23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; on 26 July 1581 they formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration; however, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence)
Religions
Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1%
Roman Catholic 30%, Dutch Reformed 11%, Calvinist 6%, other Protestant 3%, Muslim 5.8%, other 2.2%, none 42% (2006)
Languages
Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
Dutch (official), Frisian (official)
Exports
crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs
External Debt
$34,880,000,000 $
$2,655,000,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar - 5.4 (2008 est.), 5.67 (2007), 5.725 (2006), 5.78 (2005), 6.1962 (2004)
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
2.200%
1.600%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
16
Location
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
