12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)
Religions
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)
Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits
External Debt
$10,430,000,000 $
$72,270,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 117.8 (2008 est.), 127.46 (2007), 127.38 (2006), 132.59 (2005), 132.89 (2004)
Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 44.439 (2008 est.), 46.148 (2007), 51.246 (2006), 55.086 (2005), 56.04 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.500%
0.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
4
0
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Area
923,768 km sq
300,000 km sq
Coastline
853 km
36,289 km
Climate
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
