12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)
Religions
Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census)
Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)
Languages
Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Exports
scrap metal, wine, mineral water, ores, vehicles, fruits and nuts
semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits
External Debt
$11,080,000,000 $
$72,270,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
laris (GEL) per US dollar - 1.47 (2008 est.), 1.7 (2007), 1.78 (2006), 1.8127 (2005), 1.9167 (2004)
Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 44.439 (2008 est.), 46.148 (2007), 51.246 (2006), 55.086 (2005), 56.04 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
0.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
6
0
Location
Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Area
69,700 km sq
300,000 km sq
Coastline
310 km
36,289 km
Climate
warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
