16 September 1810 (declared); 27 September 1821 (recognized by Spain)
Religions
Roman Catholic 76.5%, Protestant 6.3% (Pentecostal 1.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.1%, other 3.8%), other 0.3%, unspecified 13.8%, none 3.1% (2000 census)
Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%
Languages
Spanish only 92.7%, Spanish and indigenous languages 5.7%, indigenous only 0.8%, unspecified 0.8%; note - indigenous languages include various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional languages (2005)
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
Mexican pesos (MXN) per US dollar - 11.016 (2008 est.), 10.8 (2007), 10.899 (2006), 10.898 (2005), 11.286 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
3
0
Location
Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, between Belize and the US and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and the US
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Area
1,964,375 km sq
11,295 km sq
Coastline
9,330 km
80 km
Climate
varies from tropical to desert
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)
