It is one of the most Catholic countries in the world - around 12 million out of a total population of 13 million profess the Catholic faith. The country is divided into 23 dioceses or territorial jurisdictions.
Catholicism was introduced in the 1530s and the first diocese
was erected in 1545. Highly influential during colonial
period, the Church was practically enslaved by constitution
enacted (1824) after independence from Spain.
Catholic countries are countries noted as traditionally
having a heavy predominance of adherents of the Catholic
Church in their populations. Italy is probably the best
known of these countries, particularly since the Vatican
is situated within the city of Rome.
Other well known Catholic countries in Europe include France,
Spain, Portugal, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Poland, the
Republic of Ireland, Croatia, Slovenia, Switzerland and
Malta. Catholic countries in other parts of the world include
some Asian nations such as the Philippines, or all of the
countries of Latin America. The religion is also quickly
becoming part of the national identity of some of Africa's
nations, such as Angola, Nigeria, and Uganda.
The proportion of Catholic population of each country of
the world was taken from the US State Department's International
Religious Freedom Report 2004. Other sources used were catholic-hierarchy.org
and the CIA World Factbook.
The total population of each country was taken from The
US Census Bureau (2005 estimates). Keep in mind that some
of the percentages expressed in this article only refer
to the adult population of the country, yet they are used
on the country's total population.
Also keep in mind that the figures indicate the number of
registered baptized people, which may include nonadherents.
Similarly nonregistered adherents are not counted.