9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire; independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin); 26 March 1881 (kingdom proclaimed); 30 December 1947 (republic proclaimed)
Religions
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)
Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani
Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals, agricultural products
External Debt
$10,430,000,000 $
$136,100,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 117.8 (2008 est.), 127.46 (2007), 127.38 (2006), 132.59 (2005), 132.89 (2004)
lei (RON) per US dollar - 2.5 (2008 est.), 2.43 (2007), 2.809 (2006), 3 (2005), 3 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.500%
1.900%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
4
8
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine
Area
923,768 km sq
238,391 km sq
Coastline
853 km
225 km
Climate
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
