constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force May 2004
Independence date
22 September 1960 (from France)
Religions
Muslim 90%, Christian 1%, indigenous beliefs 9%
Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%, other 3%
Languages
French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages
English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Exports
cotton, gold, livestock
External Debt
$2,725,000,000 $
Exchange Rate
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar 438.77 (2008 est.), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.300%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Western Africa, southwest of Algeria
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Area
1,240,192 km sq
702 km sq
Coastline
0 km
6,112 km
Climate
subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February)
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
