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.
Country profile: Norway
The Kingdom of Norway enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world.
Its prosperity is due in large part to the discovery in the late 1960s of offshore oil and gas deposits. Annual oil revenue amounts to around $40bn (£21bn).
More than half of Norway's exports come from this sector. To counter inflation, there is cross-party agreement to restrict spending of oil revenue. The very considerable surplus is invested for future generations.
Norway declared its independence in 1905 when the union with Sweden was dissolved. Norway's people value their independence and prosperity highly. The Norwegians rejected membership of the then European Economic Community in 1972, and of the European Union in 1994, despite being urged by their governments to vote "yes".
In recent decades, Norway has forged a stronger role for itself in international politics. It has mediated between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation, and is trying to foster contact between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil separatists.
Norway has a rich, sea-faring tradition and its lengthy, rugged coastline has been central to its development. More than a thousand years ago, Viking raids on the coasts of Britain and France were commonplace. The Vikings also mounted expeditions to the coast of North America.
Later, the Norwegians began to trade. Originally, the coastal waters provided fish for export. Today, Norway is among the world's largest exporters of fuels and fuel products.
Norway registered objections to the 1986 International Whaling Commission (IWC) ban on whaling and resumed the practice on a commercial basis in 1993. It argues that whaling is no more cruel than fishing and that stocks are sufficient to allow it to continue. Conservationists disagree.
- Full name: Kingdom of Norway
- Population: 4.6 million (via UN, 2006)
- Capital: Oslo
- Area: 323,759 sq km (125,004 sq miles)
- Major language: Norwegian
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy: 77 years (men), 82 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 Norwegian krone = 100 ore
- Main exports: Fuels and fuel products, machinery, metal products
- GNI per capita: US $59,590 (World Bank, 2006)
- Internet domain: .no
- International dialling code: +47
King: Harald V
Prime minister: Jens Stoltenberg
Labour Party leader Jens Stoltenberg took office as prime minister in a centre-left "red-green" alliance with the Socialist and Centre parties in October 2005, following elections the previous month which brought defeat for the former centre-right government.
His administration is the first Norwegian majority government since the mid 1980s.
Mr Stoltenberg promises increased spending on education, health and welfare and has reversed the tax cuts proposed by the previous adminstration. He says that budget policy will stay within Norway's strict rules on spending oil revenues.
He has also given his backing to limited oil exploration in the Arctic.
His government has withdrawn Norway's very small contingent of troops from Iraq but promises to increase the country's profile in UN peacekeeping operations elsewhere.
Mr Stoltenberg, an economist, was 46 when he took office. He was prime minister for the first time from 2000 until 2001.
Norway's public broadcaster, NRK, monopolised the airwaves until 1981, when the first local radio and TV stations opened. Since then, private local and national stations have built up substantial audiences, competing with NRK for listeners and viewers.
The country's Schibsted group, publisher of the Aftenposten daily and the mass-circulation VG, is one of Scandinavia's largest media concerns.
Digital television - via cable and satellite - is growing in popularity and offers a wide range of specialist channels. Plans are afoot for a digital terrestrial TV service.
Norwegians are among the world's keenest newspaper readers. The number of publications is impressive, given the country's small population. Most of the press is privately-owned and openly partisan.
Press freedom is guaranteed by the constitution and public radio and TV broadcast without interference from the government.
The press
Television
Radio
The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas such as the vital petroleum sector (through large-scale state enterprises). The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on its oil production and international oil prices, with oil and gas accounting for one-third of exports. Only Saudi Arabia and Russia export more oil than Norway. Norway opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994; nonetheless, it contributes sizably to the EU budget. The government has moved ahead with privatization. Norwegians worry about that time in the next two decades when the oil and gas will begin to run out; accordingly, Norway has been saving its oil-boosted budget surpluses in a Government Petroleum Fund, which is invested abroad and now is valued at more than $150 billion. After lackluster growth of 1% in 2002 and 0.5% in 2003, GDP growth picked up to 3.3% in 2004 and to 3.7% in 2005.
Norwegian natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in the world
Norwegian religion is Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004).
Natural hazards in Norway include rockslides, avalanches.
Travel Advice on Norway
SUMMARY
- The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
- Around 250,000 British tourists visit Norway every year. Most visits are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Norway is for arrests for drugs offences and replacing lost or stolen passports. Petty crime does occur but at a low level compared to other European countries.
- You should be aware that drugs and drink driving laws are stricter in Norway than in the UK.
- We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance is obtained before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Norwegian authorities allow the importation of up to a maximum of 10kgs (combined total) of meat and cheese for personal consumption. If you have any other import queries may contact http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/int-trde/gen-inf/controls.htm for additional information.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
HEALTH
GENERAL
OTHER