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This page was last updated on 17 January, 2008


Map of Norway
Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Norway Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare system and planning for the time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.
   Geography    Norway Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
62 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Europe
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 323,802 sq km
land: 307,442 sq km
water: 16,360 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
total: 2,542 km
border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km; length of island coastlines 58,133 km)
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 10 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 2.7%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.3% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
1,270 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Definition Field Listing
381.4 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Definition Field Listing
Total: 2.4 cu km/yr (23%/67%/10%)
Per capita: 519 cu m/yr (1996)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
rockslides, avalanches
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in the world
   People    Norway Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4,627,926 (July 2007 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 19% (male 450,612/female 430,126)
15-64 years: 66.1% (male 1,552,473/female 1,507,638)
65 years and over: 14.8% (male 291,659/female 395,418) (2007 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 38.7 years
male: 37.9 years
female: 39.6 years (2007 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
0.363% (2007 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
11.27 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
9.37 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
1.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.048 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.738 male(s)/female
total population: 0.984 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 3.64 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 3.99 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 79.67 years
male: 77.04 years
female: 82.46 years (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.78 children born/woman (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2,100 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Norwegian(s)
adjective: Norwegian
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
Norwegian, Sami 20,000
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
   Government    Norway Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway
conventional short form: Norway
local long form: Kongeriket Norge
local short form: Norge
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
name: Oslo
geographic coordinates: 59 55 N, 10 45 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
19 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold
Dependent areas:
Definition Field Listing
Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
17 May 1814; amended many times
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20 July 1973)
head of government: Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17 October 2005)
cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of parliament
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch with the approval of the parliament
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members are elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year terms); note - in 2009 the number of seats will change to 165
elections: last held 12 September 2005 (next to be held in September 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 32.7%, Progress Party 22.1%, Conservative Party 14.1%, Socialist Left Party 8.8%, Christian People's Party 6.8%, Center Party 6.5%, Liberal Party 5.9%, other 3.1%; seats by party - Labor Party 61, Progress Party 38, Conservative Party 23, Socialist Left Party 15, Christian People's Party 11, Center Party 11, Liberal Party 10
note: for certain purposes, the parliament divides itself into two chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership in the Lagting and three-fourths of its membership in the Odelsting
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
Center Party [Aslaug Marie HAGA]; Christian People's Party [Dagfinn HOYBRATEN]; Conservative Party [Erna SOLBERG]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [Lars SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Siv JENSEN]; Socialist Left Party [Kristin HALVORSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
NA
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
AfDB, Arctic Council, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Wegger C. STROMMEN
chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000
FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870
consulate(s) general: Houston, Minneapolis (may be closed in 2008), New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Benson K. WHITNEY
embassy: Henrik Ibsens gate 48, 0244 Oslo; note - the embassy will move to Huseby in the near future
mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707
telephone: [47] (22) 44 85 50
FAX: [47] (22) 44 33 63, 56 27 51
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
   Economy    Norway Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector, through large-scale state enterprises. The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on its oil production and international oil prices, with oil and gas accounting for one-third of exports. Only Saudi Arabia and Russia export more oil than Norway. Norway opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994; nonetheless, as a member of the European Economic Area, it contributes sizably to the EU budget. The government has moved ahead with privatization. Although Norwegian oil production peaked in 2000, natural gas production is still rising. Norwegians realize that once their gas production peaks they will eventually face declining oil and gas revenues; accordingly, Norway has been saving its oil-and-gas-boosted budget surpluses in a Government Petroleum Fund, which is invested abroad and now is valued at more than $250 billion. After lackluster growth of less than 1% in 2002-03, GDP growth picked up to 3-5% in 2004-07, partly due to higher oil prices. Norway's economy remains buoyant. Domestic economic activity is, and will continue to be, the main driver of growth, supported by high consumer confidence and strong investment spending in the offshore oil and gas sector. Norway's record high budget surplus and upswing in the labor market in 2007 highlight the strength of its economic position going into 2008.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$257.4 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing
$284 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.9% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$55,600 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 2.4%
industry: 42.9%
services: 54.7% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.5 million (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 4%
industry: 22%
services: 74% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.4% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: 3.9%
highest 10%: 23.4% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Definition Field Listing
28 (2005)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.4% (2007 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
19.2% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $232.3 billion
expenditures: $158.4 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
39.1% of GDP (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1% (2007 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
135.8 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
113.9 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
15.7 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
3.652 billion kWh (2005)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.978 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
228,400 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3.018 million bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
91,930 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
7.705 billion bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
83.44 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5.342 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
78.1 billion cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2005)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.288 trillion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$55.82 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$136.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
UK 26.8%, Germany 12.3%, Netherlands 10.3%, France 8.2%, Sweden 6.4%, US 5.7% (2006)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$75.98 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Sweden 15%, Germany 13.5%, Denmark 6.9%, UK 6.4%, China 5.7%, US 5.3%, Netherlands 4.1% (2006)
Economic aid - donor:
Definition Field Listing
ODA, $1.4 billion (1998)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$56.84 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$469.1 billion; note - Norway is a net external creditor (30 June 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$56.7 billion (2006 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$104.7 billion (2006 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$191 billion (2005)
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing
Norwegian krone (NOK)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 5.8396 (2007), 6.4117 (2006), 6.4425 (2005), 6.7408 (2004), 7.0802 (2003)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
calendar year
   Communications    Norway Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.055 million (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5.041 million (2006)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Europe
domestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; moreover, the prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of cellular mobile systems instead of fixed-wire systems
international: country code - 47; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 5, FM at least 650, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
360 (plus 2,729 repeaters) (1995)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.no
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.084 million (2007)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.074 million (2006)
   Transportation    Norway Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
98 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 67
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 29 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 31
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 25 (2007)
Heliports:
Definition Field Listing
1 (2007)
Pipelines:
Definition Field Listing
condensate 508 km; gas 5,910 km; oil 2,557 km; oil/gas/water 746 km (2006)
Railways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 4,043 km
standard gauge: 4,043 km 1.435-m gauge (2,509 km electrified) (2006)
Roadways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 92,513 km
paved: 71,832 km (includes 664 km of expressways)
unpaved: 20,681 km (2005)
Waterways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1,577 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 715 ships (1000 GRT or over) 16,511,659 GRT/22,299,832 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 49, cargo 151, carrier 1, chemical tanker 146, combination ore/oil 12, container 5, liquefied gas 72, passenger/cargo 122, petroleum tanker 79, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 16, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 49
foreign-owned: 174 (China 47, Cyprus 2, Denmark 26, Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 3, Germany 2, Greece 6, Hong Kong 5, Iceland 3, Italy 4, Japan 1, Lithuania 1, Monaco 5, Netherlands 1, Poland 3, Saudi Arabia 3, Singapore 1, Sweden 31, UAE 1, UK 9, US 18)
registered in other countries: 872 (Antigua and Barbuda 7, Australia 1, Bahamas 232, Barbados 35, Belize 3, Bermuda 5, Brazil 1, Canada 1, Cayman Islands 2, China 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 1, Cyprus 17, Denmark 1, Dominica 1, Estonia 2, Faroe Islands 4, Finland 1, France 17, Gibraltar 27, Hong Kong 30, Isle of Man 33, Liberia 42, Libya 1, Malta 71, Marshall Islands 62, Mexico 1, Netherlands 9, Netherlands Antilles 5, Nigeria 1, Panama 60, Philippines 2, Portugal 3, Singapore 125, Spain 6, St Vincent and The Grenadines 19, Sweden 5, UK 33, US 4, unknown 2) (2007)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field Listing
Bergen, Borg Havn, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Oslo, Sture
   Military    Norway Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Norwegian Army (Haeren), Royal Norwegian Navy (Kongelige Norske Sjoeforsvaret, RNoN; includes Coastal Rangers and Coast Guard (Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard (Heimevernet, HV) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing
18-44 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age in wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for women; 12-month service obligation, in practice shortened to 8 to 9 months; although all males between ages of 18 and 44 are liable for service, in practice they are seldom called to duty after age 30; reserve obligation to age 35-60; 16 years of age for volunteers to the Home Guard, who serve 6-month duty tours (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 1,014,592
females age 18-49: 982,734 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 827,016
females age 18-49: 801,358 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 29,179
females age 18-49: 28,023 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.9% (2005 est.)
   Transnational Issues    Norway Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and its continental shelf); despite dialogue, Russia and Norway continue to dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone

This page was last updated on 17 January, 2008


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