7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)
Religions
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities
Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish
bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing
External Debt
$644,500,000,000 $
$13,340,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006), 6.445 (2005), 6.7327 (2004)
balboas (PAB) per US dollar - 1 (2008 est.), 1 (2007), 1 (2006), 1 (2005), 1 (2004) note: the US dollar is the legal currency
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
1.000%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
10
1
Location
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Area
323,802 km sq
75,420 km sq
Coastline
25,148 km
2,490 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 maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)
