25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
Languages
Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish
External Debt
$7,644,000,000 $
$644,500,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2008 est.), 0.709 (2007), 0.709 (2006), 0.709 (2005), 0.709 (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
8.600%
1.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
10
Location
Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Area
89,342 km sq
323,802 km sq
Coastline
26 km
25,148 km
Climate
mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
