Cost of Living can be cheap if willing to sacrifice luxuries. English is spoken in Government and commercial circles. Temperatures are highest in April and May when it is generally dry. The cool season is November to March. Since 1988 Islam has been the official state religion.
Supply is erratic and subject to load shedding.
POST Airmail takes 5 days to Europe. Surface mail can take several months and is not secure. Women should not be photographed unless it is clear there will be no objection. Some transport infrstaructure is still affected by the 2000 floods, but there are many ferry crossings. Poor driving and vehicle maintenance as well as unlit buses and lorries are the cause of frequent accidents.