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Background:
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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 was to last for 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. Norway remained
neutral in World War I and proclaimed its neutrality
at the outset of World War II. Nevertheless, it was
not able to avoid a five-year occupation by Nazi
Germany (1940-1945). 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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Location:
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Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden |
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Ethnic groups:
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Norwegian, Sami 20,000 |
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Religions:
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Evangelical Lutheran 86% (state church), other
Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, other 1%, none and
unknown 10% (1997) |
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Languages:
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Norwegian (official)
note: small Sami- and Finnish-speaking
minorities |
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Currency:
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Norwegian krone (NOK)
|
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Currency code:
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NOK
|
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Exchange rates:
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Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 8.9684 (January
2002), 8.9917 (2001), 8.8018 (2000), 7.7992 (1999),
7.5451 (1998), 7.0734 (1997) |
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