Daily Almanac for
Jul 4, 2009
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Mauritania

Facts & Figures
Map of Mauritania
Map of Mauritania

President: Sidi Ould Sheik Abdellahi (2007)

Prime Minister: Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar (2005)

Land area: 397,837 sq mi (1,030,400 sq km); total area: 397, 953 sq mi (1,030,700 sq km)

Population (2009 est.): 3,129,486 (growth rate: 2.4%); birth rate: 34.1/1000; infant mortality rate: 63.4/1000; life expectancy: 60.3; density per sq km: 3

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Nouakchott, 661,400

Monetary unit: Ouguiya

More Facts & Figures

Flag of Mauritania
Index
  1. Mauritania Main Page
  2. Mauritania Gains Independence
  3. Multiparty Democracy and Economic Improvement
  4. Racial Tensions Continue
  5. Steps Toward Democracy

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 Morocco 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 Senegal River valley in the south and grazing land in the north.

Government

Military rule. The legal system is based on Islam.

History

Mauritania was first inhabited by blacks and Berbers, and it was a center for the Berber Almoravid movement in the 11th century, which sought to spread Islam through western Africa. It was first explored by the Portuguese in the 15th century, but by the 19th century the French had gained control. France organized the area into a territory in 1904, and in 1920 it became one of the colonies that constituted French West Africa. In 1946, it was named a French overseas territory.

Next: Mauritania Gains Independence
1 2 3 4 5
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Related content from HighBeam Research on: Mauritania

Will Mauritania hit the jackpot? (Oil and Gas). (African Business)

Mauritania steps forward. (US - Africa Business Summit). (African Business)

Mauritania's coup is a setback for democracy.(Column) (National Catholic Reporter)

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On the verge of success: a failed coup attempt in June focussed international attention on Mauritania, an ancient country striving to take its place in the 21st century. (Mauritania). (The Middle East)

Mauritania bounces back: Mauritania's history of oil and gas development has been a chequered one. but the Sahelian country now appears to be enjoying a renaissance. Neil Ford investigates Mauritania's huge potential and the companies that are beginning to realise it.(ENERGY) (African Business)

Oil may rescue locust-hit economy: Mauritania recently celebrated its 44th anniversary of independence with President Maaouiya Ould Taya surveying a curious mix of circumstances in the country he has ruled since 1984. James Badcock reports.(MAURITANIA) (African Business)

Oil to flow in two years: after years of waiting, it now seems certain that Mauritania will be producing oil in the next two years. Simon Taggart analyses what this will mean in terms of generating revenues and how it will impact on people's lives.(Mauritania) (African Business)

Mauritania California-based interWAVE Communications International has begun work on the second phase of Mauritania's GSM network, which is operated by Mattel, a subsidiary of Tunisie Telecom. (News in Brief).(Brief Article) (MEED Middle East Economic Digest)

Female Genital Mutilation in Mauritania: a LWF team visitation report. (Women Magazine)

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