French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
Arabic (official and one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce)
Exports
clothing, semi-finished goods and textiles, agricultural products, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, hydrocarbons, electrical equipment
External Debt
$23,210,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar - 1.211 (2008 est.), 1.2776 (2007), 1.331 (2006), 1.2974 (2005), 1.2455 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.400%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
1
Location
Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
Area
342,000 km sq
163,610 km sq
Coastline
169 km
1,148 km
Climate
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
