French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
Exports
crude oil 77%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001)
External Debt
$2,726,000,000 $
Exchange Rate
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar 441.72 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Area
267,667 km sq
342,000 km sq
Coastline
885 km
169 km
Climate
tropical; always hot, humid
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator