republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
Independence date
5 July 1975 (from Portugal)
16 December 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Religions
Roman Catholic (infused with indigenous beliefs), Protestant (mostly Church of the Nazarene)
Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Languages
Portuguese, Crioulo (a blend of Portuguese and West African words)
Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.)
