NA

Television broadcast stations:

1 (on Saipan; in addition, 2 cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (2006)

Televisions:

Internet country code:

.mp

Internet hosts:

6 (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

1 (2001)

Internet users:

10,000 (2003)

Transportation
Northern Mariana Islands

Airports:

5 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 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: