Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor-general Prime minister: Baldwin Spencer
Population
48,860,500
89,018
Life Expectancy
79.300 years
75.690 years
Capital City
Seoul
Saint John's
Largest city
Seoul (population: 10,349,300)
Saint John's (population: 24,226)
Human Development Index
0.928
0.83
GDP per capita
$32,100 US
$18,200 US
Literacy Rate
97.9%
85.8%
Corruption Perception Index
Percentage of Women in Parliament
13.7%
16.7%
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
3.400%
11.000%
Death Penalty
NA
Legal
Political System
republic
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government
Independence date
15 August 1945 (from Japan)
1 November 1981 (from UK)
Religions
Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist 23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3% (1995 census)
Anglican 25.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.3%, Pentecostal 10.6%, Moravian 10.5%, Roman Catholic 10.4%, Methodist 7.9%, Baptist 4.9%, Church of God 4.5%, other Christian 5.4%, other 2%, none or unspecified 5.8% (2001 census)
Languages
Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school
English (official), local dialects
Exports
semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, motor vehicles, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals
petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components, transport equipment, food and live animals
External Debt
$397,300,000,000 $
$359,800,000 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)
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) note: fixed rate since 1976
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
2.700%
0.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
31
0
Location
Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico
Area
99,720 km sq
443 km sq
Coastline
2,413 km
153 km
Climate
temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter
tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation
