Norway

C

Natural Resources

Norway’s principal mineral resources are petroleum and natural gas, which are extracted from the vast reserves located along the continental shelf of the North Sea. Other mineral resources include modest amounts of iron ore, copper, zinc, and coal.

D

Plants and Animals

Forests cover slightly more than one quarter of Norway’s land area. Deciduous forests are found in the coastal districts of southern and south-western Norway. The principal species are oak, ash, hazel, elm, maple, and lime. In favoured locations birch, yew, and holly may be found. To the east and north the forests have increasing numbers of conifers. Thick boreal coniferous forests are found in coastal regions and in the valleys of eastern and central Norway. These forests are dominated by Scots pine and Norway spruce, but also contain birch, alder, aspen, and mountain ash. Wild berries, such as blueberries, cranberries, and cloudberries, grow in most woodland areas. In the far north and at high elevations are tundra regions. The tundra is a treeless heath, with vegetation consisting mainly of hardy dwarf shrubs and wildflowers.

Reindeer, polar fox, polar hare, wolf, wolverine, and lemming are common in the north and in the higher mountain areas. Elk, deer, fox, otter, and marten are found in the south and south-east. Both freshwater and saltwater fish abound. Salmon, trout, grayling, perch, and pike are common in the streams and lakes. Herring, cod, halibut, mackerel, and other species inhabit coastal waters.

E

Environmental Concerns

Norway protects 6.8 per cent (1997) of its land in parks and other reserves. Forest covers 26 per cent (1995) of the country's land, and the percentage continues to grow. From 1990 to 1995 the country's forestland increased by more than 135,000 hectares (334,000 acres). Only 2.9 per cent (1997) of the country's total land area has been developed for agriculture.

Sulphur dioxide emissions from the United Kingdom and other highly industrialized European countries have caused acid rain to fall in Norway, damaging forests and waterways. Because the country's surface water and soils are especially susceptible to acidification, many Norwegian lakes can no longer support fish. This is of particular concern because fish are one of Norway's primary natural resources and major exports. Sulphur dioxide emissions have improved in much of Europe since the implementation of the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Sulphur Protocols, beginning in the 1970s. However, high levels of sulphur dioxide from abroad continue to affect adversely Norway's air. Nitrogen oxide, the majority of which originates in other countries, has also become a cause of significant air pollution. In addition, emissions from Norwegian cars contribute to high air pollution levels. Because Norway relies largely on hydroelectric power, an environmentally clean energy source, Norway itself contributes relatively little air pollution to the atmosphere.

The Norwegian government is committed to improving environmental health and conservation. It has proved its willingness to work with other countries to protect the environment, in part due to the origins of the country's air pollution problems. Norway is party to international treaties on air pollution, Antarctica, biodiversity, climate change, desertification, endangered species, hazardous wastes, marine dumping, ship pollution, wetlands, and whaling.

III

Population

The population of Norway is ethnically homogeneous. The several thousand Saami (see Saamiland) and people of Finnish origin living in Nord Norge are the only significant minority groups, although small numbers of Danes, Americans, Swedes, Britons, and Pakistanis live in Norway.

A

Population Characteristics

Norway has a population of 4,627,926 (2007 estimate), giving a population density of about 15 people per sq km (39 people per sq mi), the lowest in continental Europe. The population is growing very slowly, with an annual rate of increase of only 0.36 per cent in 2007. Life expectancy in Norway is among the highest in the world at 83 years for women and 77 years for men. About half of the country’s population lives in the south-east, and more than three quarters of all Norwegians live within 16 km (10 mi) of the sea. Some 80 per cent of Norway’s population is urban.