Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)
Languages
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)
Exports
petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
fuel, shoes, garments, fish, hides
External Debt
$4,699,000,000 $
$657,700,000 US
Exchange Rate
Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 63.25 (2008 est.), 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004)
Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 73.84 (2008 est.), 81.235 (2007), 87.946 (2006), 88.67 (2005), 88.808 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
3.300%
0.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
2
0
Location
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
Area
2,381,741 km sq
4,033 km sq
Coastline
998 km
965 km
Climate
arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic