Norway
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesCountry name - conventional long form : Kingdom of Norway
Country name - conventional short form : Norway
Country name - local long form : Kongeriket Norge
Country name - local short form : Norge
Government type : constitutional monarchy
Capital - name : Oslo
Capital - time difference : UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday : Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
Population : 4,644,457 (July 2008 est.)
Nationality - noun : Norwegian(s)
Nationality - adjective : Norwegian
Languages : Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities
Currency (code) : Norwegian krone (NOK)
Currency code : NOK
Norway is located Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden. The climate is temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast. The terrain is glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north.
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.Background : Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare system and planning for the time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.
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