FYI these are the current statistics about the mother continent
1. ALGERIA
FACTS
Population: 32.9 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Algiers
Area: 2.4 million sq km (919,595 sq miles)
Major languages: Arabic, French, Berber
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 68 years (men), 71 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 dinar = 100 centimes
Main exports: Oil, gas
GNI per capita: US $1,890 (World Bank, 2003)
Internet domain: .dz
International dialling code: +213
2. ANGOLA
FACTS
Population: 14.5 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Luanda
Area: 1.25m sq km (481,354 sq miles)
Major languages: Portuguese (official), Umbundu, Kimbundu, Kikongo
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 39 years (men), 41 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Kwanza = 100 lwei
Main exports: Oil, diamonds, minerals, coffee, fish, timber
GNI per capita: US $740 (World Bank, 2003)
Internet domain: .ao
International dialling code: +244
3. BENIN
FACTS
Population: 7.1 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Porto-Novo
"¢ Area: 112,622 sq km (43,484 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French (official) Fon, Ge, Bariba, Yoruba, Dendi
"¢ Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Christianity, Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 48 years (men), 53 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Cotton, palm oil
"¢ GNI per capita: US $440 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .bj
"¢ International dialling code: +229
4. BOTSWANA
FACTS
Population: 1.8 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Gaborone
"¢ Area: 581,730 sq km (224,607 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: English (official), Setswana
"¢ Major religions: Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 39 years (men), 40 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Pula = 100 thebe
"¢ Main exports: Diamonds, copper, nickel, beef
"¢ GNI per capita: US $3,430 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .bw
"¢ International dialling code: +267
5. BURKINA FASO
FACTS
Population: 13.8 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Ouagadougou
"¢ Area: 274,200 sq km (105,870 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French, indigenous languages
"¢ Major religions: Islam, Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 45 years (men), 46 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Cotton, animal products, gold
"¢ GNI per capita: US $300 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .bf
"¢ International dialling code: +226
6. BURUNDI
FACTS
Population: 7.3 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Bujumbura
Area: 27,816 sq km (10,740 sq miles)
Major languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili
Major religions: Christianity
Life expectancy: 40 years (men), 41 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Burundi franc = 100 centimes
Main exports: coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides
GNI per capita: US $100 (World Bank, 2003)
Internet domain: .bi
International dialling code: +257
7. Cameroon
FACTS
Population: 16.6 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Yaounde
"¢ Area: 465,458 sq km (179,714 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French, English, languages of Bantu, Semi-Bantu and Sudanic groups
"¢ Major religions: Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs
"¢ Life expectancy: 45 years (men), 47 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Crude oil and petroleum products, timber, cocoa, aluminium, coffee, cotton
"¢ GNI per capita: US $640 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .cm
"¢ International dialling code: +237
8. Cape Verde
FACTS
Population: 482,000 (UN, 2005)
Capital: Praia
Area: 4,033 sq km (1,557 sq miles)
Major languages: Portuguese, Crioulo (a mixture of archaic Portuguese and African words)
Major religions: Christianity
Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 73 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Cape Verdean escudo = 100 centavos
Main exports: Shoes, clothes, fish, bananas, hides, pozzolana (a volcanic rock used in making cement)
GNI per capita: US $1,340 (World Bank, 2003)
Internet domain: .cv
International dialling code: +238
9. Central African Republic
FACTS
Population: 3.9 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Bangui
"¢ Area: 622,984 sq km (240,535 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French, Sangho (lingua franca)
"¢ Major religions: Christianity, Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 38 years (men), 40 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
"¢ GNI per capita: US $260 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .cf
"¢ International dialling code: +236
10. Chad
FACTS
Population: 9.1 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: N'Djamena
"¢ Area: 1.28 million sq km (495,800 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French, Arabic
"¢ Major religions: Islam, Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 44 years (men), 46 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Cotton, oil, livestock, textiles
"¢ GNI per capita: US $250 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .td
"¢ International dialling code: +235
11. Comoros
FACTS
Population: 812,000 (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Moroni
"¢ Area: 1,862 sq km (719 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Arabic, French, Comoran (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
"¢ Major religion: Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 60 years (men), 62 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Comoran franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Vanilla, cloves, perfume oil, copra
"¢ GNI per capita: US $450 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .km
"¢ International dialling code: +269
12. Republic of Congo
FACTS
Population: 3.9 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Brazzaville
"¢ Area: 342,000 sq km (132,047 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French, indigenous African languages
"¢ Major religions: Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 47 years (men), 50 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Oil, timber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds
"¢ GNI per capita: US $640 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .cg
"¢ International dialling code: +242
13. Democratic Republic of Congo
FACTS
Population: 56 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Kinshasa
"¢ Area: 2.34 million sq km (905,354 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French, Lingala, Kiswahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba
"¢ Major religions: Christianity, Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 41 years (men), 43 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Congolese franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt, crude oil
"¢ GNI per capita: US $100 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .cd
"¢ International dialling code: +243
14. Djibouti
FACTS
Population: 721,000 (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Djibouti
"¢ Area: 23,200 sq km (8,950 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French, Arabic, Somali, Afar
"¢ Major religion: Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 45 years (men), 47 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Djiboutian franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Re-exports, hides and skins, coffee (re-exported from Ethiopia)
"¢ GNI per capita: US $910 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .dj
"¢ International dialling code: +253
15. Egypt
FACTS
Population: 74.9 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Cairo
Area: 1 million sq km (386,874 sq miles)
Major language: Arabic
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 71 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Egyptian Pound = 100 piastres
Main exports: Petroleum, petroleum products and cotton
GNI per capita: US $1,390 (World Bank, 2003)
Internet domain: .eg
International dialling code: +20
16. Equatorial Guinea
FACTS
Population: 521,000 (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Malabo
"¢ Area: 28,051 sq km (10,830 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Spanish, French
"¢ Major religion: Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 48 years (men), 50 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Petroleum, timber, cocoa
"¢ GNI per capita: US $930 (World Bank, 2001)
"¢ Internet domain: .gq
"¢ International dialling code: +240
17. Eritrea
FACTS
Population: 4.4 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Asmara
"¢ Area: 117,400 sq km (45,300 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Tigrinya, Tigre, Arabic, English
"¢ Major religions: Islam, Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 51 years (men), 54 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Nakfa = 100 cents
"¢ Main exports: Livestock, hides, sorghum, textiles, salt, light manufactures
"¢ GNI per capita: US $190 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .er
"¢ International dialling code: +291
18. Ethiopia
FACTS
Population: 74.2 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Addis Ababa
"¢ Area: 1.13 million sq km (437,794 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Amharic, Oromo, Tigrinya, Somali
"¢ Major religions: Christianity, Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 45 years (men), 46 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Birr = 100 cents
"¢ Main exports: Coffee, hides, oilseeds, beeswax, sugarcane
"¢ GNI per capita: US $90 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .et
"¢ International dialling code: +251
19. Gabon
FACTS
Population: 1.4 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Libreville
"¢ Area: 267,667 sq km (103,347 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French, Bantu-group languages
"¢ Major religion: Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 56 years (men), 57 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Crude oil, timber, manganese, uranium
"¢ GNI per capita: US $3,580 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .ga
"¢ International dialling code: +241
20. The Gambia
FACTS
Population: 1.5 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Banjul
"¢ Area: 11,295 sq km (4,361 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: English, indigenous languages
"¢ Major religions: Islam, Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 53 years (men), 55 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 dalasi = 100 butut
"¢ Main exports: Peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels
"¢ GNI per capita: US $310 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .gm
"¢ International dialling code: +220
21. Ghana
FACTS
Population: 21.8 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Accra
"¢ Area: 238,533 sq km (92,098 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: English, African languages including Akan, Ewe
"¢ Major religions: Christianity, Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 56 years (men), 59 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: Cedi
"¢ Main exports: Gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminium, manganese ore, diamonds
"¢ GNI per capita: US $320 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .gh
"¢ International dialling code: +233
22. Guinea
FACTS
Population: 8.8 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Conakry
"¢ Area: 245,857 sq km (94,926 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French, various tribal languages
"¢ Major religions: Islam, Christianity, indigenous beliefs
"¢ Life expectancy: 49 years (men), 49 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Guinean franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Bauxite, alumina, gold, diamond, coffee, fish, agricultural products
"¢ GNI per capita: US $430 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .gn
"¢ International dialling code: +224
23. Guinea-Bissau
FACTS
Population: 1.6 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Bissau
"¢ Area: 36,125 sq km (13,948 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Portuguese, Crioulo, African languages
"¢ Major religions: Islam, Christianity
Life expectancy: 44 years (men), 47 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn timber
"¢ GNI per capita: US $140 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .gw
"¢ International dialling code: +245
24. Ivory Coast
FACTS
Population: 17.1 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Yamoussoukro
"¢ Area: 322,462 sq km (124,503 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French, indigenous languages
"¢ Major religions: Islam, Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 41 years (men), 41 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Cocoa, coffee, tropical woods, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, fish
"¢ GNI per capita: US $660 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .ci
"¢ International dialling code: +225
25. Kenya
FACTS
Population: 32.8 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Nairobi
"¢ Area: 582,646 sq km (224,961 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Swahili, English
"¢ Major religion: Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 43 years (men), 46 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Kenya shilling = 100 cents
"¢ Main exports: Tea, coffee, horticultural products, petroleum products
"¢ GNI per capita: US $390 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .ke
"¢ International dialling code: +254
26. Lesotho
FACTS
Population: 1.8 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Maseru
"¢ Area: 30,355 sq km (11,720 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Sesotho, English
"¢ Major religion: Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 32 years (men), 38 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 loti (L) = 100 lisente
"¢ Main exports: Clothing, wool, mohair, food, livestock
"¢ GNI per capita: US $590 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .ls
"¢ International dialling code: +266
27. Liberia
FACTS
Population: 3.6 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Monrovia
"¢ Area: 99,067 sq km (38,250 sq miles)
"¢ Languages: English, 29 African languages belonging to the Mande, Kwa or Mel linguistic groups
"¢ Major religions: Christianity, Islam,
"¢ Life expectancy: 41 years (men), 42 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Liberian dollar (L$) = 100 cents
"¢ Main exports: Diamonds, iron ore, rubber, timber, coffee, cocoa
"¢ GNI per capita: US $130 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .lr
"¢ International dialling code: +231
28. Libya
FACTS
Population: 5.8 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Tripoli
"¢ Area: 1.77 million sq km (685,524 sq miles)
"¢ Major language: Arabic
"¢ Major religion: Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 71 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Libyan dinar (LD) = 1,000 dirhams
"¢ Main exports: Crude oil, petroleum products, natural gas
"¢ GNI per capita: n/a
"¢ Internet domain: .ly
"¢ International dialling code: +218
29. Madagascar
FACTS
Population: 18.4 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Antananarivo
"¢ Area: 587,041 sq km (226,658 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Malagasy (official), French
"¢ Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 52 years (men), 55 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: Ariary
"¢ Main exports: Coffee, seafood, cloves, vanilla, petroleum products, chromium, fabrics
"¢ GNI per capita: US $290 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .mg
"¢ International dialling code: +261
30. Malawi
FACTS
Population: 12.6 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Lilongwe
"¢ Area: 118,484 sq km (45,747 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: English, Chichewa (both official)
"¢ Major religions: Christianity, Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 37 years (men), 38 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Malawi kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala
"¢ Main exports: Tobacco, tea, sugar, cotton
"¢ GNI per capita: US $170 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .mw
"¢ International dialling code: +265
31. Mali
FACTS
Population: 13.8 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Bamako
"¢ Area: 1.25 million sq km (482,077 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French, Bambara, Berber, Arabic
"¢ Major religions: Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 48 years (men), 49 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Cotton, gold, livestock
"¢ GNI per capita: US $290 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .ml
"¢ International dialling code: +223
32. Mauritania
FACTS
Population: 3.1 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Nouakchott
"¢ Area: 1.04 million sq km (398,000 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Arabic (official), French, others
"¢ Major religion: Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 51 years (men), 54 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 ouguiya = 5 khoums
"¢ Main exports: Fish and fish products, iron ore, gold
"¢ GNI per capita: US $430 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .mr
"¢ International dialling code: +222
33. Mauritius
FACTS
Population: 1.2 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Port Louis
"¢ Area: 2,040 sq km (788 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: English (official), French, Creole, Indian languages
"¢ Major religions: Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 68 years (men), 76 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Mauritian rupee=100 cents
"¢ Main exports: Sugar, clothing, tea, jewellery
"¢ GNI per capita: US $4,090 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .mu
"¢ International dialling code: +230
34. Morocco
FACTS
Population: 31.6 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Rabat
"¢ Area: 710,850 sq km (274,461 sq miles) (including W Sahara)
"¢ Major languages: Arabic (official), Berber, French, Spanish
"¢ Major religion: Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 70 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: Dirham = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Minerals, seafood products, citrus fruit
"¢ GNI per capita: US $1,320 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .ma
"¢ International dialling code: +212
35. Mozambique
FACTS
"¢ Population: 19.5 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Maputo
"¢ Area: 812,379 sq km (313,661 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Portuguese (official), Makua-Lomwe, Tsonga, Shona, Swahili
"¢ Major religions: Indiginous beliefs, Islam, Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 37 years (men), 40 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 metical (plural meticais) = 100 centavos
"¢ Main exports: Seafood, cotton
"¢ GNI per capita: US $210 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .mz
"¢ International dialling code: +258
36. Namibia
FACTS
"¢ Population: 2 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Windhoek
"¢ Area: 824,292 sq km (318,261 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: English (official), Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
"¢ Major religion: Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 43 years (men), 46 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Namibian dollar = 100 cents
"¢ Main exports: Diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium, livestock
"¢ GNI per capita: US $1,870 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .na
"¢ International dialling code: +264
37. Niger
FACTS
Population: 12.9 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Niamey
"¢ Area: 1.27 million sq km (489,000 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French (official), Arabic, Hausa, Songhai
"¢ Major religions: Islam, indigenous beliefs
"¢ Life expectancy: 46 years (men), 46 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Uranium, livestock products
"¢ GNI per capita: US $200 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .ne
"¢ International dialling code: +227
38. Nigeria
FACTS
Population: 130.2 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Abuja
"¢ Area: 923,768 sq km (356,669 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: English (official), Yoruba, Ibo, Hausa
"¢ Major religions: Islam, Christianity, indigenous beliefs
"¢ Life expectancy: 51 years (men), 52 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Nigerian naira = 100 kobo
"¢ Main exports: Petroleum, petroleum products, cocoa, rubber
"¢ GNI per capita: US $320 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .ng
"¢ International dialling code: +234
39. Rwanda
FACTS
Population: 8.6 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Kigali
"¢ Area: 26,338 sq km (10,169 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Kinyarwanda (official), French (official), English (official), Swahili
"¢ Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs
"¢ Life expectancy: 39 years (men), 40 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Rwandan franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Coffee, tea, hides, tin ore
"¢ GNI per capita: US $220 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .rw
"¢ International dialling code: +250
40. Sao Tome and Principe
FACTS
Population: 169,000 (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Sao Tome
"¢ Area: 1,001 sq km (386 sq miles)
"¢ Major language: Portuguese
"¢ Major religion: Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 67 years (men), 73 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 dobra = 100 centimos
"¢ Main exports: Cocoa
"¢ GNI per capita: US $320 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .st
"¢ International dialling code: +239
41. Senegal
FACTS
Population: 10.6 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Dakar
"¢ Area: 196,722 sq km (75,955 sq miles)
"¢ Major language: French (official), Wolof
"¢ Major religion: Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 51 years (men), 55 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Fish, peanuts, petroleum products, phosphates, cotton
"¢ GNI per capita: US $550 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .sn
"¢ International dialling code: +221
42. Seychelles
FACTS
Population: 76,000 (UN, 2003)
"¢ Capital: Victoria
"¢ Area: 455 sq km (176 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: English, French, Creole
"¢ Major religion: Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: n/a Monetary unit: 1 Seychelles rupee = 100 cents
"¢ Main exports: Fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (re-exports)
"¢ GNI per capita: US $7,480 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .sc
"¢ International dialling code: +248
43. Sierra Leone
FACTS
Population: 5.3 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Freetown
Area: 71,740 sq km (27,699 sq miles)
Major languages: English, Krio (Creole language derived from English) and a range of African languages
Major religions: Islam, indigenous beliefs, Christianity
Life expectancy: 33 years (men), 35 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Leone = 100 cents
Main exports: Diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish
GNI per capita: US $150 (World Bank, 2003)
Internet domain: .sl
International dialling code: +232
44. Somalia
FACTS
Population: 10.7 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Mogadishu
"¢ Area: 637,657sq km (246,201 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Somali, Arabic, Italian, English
"¢ Major religion: Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 45 years (men), 48 years (women)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Somali shilling = 100 cents
"¢ Main exports: Livestock, bananas, hides, fish
"¢ GNI per capita: n/a
"¢ Internet domain: .so
"¢ International dialling code: +252
45. South Africa
FACTS
Population: 45.3 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Pretoria
"¢ Area: 1.22 million sq km (470,693 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, Sesotho, Setswana, Xhosa and Zulu
"¢ Major religion: Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs
"¢ Life expectancy: 45 years (men), 51 years (women)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Rand = 100 cents
"¢ Main exports: Gold, diamonds, metals and minerals, cars, machinery
"¢ GNI per capita: US $2,780 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .za
"¢ International dialling code: +27
46. Sudan
FACTS
Population: 35 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Khartoum
"¢ Area: 2.5 million sq km (966,757 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Arabic; Nubian, others
"¢ Major religions: Islam, Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 54 years (men), 57 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 dinar = 10 Sudanese pounds
"¢ Main exports: Oil, cotton, sesame, livestock and hides, gum arabic
"¢ GNI per capita: US $460 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .sd
"¢ International dialling code: +249
47. Swaziland
FACTS
Population: 1.1 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Mbabane
"¢ Area: 17,364 sq km (6,704 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: Swazi, English (both official)
"¢ Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs
"¢ Life expectancy: 33 years (men), 35 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Lilangeni = 100 cents
"¢ Main exports: Sugar, wood pulp, minerals
"¢ GNI per capita: US $1,350 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .sz
"¢ International dialling code: +268
48. Tanzania
FACTS
Population: 38.4 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Dodoma
Area: 945,087 sq km (364,900 sq miles)
Major languages: English, Swahili
Major religions: Christianity, Islam
Life expectancy: 42 years (men), 44 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Tanzanian shilling = 100 cents
Main exports: Sisal, cloves, coffee, cotton, cashew nuts, minerals, tobacco
GNI per capita: US $290 (World Bank, 2003)
Internet domain: .tz
International dialling code: +255
49. Togo
FACTS
Population: 5.1 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Lome
"¢ Area: 56,785 sq km (21,925 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: French (official), local languages
"¢ Major religions: Indigenous beliefs, Christianity, Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 48 years (men), 51 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
"¢ Main exports: Cocoa, phosphates, coffee, cotton
"¢ GNI per capita: US $310 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .tg
"¢ International dialling code: +228
50. Tunisia
FACTS
Population: 10 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Tunis
Area: 164,150 sq km (63,378 sq miles)
Major languages: Arabic (official); French
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 71 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Tunisian dinar (TD) = 1,000 millimes
Main exports: Agricultural products, textiles, oil
GNI per capita: US $2,240 (World Bank, 2003)
Internet domain: .tn
International dialling code: +216
51. Uganda
FACTS
Population: 27.6 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Kampala
"¢ Area: 241,038 sq km (93,072 sq miles)
"¢ Major languages: English (official), Swahili, Ganda, various Bantu languages
"¢ Major religions: Christianity, Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 45 years (men), 47 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Ugandan shilling = 100 cents
"¢ Main exports: Coffee, fish and fish products, tea; tobacco, cotton, corn, beans, sesame
"¢ GNI per capita: US $240 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .ug
"¢ International dialling code: +256
52. Zambia
FACTS
"¢ Population: 11 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Lusaka
"¢ Area: 752,614 sq km (290,586 sq miles)
"¢ Major language: English (official), Bemba, Lozi, Nyanja, Tonga
"¢ Major religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs, Hinduism, Islam
"¢ Life expectancy: 33 years (men), 32 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Kwacha = 100 ngwee
"¢ Main exports: Copper, minerals, tobacco
"¢ GNI per capita: US $380 (World Bank, 2003)
"¢ Internet domain: .zm
"¢ International dialling code: +260
53. Zimbabwe
FACTS
"¢ Population: 12.9 million (UN, 2005)
"¢ Capital: Harare
"¢ Area: 390,759 sq km (150,873 sq miles)
"¢ Major language: English (official), Shona, Sindebele
"¢ Major religions: Christianity
"¢ Life expectancy: 34 years (men), 33 years (women) (UN)
"¢ Monetary unit: 1 Zimbabwe dollar = 100 cents
"¢ Main exports: Tobacco, cotton, agricultural products, gold, minerals
"¢ GNI per capita: US $480 (World Bank, 2001)
"¢ Internet domain: .zw
"¢ International dialling code: +263
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