Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor-general Prime minister: Baldwin Spencer
Population
4,366,266
89,018
Life Expectancy
55.270 years
75.690 years
Capital City
Saint John's
Largest city
Brazzaville (population: 1,284,610)
Saint John's (population: 24,226)
Human Development Index
NA
0.83
GDP per capita
$18,200 US
Literacy Rate
83.8%
85.8%
Corruption Perception Index
1.9
NA
Percentage of Women in Parliament
NA
16.7%
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
11.000%
Death Penalty
Abolished in practice
Legal
Political System
republic
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government
Independence date
1 November 1981 (from UK)
Religions
Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Anglican 25.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.3%, Pentecostal 10.6%, Moravian 10.5%, Roman Catholic 10.4%, Methodist 7.9%, Baptist 4.9%, Church of God 4.5%, other Christian 5.4%, other 2%, none or unspecified 5.8% (2001 census)
Languages
French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
English (official), local dialects
Exports
petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components, transport equipment, food and live animals
External Debt
$359,800,000 US
Exchange Rate
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) note: fixed rate since 1976
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico
Area
342,000 km sq
443 km sq
Coastline
169 km
153 km
Climate
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation
