Head of state, prime minister: King Abdullah Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Saud
Population
4,707,270
26,534,504
Life Expectancy
80.320 years
74.350 years
Capital City
Oslo
Riyadh
Largest city
Oslo (population: 839,423)
Riyadh (population: 4,205,960)
Human Development Index
0.968
0.835
GDP per capita
$54,200 US
$24,500 US
Literacy Rate
100%
78.8%
Corruption Perception Index
7.9
3.5
Percentage of Women in Parliament
36.1%
0%
Wealthiest Citizens
Stein Erik Hagen & family ($3.1bn US)
Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud ($13.3bn US)
Unemployment Rate
3.300%
10.900%
Death Penalty
Abolished
Legal
Political System
constitutional monarchy
monarchy
Independence date
7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
Religions
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
Muslim 100%
Languages
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities
Arabic
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish
petroleum and petroleum products 90%
External Debt
$644,500,000,000 $
$105,900,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006), 6.445 (2005), 6.7327 (2004)
Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar - 3.75 (2008 est.), 3.745 (2007), 3.745 (2006), 3.747 (2005), 3.75 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
10.000%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
10
0
Location
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen
Area
323,802 km sq
2,149,690 km sq
Coastline
25,148 km
2,640 km
Climate
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
