Note: Profiles of all nations are given with info on religious stats and
socio-economics in that nation for your
consideration.
Christian
dating : Norway
Geography
Area* (including the island territories of Svalbard and Jan Mayen):
385,155 sq. km. (approx 150,000 sq. mi.); slightly larger than New
Mexico.
Cities* (2004): Capital--Oslo (pop. 521,886). Other cities--Bergen
(237,430), Trondheim (154,351), Stavanger (112,405).
Terrain: Rugged with high plateaus, steep fjords, mountains, and fertile
valleys.
Climate: Temperate along the coast, colder inland.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Norwegian(s).
Population* (2004 est.): 4,574,560.
Annual growth rate* (2004): 0.41%.
Density: Approx. 15 per sq. km.
Ethnic groups: Norwegian (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic), Sami, a
racial-cultural minority of 20,000; foreign nationals (315,147) from
Nordic and other countries.
Christian singles note-Religion (2002): Evangelical Lutheran, 86%; other
Christian, 4%; Muslim, 1.5%; other, none, and unknown, 8.5%.
Languages: Bokmaal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official),
small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities, English is widely spoken.
Education: Years compulsory--10. Literacy--100%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2004)--3.73/1,000. Life
expectancy (2004 est.)--men 76.64 yrs; women 82.01 yrs.
Work force* (2003, 2.33 million): Government, social, personal
services--37.6%; wholesale and retail trade, hotels, restaurants--17.5%;
manufacturing and mining--12.7%; transport and communications--7.4%;
financing, insurance, real estate, business services--12%; agriculture,
forestry, fishing--3.9%; construction--6.7%; oil
extraction--1.4%.
*(Source: Central Bureau of Statistics Norway 2004).
Government
Type: Hereditary constitutional monarchy.
Independence: 1905.
Constitution: May 17, 1814.
Branches: Executive--king (chief of state), prime minister (head
of government), Council of Ministers (cabinet). Legislative--modified
unicameral parliament (Storting). Judicial--Supreme Court,
appellate courts, city and county courts.
Political parties: Labor, Conservative, Center, Christian Democratic,
Liberal, Socialist Left, Progress.
Suffrage: Universal over 18.
Administrative subdivisions: 19 fylker (counties), and Svalbard.
National holiday: May 17.
Economy (Source: Central Bureau of Statistics Norway 2004).
GDP (2003 est.): $171.6 billion.
Annual growth rate (2003 est.): 0.3%.
Per capita GDP (2003 est.): Purchasing power parity $37,700.
Natural resources: Oil, gas, fish, timber, hydroelectric power, mineral
ores.
Arable land: 3%.
Agriculture: Products--dairy, livestock, grain (barley, oats,
wheat), potatoes and other vegetables, fruits and berries, furs, wool.
Industry: Types--food processing, pulp and paper, ships,
aluminum, ferroalloys, iron and steel, nickel, zinc, nitrogen,
fertilizers, transport equipment, hydroelectric power, refinery
products, petrochemicals, electronics.
Trade (2003): Exports (f.o.b.)--$62.27 billion. Major markets:
U.K., Germany, France, Netherlands, U.S. (2002, 8.6%), Sweden. Imports
(f.o.b.)--$40.19 billion. Major suppliers: Sweden, Germany,
Denmark, U.K., U.S. (2002, 6.2%), France, Netherlands.
GDP by activity (2003): Agriculture, hunting, forestry, fishing, and
fish farming—1.9%; Oil and gas extraction incl. services and mining
and quarrying—12.3%; Manufacturing—18.2%; Electricity, gas, and
water supply—2.0%; Construction—6.4%; Wholesale and retail trade,
motor vehicle repair, hotels and restaurants—10.7%; Transport
industries—9.7%; Post and telecommunications, financial
intermediation, dwellings, business services—20.6%; Public
administration and defense—4.8%; Education, health and social work,
and other social and personal services—13.4%
PEOPLE
Ethnically, Norwegians are predominantly Germanic, although in the far
north there are communities of Sami who came to the area more than
10,000 years ago, probably from central Asia. In recent years, Norway
has become home to increasing numbers of immigrants, foreign workers,
and asylum-seekers from various parts of the world. Immigrants now total
over 300,000; some have obtained Norwegian citizenship.
Christian singles note-Although the Evangelical Lutheran Church is the
state church, Norway has complete religious freedom. Education is free
through the university level and is compulsory from ages 6 to 16. At
least 12 months of military service and training are required of every
eligible male. Norway's health system includes free hospital care,
physician's compensation, cash benefits during illness and pregnancy,
and other medical and dental plans. There is a public pension system.
(Christian Dating Service - click here to go back home.)
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