4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960
the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of independent kingdoms prior to the Muslim occupation that began in the early 8th century A.D. and lasted nearly seven centuries; the small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain
Religions
Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1%
Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%
Languages
French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%, are official regionally
machinery, motor vehicles; foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, medicines, other consumer goods
External Debt
$4,117,000,000 $
$2,250,000,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar 438.77 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro
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
1.600%
1.200%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
18
Location
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and Pyrenees Mountains, southwest of France
Area
196,722 km sq
505,370 km sq
Coastline
531 km
4,964 km
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind
temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast
