The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is situated in North-West Africa, sharing the borders of Senegal to the southwest, Mali to the east and southeast, Algeria to the northeast, and the Morocco-controlled Western Sahara to the northwest. The Atlantic Ocean bounds the nation to the west. Nouakchott is the capital of Mauritania.
HISTORY:- The black people and Berbers were the earliest inhabitants of Mauritania. Mauritania was the nucleus of Berber Almoravid movement in the 11th century in which Islam was embraced by all western African countries. Europeans first touched the land when the Portuguese explored the country in the 15th century. In early 19th century, the French colonization began. In 1904, they were incorporated in a French colony. In 1920, the country became a part of the French West Africa. In 1946, Mauritania became an overseas territory of France. In 1960, Mauritania gained independence from France. The Spanish-controlled Saharan territory was divided between Mauritania and Morocco in 1975 when the Spanish withdrew from the territory. After a succession of military rulers, Mauritania withdrew from its Western Saharan territory. The racial tensions between the Moors, Arabs, Berbers, and blacks were very common and frequent in Mauritania.
GEOGRAPHY:- Mauritania is located at 20 00 N, 12 00 W in Northern Africa. The country has occupied total 1,030,700 sq km area in which 1,030,400 sq km is captured by land and remaining 300 sq km is captured by internal water sources. The coastline is 754 km long bordering the North Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha (-5 m) and the highest point is Kediet Ijill (915 m). Mauritania is mostly formed of unfertile, flat plains of the Sahara with some hills in the center. Three quarters of Mauritania is desert or semi-desert.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Mauritania is mostly desert. The climate is hot, dry, and dusty.
GOVERNMENT:-Mauritania is a Democratic Republic state. The constitution was adopted on 12th July 1991. The legal system of Mauritania is a mixture of the Islamic law and the French civil law. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), the Prime minister (head of government), and the Council of Ministers. The president is elected by a popular vote on a 5-year term. The Prime minister is appointed by the president.
Legislative branch comprises the bicameral legislature which again consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (95 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and other lower courts.
There are 21 political parties in Mauritania. Alternative party, Centrist Reformists, Coalition for Forces for Democratic Change, Democratic and Social Republican Party, Democratic Renewal, Mauritanian Party for Unity and Change are some of the major political parties. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
There are 21 political parties in Mauritania. Alternative party, Centrist Reformists, Coalition for Forces for Democratic Change, Democratic and Social Republican Party, Democratic Renewal, Mauritanian Party for Unity and Change are some of the major political parties. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi
Prime Minister Zein Ould Zeidane
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Saleck Ould Mohamed Lemine
Minister of Economic and Finance Abdarrahame Ould Hamza Vazzaz
Prime Minister Zein Ould Zeidane
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Mohamed Saleck Ould Mohamed Lemine
Minister of Economic and Finance Abdarrahame Ould Hamza Vazzaz
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Mauritania is divided into 12 regions and a capital district (Nouakchott).
The regions are: Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, and Trarza.
The regions are: Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, and Trarza.
CULTURE:- There are three major genres of Mauritanian music: Al-bayda and the Bidan, Al-kahla and the Haratin and l'-gnaydiya, the blend of Al-bayda and Al-kahla. Tidinit, ardin, tbal, daghumma are the traditional musical instruments of Mauritania. Football is the most popular sport in Mauritania.
ECONOMY:- Almost half of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock. Mauritania has signed an agreement with a World Bank-IMF joint mission on a $54 million structural adjustment facility. The coastal waters of the country are recognized as one of the world’s richest fishing areas.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $5.947 billion; per capita $2,000.
Real growth rate: 0.9%.
Inflation: 7.3%.
Unemployment: 20% (2004 est.).
Arable land: 0.2%.
Agriculture: Dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, sheep.
Labor force: 786,000 (2001); agriculture 50%, services 40%, industry 10% (2001 est.).
Industries: Fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum.
Budget:
Revenues: $421 million
Expenditures: $378 million (2002 est.)
Revenues: $421 million
Expenditures: $378 million (2002 est.)
Debt - external: NA
Natural resources: Iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, and fish.
Exports: $784 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): iron ore, fish and fish products, gold.
Imports: $1.124 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.): machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods.
Major trading partners: Japan, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Côte d'Ivoire, China, Russia, U.S., UK (2004).
Monetary unit: Ouguiya
LANGUAGE:- Arabic is the de jure official and national language of Mauritania while Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof are considered as the national languages. French and Hassaniya are also spoken in Mauritania. French is the de facto official language of Mauritania.
CITIES:- The capital of Mauritania Nouakchott is the largest city of the nation. Other large cities include Nouadhibou, Rosso, Kaedi, Zouerate, Kiffa, Atar.
POPULATION:- The approximate population of Mauritania is 3,270,065 with a growth rate of 2.9%.
Density per sq mi: 8
Literacy rate: 42% (2003 est.)
Density per sq mi: 8
Literacy rate: 42% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
Mixed Moor/black 40%
Moor 30%
Black 30%
Mixed Moor/black 40%
Moor 30%
Black 30%
RELIGION:- Muslim 100%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 40.14 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 11.61 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 66.65 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.91 years
Total fertility rate: 5.69 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2004): 49
Birth rate: 40.14 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 11.61 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 66.65 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.91 years
Total fertility rate: 5.69 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 500 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2004): 49
UNICEF:- Guinea is eliminated from Mauritania. 100% children received polio vaccination and 95% children received vitamin A supplements in 2005 immunization programmes. Antimalarial drugs are now available in all health-care clinics. In Gorgol, hospitals and clinics are provided with modern medical equipments and health workers are received proper training. UNICEF has distributed long-lasting insecticide-treated nets in underprivileged areas in Mauritania to reduce malaria. UNICEF fights against mother-to-child transmission of HIV, adopts a new Child Protection Act in Mauritania. Female genital mutilation practices are reduced. UNICEF built latrines in 45 schools, and raised voice against sexual exploitation of children.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: total: 717 km (2002).
Highways: total: 7,720 km; paved: 830 km; unpaved: 6,890 km (2000).
Waterways: ferry traffic on the Senegal River.
Ports and harbors: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso.
Airports: 26 (2002).
Railways: total: 717 km (2002).
Highways: total: 7,720 km; paved: 830 km; unpaved: 6,890 km (2000).
Waterways: ferry traffic on the Senegal River.
Ports and harbors: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso.
Airports: 26 (2002).
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