Catholic 26.4%, Anglican 20.5%, other Christian 20.5%, Buddhist 1.9%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 12.7%, none 15.3% (2001 Census)
Languages
French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language
English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified 5.8% (2001 Census)
Exports
coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment
External Debt
$1,466,000,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
3.000%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
46
Location
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean
Area
245,857 km sq
7,741,220 km sq
Coastline
320 km
25,760 km
Climate
generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
