Norway
Kingdom of Norway
Capital: Oslo
History
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. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU. Key domestic issues include immigration and integration of ethnic minorities, maintaining the country's extensive social safety net with an aging population, and preserving economic competitiveness.
Geography
Metric Units
|
Total Area
|
323,802
sq km
|
| Land Boundaries |
2,542
km
|
| Border Countries |
Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km |
| Coastline |
25,148
km
|
| Terrain |
glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north |
| Minimum Elevation |
0
m
|
| Maximum Elevation |
2,469
m
|
| Climate |
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast |
| Natural Resources |
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower |
| Arable Land |
2.52% |
| Permanent Crops |
0.01% |
Economy
Budget & Debt
Trade
| Exports |
$162.7 billion |
| Export Items |
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish |
| Export Partners |
UK 27.2%, Netherlands 11.5%, Germany 11.1%, France 7.1%, Sweden 6.5%, US 5.6% (2011) |
| Imports |
$86.78 billion |
| Import Items |
machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs |
| Import Partners |
Sweden 13.3%, Germany 12%, China 9%, Denmark 6.3%, UK 5.6%, US 5.4%, Netherlands 4.1% (2011) |
People
| Population |
4,722,701 |
| Population Growth |
0.33% |
| Ethnic Groups |
Norwegian 94.4% (includes Sami, about 60,000), other European 3.6%, other 2% (2007 estimate) |
| Religion |
Church of Norway (Evangelical Lutheran - official) 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004) |
| Life Expectancy |
80.44 years |
| Infant Mortality |
0.98 deaths/1,000 live births |
| Maternal Mortality |
1.2 deaths/100,000 live births |
Energy
