republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule
Independence date
1 October 1960 (from UK)
Religions
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51%
Languages
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani
French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
External Debt
$10,430,000,000 $
Exchange Rate
nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 117.8 (2008 est.), 127.46 (2007), 127.38 (2006), 132.59 (2005), 132.89 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
4
1
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana
Area
923,768 km sq
56,785 km sq
Coastline
853 km
56 km
Climate
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
