Norway is a modern and well developed society. It is a Kingdom by constitution, but the monarch has no political power. He is just a figurehead of state by the will of the people.
The country is just a bit larger than Germany measured in square miles, but with only 4.8 million inhabitants. Oslo, the present capital, is the largest city with just under 600,000 inhabitants.
The country is ranked as the number one in the UNDP Human Development Index six consecutive years from 2001. Education (including universities and top colleges), health care, basic pensions and care for the elderly and disabled are provided free of charge to all inhabitants. 12 months fully paid maternity leave, cash bonuses for each child and monthly support benefits are other significant items in the country's welfare program.
The most important exports are oil & gas, fish & other seafood, as well as shipping and metals.
Norway is not a member of the EU, but is associated through the membership of the European Economic Area. It is also a member of the Schengen Agreement. Members of this agreement share one common outer border to the rest of the world. (If you have access to the Schengen Area by membership, association or VISA, then you also have access to Norway.)
Norway is founding member of NATO, but was also ranked the most peaceful country in the world in 2007.
For more detailed information on Norway I recommend this article in Wikipedia.