Norway:
Geography

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Other pages in this profile of Norway:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Background	Definition 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.

Location	Definition Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Geographic coordinates	Definition 62 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references	Definition Europe
Area	Definition - World rank and map total: 323,802 sq km land: 307,442 sq km water: 16,360 sq km
Area - comparative	Definition slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries	Definition total: 2,542 km border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km
Coastline	Definition 25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km; length of island coastlines 58,133 km)
Maritime claims	Definition territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate	Definition temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast
Terrain	Definition glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north
Elevation extremes	Definition lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
Natural resources	Definition petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use	Definition - World rank and map arable land: 2.7% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.3% (2005)
Irrigated land	Definition 1,270 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources	Definition 381.4 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)	Definition total: 2.4 cu km/yr (23%/67%/10%) per capita: 519 cu m/yr (1996)
Natural hazards	Definition rockslides, avalanches
Environment - current issues	Definition water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreements	Definition party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note	Definition 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

Norway: Geography

Norway:
Geography