Mauritania

Mauritania

Introduction

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 and ruled Mauritania with a heavy hand for more than two decades. A series of presidential elections that he held were widely seen as flawed. A bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President TAYA and ushered in a military council that oversaw a transition to democratic rule. Independent candidate Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDALLAHI was inaugurated in April 2007 as Mauritania’s first freely and fairly elected president. His term ended prematurely in August 2008 when a military junta led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ deposed him and ushered in a military council government. AZIZ was subsequently elected president in July 2009 and sworn in the following month. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions among its black population (Afro-Mauritanians) and white and black Moor (Arab-Berber) communities, and is having to confront a growing terrorism threat by al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

20 00 N, 12 00 W

Map references

Africa

Area

total: 1,030,700 sq km
country comparison to the world: 29 land:1,030,700 sq km
water:0 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico

Land boundaries

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

Coastline

754 km

Maritime claims

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

Climate

desert

constantly hot, dry, dusty

Terrain

mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara

some central hills

Elevation extremes

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

Natural resources

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

Land use

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

Irrigated land

450 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

11.4 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 1.7cu km/yr (9%/3%/88%)
per capita:554cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

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

periodic droughts

Environment – current issues

overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification

limited natural freshwater resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river

locust infestation

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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

Geography – note

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

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Mauritanian(s)
adjective:Mauritanian

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya

Religions

Muslim (official) 100%

Population

3,281,634 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134

Age structure

0-14 years: 40.4% (male 665,314/female 660,352)
15-64 years:56.2% (male 866,859/female 975,821)
65 years and over:3.5% (male 48,075/female 65,213) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 19.5 years
male:18.6 years
female:20.4 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

2.349% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34

Birth rate

33.23 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36

Death rate

8.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77

Net migration rate

-0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149

Urbanization

urban population: 41% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:2.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

NOUAKCHOTT (capital) 709,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.74 male(s)/female
total population:0.93 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

550 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 22

Infant mortality rate

total: 60.42 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 35 male:65.55 deaths/1,000 live births
female:55.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 61.14 years
country comparison to the world: 183 male:58.94 years
female:63.41 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.3 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35

Health expenditures

5.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 121

Physicians density

0.13 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 160

Hospital bed density

0.4 beds/1,000 population (2006)
country comparison to the world: 175

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 52% of population
rural: 47% of population
total: 49% of population
unimproved:
urban: 48% of population
rural: 53% of population
total: 51% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 50% of population
rural: 9% of population
total: 26% of population
unimproved:
urban: 50% of population
rural: 91% of population
total: 74% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.7% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

14,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases:malaria and Rift Valley fever
respiratory disease:meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease:rabies (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

16.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 47

Education expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 87

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:51.2%
male:59.5%
female:43.4% (2000 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 8 years
male:8 years
female:8 years (2007)

Government

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

Government type

military junta

Capital

name: Nouakchott
geographic coordinates:18 07 N, 16 02 W
time difference:UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

13 regions (wilayas, singular – wilaya)

Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza

Independence

28 November 1960 (from France)

National holiday

Independence Day, 28 November (1960)

Constitution

12 July 1991

Legal system

mixed legal system of Islamic and French civil law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ (since 5 August 2009)

note – AZIZ, who deposed democratically elected President Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDELLAHI in a coup and installed himself as President of the High State Council on 6 August 2008, retired from the military and stepped down from the Presidency in April 2009 to run for president

he was elected president in an election held on 18 July 2009
head of government:Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed LAGHDAF (since 14 August 2008)
cabinet:Council of Ministers
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:following the August 2008 coup, the High State Council planned to hold a new presidential election in June 2009

the election was subsequently rescheduled to 18 July 2009 following the Dakar Accords, which brought Mauritania back to constitutional rule

under Mauritania’s constitution, the president elected by popular vote for a five-year term

election last held on 18 July 2009 (next to be held by 2014)
election results:percent of vote – Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ 52.6%, Messaoud Ould BOULKHEIR 16.3%, Ahmed Ould DADDAH 13.7%, other 17.4%

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats

53 members elected by municipal leaders and 3 members elected for Mauritanians abroad to serve six-year terms

a portion of seats up for election every two years) and the National Assembly or Al Jamiya Al Wataniya (95 seats

members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:Senate – last held in November 2009

National Assembly – last held on 19 November and 3 December 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
election results:Senate – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – CPM (Coalition of Majority Parties) 45, COD 7, RNRD-TAWASSOUL 4

National Assembly – percent of vote by party – NA

seats by party – CPM 63 (UPR 50, PRDR 7, UDP 3, HATEM-PMUC 2, RD 1), COD 27 (RFD 9, UFP 6, APP 6, PNDD-ADIL 6), RNRD-TAWASSOUL 4, FP 1

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Court of Appeals

lower courts

Political parties and leaders

Alternative or El-Badil [Mohamed Yahdhi Ould MOCTAR HACEN]

Coalition of Majority Parties or CPM (parties supporting the regime including PRDR, UPR, RD, HATEM-PMUC, UCD)

Coordination of Democratic Opposition or COD (coalition of opposition political parties opposed to the government including APP, RFD, UFP, PNDD-ADIL, Alternative or El-Badil)

Democratic Renewal or RD [Moustapha Ould ABDEIDARRAHMANE]

Mauritanian Party for Unity and Change or HATEM-PMUC [Saleh Ould HANENA]

National Pact for Democracy and Development or PNDD-ADIL [Yahya Ould Ahmed Ould WAGHEF] (independents formerly supporting President Abdellahi)

National Rally for Freedom, Democracy and Equality or RNDLE

National Rally for Reform and Development or RNRD-TAWASSOUL [Mohamed Jamil MANSOUR] (moderate Islamists)

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]

Republican Party for Democracy and Renewal or PRDR [Mintata Mint HDEID]

Socialist and Democratic Unity Party or PUDS

Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]

Union for the Republic or UPR

Union of Democratic Center or UCD [Cheikh Sid'Ahmed Ould BABA]

Union of the Forces for Progress or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD];

Political pressure groups and leaders

General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]

Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]

Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general]
other:Arab nationalists

Ba’thists

Islamists

International organization participation

ABEDA, 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, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Lemine El HAYCEN
chancery:2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 232-5700 through 5701
FAX:[1] (202) 319-2623

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Jo Ellen POWELL
embassy:288 Rue Abdallaye, Rue 42-100 (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott
mailing address:BP 222, Nouakchott
telephone:[222] 525-2660 through 2663
FAX:[222] 525-1592

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

the gold color stands for the sands of the Sahara

National symbol(s)

star and crescent

National anthem

name: “Hymne National de la Republique Islamique de Mauritanie” (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania)
lyrics/music:Baba Ould CHEIKH/traditional, arranged by Tolia NIKIPROWETZKY
note:adopted 1960

the unique rhythm of the Mauritanian anthem makes it particularly challenging to sing

Economy

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. Before 2000, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In February 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and nearly all of its foreign debt has since been forgiven. A new investment code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. Mauritania and the IMF agreed to a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement in 2006. Mauritania made satisfactory progress, but the IMF, World Bank, and other international actors suspended assistance and investment in Mauritania after the August 2008 coup. Since the presidential election in July 2009, donors have resumed assistance. Oil prospects, while initially promising, have largely failed to materialize, and the government has placed a priority on attracting private investment to spur economic growth. The Government also emphasizes reduction of poverty, improvement of health and education, and privatization of the economy.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$6.655 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154 $6.358 billion (2009 est.)
$6.437 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.799 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

4.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77 -1.2% (2009 est.)
3.5% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$2,100 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187 $2,000 (2009 est.)
$2,100 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 20%
industry:36.3%
services:43.7% (2010 est.)

Labor force

1.318 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 134

Labor force – by occupation

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

Unemployment rate

30% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178 20% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line

40% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%:29.5% (2000)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

39 (2000)
country comparison to the world: 70 37.3 (1995)

Investment (gross fixed)

28.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38

Budget

revenues: $934.4 million
expenditures:$1.078 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.3% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168 2% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22 12% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

17% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26 19.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$940.5 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140 $886 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.137 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164 $1.061 billion 31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.718 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135 $1.603 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Agriculture – products

dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn

cattle, sheep

Industries

fish processing, oil production, mining of iron ore, gold, and copper
note:gypsum deposits have never been exploited

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133

Electricity – production

547 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158

Electricity – consumption

508.7 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

11,640 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81

Oil – consumption

20,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127

Oil – exports

10,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94

Oil – imports

17,750 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119

Oil – proved reserves

100 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153

Natural gas – proved reserves

28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Current account balance

-$378.7 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102 -$412.7 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$2.04 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134 $1.37 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

iron ore, fish and fish products, gold, copper, petroleum

Exports – partners

China 41.5%, France 9%, Cote dIvoire 6.3%, Italy 6.2%, Japan 6%, Spain 5.6%, Netherlands 4% (2010)

Imports

$2.029 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155 $1.45 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

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

Imports – partners

China 12.3%, France 11.4%, Netherlands 10.8%, Belgium 5.7%, Brazil 4.6%, Spain 4.5% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$280 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157 $238 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$2.344 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136 $2.03 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar -
261.5 (2010 est.)
262.4 (2009)
238.2 (2008)
258.6 (2007)
271.3 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

28 (2010)
country comparison to the world:118

Airports – with paved runways

total: 9
2,438 to 3,047 m:5
1,524 to 2,437 m:4 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 19
1,524 to 2,437 m:9
914 to 1,523 m:8
under 914 m:2 (2010)

Railways

728 km
standard gauge:728 km 1.435-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 11,066 km
country comparison to the world: 133 paved:2,966 km
unpaved:8,100 km (2006)

Waterways

(some is navigation possible on the Senegal River) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Nouadhibou, Nouakchott

Military

Military branches

Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Mauritanian Navy (Marine Mauritanienne

includes naval infantry), Islamic Air Force of Mauritania (Force Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, FAIM) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for obligatory consription of all males

conscript service obligation – 2 years

majority of servicemen believed to be volunteers

service in Air Force and Navy is voluntary (2011)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 718,713
females age 16-49:804,622 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 480,042
females age 16-49:581,473 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 36,116
female:36,826 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

5.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 13

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara remain dormant

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Mauritania is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to conditions of forced labor and sex trafficking

women, men, and children from traditional slave castes are subjected to slavery-related practices rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships

Mauritanian boys called talibe are trafficked within the country by religious teachers for forced begging

Mauritanian girls, as well as girls from Mali, Senegal, The Gambia, and other West African countries, are forced into domestic servitude

Mauritanian women and girls are forced into prostitution in the country or transported to countries in the Middle East for the same purpose
tier rating:Tier 3 – the Government of Mauritania does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so

the government acknowledges that some forms of trafficking are a problem in the country, and during the year, it created a multi-stakeholder body to lead its efforts related to child trafficking, child smuggling, and child labor

hereditary slavery was officially outlawed in 2007, but many officials do not recognize that the practice continues despite its prohibition

the government did not take proactive measures to identify trafficking victims or provide them with protective services, and it continued to jail individuals in prostitution and detain illegal migrants without screening either population for trafficking victims (2011)