7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
Religions
indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
Languages
French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities
Exports
diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish
External Debt
$483,900,000 $
$644,500,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar 438.77 (2008 est.), 481.8 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004)
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006), 6.445 (2005), 6.7327 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.900%
1.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
10
Location
Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Area
622,984 km sq
323,802 km sq
Coastline
0 km
25,148 km
Climate
tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
