nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Languages
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
Exports
petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures
diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
External Debt
$63,740,000,000 $
$469,500,000 US
Exchange Rate
bolivars (VEB) per US dollar - 2.147 (2008 est.), 2,147 (2007), 2,147 (2006), 2,089.8 (2005), 1,891.3 (2004) note: On 1 January 2008 Venezuela revalued its currency with 1000 old bolivares equal to 1 new bolivar
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar 438.77 (2008 est.), 481.8 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.700%
2.600%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
0
Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Area
912,050 km sq
622,984 km sq
Coastline
2,800 km
0 km
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
