Islamic countries

Islamic countries

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA
AL JUMHURIYAH AL ISLAMIYAH AL MURITANIYAH

General Information

Total Land Area:	1,025,520 km²
Land boundaries:	5,074 km
Coastline:	754 km
Capital:	Nouakchott
Other Large Cities:	Nouadhibou, Kaedi, Kiffa
Official Language:	Arabic, Wolof
National Currency Unit:	Ouguyia (MRO)
National Day:	November 28

Location and Geography

Mauritania is located on the Atlantic Ocean in North-west Africa. It is bordered by Algeria in the North-east, Mali in the East and Senegal in the South. Mauritania shares its long northern border with the former Spanish Sahara. The country has three distinct geographic regions. The Riverine zone with its well-watered alluvial soil stretching along the Senegal River valley in the South, the Sahelian zone which is a broader East to West band that extends from the Riverine zone to the North of Nouakchott, and the Saharan zone that comprises the Northern two-thirds of Mauritania. There is a limited area of arable land where only meadows and pastures are observed in certain regions. Mauritania’s climate is hot and arid. Sandstorms can occur throughout the year although they are less frequent during summer and fall.

Demography

Population:	2.80 million (2002)
Crude Birth Rate:	35 per thousand people (2002)
Crude Death Rate:	15 per thousand people (2002)
Infant Mortality Rate:	120 per thousand (2002)
Life Expectancy:	Male: 49 years, Female: 53 years (2002)
Urban Population:	60.0 percent (2002)
Adult Literacy:	40.70 percent (2001)

Economy

The economy is entirely traditional and rural, based on livestock and agriculture. Sorghum, beans, yams, corn and cotton are the main agricultural products of the country. The majority of the work force in Mauritania is engaged in subsistence farming. Most food products are consumed domestically and Mauritania is a net importer of foodstuffs. The most important sector of the economy is based on the rich fishing waters that lie off the Atlantic coast. Other income sources include salt and gum arabic. The natural resources are iron ore, gypsum, gold, copper and phosphate. Mauritania is the world’s thirteenth largest producer of iron ore. Primary energy resources consist of fuel wood and small-scale thermal electricity.

GDP at Current Market Prices:	1058 million US$ (1997)
Per Capita GDP:	430 US$ (1997)
Share of Sectors in GDP:	21.0% Agriculture, 29.0% Industry, 50.0% Services, (2002)
Total Exports:	542 million US$ (2002)
Total Imports:	859 million US$ (2002)
Major Exports Items:	Fish and fish products, gold and iron ore
Major Imports Items:	Foodstuffs, consumer goods and petroleum products
Major Trading Partners:	France, Spain, Italy and Belgium