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Europe :: Norway
page last updated on October 16, 2012
Flag of Norway
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Norway
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Map of Norway
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of Norway
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Introduction ::Norway
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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.
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Geography ::Norway
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Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
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62 00 N, 10 00 E
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total: 323,802 sq km
country comparison to the world: 68
land: 304,282 sq km
water: 19,520 sq km
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slightly larger than New Mexico
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total: 2,542 km
border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km
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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)
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territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 10 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
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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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glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north
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lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
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petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
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arable land: 2.7%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.3% (2005)
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1,180 sq km (2003)
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381.4 cu km (2005)
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total: 2.4 cu km/yr (23%/67%/10%)
per capita: 519 cu m/yr (1996)
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rockslides, avalanches
volcanism: Beerenberg (elev. 2,227 m) on Jan Mayen Island in the Norwegian Sea is the country's only active volcano
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water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
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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
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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 the most rugged and longest coastlines in the world
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People ::Norway
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noun: Norwegian(s)
adjective: Norwegian
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Norwegian 94.4% (includes Sami, about 60,000), other European 3.6%, other 2% (2007 estimate)
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Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
note: Sami is official in six municipalities
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Church of Norway (Evangelical Lutheran - official) 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
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4,707,270 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
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0-14 years: 17.7% (male 425,815/ female 408,243)
15-64 years: 65.9% (male 1,568,928/ female 1,531,467)
65 years and over: 16.4% (male 339,305/ female 433,512) (2012 est.)
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total: 40.3 years
male: 39.4 years
female: 41.1 years (2012 est.)
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0.327% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
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10.8 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
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9.22 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
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1.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
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urban population: 79% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
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OSLO (capital) 875,000 (2009)
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at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
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7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 168
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total: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 210
male: 3.82 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
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total population: 80.32 years
country comparison to the world: 27
male: 77.65 years
female: 83.14 years (2012 est.)
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1.77 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
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9.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 31
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4.076 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
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3.52 beds/1,000 population (2008)
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0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
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4,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
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fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
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10% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 55
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6.8% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 17
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
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total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 18 years (2008)
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total: 9.2%
country comparison to the world: 107
male: 10.3%
female: 8% (2009)
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Government ::Norway
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conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway
conventional short form: Norway
local long form: Kongeriket Norge
local short form: Norge
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constitutional monarchy
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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
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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
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Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
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7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
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Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
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17 May 1814; amended many times
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mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law; Supreme Court can advise on legislative acts
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accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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18 years of age; universal
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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
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch with the approval of the parliament
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modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 14 September 2009 (next to be held in September 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 35.4%, Progress Party 22.9%, Conservative Party 17.2%, Socialist Left Party 6.2%, Center Party 6.2%, Christian People's Party 5.5%, Liberal Party 3.9%, other 2.7%; seats by party - Labor Party 64, Progress Party 41, Conservative Party 30, Socialist Left Party 11, Center Party 11, Christian People's Party 10, Liberal Party 2
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Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)
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Center Party (Senterpartiet) [Liv Signe NAVARSETE]; Christian People's Party (Kristelig Folkeparti) or KrF [Knut Arild HAREIDE]; Conservative Party (Hoyre) [Erna SOLBERG]; Labor Party (Arbeiderpartiet) [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party (Venstre) [Trine SKEI-GRANDE]; Progress Party (Fremskrittspartiet) or FrP [Siv JENSEN]; Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti) or SV [Audun LYSBAKKEN]
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Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (Naeringslivets Hovedorganisasjon) or NHO [President Kristin SKOGEN LUND; CEO John Gordon BERNANDER]; Norwegian Association of the Disabled; Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (Landsorganisasjonen i Norge) or LO [Roar FLATHEN]
other: environmental groups; media; digital privacy movements
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ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
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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, New York, San Francisco
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chief of mission: Ambassador Barry B. WHITE
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, 22-56-27-51
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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); the colors recall Norway's past political unions with Denmark (red and white) and Sweden (blue)
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lion
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name: "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" (Yes, We Love This Country)
lyrics/music: Bjornstjerne BJORNSON/Rikard NORDRAAK
note: adopted 1864; in addition to the national anthem, "Kongesangen" (Song of the King), which uses the tune of "God Save the Queen," serves as the royal anthem
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Economy ::Norway
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The Norwegian economy is a prosperous mixed economy, with a vibrant private sector, a large state sector, and an extensive social safety net. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector, through extensive regulation and large-scale state-majority-owned enterprises. The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on the petroleum sector, which accounts for the largest portion of export revenue and about 20% of government revenue. Norway is the world's second-largest gas exporter; and seventh largest oil exporter, making one of its largest offshore oil finds in 2011. 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. In anticipation of eventual declines in oil and gas production, Norway saves state revenue from the petroleum sector in the world's second largest sovereign wealth fund, valued at over $500 billion in 2011 and uses the fund's return to help finance public expenses. After solid GDP growth in 2004-07, the economy slowed in 2008, and contracted in 2009, before returning to positive growth in 2010-11, however, the government budget is set to remain in surplus.
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$269.3 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$264.8 billion (2010 est.)
$263.1 billion (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
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$483.7 billion (2011 est.)
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1.7% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
0.7% (2010 est.)
-1.7% (2009 est.)
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$54,200 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
$54,000 (2010 est.)
$54,300 (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
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agriculture: 2.6%
industry: 39.7%
services: 57.7% (2011 est.)
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2.629 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
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agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 21.1%
services: 76% (2008)
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3.3% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
3.6% (2010 est.)
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NA%
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lowest 10%: 3.9%
highest 10%: 21% (2008)
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25 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 132
25.8 (1995)
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20.3% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
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revenues: $280.5 billion
expenditures: $209.5 billion (2011 est.)
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58% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
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14.7% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
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57.5% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
43.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data exclude treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
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1.3% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
2.4% (2010 est.)
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6.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
1.75% (31 December 2009 est.)
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5% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
4.6% (31 December 2010 est.)
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$137.4 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$134.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$309.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$280.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$658.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$584.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$219.2 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 31
$250.9 billion (31 December 2010)
$227.2 billion (31 December 2009)
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barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish
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petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing
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-4.3% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
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$70.2 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
$51.44 billion (2010 est.)
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$162.4 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$132.7 billion (2010 est.)
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petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish
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UK 27.2%, Netherlands 11.6%, Germany 11.1%, France 7.2%, Sweden 6.5%, US 5.6% (2011)
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$88.47 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$74.3 billion (2010 est.)
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machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs
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Sweden 13.4%, Germany 12%, China 9%, Denmark 6.3%, UK 5.6%, US 5.4%, Netherlands 4.2% (2011)
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$49.27 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$52.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$644.5 billion (30 June 2011)
country comparison to the world: 20
$NA (30 June 2010)
note: Norway is a net external creditor
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$182.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
$171.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$182 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$170.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar -
5.6046 (2011 est.)
6.0442 (2010 est.)
6.288 (2009)
5.6361 (2008)
5.86 (2007)
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calendar year
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Energy ::Norway
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122.2 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
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110.8 billion kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
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7.123 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
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14.67 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
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30.95 million kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
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2.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
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0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
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91.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
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2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
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1.998 million bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
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1.759 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
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19,960 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
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5.32 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
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324,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
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255,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
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412,600 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
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98,340 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
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103.1 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
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4.809 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
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98.3 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
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0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
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2.007 trillion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
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41.8 million Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
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Communications ::Norway
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2.104 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 57
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5.75 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 98
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general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Europe
domestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; the prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of mobile-cellular 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)
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state-owned public radio-TV broadcaster operates 3 nationwide TV stations, 3 nationwide radio stations, and 16 regional radio stations; roughly a dozen privately-owned television stations broadcast nationally and roughly another 25 local TV stations broadcasting; nearly 75% of households have access to multi-channel cable or satellite TV; 2 privately-owned radio stations broadcast nationwide and another 240 stations operate locally (2008)
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.no
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3.584 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 29
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4.431 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 53
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Transportation ::Norway
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98 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 59
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total: 67
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 19
under 914 m: 24 (2012)
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total: 31
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 25 (2012)
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1 (2012)
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condensate 31 km; gas 64 km (2010)
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total: 4,169 km
country comparison to the world: 39
standard gauge: 4,169 km 1.435-m gauge (2,784 km electrified) (2009)
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total: 93,509 km (includes 253 km of expressways) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 50
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1,577 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 52
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total: 585
country comparison to the world: 19
by type: bulk carrier 55, cargo 105, carrier 5, chemical tanker 121, combination ore/oil 12, liquefied gas 47, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 121, petroleum tanker 54, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 4, vehicle carrier 49
foreign-owned: 81 (Bermuda 24, Canada 1, Cyprus 1, Denmark 7, France 5, Iceland 2, Lithuania 1, Saudi Arabia 3, Sweden 27, US 10)
registered in other countries: 974 (Antigua and Barbuda 9, Bahamas 186, Barbados 38, Belize 2, Bermuda 5, Brazil 3, Canada 4, Chile 1, Comoros 1, Cook Islands 8, Croatia 2, Curacao 2, Cyprus 14, Denmark 2, Dominica 1, Equatorial Guinea 1, Estonia 2, Faroe Islands 13, Gibraltar 46, Hong Kong 48, Indonesia 3, Isle of Man 30, Italy 6, Liberia 38, Libya 1, Malta 96, Marshall Islands 75, Netherlands 19, Panama 81, Portugal 2, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Singapore 153, Spain 10, Sweden 3, UK 32, US 17, Vanuatu 1, unknown 3) (2010)
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Bergen, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Sture
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Military ::Norway
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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) (2011)
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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 (2009)
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males age 16-49: 1,079,043
females age 16-49: 1,051,210 (2010 est.)
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males age 16-49: 888,761
females age 16-49: 865,697 (2010 est.)
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male: 32,290
female: 30,777 (2010 est.)
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1.9% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
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Transnational Issues ::Norway
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Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and its continental shelf); Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission; Norway and Russia signed a comprehensive maritime boundary agreement in 2010
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  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.