25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
6 July 1975 (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.)
Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Languages
Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes
Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2008 est.), 0.709 (2007), 0.709 (2006), 0.709 (2005), 0.709 (2004)
Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 361.4 (2007), 391.8 (2006), 395.6 (2005), 396.21 (2004), 435.9 (2003) note: the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677 Comoran francs per euro
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
9.500%
2.800%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia
Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Area
89,342 km sq
2,235 km sq
Coastline
26 km
340 km
Climate
mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)
