taxation
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens
but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009);
Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government: Governor Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January
2006); Lieutenant Governor Eloy S. INOS (since 1 May 2009)
cabinet: the cabinet consists of the heads of the 10 principal
departments under the executive branch who are appointed by the
governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; other members
include special assistants to the governor and office heads
appointed by and reporting directly to the governor
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated
territories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice
president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican
party presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant
governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year
terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 November
2009 (run-off election was held on 23 November 2009)
election results: percent of vote - Benigno R. FITIAL reelected with
51.4% over Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER (48.6%) in the run-off election held
on 23 November 2009
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the
House of Representatives (20 seats; members elected by popular vote
to serve two-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 7 November 2009 (next to be held in
November 2011); House of Representatives - last held on 7 November
2009 (next to be held in November 2011)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by
party - Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 1,
independents 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party
- NA; seats by party - Republican Party 12, Covenant Party 4,
Democratic Party 1, independents 3
note: the Northern Mariana Islands elects one nonvoting delegate to
the US House of Representatives; election last held on 2 November
2010 (next to be held in November 2012); seats by party -
independent 1
Judicial branch:
Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court
Political parties and leaders:
Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]; Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S.
CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Juan S. REYES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
SPC, UPU
Flag description:
blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on a gray latte
stone (the traditional foundation stone used in building) in the
center, surrounded by a wreath; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean,
the star represents the Commonwealth; the latte stone and the floral
head wreath display elements of the native Chamorro culture
National anthem:
name: "Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea)
lyrics/music: Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER
[Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHORN
note: adopted 1996; the Carolinian version of the song is known as
"Satil Matawal Pacifico;" as a commonwealth of the United States, in
addition to the local anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official
(see United States)
Economy ::Northern Mariana Islands
Economy - overview:
The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from
the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated
government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs
about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of
GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have
exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial
difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The
agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms
producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment
production is by far the most important industry with the employment
of 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US
under duty and quota exemptions.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$900 million (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy
GDP (official exchange rate):
$633.4 million (2000)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,500 (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
38,450 total indigenous labor force; 28,717 foreign workers (2005
est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
8% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
3.9% (2001)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-0.8% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 8
Agriculture - products:
vegetables and melons, fruits and nuts; ornamental plants;
livestock, poultry and eggs, fish and aquaculture products
Industries:
banking, construction, fishing, garment, tourism, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
60,600 kWh (January 2009)
country comparison to the world: 213
Electricity - consumption:
48,300 kWh (January 2009)
country comparison to the world: 214
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (January 2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (January 2009 est.)
Exports:
$98.2 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 193
Exports - commodities:
garments
Imports:
$214.4 million (2001)
country comparison to the world: 199
Imports - commodities:
food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::Northern Mariana Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
25,100 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 184
Telephones - mobile cellular:
20,500 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 209
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Broadcast media:
1 TV broadcast station on Saipan; multi-channel cable TV services
are available on Saipan; 9 licensed radio broadcast stations (2009)
Internet country code:
.mp
Internet hosts:
9 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 223
Transportation ::Northern Mariana Islands
Airports:
5 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 181
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 536 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 192
Ports and terminals:
Saipan, Tinian, Rota
Military ::Northern Mariana Islands
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,359
females age 16-49: 12,385 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 430
female: 346 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues ::Northern Mariana Islands
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on December 13, 2010
======================================================================
@Norway (Europe)
Introduction ::Norway
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 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.
Geography ::Norway
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean, west of Sweden
Geographic coordinates:
62 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 323,802 sq km
country comparison to the world: 67
land: 304,282 sq km
water: 19,520 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 2,542 km
border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km
Coastline:
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:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 10 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder
interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy
year-round on west coast
Terrain:
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:
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium,
pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 2.7%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.3% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,270 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
381.4 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.4 cu km/yr (23%/67%/10%)
per capita: 519 cu m/yr (1996)
Natural hazards:
rockslides, avalanches
volcanism: Beerenberg (elev. 2,227 m, 7,306 ft) on Jan Mayen Island
in the Norwegian Sea is the country's only active volcano
Environment - current issues:
water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting
lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreements:
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:
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 the most rugged and longest
coastlines in the world
People ::Norway
Population:
4,676,305 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.5% (male 441,508/female 422,050)
15-64 years: 66.2% (male 1,564,482/female 1,522,519)
65 years and over: 15.2% (male 305,120/female 404,860) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.7 years
male: 38.8 years
female: 40.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.334% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Birth rate:
10.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Death rate:
9.26 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Net migration rate:
1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Urbanization:
urban population: 77% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.054 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.55 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 211
male: 3.88 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.08 years
country comparison to the world: 25
male: 77.42 years
female: 82.89 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.77 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Nationality:
noun: Norwegian(s)
adjective: Norwegian
Ethnic groups:
Norwegian 94.4% (includes Sami, about 60,000), other European 3.6%,
other 2% (2007 estimate)
Religions:
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other
Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
Languages:
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small
Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in
six municipalities
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 18 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
6.7% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 27
Government ::Norway
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway
conventional short form: Norway
local long form: Kongeriket Norge
local short form: Norge
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Oslo
geographic coordinates: 59 55 N, 10 45 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last
Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
19 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder,
Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland,
Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane,
Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold
Dependent areas:
Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
Independence:
7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26
October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
Constitution:
17 May 1814; amended many times
Legal system:
mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law
traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature
when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent
Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20 July 1973)
head of government: Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17
October 2005)
cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of
parliament
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following parliamentary
elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch
with the approval of the parliament
Legislative branch:
modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members
elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held on 14 September 2009 (next to be held in
September 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - DNA 35.4%, FrP 22.9%, H
17.2%, SV 6.2%, Sp 6.2%, KrF 5.5%, V 3.9%, other 2.7%; seats by
party - DNA 64, FrP 41, H 30, SV 11, Sp 11, KrF 10, V 2
note: for certain purposes, the parliament divides itself into two
chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership in the Lagting and
three-fourths of its membership in the Odelsting
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party (Senterpartiet or Sp) [Liv Signe NAVARSETE]; Christian
People's Party (Kristelig Folkeparti or KrF) [Dagfinn HOYBRATEN];
Conservative Party (Hoyre or H) [Erna SOLBERG]; Labor Party (Det
norske Arbeiderpartiet or DNA) [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party
(Venstre or V) [Trine SKEI-GRANDE]; Progress Party (Framstegspartiet
or FrP) [Siv JENSEN]; Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk
Venstreparti or SV) [Kristin HALVORSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Norwegian Aid Committee or NORWAC; Norwegian Association of the
Disabled; Pure Salmon Campaign; The Consumer Council (consumer
advocacy group)
other: environmental groups; media; reform movements
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council,
Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO,
FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO,
ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Wegger C. STROMMEN
chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000
FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870
consulate(s) general: Houston, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Barry B. WHITE
embassy: Henrik Ibsens gate 48, 0244 Oslo; note - the embassy will
move to Huseby in the near future
mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707
telephone: [47] 22 44 85 50
FAX: [47] 22 44 33 63, 22 56 27 51
Flag description:
red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of
the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist
side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors recall
Norway's past political unions with Denmark (red and white) and
Sweden (blue)
National anthem:
name: "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" (Yes, We Love This Country)
lyrics/music: Bjornstjerne BJORNSON/Rikard NORDRAAK
note: adopted 1864; in addition to the national anthem,
"Kongesangen" (Song of the King), which uses the tune of "God Save
the Queen," serves as the royal anthem
Economy ::Norway
Economy - overview:
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-majority-owned
enterprises. The country is richly endowed with natural resources -
petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly
dependent on the petroleum sector, which accounts for nearly half of
exports and over 30% of state revenue. Norway is the world's
second-largest gas exporter; its position as an oil exporter has
slipped to ninth-largest as production has begun to decline. Norway
opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994;
nonetheless, as a member of the European Economic Area, it
contributes sizably to the EU budget. In anticipation of eventual
declines in oil and gas production, Norway saves almost all state
revenue from the petroleum sector in the world's second largest
sovereign wealth fund, valued at over $500 billion in 2010. After
lackluster growth of less than 1.5% in 2002-03, GDP growth picked up
to 2.5-6.2% in 2004-07, partly due to higher oil prices. Growth fell
to 1.8% in 2008, and the economy contracted by 1.4% in 2009 as a
result of the slowing world economy and the drop in oil prices.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$276.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$272.3 billion (2009 est.)
$276.2 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$413.5 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
-1.4% (2009 est.)
1.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$59,100 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
$58,400 (2009 est.)
$59,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.1%
industry: 40.1%
services: 57.8% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.59 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 21.1%
services: 76% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
3.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
3.2% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.9%
highest 10%: 23.4% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
25 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 133
25.8 (1995)
Investment (gross fixed):
18.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
Public debt:
47.7% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
49.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
2.1% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 72
6.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
4.28% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
7.28% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$122.2 billion (31 December 2010 est)
country comparison to the world: 27
$118.3 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$256.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$243.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$414.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$379.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$227.2 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 31
$125.9 billion (31 December 2008)
$357.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish
Industries:
petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper
products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
0.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Electricity - production:
142.7 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Electricity - consumption:
128.8 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Electricity - exports:
17.29 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
3.414 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
2.35 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Oil - consumption:
204,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Oil - exports:
2.061 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Oil - imports:
107,500 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Oil - proved reserves:
6.68 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Natural gas - production:
103.5 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Natural gas - consumption:
4.62 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - exports: