population: 23,580,000 economy: Free Market Economy relations with the US: diplomatic language: Arabic religion: Islamic traditions and customs: Marriage customs, Arabian music, festivals, jewelry-making. natural resources: petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper; fertile soil. government: Presidential System famous people: Naseem Hamed, Bader Ben Hirsi, Ofra Haza.