Muslim 59.7% (Shia, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), Christian 39% (Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Melkite Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Syrian Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Chaldean, Assyrian, Copt, Protestant), other 1.3% note: 17 religious sects recognized
Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Languages
Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Exports
petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
External Debt
$4,699,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
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
3.300%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
2
Location
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Area
10,400 km sq
2,381,741 km sq
Coastline
225 km
998 km
Climate
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows
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
