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)
Religions
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Roman Catholic 30%, Dutch Reformed 11%, Calvinist 6%, other Protestant 3%, Muslim 5.8%, other 2.2%, none 42% (2006)
Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani
Dutch (official), Frisian (official)
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs
External Debt
$10,100,000,000 $
$2,655,000,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 117.8 (2008 est.), 127.46 (2007), 127.38 (2006), 132.59 (2005), 132.89 (2004)
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.900%
1.600%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
4
16
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
Area
923,768 km sq
41,543 km sq
Coastline
853 km
451 km
Climate
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
