republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule
republic
Independence date
12 October 1968 (from Spain)
Religions
Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51%
nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices
Languages
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)
Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) (1994 census)
Exports
petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa
External Debt
$1,232,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar 441.72 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.4 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.100%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
0
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
