7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
5 July 1811 (from Spain)
Religions
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Languages
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish
petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures
External Debt
$644,500,000,000 $
$89,600,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006), 6.445 (2005), 6.7327 (2004)
bolivars (VEB) per US dollar - 2.147 (2008 est.), 2,147 (2007), 2,147 (2006), 2,089.8 (2005), 1,891.3 (2004) note: On 1 January 2008 Venezuela revalued its currency with 1000 old bolivares equal to 1 new bolivar
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
1.200%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
10
1
Location
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Area
323,802 km sq
912,050 km sq
Coastline
25,148 km
2,800 km
Climate
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
