Norway Passport

The Kingdom of Norway, Kongeriket Norge.

[Area] 385000 square kilometers (including territories such as Svalbard and Jan Mayen Island).

[Population] 5.57 million (as of October 2024). The official languages are Norwegian and Sami. The majority of people believe in the Lutheran Church, with members of the Norwegian Church accounting for 62.6% of the total population (2023).

Oslo, the capital, has a population of approximately 721000 as of June 2024. The annual average temperature is 6.9 ℃ and the precipitation is 527 millimeters.

King Harald V ascended to the throne on January 21, 1991.

[Important Festival] Constitution Day: May 17th (also known as National Day, commemorating the adoption of the first Constitution on May 17th, 1814).

[Currency] Norwegian Krone, 1 US dollar is equivalent to 10.9 Norwegian Krone (as of October 2024).

【 Brief History 】 Located in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Sweden to the east, Finland and Russia to the northeast, Denmark across the sea to the south, and the Norwegian Sea to the west. Most regions have a temperate maritime climate.

In the 9th century, a unified kingdom was formed. The 9th and 11th centuries entered their heyday. It began to decline in the mid-14th century and formed the Kalmar League with Denmark and Sweden in 1397, under the rule of Queen Margaret I of Denmark. In 1814, it was ceded to Sweden by Denmark. On June 7, 1905, he gained independence from the Swedish Norwegian Union and elected a Danish prince as king, known as Haakon VII. Neutrality during the First World War. It was occupied by Germany during World War II. In May 1945, the German occupation army announced its surrender and Norway was liberated. In 1947, the Marshall Plan was adopted and the economy gradually recovered. Joined NATO in 1949. Joined the European Free Trade Association in 1959. In 1972 and 1994, two referendums were held respectively against joining the European Community and the European Union. In 1999, it joined the Schengen Agreement.

The current Constitution was adopted on May 17, 1814 and has been revised multiple times since then. The constitution stipulates the implementation of a constitutional monarchy. The king is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

The highest legislative body in the country, with legislative power, financial supervision power, and administrative supervision power. Implement a unicameral system, consisting of 169 members of parliament. The parliamentary election adopts the proportional representation direct election system and is held every four years. The current parliament was elected in September 2021, with the following party seats: Labour Party 48 seats, Conservative Party 36 seats, Centre Party 28 seats, Progressive Party 21 seats, Socialist Left Party 13 seats, Red Party 8 seats, Liberal Party 8 seats, Green Environment Party 3 seats, Christian Democratic Party 3 seats, and Patient Concern Party 1 seat. Speaker Masud Gharahkhani (Labour Party).

The current government was formed on October 14, 2021 and reorganized in October 2023. There are currently 20 cabinet members, including 12 from the Labour Party and 8 from the Centre Party. The main cabinet members include Prime Minister Jonas Gahr St ø re (Labour Party), Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (Centre Party), and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Labour Party).

【 Main website 】 Government http://www.regjeringen.no ; Parliament http://www.stortinget.no .

[Administrative divisions] There are 357 cities and towns in 15 counties across the country. (Starting from January 1st, 2024)

The judiciary independently exercises its functions and is divided into three levels: the Supreme Court, six higher courts, and 64 district and city trial courts. In addition, there are labor dispute courts, social security courts, land certification courts, etc. The Supreme Court has one Chief Justice (Dean) and 19 Justices, with Chief Justice (Dean) Toril Marie Ø ie (female, appointed in 2016). The procuratorial system independently exercises its functions and is divided into three levels: the Prosecutor General's Office, local level procuratorial institutions (including 10 regional procuratorates, the National Economic and Environmental Crime Investigation and Prosecution Bureau, and the National Organized and Major Crime Procuratorate), and police procuratorial institutions (located in 12 police districts, the National Crime Investigation Bureau, and the Police Security Bureau). Prosecutor General J ø rn Sigurd Maurud (appointed in 2019) is the highest leader of the prosecution system, and the administrative affairs of the office are handled by the Ministry of Justice.

There are over 20 registered political parties nationwide, mainly including:

(1) Labour Party: The ruling party, established in 1887. The largest party in parliament. Advocate for the implementation of a welfare society, achieving full employment, sustainable development, fair distribution, and strengthening social welfare. There are approximately 49000 party members. Chairman Jonas Gal Streller.

(2) Centre Party: The ruling party, established in 1920. Representing the interests of farmers and family farmers, opposing joining the European Union. There are about 20000 party members. Chairman Trugever Slogersworth Wedum.

(3) Conservative Party: The largest opposition party, established in 1884. Representing the interests of monopolistic capital in finance, shipping, and industry, emphasizing free market competition, and supporting accession to the European Union. There are about 30000 party members. Chairperson Erna Solberg (female).

(4) Progress Party: An opposition party established in 1973. Advocate for tax reduction, optimization of elderly care services, strict immigration policies, and strengthening social integration, and oppose joining the European Union. There are approximately 16000 party members. Chairperson Sylvi Listhaug (female).

(5) Socialist Left Party: an opposition party established in 1975. Adhere to the social democratic line and oppose joining the European Union. Advocate for social equity, poverty reduction, and promoting green transformation. There are approximately 16000 party members. Chairperson Kirsti Bergst ø, female.

(6) The Red Party: an opposition party established in 2007. The Communist Party was formed by the merger of the Red Electoral Alliance and the Workers' Communist Party. With the ultimate goal of creating a classless society, advocating for a welfare society and increasing taxes on the wealthy to address social inequality, and opposing joining the European Union. There are about 14000 party members. Chairperson Marie Sneve Martinussen (female).

(7) Liberal Party: An opposition party established in 1884. Representing the interests of the small and medium-sized bourgeoisie, advocating social equity, tax reduction, job creation, attaching importance to education and environmental issues, and supporting accession to the European Union. There are about 7200 party members. Chairperson Guri Melby (female).

(8) The Green Party: an opposition party established in 1988. Advocate for green environmental protection and social equity. Support joining the European Union. There are about 12000 party members. Chairman Arild Hermstad.

(9) Christian Democratic Party: an opposition party founded in 1933. Advocate for maintaining traditional Christian moral values, support providing aid to developing countries, and oppose joining the European Union. There are approximately 16000 party members. Acting Chairman Dag Inge Ulstein.

(10) Patient Focus: an opposition party established in 2021. Advocate for the expansion of the Alta City Hospital in Troms and Finnmark County. Chairperson Irene Ojala (female).

Other political parties: Norwegian Communist Party, etc.

[Important Person] King Harald V: Born in 1937. After Germany invaded Norway in April 1940, he lived in the United States with his mother and two sisters and returned to China after the war. In 1955, he entered the Norwegian Military Academy to study. I studied at Oxford University from 1960 to 1962 and received an honorary doctorate from York University in 1984. In 1977, he was awarded the rank of General in the land, sea, and air forces. He was crowned Crown Prince in September 1957 and ascended to the throne on January 21, 1991. In April 1985, he visited China as the Crown Prince. In October 1997, she paid a state visit to China with Queen Songya. In August 2008, accompanied by Queen Songya, I came to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and watch the games. In October 2018, she paid a state visit to China with Queen Songya.

Prime Minister Jonas Gaal St ö ller: born in 1960. Graduated from the Paris Institute of Political Science with a degree in History and Social Economics. Since 1989, he has served as a special advisor to the Prime Minister's Office, Director General of the International Department of the Prime Minister's Office, representative of the Norwegian delegation in Geneva, Director of the Office of the Director General of the World Health Organization, and Secretary of State and Director of the Office of the Prime Minister's Office. Served as Foreign Minister from 2005 to 2012. From 2012 to 2013, he served as the Minister of Health and Nursing. Since 2014, he has served as the chairman of the Labour Party. Appointed as Prime Minister on October 14, 2021. Official visit to China in September 2024.

Norway is a developed country with modern industries. The economic development speed was relatively fast in the 1970s, with ups and downs in the 1980s, and a sharp increase in income in the early 1990s due to the cancellation of oil production quotas. The Petroleum Fund was established in 1990 and renamed as the "Government Pension Fund Global" (i.e. Sovereign Wealth Fund) in 2006. Supported by huge profits from oil and gas exports, the Norwegian economy has been in good condition in recent years, with unemployment and inflation rates maintained at low levels. The 2008 financial crisis and the 2014 oil price drop crisis briefly impacted the Norwegian economy, but both restored stability and achieved continuous growth in a relatively short period of time. After the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, the epidemic situation in Norway was generally controllable, social fundamentals were stable, and the economy recovered quickly. The main economic indicators for 2023 are as follows:

Gross Domestic Product: 5128.6 billion Norwegian kroner

Per capita gross domestic product: 925000 Norwegian kroner

Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (at constant prices): 0.5%; Mainland economy (excluding offshore industries such as oil and gas) grows by 0.7%

Unemployment rate: 3.8% (February 2024)

Sovereign wealth fund market value: 19.30 trillion Norwegian kroner (October 2024)

Advocate for free trade. Foreign trade plays an important role in the economy. The main exports include crude oil, natural gas, coke and refined petroleum products, metals, various machinery, and fishery products. Mainly imports machinery, motor vehicles, electronic and optical products, metals, chemical raw materials and products, and food. The main import source countries include Sweden, Germany, China, etc. The main export destinations include the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and others. The total import and export trade volume in 2023 is NOK 4085 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 15%. Among them, exports amounted to 2.42 trillion Norwegian kroner, a year-on-year decrease of 23.6%; Imports amounted to 1665 billion Norwegian kroner, a year-on-year increase of 7.5%.

[Resources] Rich in oil and gas, hydropower, forests, and fishery resources. By the end of 2023, the total estimated reserves of crude oil and natural gas are 15.6 billion cubic meters (oil equivalent), of which 55% have been extracted. Abundant hydropower resources, with hydropower accounting for about 88.2% of electricity and a total installed capacity of 37000 kilowatts. The forest coverage rate is about 37.7%.

Offshore oil and gas, chemical, shipping, hydropower, metallurgy, and other industries are particularly developed. Europe is an important producer and exporter of aluminum and magnesium, with the majority of ferrosilicon alloy products supplied for export. The world's third largest natural gas exporter, eighth largest crude oil exporter, and ninth largest shipping country. The total oil and gas production in 2023 is approximately 221 million cubic meters, with an export value of approximately 1.9 trillion Norwegian kroner, accounting for 79.5% of the country's total value of goods exports.

The agricultural area is 985000 hectares, accounting for 3.5% of the country's total land area (excluding territories such as Svalbard and Jan Mayen). The self-sufficiency rate of meat, eggs, and dairy products is over 96%, while the self-sufficiency rate of grains, fruits, and vegetables is relatively low. In 2023, there will be 38000 agricultural workers. The production forest area is about 86000 square kilometers, and in 2022, 11.63 million cubic meters of wood will be produced. The northern coast is a world-renowned fishing ground. The fishing and aquaculture industries are well-developed, with the main fish species being cod, mackerel, herring, etc. The aquaculture industry mainly focuses on salmon, making it one of the world's largest exporters of aquatic products.

The maritime industry is well-developed, with a total tonnage of 19.01 million tons in the merchant fleet. The total length of railways is about 4200 kilometers, and the total length of highways is 98000 kilometers. The annual passenger turnover in China is about 74 billion person kilometers, and the freight turnover is about 60.2 billion ton kilometers. The main ports are Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, with an annual throughput of approximately 5.9 million tons at Oslo Port. The main airports include Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger airports.

We attach great importance to foreign aid and insist on allocating about 1% of our Gross National Income (GNI) to foreign aid. The total amount of foreign aid in 2023 is approximately 58.5 billion Norwegian kroner, accounting for approximately 1.14% of Gross National Income (GNI).

The Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (NHO), established in 1989, is the largest entrepreneurial organization in Norway, consisting of a merger of employers' associations, industry associations, and handicraft associations. Its members include over 25000 businesses across the country.

Equinor, founded in 1972, is Norway's largest oil company, the largest crude oil producer in the North Sea, and the largest crude oil distributor in Western Europe.

Norsk Hydro, founded in 1905, is a globally renowned manufacturer of aluminum products. Mainly engaged in chemical, light metal, fertilizer, water and electricity, food, medicine, etc.

The king is the nominal supreme commander. The cabinet has actual control over the entire army through the Minister of Defense. The highest operational command structure is the Supreme Defense Command, responsible for national defense and military command under the leadership of the Ministry of Defense. General Eirik Kristoffersen, who took office in August 2020, is the Defense Commander. The founding members of NATO have established the NATO Joint Operations Center. Implement compulsory military service system, with a service period of 12 months. There are approximately 18000 active military and civilian personnel. Since 1947, it has participated in nearly a hundred international actions with approximately 100000 participants.

Since 1998, a ten-year free compulsory education system has been implemented. Most schools are public, with the central government responsible for higher education and local governments responsible for secondary and primary education. There are 44 higher education institutions with approximately 299000 students. The main universities include the University of Oslo, University of Bergen, Norwegian University of Technology, Troms ø University, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norwegian Business School, etc.

Press and Publication: More than 200 types of newspapers are published nationwide, with an annual circulation of over 5 million copies. The main newspapers include: Evening Post, World Road News, Daily News, Bergen Times, etc.

Norwegian News Agency (NTB): Established in 1867, unofficial.

Norwegian National Broadcasting Corporation (NRK): Established in 1933, it is divided into two parts: radio and television, and is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture.

[External Relations] We attach great importance to the role of the United Nations and actively participate in UN peacekeeping operations and mediation of international and regional hotspot issues. Norwegian Lai Yi served as the first Secretary General of the United Nations from 1946 to 1953. Not a member of the European Union, but a member of the European Free Trade Association and Schengen. It is the first Arctic country to introduce Arctic strategy and policy documents. One of the earliest developed countries to ratify the Paris Agreement is to attach importance to ocean, climate change, and emissions reduction issues. We have established diplomatic relations with over 140 countries.