What geographic formation, often associated with Norway, is characterized by deep water surrounded by high cliffs?

The geographic formation characterized by deep water surrounded by high cliffs and often associated with Norway is a fjord. Fjords are typically formed by glacial activity, where glaciers carve out deep valleys that are later flooded by sea water as the glaciers melt and retreat. This results in steep, high cliffs on either side of the water, creating a stunning and dramatic landscape commonly seen in coastal regions like Norway's.

Fjords are distinct from other geographic features such as canyons, which are usually formed by river erosion and have a different structure than the steep, glacially-carved sides of a fjord. Deltas are landforms created at the mouth of a river where it meets a larger body of water, often characterized by sediment deposits and a series of waterways, and are not associated with steep cliffs. Lakes are bodies of water surrounded by land and do not have the characteristic steep cliffs that define fjords.

Thus, the correct identification of this specific formation as a fjord reflects its unique characteristics, including its origin and the dramatic topography it presents, especially in places like Norway.