1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910 (republic proclaimed)
Religions
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Roman Catholic 84.5%, other Christian 2.2%, other 0.3%, unknown 9%, none 3.9% (2001 census)
Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani
Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used)
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
agricultural products, food products, oil products, chemical products, plastics and rubber, skins and leather, wood and cork, wood pulp and paper, textile materials, clothing, footwear, minerals and mineral products, base metals, machinery and tools, vehicles and other transport material, and optical and precision
External Debt
$10,100,000,000 $
$548,300,000,000 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%
2.300%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
4
2
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain
Area
923,768 km sq
92,090 km sq
Coastline
853 km
1,793 km
Climate
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south
