republic under an authoritarian military-dominated regime
Independence date
30 September 1966 (from UK)
17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration)
Religions
Christian 71.6%, Badimo 6%, other 1.4%, unspecified 0.4%, none 20.6% (2001 census)
Sunni Muslim 74%, other Muslim (includes Alawite, Druze) 16%, Christian (various denominations) 10%, Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)
Languages
Setswana 78.2%, Kalanga 7.9%, Sekgalagadi 2.8%, English 2.1% (official), other 8.6%, unspecified 0.4% (2001 census)
diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles
crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, wheat
External Debt
$1,973,000,000 $
$7,074,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
pulas (BWP) per US dollar - 6.7907 (2008 est.), 6.2035 (2007), 5.8447 (2006), 5.1104 (2005), 4.6929 (2004)
Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar - 46.5281 (2008 est.), 50.0085 (2007), 51.689 (2006), 50 (2005), 48.5 (2004) note: data for 2004-06 are the public sector rate; data for 2002-03 are the parallel market rate in 'Amman and Beirut; the official rate for repaying loans was 11.25 Syrian pounds per US dollars during 2004-06,
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
3.300%
5.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Southern Africa, north of South Africa
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey
Area
581,730 km sq
185,180 km sq
Coastline
0 km
193 km
Climate
semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus
