republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
Independence date
28 November 1960 (from France)
16 December 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Religions
Muslim 100%
Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Languages
Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya
Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.)
Exports
iron ore, fish and fish products, gold, copper, petroleum