7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Religions
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs
Languages
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities
Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish
coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom
External Debt
$644,500,000,000 $
$15,670,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006), 6.445 (2005), 6.7327 (2004)
quetzales (GTQ) per US dollar - 7.5895 (2008 est.), 7.6833 (2007), 7.6026 (2006), 7.6339 (2005), 7.9465 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
0.400%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
10
0
Location
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize
Area
323,802 km sq
108,889 km sq
Coastline
25,148 km
400 km
Climate
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
