25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
5 August 1960 (from France)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)
Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian (mainly Roman Catholic) 10%
Languages
Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes
French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population
Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2008 est.), 0.709 (2007), 0.709 (2006), 0.709 (2005), 0.709 (2004)
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
8.600%
1.200%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia
Western Africa, north of Ghana
Area
89,342 km sq
274,200 km sq
Coastline
26 km
0 km
Climate
mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)
