Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist 23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3% (1995 census)
Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Languages
Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Exports
semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, motor vehicles, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals
petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
External Debt
$413,400,000,000 $
$4,344,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar - 1,101.7 (2008 est.), 929.2 (2007), 954.8 (2006), 1,024.1 (2005), 1,145.3 (2004)
Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 63.25 (2008 est.), 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
2.700%
4.300%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
31
2
Location
Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Area
99,720 km sq
2,381,741 km sq
Coastline
2,413 km
998 km
Climate
temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter
arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
