CIA - The World Factbook -- Norway

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The World Factbook

Norway

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Introduction

Norway

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.
Geography Norway Location: Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the

North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden

Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 10 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 323,802 sq km

land: 307,442 sq km water: 16,360 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,542 km

border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km
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)
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm

Climate: temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic

Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast

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Terrain: 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: lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m

highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc,

titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower

Land use: arable land: 2.7%

permanent crops: 0% other: 97.3% (2005)

Irrigated land: 1,270 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources: 381.4 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal total: 2.4 cu km/yr (23%/67%/10%) (domestic/industrial/agricultural): per capita: 519 cu m/yr (1996) Natural hazards: rockslides, avalanches Environment - current issues: water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and

adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
Environment - international party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, agreements: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air

Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, AntarcticEnvironmental 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: 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

Population: 4,644,457 (July 2008 est.) 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)

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65 years and over: 15% (male 297,175/female 399,003) (2008 est.)

Median age: total: 39 years

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

Population 0.35% (2008 est.) growth rate: Birth rate: 11.12 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) Death rate: 9.33 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) Net migration 1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) rate: 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.)
Infant mortality total: 3.61 deaths/1,000 live births rate: male: 3.96 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Life expectancy total population: 79.81 years at birth: male: 77.16 years

female: 82.6 years (2008 est.)

Total fertility 1.78 children born/woman (2008 est.) rate: HIV/AIDS - adult 0.1% (2001 est.) prevalence rate: HIV/AIDS - 2,100 (2001 est.) people living with HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS - fewer than 100 (2003 est.) deaths: Nationality: noun: Norwegian(s)

adjective: Norwegian
Ethnic groups: Norwegian 94.4% (includes Sami, about 60,000), other European 3.6%,

other 2% (2007 estimate)

Religions: Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other

Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)

Languages: Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami-

and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

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total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100%

School life total: 17 years expectancy male: 17 years (primary to female: 18 years (2006) tertiary education): Education 7.2% of GDP (2005) expenditures: Government Norway

Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway

conventional short form: Norway local long form: Kongeriket Norge local short form: Norge
Government constitutional monarchy type: 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
Administrative 19 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, divisions: Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-

Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, SorTrondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold
Dependent Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard areas: Independence: 7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26

October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)

National Constitution Day, 17 May (1814) holiday: Constitution: 17 May 1814; amended many times 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
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent branch: Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20 July

1973) head of government: Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17

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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
Legislative modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members are branch: 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: Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch) Political parties Center Party [Aslaug Marie HAGA]; Christian People's Party [Dagfinn and leaders: HOYBRATEN]; Conservative Party [Erna SOLBERG]; Labor Party

[Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [Lars SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Siv JENSEN]; Socialist Left Party [Kristin HALVORSEN]
Political Norwegian Aid Committee or NORWAC; Norwegian Association of the pressure Disabled; Pure Salmon Campaign; The Consumer Council (consumer groups and advocacy group) leaders:

other: environmental groups; media; reform movements

International ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Arctic organization Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, participation: 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, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic chief of mission: Ambassador Wegger C. STROMMEN representation chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 in the US: telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000

FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870 consulate(s) general: Houston, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic chief of mission: Ambassador Benson K. WHITNEY representation embassy: Henrik Ibsens gate 48, 0244 Oslo; note - the embassy will

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from the US: 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 red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the description: flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of

the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Economy Norway

Economy - The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism, overview: 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 $246.6 billion (2007 est.) (purchasing power parity): GDP (official $391.5 billion (2007 est.) exchange rate): GDP - real 3.7% (2007 est.) growth rate: GDP - per capita $53,300 (2007 est.) (PPP): GDP - agriculture: 2.4% composition by industry: 41.9% sector: services: 55.7% (2007 est.) Labor force: 2.507 million (2007 est.)

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Labor force - by agriculture: 4% occupation: industry: 22%

services: 74% (1995)

Unemployment 2.5% (2007 est.) rate: Population NA% below poverty line: Household lowest 10%: 3.9% income or highest 10%: 23.4% (2000) consumption by percentage share: Distribution of 28 (2005) family income Gini index: Inflation rate 0.8% (2007 est.) (consumer prices): Investment 20.8% of GDP (2007 est.) (gross fixed): Budget: revenues: $226.3 billion

expenditures: $158.7 billion (2007 est.)

Public debt: 83.1% of GDP (2007 est.) Agriculture - barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish products: Industries: petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper

products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing

Industrial 0.1% (2007 est.) production growth rate: Electricity - 135.8 billion kWh (2005) production: Electricity - fossil fuel: 0.4% production by hydro: 99.3% source: nuclear: 0%

other: 0.4% (2001)

Electricity - 113.9 billion kWh (2005) consumption: Electricity - 15.7 billion kWh (2005) exports: Electricity - 3.652 billion kWh (2005) imports:

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Oil - production: 2.56 million bbl/day (2007 est.) Oil - 228,400 bbl/day (2005 est.) consumption: Oil - exports: 3.018 million bbl/day (2004) Oil - imports: 91,930 bbl/day (2004) Oil - proved 7.705 billion bbl (1 January 2006 est.) reserves: Natural gas - 83.44 billion cu m (2005 est.) production: Natural gas - 5.342 billion cu m (2005 est.) consumption: Natural gas - 78.1 billion cu m (2005 est.) exports: Natural gas - 0 cu m (2005) imports: Natural gas - 2.288 trillion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) proved reserves: Current account $64.07 billion (2007 est.) balance: Exports: $140.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) Exports - petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, commodities: chemicals, ships, fish Exports - UK 26.3%, Germany 12.3%, Netherlands 10.2%, France 8%, Sweden partners: 6.5%, US 6.2% (2007) Imports: $77.24 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) Imports - machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs commodities: Imports - Sweden 14.7%, Germany 13.6%, UK 6.9%, Denmark 6.4%, China 6.1%, partners: US 4.8%, Canada 4.3% (2007) Economic aid - ODA, $2.954 billion (2006) donor: Reserves of $60.84 billion (2006 est.) foreign exchange and gold: Debt - external: $469.1 billion; note - Norway is a net external creditor (30 June 2007) Stock of direct $62.63 billion (2007 est.) foreign investment - at

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home: Stock of direct $126.1 billion (2007 est.) foreign investment abroad: Market value of $191 billion (2005) publicly traded shares: Currency Norwegian krone (NOK) (code): Currency code: NOK Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 5.8396 (2007), 6.4117 (2006), 6.4425

(2005), 6.7408 (2004), 7.0802 (2003)

Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Norway Telephones - 1.988 million (2007) main lines in use: Telephones - 5.192 million (2007) mobile cellular: Telephone general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most advanced system: 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 AM 5, FM at least 650, shortwave 1 (1998) broadcast stations: Radios: 4.03 million (1997) Television 360 (plus 2,729 repeaters) (1995) broadcast stations: Televisions: 2.03 million (1997) Internet country .no code: Internet hosts: 2.084 million (2007)

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Internet Service 13 (2000) Providers (ISPs): Internet users: 3.8 million (2007) Transportation Norway Airports: 98 (2007) Airports - with total: 67 paved runways: 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 total: 31 unpaved 914 to 1,523 m: 6 runways: under 914 m: 25 (2007) Heliports: 1 (2007) Pipelines: condensate 508 km; gas 6,529 km; oil 2,444 km; oil/gas/water 457 km

(2007)
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) Merchant total: 698 ships (1000 GRT or over) 16,366,900 GRT/22,195,880 DWT marine: by type: bulk carrier 48, cargo 148, carrier 1, chemical tanker 136,

combination ore/oil 12, container 5, liquefied gas 65, passenger/cargo 119, petroleum tanker 87, refrigerated cargo 14, roll on/roll off 12, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 50 foreign-owned: 166 (Canada 10, Chile 2, China 41, Cyprus 2, Denmark 29, Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 3, Germany 2, Greece 3, Hong Kong 6, Iceland 3, Italy 4, Japan 1, Lithuania 1, Monaco 5, Netherlands 1, Poland 4, Saudi Arabia 3, Singapore 1, Sweden 30, UK 5, US 8) registered in other countries: 960 (Antigua and Barbuda 5, Australia 1, Bahamas 229, Barbados 40, Belize 3, Bermuda 5, Brazil 2, Canada 3, Cayman Islands 1, China 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 5, Cyprus 17, Denmark 2, Dominica 1, Estonia 2, Faroe Islands 4, Finland 3, France 3, Gibraltar 31, Hong Kong 40, Isle of Man 23, Italy 2, Liberia 40, Libya 1, Malta 98, Marshall Islands 66, Mexico 1, Netherlands 9, Netherlands Antilles 5, Nigeria 1, Panama 70, Philippines 2, Portugal 2, Singapore 164, South Korea 4, Spain 8, St Vincent and the Grenadines 15, Sweden 7, Tuvalu 1, UK 30, US 9, unknown 3) (2008)
Ports and

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terminals: Bergen, Borg Havn, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Oslo, Sture Military Norway

Military Norwegian Army (Haeren), Royal Norwegian Navy (Kongelige Norske branches: Sjoeforsvaret, RNoN; includes Coastal Rangers and Coast Guard

(Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard (Heimevernet, HV) (2007)
Military service 18-44 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age age and in wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for obligation: 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 males age 16-49: 1,078,181 available for females age 16-49: 1,046,550 (2008 est.) military service: Manpower fit for males age 16-49: 888,101 military service: females age 16-49: 862,159 (2008 est.) Manpower male: 32,185 reaching female: 30,683 (2008 est.) militarily significant age annually: Military 1.9% of GDP (2005 est.) expenditures: Transnational Norway Issues Disputes - Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and international: 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
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