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)
2 March 1956 (from France)
Religions
Roman Catholic 30%, Dutch Reformed 11%, Calvinist 6%, other Protestant 3%, Muslim 5.8%, other 2.2%, none 42% (2006)
Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
Languages
Dutch (official), Frisian (official)
Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy
Exports
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs
clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish
External Debt
$2,655,000,000,000 $
$29,420,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar - 7.526 (2008 est.), 8.3563 (2007), 8.7722 (2006), 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.600%
4.800%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
16
2
Location
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
Area
41,543 km sq
446,550 km sq
Coastline
451 km
1,835 km
Climate
temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
