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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.no

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

593,850 (2004)

Internet users [time series]

2.288 million (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

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

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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; 4 coaxial submarine cables; 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 - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

3.343 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

4,163,400 (2003)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

360 (plus 2,729 repeaters) (1995)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $129.8 billion expenditures: $105.5 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Norwegian krone (NOK)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

NOK

Current account balance [time series]

$29.34 billion (2003)

Debt - external [time series]

$0 (Norway is a net external creditor) (2003 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

25.8 (1995)

Economic aid (Economic aid - donor) [time series]

ODA, $1.4 billion (1998)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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. The government has moved ahead with privatization. With arguably the highest quality of life worldwide, Norwegians still worry about that time in the next two decades when the oil and gas begin to run out. Accordingly, Norway has been saving its oil-boosted budget surpluses in a Government Petroleum Fund, which is invested abroad and now is valued at more than $43 billion. GDP growth was a lackluster 1% in 2002 and 0.5% in 2003 against the background of a faltering European economy.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

115.3 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

7.162 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

10.76 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

120.1 billion kWh (2001)

Exchange rates [time series]

Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 7.0802 (2003), 7.9838 (2002), 8.9917 (2001), 8.8018 (2000), 7.7992 (1999)

Exports [time series]

$67.27 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

UK 21.3%, Germany 13%, Netherlands 9.6%, US 8.7%, France 8.2%, Sweden 7.4% (2003)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $171.7 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 2.5% industry: 36.2% services: 61.2% (2003)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $37,800 (2003 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

0.6% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 21.8% (1995)

Imports [time series]

$40.19 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners [time series]

Sweden 16.1%, Germany 13.3%, Denmark 7.9%, UK 7.2%, US 5.2%, Netherlands 4.5%, China 4.4%, France 4.3%, Italy 4% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-3.5% (2003 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.5% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

17.8% of GDP (2003)

Labor force [time series]

2.38 million (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture, forestry, and fishing 4%, industry 22%, services 74% (1995)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

4.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

50.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

54.6 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

1.716 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Oil - consumption [time series]

171,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

3.466 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

88,870 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

3.408 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

9.859 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Population below poverty line [time series]

Public debt [time series]

22.1% of GDP (2003)

Unemployment rate [time series]

4.7% (2003 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 324,220 sq km land: 307,860 sq km water: 16,360 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than New Mexico

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

21,925 km (includes mainland 3,419 km, large islands 2,413 km, long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 16,093 km)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

62 00 N, 10 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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 world

Irrigated land [time series]

1,270 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 2,551 km border countries: Finland 736 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2.87% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.13% (2001)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

rockslides, avalanches

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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 [time series]

Oslo

Constitution [time series]

17 May 1814, modified in 1884

Country name [time series]

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

Dependent areas [time series]

Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador John D. ONG embassy: Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: [47] (22) 44 85 50 FAX: [47] (22) 44 33 63

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Knut VOLLEBAEK chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870 consulate(s) general: Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco

Executive branch [time series]

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 Kjell Magne BONDEVIK (since 19 October 2001) 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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

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

International organization participation [time series]

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)

Legal system [time series]

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 [time series]

modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (165 seats; members are elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 10 September 2001 (next to be held NA September 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 24.3%, Conservative Party 21.2%, Progress Party 14.6%, Socialist Left Party 12.5%, Christian People's Party 12.4%, Center Party 5.6%, Liberal Party 3.9%, Coastal Party 1.7%, other 3.8%; seats by party - Labor Party 43, Conservative Party 38, Progress Party 26, Socialist Left Party 23, Christian People's Party 22, Center Party 10, Liberal Party 2, Coastal Party 1 note: for certain purposes, the Parliament divides itself into two chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper house or Lagting

National holiday [time series]

Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Center Party [Aslaug Marie HAGA]; Christian People's Party [Dagfinn HOYBRATEN]; Coastal Party [Steinar BASTESEN]; Conservative Party [Erna SOLBERG]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [Lars SPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Carl I. HAGEN]; Socialist Left Party [Kristin HALVORSEN]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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 was to last for 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.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy (including Coast Artillery and Coast Guard), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$4,033.5 million (2003)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.9% (2003)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,106,484 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 916,155 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age in wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for women; 16 years of age for volunteers to the Home Guard; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 27,252 (2004 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19.8% (male 462,899; female 440,725) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 1,520,481; female 1,473,101) 65 years and over: 14.8% (male 284,170; female 393,184) (2004 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.89 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate [time series]

9.51 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Norwegian, Sami 20,000

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

1,800 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 3.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages [time series]

Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official) note: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 79.25 years male: 76.64 years female: 82.01 years (2004 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Median age [time series]

total: 37.9 years male: 37 years female: 38.8 years (2004 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Norwegian(s) adjective: Norwegian

Net migration rate [time series]

1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population [time series]

4,574,560 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.41% (2004 est.)

Religions [time series]

Evangelical Lutheran 86% (state church), other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, other 1%, none and unknown 10% (1997)

Sex ratio [time series]

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: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.78 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and its continental shelf); despite recent discussions, 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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

101 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 65 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 36 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 29 (2004 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2003 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 91,454 km paved: 69,505 km (including 143 km of expressways) unpaved: 21,949 km (2000)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 693 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 18,820,495 GRT/27,449,456 DWT by type: bulk 62, cargo 128, chemical tanker 124, combination bulk 7, combination ore/oil 32, container 15, liquefied gas 84, multi-functional large load carrier 1, passenger 6, petroleum tanker 113, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 48, short-sea/passenger 22, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 43 foreign-owned: Cyprus 3, Denmark 23, Estonia 2, Germany 12, Greece 15, Hong Kong 1, Iceland 2, Japan 10, Lithuania 1, Malta 1, Marshall Islands 1, Monaco 33, Poland 1, Saudi Arabia 3, Singapore 12, Sweden 31, United Kingdom 4, United States 5 registered in other countries: 695 (2004 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

condensate 411 km; gas 6,199 km; oil 2,213 km; oil/gas/water 746 km; unknown (oil/water) 38 km (2004)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Bergen, Drammen, Floro, Hammerfest, Harstad, Haugesund, Kristiansand, Larvik, Narvik, Oslo, Porsgrunn, Stavanger, Tromso, Trondheim

Railways [time series]

total: 4,077 km standard gauge: 4,077 km 1.435-m gauge (2,518 km electrified) (2003)