FACTS

Location: Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden

Area (only Total) total: 323,802 sq km

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

Population: 4,644,457 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Bokmal Norwegian

Government type: constitutional monarchy

Capital (Name): Oslo

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+1

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)