2007 Edition

Administrative divisions

12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza

Age structure

0-14 years: 45.6% (male 726,376/female 723,013) 15-64 years: 52.2% (male 818,408/female 839,832) 65 years and over: 2.2% (male 28,042/female 41,717) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, sheep

Airports

25 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

total

8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m

1 (2006)

Area

land

1,030,400 sq km

total

1,030,700 sq km

water

300 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico

Background

Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA seized power in a coup in 1984. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as flawed, but October 2001 legislative and municipal elections were generally free and open. A bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President TAYA and ushered in a military council headed by Col. Ely Ould Mohamed VALL, which declared it would remain in power for up to two years while it created conditions for genuine democratic institutions and organized elections. Accordingly, parliamentary elections were held in December of 2006 and senatorial and presidential elections will follow (January and March 2007 respectively). The newly-elected legislature is expected to assume power following the inauguration of the new president. For now, however, Mauritania remains an autocratic state, and the country continues to experience ethnic tensions among its black population and different Moor (Arab-Berber) communities. Geography Mauritania

Birth rate

40.99 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$378 million; including capital expenditures of $154 million (2002 est.)

revenues

$421 million

Capital

geographic coordinates

18 06 N, 15 57 W

name

Nouakchott

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Climate

desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty

Coastline

754 km

Constitution

12 July 1991

Country name

conventional long form

Islamic Republic of Mauritania

conventional short form

Mauritania

local long form

Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah

local short form

Muritaniyah

Currency (code)

ouguiya (MRO)

Currency code

MRO

Death rate

12.16 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$2.5 billion (2000)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Charles H. Twining

embassy

288 Rue Abdallaye (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott

mailing address

BP 222, Nouakchott

telephone

[222] 525-2660/525-2663

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Tijani Ould Mohamed EL KERIM

telephone

[1] (202) 232-5700, 5701

Disputes - international

Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara remain dormant

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39 (2000)

Economic aid - recipient

$305.7 million (2002)

Economy - overview

Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for nearly 40% of total exports. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt which now stands at more than three times the level of annual exports. In February 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and in December 2001 received strong support from donor and lending countries at a triennial Consultative Group review. A new investment code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Ongoing negotiations with the IMF involve problems of economic reforms and fiscal discipline. In 2001, exploratory oil wells in tracts 80 km offshore indicated potential extraction at current world oil prices. Mauritania has an estimated 1 billion barrels of proved reserves. Substantial oil production and exports began in early 2006 and averaged 75,000 barrels per day for the year. Meantime the government emphasizes reduction of poverty, improvement of health and education, and promoting privatization of the economy.

Electricity - consumption

164.3 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

176.7 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

85.9%

hydro

14.1%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Kediet Ijill 915 m

lowest point

Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m

Environment - current issues

overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

mixed Maur/black 40%, Moor 30%, black 30%

Exchange rates

ouguiyas per US dollar - NA (2005), NA (2004), 263.03 (2003), 271.74 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers

chief of state

Col. Ely Ould Mohamed VALL, whose Military Council for Justice and Democracy deposed longtime President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA in a coup on 3 August 2005

election results

President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected for a third term with 60.8% of the vote

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term); note - passage of a constitutional reform referendum in July 2006 limits president to two five-year terms; election last held 7 November 2003 (next to be held 11 March 2007); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Sidi Mohamed Ould BOUBAKAR (since 8 August 2005)

Exports

$784 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

iron ore, fish and fish products, gold

Exports - partners

Italy 14.8%, Japan 12.2%, France 11.9%, Belgium 8.5%, Germany 8.2%, Cote d'Ivoire 7.1%, Spain 7.1%, Russia 5%, Netherlands 4.4% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 319-2623

[222] 525-1592

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Mauritania

Flag description

green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Economy Mauritania

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

25%

industry

29%

services

46% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,600 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

19.4% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.641 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$8.397 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

20 00 N, 12 00 W

Geography - note

most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country People Mauritania

Government type

republic

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.6% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,500 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

30.2% (2000)

lowest 10%

2.5%

Imports

$1.124 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners

France 18.2%, UK 7.1%, US 6.9%, China 6%, Spain 5%, Belgium 4.3% (2005)

Independence

28 November 1960 (from France)

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2000 est.)

Industries

fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum

Infant mortality rate

female

66.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

72.44 deaths/1,000 live births

total

69.48 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7% (2003 est.)

International organization participation

ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Internet country code

.mr

Internet hosts

32 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

5 (2001)

Internet users

14,000 (2005) Transportation Mauritania

Irrigated land

490 sq km (2002)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts

Labor force

786,000 (2001)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

50%

industry

10%

services

40% (2001 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km

total

5,074 km

Land use

arable land

0.2%

other

99.79% (2005)

permanent crops

0.01%

Languages

Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, French, Hassaniya, Wolof

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; a portion of seats up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (95 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CFCD 41 (including RFD 16, United Forces for Progress (UDP) 9, APP 5, Islamists 5, HATEM-PMUC 3, RD 2, FP 1), RNI (coalition of independent candidates) 38, PRDR 7, Union for Democracy and Progress (UDP) 3, RDU 3, Alternative (Al-Badil) 1, RNDLE 1, UCD 1

elections

Senate - last held 9 and 16 April 2004 (next to be held 21 January 2007); National Assembly - last held 19 November and 3 December 2006

Life expectancy at birth

female

55.42 years (2006 est.)

male

50.88 years

total population

53.12 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

31.9% (2003 est.) Government Mauritania

male

51.8%

total population

41.7%

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis (2007)

vectorborne diseases

malaria and Rift Valley fever are high risks in some locations

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

607,955 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

606,463

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

384,269 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

370,513

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Mauritanian Armed Forces

Army, Navy (Marine Mauritanienne; includes naval infantry), Air Force (Force Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, FAIM) (2005)

Median age

female

17.3 years (2006 est.)

male

16.8 years

total

17 years

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$19.32 million (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.4% (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Mauritania

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.); conscript service obligation - two years; majority of servicemen believed to be volunteers; service in Air Force and Navy is voluntary (April 2005)

National holiday

Independence Day, 28 November (1960)

Nationality

adjective

Mauritanian

noun

Mauritanian(s)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Natural hazards

hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts

Natural resources

iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

24,200 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day

Oil - production

75,000 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

1 billion bbl (2005)

Political parties and leaders

Alternative or Al-Badil; Coalition for Forces for Democratic Change or CFCD (coalition of political parties including RFD, United Forces of Progress or UDP, APP, Islamists, HATEM-PMUC, RD, UDC); Democratic Renewal or RD; Islamists (Centrist Reformists); Mauritanian Party for Unity and Change or HATEM-PMUC; National Rally for Freedom, Democracy and Equality or RNDLE; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progressive Alliance or APP [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Republican Party for Democracy and Renewal or PRDR (formerly ruling Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS) [Boullah Ould MOGUEYA]; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]; Union of Democratic Centre or UCD

Political pressure groups and leaders

Arab nationalists; Ba'thists; General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general]

Population

3,177,388 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

40% (2004 est.)

Population growth rate

2.88% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Nouadhibou, Nouakchott Military Mauritania

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001)

Radios

410,000 (2001)

Railways

717 km

standard gauge

717 km 1.435-m gauge (2005)

Religions

Muslim 100%

Roadways

paved

866 km

total

7,660 km

unpaved

6,794 km (1999)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals

general assessment

limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made)

international

country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat

Telephones - main lines in use

41,000 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

745,600 (2005)

Television broadcast stations

1 (2002)

Televisions

98,000 (2001)

Terrain

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

Total fertility rate

5.86 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Mauritania is a source and destination country for children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor, begging, and domestic servitude; adults and children are subjected to slavery-related practices rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships in isolated parts of the country where a barter economy exists

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Mauritania is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increased efforts to combat trafficking, particularly in the area of law enforcement This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Unemployment rate

20% (2004 est.)