republic; authoritarian presidential rule, with little power outside the executive branch
Independence date
14 May 1811 (from Spain)
16 December 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Religions
Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)
Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Languages
Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 64.4%, Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 95% (2001 est.)
