nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Sunni Muslim
Languages
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Exports
petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures
fish
External Debt
$89,600,000,000 $
$943,000,000 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
rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - NA (2007), 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004), 12.8 (2003)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.200%
5.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
0
Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Area
912,050 km sq
298 km sq
Coastline
2,800 km
644 km
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
