republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
Independence date
16 December 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Religions
Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%
Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Languages
French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.)
tenge (KZT) per US dollar - 120.25 (2008 est.), 122.55 (2007), 126.09 (2006), 132.88 (2005), 136.04 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.100%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
13
Location
Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural River in eastern-most Europe
Area
342,000 km sq
2,724,900 km sq
Coastline
169 km
0 km
Climate
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid
