Norway vs. Japan: Comparing Two Long, Narrow Island Nations

Norway and Japan are two nations defined by their large coastlines, mountainous terrain, and seafaring traditions. Despite existing in very different climates, they share surprising geographic similarities.

The Numbers: Norway vs. Japan

• Norway's area: 385,207 square kilometers (148,729 square miles)
• Japan's area: 377,975 square kilometers (145,937 square miles)
• Population: Norway ~5.5 million, Japan ~125 million
• Location: Norway in Northern Europe, Japan in East Asia

Nearly Identical in Size

Norway and Japan are within 7,000 km² of each other. That's essentially the same size. The similarity is notable given how different they appear on maps and in global perception.

Geographic Characteristics

Norway:

• Dimensions: 1,752 km north-south, 430 km east-west (at widest)
• Coastline: 25,148 km (2nd longest in Europe after Greenland)
• Terrain: Mountains, fjords, glaciers, narrow coastal plains
• Highest point: Galdhøpiggen (2,469 m)
• Major features: Norwegian fjords, Scandinavian Mountains, Arctic archipelagos

Japan:

• Dimensions: 3,000 km north-south (archipelago), 300 km east-west (average)
• Coastline: 29,751 km (6th longest globally)
• Terrain: Mountains, volcanic peaks, narrow coastal plains
• Highest point: Mount Fuji (3,776 m)
• Major features: Japanese Alps, volcanic chains, thousands of islands

The Shape Factor

Both countries are long, narrow, and elongated, but in different ways.

Norway stretches from the southern tip near Denmark up to the Arctic Circle and beyond. It's sandwiched between Sweden and the Atlantic Ocean. The country is so narrow in places you can drive coast-to-coast in under an hour.

Japan is an archipelago of four main islands (Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku) plus thousands of smaller ones, stretching from subtropical Okinawa to subarctic Hokkaido. Like Norway, it's remarkably narrow. Most places are within 150 km of the ocean.

Population: The Defining Contrast

The population difference is large.

Japan: 125 million people (332 per km²)

• 11th most populous country globally
• One of the highest population densities for a developed nation
• Tokyo metro area alone has 37+ million (more than all of Scandinavia combined)
• Coastal plains are intensively developed

Norway: 5.5 million people (14 per km²)

• One of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe
• Oslo metro area has only 1 million residents
• Much of the country is uninhabited mountains and fjords

Japan packs 22 times more people into slightly less space. That's 332 people per km² compared to Norway's 14 per km².

Climate: Arctic vs. Temperate

Despite similar latitudes, their climates differ considerably due to ocean currents.

Norway:

• Subarctic to Arctic: Long, dark winters; short, mild summers
• Gulf Stream influence: Warmer than latitude suggests
• Atlantic coast: Rainy, mild, rarely freezing
• Interior mountains: Severe cold, heavy snow

Japan:

• Humid subtropical to humid continental: Four distinct seasons
• Monsoon influence: Hot, humid summers; cold, snowy winters
• Regional variation: Subtropical south, subarctic north
• Typhoon season: Late summer/early autumn

Japan's warmest regions (Okinawa) are subtropical, while Norway's entire territory sits at latitudes equivalent to Alaska.

Mountains and Terrain

Both countries are dominated by mountains covering roughly 70% of their territory.

Norway's mountains are ancient, worn by glaciers. The Scandinavian Mountains form the spine of the country. Fjords carved by glacial action create large, steep-walled valleys flooded by the sea. The terrain makes road and rail construction challenging.

Japan's mountains are younger, volcanic, and seismically active. The Japanese Alps and volcanic peaks like Mount Fuji define the landscape. Narrow coastal plains hold most of the population. The country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire with frequent earthquakes.

Coastlines: Fjords vs. Islands

Both countries have very long coastlines relative to their size.

Norway's coastline (25,148 km) is one of the most complex on Earth. Thousands of fjords create endless inlets, bays, and harbors. The Lofoten Islands and Svalbard archipelago add thousands more kilometers. This makes Norway a natural maritime nation.

Japan's coastline (29,751 km) is even longer, with thousands of islands creating complex geography. The main islands have relatively smooth coasts, but countless offshore islands substantially increase total coastline length.

Interactive Exploration

Explore this comparison on our interactive map tool

Explore Interactive Map

Overlay Norway and Japan to see how these two elongated nations compare.

Economic Comparison

Despite similar sizes, their economies differ vastly.

Norway:

• GDP: ~$580 billion (small but wealthy)
• GDP per capita: ~$105,000 (among world's highest)
• Major industries: Oil and gas, fishing, shipping, hydroelectric power
• Sovereign wealth fund: World's largest ($1.6+ trillion)

Japan:

• GDP: ~$4.2 trillion (3rd or 4th largest globally)
• GDP per capita: ~$34,000
• Major industries: Automotive, electronics, robotics, manufacturing
• Global influence: Major technology and cultural exporter

Japan's economy is roughly 7 times larger than Norway's, but Norway has much higher per-capita wealth due to oil revenues and small population.

Natural Resources

Norway struck it rich with North Sea oil and gas discoveries in the 1970s. Combined with abundant hydroelectric power from mountains and fjords, Norway became one of the world's wealthiest nations per capita. Fishing remains important culturally and economically.

Japan has limited natural resources and must import most raw materials. This drove the country toward high-value manufacturing, technology, and services. Fishing is culturally important but limited by sustainable yields.

The Mercator Effect

Norway (58-71°N) and Japan (24-45°N) sit at very different latitudes, creating large Mercator distortion differences.

Norway gets stretched significantly at high latitudes, appearing much larger than reality. Svalbard (78°N) appears enormous on Mercator maps.

Japan experiences moderate distortion, but Hokkaido (northern) appears noticeably larger than Kyushu (southern) despite similar actual sizes.

On a Mercator map, Norway often appears much larger than Japan. In reality, they're nearly identical.

Seafaring Traditions

Both nations have deep maritime cultures shaped by geography.

Norway's Viking heritage defined European history. Modern Norway maintains strong shipping, fishing, and offshore oil industries. The merchant marine remains one of the world's largest. Ferry connections link communities separated by fjords.

Japan's island geography created a seafaring culture despite centuries of isolation. Modern Japan has the world's 3rd largest fishing fleet. Ferries connect the main islands and outlying regions. Maritime trade is essential to the economy.

Urbanization Patterns

Norway: Moderately urbanized (83% urban). Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger are major cities, but even these feel small by international standards. Development clusters in valleys and coastal areas. Mountains and fjords separate communities.

Japan: Highly urbanized (92% urban). Massive metropolitan areas dominate: Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya. The Tokaido corridor (Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka) is one of the world's most densely populated regions. Rural areas are depopulating rapidly.

Renewable Energy

Norway generates nearly 100% of electricity from hydropower. Abundant rainfall and mountainous terrain create ideal conditions. The country is now a leader in electric vehicles and offshore wind power.

Japan imports most energy but invests heavily in solar, wind, and geothermal power after the Fukushima nuclear disaster. The mountainous terrain limits large-scale renewable projects.

Fun Facts

Norway:

• Has more electric vehicles per capita than any country (over 80% of new sales)
• The sun doesn't set for weeks in summer above the Arctic Circle
• Bergen is one of Europe's rainiest cities (2,250mm annually)
• Home to the northernmost city in the world (Hammerfest, Svalbard)
• Has one of the world's longest road tunnels (Lærdal, 24.5 km)

Japan:

• Has over 6,800 islands (430+ inhabited)
• Experiences over 1,500 earthquakes annually
• Tokyo is the world's largest metropolitan economy
• Vending machines outnumber people in some areas
• Has 21 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Aging Populations

Both countries face demographic challenges, though for different reasons.

Norway has low but stable birth rates, offset by immigration. The welfare state supports families. Population is slowly growing.

Japan has one of the world's oldest populations and lowest birth rates. Over 28% of the population is 65+. Resistance to immigration means population is shrinking. This creates economic and social challenges.

Cultural Exports

Norway exports black metal music, Nordic noir crime fiction, and outdoor recreation culture. Norway's natural beauty attracts tourists seeking fjords, northern lights, and wilderness.

Japan is a cultural superpower: anime, manga, video games, automobiles, and cuisine have global influence. Tourism focuses on culture (temples, castles), cuisine, and natural beauty (cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji).

Infrastructure Challenges

Both countries face geographic challenges in building infrastructure.

Norway's mountains and fjords make road and rail construction extremely expensive. Tunnels and bridges are essential. Ferries still connect many communities. The coast-to-coast railway is an engineering marvel.

Japan's mountains force infrastructure into narrow coastal corridors. The Shinkansen (bullet train) navigates through hundreds of tunnels. Earthquakes require stringent building codes. Infrastructure is world-class but expensive to build and maintain.

Conclusion

Norway and Japan are virtually identical in size. They're within 2% of each other. But their similarities are deeper than just area.

Both are long, narrow, mountainous countries defined by large coastlines and maritime cultures. Both face infrastructure challenges from difficult terrain. Both are wealthy, developed nations with strong social cohesion.

The differences are equally notable: Japan has 22 times more people, a vastly larger economy, and subtropical-to-temperate climates. Norway has Arctic conditions, massive oil wealth per capita, and vast unpopulated wilderness.

Two countries, same size, completely different worlds.