first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy
Religions
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Christian (includes Protestant and Roman Catholic) 3%, Muslim 2%
Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani
Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) note: English is the predominant second language
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills
External Debt
$10,100,000,000 $
$626,900,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 117.8 (2008 est.), 127.46 (2007), 127.38 (2006), 132.59 (2005), 132.89 (2004)
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.900%
1.300%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
4
7
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn)
Area
923,768 km sq
43,094 km sq
Coastline
853 km
7,314 km
Climate
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
