Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shia 30%), other (includes Christian, Hindu, Parsi) 15%
Languages
French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language
Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Exports
oil and refined products, fertilizers
External Debt
$41,730,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar - 0.2679 (2008 est.), 0.2844 (2007), 0.29 (2006), 0.292 (2005), 0.2947 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
5.300%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Area
245,857 km sq
17,818 km sq
Coastline
320 km
499 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
dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
