republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 note: the government is currently operating under a power-sharing agreement mandated by international mediators
constitutional monarchy
Independence date
25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
Religions
Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%)
Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)
Languages
French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken
Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes
Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2008 est.), 0.709 (2007), 0.709 (2006), 0.709 (2005), 0.709 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
9.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia
Area
322,463 km sq
89,342 km sq
Coastline
515 km
26 km
Climate
tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October)
mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)
