Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
Republic under military government in the process of democratic transition and a legal system based on Islam.

Geography

Mauritania, three times the size of Arizona, is situated in northwest Africa with about 350 mi (592 km) of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. It is bordered by Western Sahara on the north, Algeria and Mali on the east, and Senegal on the south. The country is mostly desert, with the exception of the fertile River valley in the south and grazing land in the north. Area: 1,030,070 sq. km. (419,212 sq. mi.). The climate is predominantly hot and dry.

• Capital City: Nouakchott (pop. 661,400)
• Other Cities: Nouadhibou (113,000), Selibaby (107,000), Kaedi (91,000), Kiffa (77,000), Rosso (63,000), Zouerate (36,000).
• Population (2004 est.): 2,998,563
• Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber (White Moor or Beydane), Arab-Berber-Negroid (Black Moor or Haritine), Haalpulaar, Soninke, Wolof.
• Languages: Arabic (official), French, Pulaar, Wolof, and Soninke. Literacy: 42%.

Economic summary

GDP/PPP (2002 est.): $4.891 billion; per capita $1,700. Real growth rate: 3.3%. Inflation: 3%. Unemployment: 21% (1999 est.). Arable land: 0.5%. Agriculture: dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep. Labor force: 786,000 (2001); agriculture 50%, services 40%, industry 10% (2001 est.). Industries: fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum. Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish. Exports: $355 million (f.o.b., 2002): iron ore, fish and fish products, gold. Imports: $360 million (f.o.b., 2002): machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods. Major trading partners: Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Japan, China.

Currency: Ouguiya (MRO)
Change as of 01/19/2007 - 1 Euro = 346 UM - 1 Dollar = 267 UM