23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; on 26 July 1581 they formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration; however, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence)
28 February 1922 (from UK)
Religions
Roman Catholic 30%, Dutch Reformed 11%, Calvinist 6%, other Protestant 3%, Muslim 5.8%, other 2.2%, none 42% (2006)
Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, other Christian 1%
Languages
Dutch (official), Frisian (official)
Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes
Exports
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs
crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals
External Debt
$2,655,000,000,000 $
$34,880,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar - 5.4 (2008 est.), 5.67 (2007), 5.725 (2006), 5.78 (2005), 6.1962 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.600%
2.200%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
16
1
Location
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula
