republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule
military junta
Independence date
28 November 1960 (from France)
Religions
Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51%
Muslim 100%
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)
Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya
Exports
iron ore, fish and fish products, gold, copper, petroleum
External Debt
$2,816,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar - NA (2007), 271.3 (2006), 267.04 (2005), 265.8 (2004), 263.03 (2003)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
5.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
0
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
