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
Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census)
Languages
Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia
Exports
scrap metal, wine, mineral water, ores, vehicles, fruits and nuts
External Debt
$11,080,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
laris (GEL) per US dollar - 1.47 (2008 est.), 1.7 (2007), 1.78 (2006), 1.8127 (2005), 1.9167 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
6
Location
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia
Area
10,400 km sq
69,700 km sq
Coastline
225 km
310 km
Climate
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows
warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
