• Capital city: Oslo
• Total area: 324 220 km2
• Population: 4,6 million
• Currency: Norwegian Krone

Norway is a medium size country forming the western part of Scandinavia. Its western coastline, characterised by numerous fjords and islands, is kept ice-free in winter time by the action of the warm Gulf Stream. The average population density is of 14 people per km2. 74 % of the population lives in urban areas. Foreigners account for 4 % of the population. Following a referendum in 1994, Norway is not part of the European Union but has nevertheless adopted the Schengen Convention.

The Norwegian economy is a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The country is richly endowed with natural resources, such as petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests and minerals. It is highly dependent on its oil production and international oil prices, with oil and gas accounting for one-third of exports. Norway enjoys a low 4.3 % unemployment rate. Key industries are petroleum and gas, food processing, ship building, paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles and fishing.

Norway is a constitutional monarchy. The country has 18 counties, each ruled by an elected council and a governor appointed by the King. The Prime minister and the State council are appointed by the monarch with the approval of the Parliament. The executive branch and the government is accountable to the Parliament and dependent on its confidence. The legislative power is exercised by a unicameral Parliament (or Stortinget). Its 169 members are elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve a four-year term. The Sami people of Norway has its own Parliament.