Facts about Mauritania

Geographical

Location

Northwestern Africa

Area

Total: 1,030,700 sq km

Land: 1,030,400 sq km

Water: 300 sq km

Climate

Desert: Constantly hot, dry, dusty

Terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills

Major cities

Nouakchott (capital) 350,000 (1984 est.)

Nouadhibou (Port Etienne) 21,961

Kaédi 20,848 (1977 census)

Major airports

Major tourist attractions

People

Population: 2,912,584 (July 2003 est.)

Nationality

Noun: Mauritanian(s)

Adjective: Mauritanian

Ethnic groups

Mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%

Languages

Hassaniya Arabic (official),

Pulaar

Soninke

Wolof (official)

French

Religions

Muslim 100%

Government

Type: republic

National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960)

Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France)

Constitution: 12 July 1991

Legal system: a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law

Heads of government: chief of state: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984); head of government: Prime Minister Sghair Ould M'BARECK (since 6 July 2003)

Structure

Executive, legislative (bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh), judicial branches

International organization participation

ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Joined United Nations

27 Oct. 1961

Economy

Currency

Ouguiya (MRO)

Labor force

Emplyment: 786,000 (2001)

Labor force by occupation: agriculture 50%, services 40%, industry 10% (2001 est.)

Major industries: fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum

Major agriculture products: dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep

Exports

Total: $355 million f.o.b. (2002)

Exported commodities: iron ore, fish and fish products, gold

Export partners: Italy 14.3%, France 14%, Spain 11.7%, Germany 10.9%, Belgium 9.9%, Japan 7.1% (2002)

Imports

Total: $360 million f.o.b. (2000)

Imported commodities: machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods

Import partners: France 18.5%, Belgium 7.8%, China 7%, Spain 5.9%, Germany 5.2% (2002)