19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)
Religions
nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices
Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%
Languages
Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) (1994 census)
Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
Exports
petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa
opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems
External Debt
$1,051,000,000 $
$1,280,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar 441.72 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.4 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004)
afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.100%
1.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
1
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran
