1.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Transnational Issues ::Norway
Disputes - international:
Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and its continental shelf); Russia and Norway reached an agreement on how to align Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean boundaries over EEZ and continental shelf in an agreement signed on 15 September 2010; this agreement is pending ratification by the respective national assemblies
page last updated on January 20, 2011
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@Oman (Middle East)
Introduction ::Oman
Background:
The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.