2008 Edition

Background

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.

Area

total: 323,802 sq km land: 307,442 sq km water: 16,360 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than New Mexico

Climate

temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast

Coastline

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)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions

Environment - international agreements

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 2.4 cu km/yr (23%/67%/10%) per capita: 519 cu m/yr (1996)

Geographic coordinates

62 00 N, 10 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

1,270 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 2,542 km border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km

Land use

arable land: 2.7% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.3% (2005)

Location

Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Natural hazards

rockslides, avalanches

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower

Terrain

glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north

Total renewable water resources

381.4 cu km (2005)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.8% (male 446,146/female 426,166) 15-64 years: 66.2% (male 1,559,750/female 1,516,217) 65 years and over: 15% (male 297,175/female 399,003) (2008 est.)

Birth rate

11.12 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate

9.33 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditures

7.2% of GDP (2005)

Ethnic groups

Norwegian 94.4% (includes Sami, about 60,000), other European 3.6%, other 2% (2007 estimate)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

2,100 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.61 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages

Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.81 years male: 77.16 years female: 82.6 years (2008 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100%

Median age

total: 39 years male: 38.2 years female: 39.9 years (2008 est.)

Nationality

noun: Norwegian(s) adjective: Norwegian

Net migration rate

1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Population

4,644,457 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate

0.35% (2008 est.)

Religions

Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 18 years (2006)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

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

Constitution

17 May 1814; amended many times

Country name

conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway conventional short form: Norway local long form: Kongeriket Norge local short form: Norge

Dependent areas

Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Wegger C. STROMMEN chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000

Executive branch

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: 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

FAX

[1] (202) 337-0870 consulate(s) general: Houston, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco

[47] (22) 44 33 63, 56 27 51

Flag description

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)

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic Council, 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, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

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

National holiday

Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)

Political parties and leaders

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

Norwegian Aid Committee or NORWAC; Norwegian Association of the Disabled; Pure Salmon Campaign; The Consumer Council (consumer advocacy group) other: environmental groups; media; reform movements

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish

Budget

revenues: $226.3 billion expenditures: $158.7 billion (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.25% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.65% (31 December 2007)

Currency (code)

Norwegian krone (NOK)

Currency code

NOK

Current account balance

$64.07 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$469.1 billion; note - Norway is a net external creditor (30 June 2007)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

28 (2005)

Economic aid - donor

ODA, $2.954 billion (2006)

Economy - overview

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.

Electricity - consumption

111.5 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports

15.32 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

5.284 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

135 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 0.4% hydro: 99.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001)

Exchange rates

Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 5.8396 (2007), 6.4117 (2006), 6.4425 (2005), 6.7408 (2004), 7.0802 (2003)

Exports

$140.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish

Exports - partners

UK 26.3%, Germany 12.3%, Netherlands 10.2%, France 8%, Sweden 6.5%, US 6.2% (2007)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 2.4% industry: 41.9% services: 55.7% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$53,300 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.7% (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$391.5 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$246.6 billion (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.9% highest 10%: 23.4% (2000)

Imports

$77.24 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Sweden 14.7%, Germany 13.6%, UK 6.9%, Denmark 6.4%, China 6.1%, US 4.8%, Canada 4.3% (2007)

Industrial production growth rate

0.1% (2007 est.)

Industries

petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.8% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

20.8% of GDP (2007 est.)

Labor force

2.507 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 4% industry: 22% services: 74% (1995)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$191 billion (2005)

Natural gas - consumption

6.5 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports

86.1 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production

92.6 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

2.241 trillion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)

Oil - consumption

224,500 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - exports

2.714 million bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports

92,650 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - production

2.565 million bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

6.865 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Public debt

83.1% of GDP (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$60.84 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$126.1 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$62.63 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

NA (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

NA (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

NA (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

2.5% (2007 est.)

Internet country code

.no

Internet hosts

2.995 million (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

13 (2000)

Internet users

3.8 million (2007)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM at least 650, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

4.03 million (1997)

Telephone system

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.988 million (2007)

Telephones - mobile cellular

5.192 million (2007)

Television broadcast stations

360 (plus 2,729 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions

2.03 million (1997)

Airports

98 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways

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

total: 31 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 25 (2007)

Heliports

1 (2007)

Merchant marine

total: 688 by type: bulk carrier 46, cargo 141, carrier 3, chemical tanker 137, combination ore/oil 12, container 4, liquefied gas 65, passenger/cargo 117, petroleum tanker 85, refrigerated cargo 14, roll on/roll off 13, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 50 foreign-owned: 199 (Canada 3, Canada 7, Chile 2, China 36, Denmark 25, Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 3, Germany 1, Greece 3, Hong Kong 20, Iceland 3, Italy 4, Japan 29, Lithuania 1, Malaysia 1, Monaco 5, Poland 3, Saudi Arabia 3, Singapore 1, Sweden 34, UK 5, US 8) registered in other countries: 923 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Australia 1, Bahamas 189, Barbados 38, Belize 3, Bermuda 5, Brazil 5, Canada 3, Cayman Islands 1, China 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 5, Cyprus 18, Denmark 1, Denmark 2, Dominica 1, Estonia 2, Faroe Islands 4, Finland 3, France 5, Gibraltar 33, Hong Kong 40, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 20, Italy 2, South Korea 2, Liberia 40, Libya 1, Malta 93, Marshall Islands 66, Netherlands 12, Netherlands Antilles 3, Panama 89, Philippines 10, Russia 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Singapore 143, Spain 5, Sweden 7, Tuvalu 1, UK 31, US 9, unknown 4) (2008)

Pipelines

condensate 508 km; gas 6,529 km; oil 2,444 km; oil/gas/water 457 km (2007)

Ports and terminals

Bergen, Borg Havn, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Oslo, Sture

Railways

total: 4,114 km standard gauge: 4,114 km 1.435-m gauge (2,552 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways

total: 92,946 km paved: 72,033 km (includes 664 km of expressways) unpaved: 20,913 km (2007)

Waterways

1,577 km (2007)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,078,181 females age 16-49: 1,046,550 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 888,101 females age 16-49: 862,159 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 32,185 female: 30,683 (2008 est.)

Military branches

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) (2007)

Military expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

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)

Disputes - international

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 18 December, 2008