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 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. 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: Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of
Sweden
Population: 4,593,041 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.5% (male 459,418/female 437,734)
15-64 years:
65.7% (male 1,531,249/female 1,484,656)
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