Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10%
Languages
French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language
French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population
Exports
cotton, livestock, gold
External Debt
$2,442,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar 438.77 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.100%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Western Africa, north of Ghana
Area
245,857 km sq
274,200 km sq
Coastline
320 km
0 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
