republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 note: the government is currently operating under a power-sharing agreement mandated by international mediators
Independence date
1 October 1960 (from UK)
Religions
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%)
Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani
French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
External Debt
$10,430,000,000 $
Exchange Rate
nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 117.8 (2008 est.), 127.46 (2007), 127.38 (2006), 132.59 (2005), 132.89 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
4
0
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
Area
923,768 km sq
322,463 km sq
Coastline
853 km
515 km
Climate
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October)
