Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 10%
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Languages
French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Exports
petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures
External Debt
$89,600,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
bolivars (VEB) per US dollar - 2.147 (2008 est.), 2,147 (2007), 2,147 (2006), 2,089.8 (2005), 1,891.3 (2004) note: On 1 January 2008 Venezuela revalued its currency with 1000 old bolivares equal to 1 new bolivar
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.200%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
1
Location
Central Africa, northeast of Angola
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Area
2,344,858 km sq
912,050 km sq
Coastline
37 km
2,800 km
Climate
tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October)
