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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.mr

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

32 (2006)

Internet users [time series]

14,000 (2005)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made) domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals international: country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

41,000 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

745,600 (2005)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (2002)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $421 million expenditures: $378 million; including capital expenditures of $154 million (2002 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

ouguiya (MRO)

Debt - external [time series]

$2.5 billion (2000)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

39 (2000)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$305.7 million (2002)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. 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 are scheduled to begin in early 2006 and may average 75,000 barrels per day for that year. Meantime the government emphasizes reduction of poverty, improvement of health and education, and promoting privatization of the economy.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

172.6 million kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - production [time series]

185.6 million kWh (2003)

Exchange rates [time series]

ouguiyas per US dollar - NA (2005), NA (2004), 263.03 (2003), 271.74 (2002), 255.63 (2001)

Exports [time series]

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

Exports - commodities [time series]

iron ore, fish and fish products, gold

Exports - partners [time series]

Italy 14.9%, Japan 12.3%, France 11.8%, Belgium 8.5%, Germany 8.3%, Cote d'Ivoire 7.2%, Spain 6.5%, Russia 5%, Netherlands 4.4% (2005)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$1.346 billion (2005 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$6.901 billion (2005 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 25% industry: 29% services: 46% (2001 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$2,200 (2005 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

5.5% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 30.2% (2000)

Imports [time series]

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

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

France 18.5%, UK 7.2%, US 7%, China 6%, Spain 5%, Belgium 4.3% (2005)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2% (2000 est.)

Industries [time series]

fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

7% (2003 est.)

Labor force [time series]

786,000 (2001)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 50% industry: 10% services: 40% (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (2005)

Oil - consumption [time series]

24,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

1 billion bbl (2005)

Population below poverty line [time series]

40% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

20% (2004 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 1,030,700 sq km land: 1,030,400 sq km water: 300 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico

Climate [time series]

desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty

Coastline [time series]

754 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m highest point: Kediet Ijill 915 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

20 00 N, 12 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

490 sq km (2002)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 5,074 km border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 0.2% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 99.79% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Natural hazards [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

name: Nouakchott geographic coordinates: 18 06 N, 15 57 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

12 July 1991

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania conventional short form: Mauritania local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah local short form: Muritaniyah

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Steven KOUTSIS embassy: 288 Rue Abdallaye (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott telephone: [222] 525-2660/525-2663 FAX: [222] 525-1592

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Tijani Ould Mohamed EL KERIM chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700, 5701 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623

Executive branch [time series]

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 head of government: Prime Minister Sidi Mohamed Ould BOUBAKAR (since 8 August 2005) cabinet: Council of Ministers 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 election results: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected for a third term with 60.8% of the vote

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

28 November 1960 (from France)

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

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) 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 election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 28 November (1960)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Action for Change or AC (no longer active) [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Alliance for Justice and Democracy or AJD [Cisse Amadou CHEIKHOU]; National Union for Democracy and Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party for Liberty, Equality, and Justice or PLEJ [Ba Mamdou ALASSANE]; Party of Democratic Convergence or PCD [Cheikh Ould HORMA]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progressive Alliance or APP [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Progress Force Union or UFP (no longer active) [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]; 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]; Right Way or SAWAB [Cheikh Ould Sidi Ould HANANA]; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]; Union of Forces of Progress or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD] note: the Party of Democratic Convergence was banned in October 2005 because it was regarded as Islamist and therefore in breach of Mauritanian law

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

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]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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. 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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 606,463 females age 18-49: 607,955 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 370,513 females age 18-49: 384,269 (2005 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.4% (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

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)

People

Age structure [time series]

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.)

Birth rate [time series]

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

Death rate [time series]

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

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.6% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

9,500 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 69.48 deaths/1,000 live births male: 72.44 deaths/1,000 live births female: 66.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 53.12 years male: 50.88 years female: 55.42 years (2006 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 41.7% male: 51.8% female: 31.9% (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and Rift Valley fever are high risks in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2005)

Median age [time series]

total: 17 years male: 16.8 years female: 17.3 years (2006 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian

Net migration rate [time series]

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

Population [time series]

3,177,388 (July 2006 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.88% (2006 est.)

Religions [time series]

Muslim 100%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 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 total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.86 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years

Trafficking in persons [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

25 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 1 (2006)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Nouadhibou, Nouakchott

Railways [time series]

717 km standard gauge: 717 km 1.435-m gauge (2005)

Roadways [time series]

total: 7,660 km paved: 866 km unpaved: 6,794 km (1999)