l: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2007)

Heliports:

1 (2007)

Roadways:

total: 536 km (2007)

Ports and terminals:

Saipan, Tinian

Military
Northern Mariana Islands

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 572
female: 594 (2008 est.)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues
Northern Mariana Islands

Disputes - international:

none

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008

======================================================================

@Norway

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
land: 307,442 sq km
water: 16,360 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 main