch]] community, fielding a national team for the [[Quidditch World Cup]].
=====Role in the Story=====
Norway's primary significance in the series is tied to the origin of [[Norbert]], the [[Norwegian Ridgeback]] illegally hatched by [[Rubeus Hagrid]] in his hut at [[Hogwarts]]. In //Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone//, after the [[dragon]] hatches, it quickly becomes too large and dangerous for [[Hagrid]] to handle.
[[Harry Potter]], [[Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]] persuade [[Hagrid]] to send the [[dragon]] to [[Charlie Weasley]], who works at a [[dragon]] reserve in [[Romania]]. Friends of Charlie's, who were reportedly on a trip in the area, agreed to collect [[Norbert]] from the top of the [[Astronomy Tower]] at [[Hogwarts]] under the cover of darkness. The [[dragon]], crated and secured, was then transported to the [[Romania]]n sanctuary.
Additionally, Norway is mentioned in the context of the 1994 [[Quidditch World Cup]]. During a discussion about the tournament, [[Ludo Bagman]] mentions that [[Bulgaria]] had defeated the [[Norway National Quidditch team]] in the qualifying rounds.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * The supplemental book, //[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]//, provides more detail on the [[Norwegian Ridgeback]], describing it as more aggressive than most [[dragons]] and noting its diet includes large land mammals and, unusually for a [[dragon]], water-dwelling creatures. (//Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them//)
  * On the Pottermore website, J.K. Rowling revealed that the [[Durmstrang Institute]] is most likely located in the far north of [[Europe]], suggesting its location could be in Norway or Sweden. (Pottermore)