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| Mauritania | Plants and Animal | Back to Top |
Millet and sorghum were Mauritania's principal crops, followed by rice and corn. Before the 1980s, millet and sorghum accounted for 70 to 80 % or more of total grain production. Rice production in the 1970s averaged 5 to 10 %, and corn made up 10 to 25 %. In the 1980s, rice production grew in importance, as national planning emphasized irrigated agriculture and a change in dietary habits.
In the 1980s, the government put increased emphasis on developing the rural sector. Government planning strategy under the 1985-88 Economic Recovery Program placed the highest priority on rural development. Particular attention was to be paid to upgrading existing land and developing new irrigated farming and flood recession agriculture. There were also plans involving Mauritania, Mali, and Senegal to integrate rural development and water and flood control through the Senegal River Development Office as the massive Diama and Manantali dams became fully operational.
| Mauritania | Communications | Back to Top |
limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made)
domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a newly completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals
international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat
| Mauritania | Culture | Back to Top |
Mauritania's nineteenth century French colonizers envisioned the nation as a geographic and cultural bridge linking North Africa and West Africa. In the late 1980s, Mauritania bore little resemblance to this vision. Instead, it was a society undergoing profound transformation, torn between two cultural and linguistic traditions. The process of compelling nomads to settle that was begun by the colonial government earlier in the twentieth century was accelerated by the severe drought that began in the mid-1960s. For the next two decades, the rate of urbanization was unprecedented; Mauritania was transformed from a nomadic pastoral society to a predominantly urban one. Large pastoral populations were forced to leave land that could no longer support them. The already-overpopulated cities, almost all of which were located in the far south, were unprepared to obtain these displaced populations.
In the late 1980s, ethnic tensions further contributed to an unstable social environment. Even the similarities that linked Maures with peoples of African descent were comparatively superficial. Religious unity within Islam, for example, masked wide differences in religious observances among Maures and blacks. Government officials hoped that the nation's rapid urbanization might increase social and cultural interaction and reduce prejudices, but most admitted that the task of developing a true national identity and a unified society promised to be long and difficult.
| Mauritania | Defence | Back to Top |
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 624,375 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 302,699 (2001 est.)
| Mauritania | International Disputes | Back to Top |
None
| Mauritania | Economy | Back to Top |
The Mauritanian economy is predominantly pastoral, with mining and fishing increasing in importance. Mauritania depends heavily on foreign aid. In 1999 the gross domestic product, which measures the total value of goods and services produced in the nation, was $957,893,030, or $370 per inhabitant.
In the Sahel region of Mauritania a orthodox subsistence economy is maintained, composed of farm animal raising, agriculture, crafts, and petty trading. In the Sahara region, a modern economy is developing, based on the exploitation of iron-ore and copper resources and of the ichthyologically-valuable continental shelf; the modern economy receives much needed capital investment and technical assistance from abroad. More than three-quarters of the Mauritanian population still lives by orthodox activities, among which farm animal raising is the most valuable. In numbers, goats and sheep are the most valuable farm animal, followed by cattle, camels, donkeys, and horses. Cattle are raised primarily in the southern region, whereas goats and sheep are dispersed as far north as the limits of the Sahara. Camels are raised mostly in the north and the centre, particularly in the Adrar region. The growth of the Mauritanian economy slowed in the 1980s after a lengthy time of rapid development in the 1960s and '70s. Agriculture and fishing account for almost one-third of the gross national product, with the industrial sector, including mining, contributing about one-quarter, public administration about 15 %, and the remaining sectors about 30 %.
A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and farm animal for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has considerable deposits of iron ore, which account for half of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the valuableest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The nation's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In March 1999, the government signed an agreement with a joint World Bank-IMF mission on a $54 million enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF). Mauritania withdrew its membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2000. Privatization and debt relief are in full swing, and the rate of economic growth appears to be accelerating, particularly in the construction, telecommunication, and information sectors. Diamonds and petroleum are beginning to be explored and exploited.
| Mauritania | Education | Back to Top |
EDUCATION In the late 1980s, Mauritania was still in the early stages of developing a modern education system. Although Islamic education had long been an valuable part of life, this religious instruction involved only rote learning of the Quran. Few Mauritanians possessed skills necessary to create a modern nation-state. The government has consistently stressed the need for improved and expanded education programs and in the 1980s was actively pursuing these goals. While modern, skill-oriented programs were being accomplished to help satisfy the growing needs for skilled workers and technicians, efforts also were under way to expand orthodox Islamic education. Expanding Quranic education has been viewed as necessary to preserve Islamic cultural tradition and promote national unity.
The government of Mauritania attempts to offer free primary education. The effort, has been hindered by the nomadic character of the people. In 1996 some 83 % of eligible children, or 312,700 pupils, attended primary school. Just 16 % of secondary school-aged children were listed. Higher education is provided by the University of Nouakchott (1981) and by a college of public administration, also in the capital.
| Mauritania | Government | Back to Top |
Government: Following coup in 1984, governance by twenty-one-member Military Committee for National Salvation (Comité Militaire de Salut National--CMSN). CMSN members, military officers of varying rank and status, described sometimes disparate, sometimes overlapping corporate and ethnic interests; issues decided by consensus. President, elected by CMSN members, appointed a cabinet, which administered policies decided by CMSN.
Administrative Divisions: separated into twelve regions, each of which was both a judicial district and an administrative subdivision headed by a governor.
Foreign Affairs: Member of Nonaligned Movement; maintained friendly ties with East and West. As economy weakened and economic dependence deepened, developed closer ties with wealthier Middle Eastern and Maghribi states and strengthened relations with Soviet Union and China.
| Mauritania | History | Back to Top |
The Sahara has linked rather than separated the peoples who inhabit it and has served as an avenue for migration and conquest. Mauritania, lying next to the Atlantic coast at the western edge of the desert, received and assimilated into its complex society many waves of these migrants and conquerors. Berbers moved south to Mauritania beginning in the third century A.D., followed by Arabs in the eighth century, subjugating and assimilating Mauritania's original inhabitants. From the eighth through the fifteenth century, black kingdoms of the western Sudan, such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, brought their political culture from the south.
The inability of the Daddah regime to extricate Mauritania from its economic problems and the war led to a military coup d'état in July 1978. During the next six years, the nation was governed by military regimes whose efforts to remain outside the Western Sahara conflict were impeded by the continuing war between Morocco and the Polisario, which spilled over into Mauritania's northern regions. The most durable of the military regimes during that time was led by Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla, who assumed power in May 1979. It survived as long as it did because Haidalla skillfully balanced the factions in his government, which included nationalists, adherents of the Western Sahara liberation cause, and proponents of close ties with Morocco. Toward the end of his regime, Haidalla began to arrogate authority at the expense of the other members of the ruling body, the Military Committee for National Salvation. Some of these decisions concerned highly charged political issues, such as the recognition of the Polisario's governing arm, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. The ruling committee also accused Haidalla of corruption and nepotism and decided finally, in December 1984, to depose him. This act reflected Mauritania's delicate and vulnerable regional position and the necessity for its leaders to maintain a neutral position toward the Western Sahara.
| Mauritania | Introduction | Back to Top |
Mauritania, Islamic Republic of, republic, north-western Africa, bordered on the north by Western Sahara and Algeria, on the east by Mali, on the south by Mali and Senegal, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. A former French colony, Mauritania achieved full freedom on November 28, 1960. The nation has a total area of 1,030,700 sq km (397,955 sq mi). The capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott.
Official Name- Islamic Republic of Mauritania| Mauritania | Land | Back to Top |
N/A
| Mauritania | Languages | Back to Top |
Islam, the state religion, is professed by nearly all of the people. Hasaniya Arabic (a Moorish dialect of Arabic) is the official language, and Fulfulde, Wolof, Soninke, and French are also widely spoken.
| Mauritania | Life | Back to Top |
During the time of civilian government, women were most successful in fulfilling their political demands through the party. Although the constitution guaranteed equality before the law and full rights of political participation, orthodox practices effectively denied women any major role in political life. To elicit the support of women, the PPM created the National Union of Mauritanian Women in 1961. At first oriented only toward such typically feminine issues as health, nutrition, and education, by 1964 it had become the women's political arm of the PPM and was renamed the National Women's Movement (Mouvement National Féminin). The organization of the women's movement paralleled that of the PPM, with local committees, sections, and federations, and was headed by an elected bureau. At each level in the hierarchy, an official of the women's organization participated as an ex officio member of the respective PPM bureau. Although most women were far from achieving political equality with men, they were able to bring about change in response to some of their demands.
The pace of change improved under the military government as more women listed in schools and joined the labor force. In May 1987, in what was a remarkable step for Mauritania, President Taya named three women to cabinet-level posts to "correct countless managerial mistakes committed in the past." Khadijatou Bint Ahmed of Boutilimit was appointed minister of mines and industries. Lalla Mariam Bint Moulaye was appointed associate director of the presidential cabinet, and N'Deye Tabar Fall became general secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.
| Mauritania | organization | Back to Top |
ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
| Mauritania | People | Back to Top |
Like many developing countries, Mauritania was unable to compile accurate demographic statistics during its first decades of freedom. The official census of December 1976 enumerated over 1.4 million people, including a nomadic population of about 513,000. Based on these figures, the 1987 population was around at 1.8 million, of which about 50.25 % were females and 49.75 % were males. The government around annual population growth at 1.6 % during the 1970s, but United Nations (UN) estimates placed growth at 2.9 % between 1975 and 1985. The 2.9 % rate projected Mauritania's population size in the year 2000 to be nearly 2.5 million people. This rate of growth, although lower than that of many other African countries, was expected to rise during the 1990s. According to the 1988 census, Mauritania had 1,864,236 inhabitants. The 2001 around population was 2,747,312, giving the nation an overall population density of 3 persons per sq km.
The Moors constitute more than two-thirds of the population; about half of them are white, or bidan, Moors of Arab and Berber descent, and about half are black Moors, of Sudanic origin. Moorish society historically was separated into a hierarchy of castes. At the head of the socioeconomic structure were the noble castes, composed of 'arabs, or warriors, and Murabit (marabouts), or priests and scholars of the Qur'an. The warriors were usually Arab, and the marabouts were usually Berber. The mass of the bidan population were vassals who received protection from the warriors or marabouts in return for tribute. There were two artisan classes—the blacksmiths and the griots . Among the ethnic and racial groups, blacks became the better educated and held most technical, professional, and diplomatic posts at the time of freedom. Members of this “servant” caste, which developed as the bureaucratic class, became increasingly aware of their rights as citizens. Slavery was abolished by the French before freedom and was officially abolished again on July 5, 1980, but consequent reports claimed that the practice had continued.
| Mauritania | Politics | Back to Top |
Action for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Assembly for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party) [President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA]; Mauritanian Party for Renewal and Concorde or PMRC [Molaye El Hassen Ould JIYID]; National Union for Democracy and Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party for Liberty, Equality and Justice or PLEJ [Daouda M'BAGNIGA]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progress Alliance or APP [Mohamed El Hafed Ould ISMAEL]; Popular Social and Democratic Union or UPSD [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH]; Progress Force Union or UFP [Mohamed Ould MOLOUD]; Union for Progress and Democracy or UNDD [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]
| Mauritania | Provinces | Back to Top |
12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
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| Mauritania | Time | Back to Top |
| Mauritania | Currency and General Information | Back to Top |
| Mauritania Ouguiyas | United States Dollars |
| 1.00 MRO | 0.00366972 USD |
| 272.500 MRO | 1 USD |
| Countries Currency Unit | USD/Unit | Units/USD | |
| DZD | Algeria Dinars | 0.0129554 | 77.1877 |
| USD | United States Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| ARS | Argentina Pesos | 0.341293 | 2.93004 |
| AUD | Australia Dollars | 0.533413 | 1.87472 |
| ATS | Austria Schillings ** | 0.0632609 | 15.8076 |
| BSD | Bahamas Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| BBD | Barbados Dollars | 0.502513 | 1.99000 |
| BEF | Belgium Francs ** | 0.0215788 | 46.3417 |
| BMD | Bermuda Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| BRL | Brazil Reals | 0.430318 | 2.32386 |
| GBP | United Kingdom Pounds | 1.42399 | 0.702251 |
| BGL | Bulgaria Leva | 0.447293 | 2.23567 |
| CAD | Canada Dollars | 0.627606 | 1.59336 |
| CLP | Chile Pesos | 0.00152392 | 656.202 |
| CNY | China Yuan Renminbi | 0.120813 | 8.27726 |
| CYP | Cyprus Pounds | 1.49883 | 0.667186 |
| CZK | Czech Republic Koruny | 0.0281883 | 35.4758 |
| DKK | Denmark Kroner | 0.117155 | 8.53568 |
| XCD | East Caribbean Dollars | 0.370370 | 2.70000 |
| EGP | Egypt Pounds | 0.217271 | 4.60255 |
| EUR | Euro | 0.870489 | 1.14878 |
| FJD | Fiji Dollars | 0.447227 | 2.23600 |
| FIM | Finland Markkaa ** | 0.146406 | 6.83034 |
| FRF | France Francs ** | 0.132705 | 7.53550 |
| DEM | Germany Deutsche Marks ** | 0.445074 | 2.24682 |
| XAU | Gold Ounces | 301.977 | 0.00331151 |
| GRD | Greece Drachmae ** | 0.00255463 | 391.447 |
| HKD | Hong Kong Dollars | 0.128215 | 7.79939 |
| HUF | Hungary Forint | 0.00358416 | 279.006 |
| ISK | Iceland Kronur | 0.00999868 | 100.013 |
| INR | India Rupees | 0.0205205 | 48.7319 |
| IDR | Indonesia Rupiahs | 0.000102055 | 9,798.61 |
| IEP | Ireland Pounds ** | 1.10529 | 0.904738 |
| ILS | Israel New Shekels | 0.212386 | 4.70841 |
| ITL | Italy Lire ** | 0.000449570 | 2,224.35 |
| JMD | Jamaica Dollars | 0.0210041 | 47.6099 |
| JPY | Japan Yen | 0.00754183 | 132.594 |
| JOD | Jordan Dinars | 1.41057 | 0.708931 |
| LBP | Lebanon Pounds | 0.000660937 | 1,513.00 |
| LUF | Luxembourg Francs ** | 0.0215788 | 46.3417 |
| MYR | Malaysia Ringgits | 0.263330 | 3.79751 |
| MXN | Mexico Pesos | 0.111007 | 9.00848 |
| NZD | New Zealand Dollars | 0.440474 | 2.27028 |
| NOK | Norway Kroner | 0.113022 | 8.84780 |
| NLG | Netherlands Guilders ** | 0.395011 | 2.53158 |
| PKR | Pakistan Rupees | 0.0166945 | 59.9000 |
| PHP | Philippines Pesos | 0.0196386 | 50.9202 |
| XPT | Platinum Ounces | 510.962 | 0.00195709 |
| PLN | Poland Zlotych | 0.243488 | 4.10699 |
| PTE | Portugal Escudos ** | 0.00434198 | 230.310 |
| ROL | Romania Lei | 0.0000303433 | 32,956.21 |
| RUR | Russia Rubles | 0.0321342 | 31.1195 |
| SAR | Saudi Arabia Riyals | 0.266668 | 3.74998 |
| XAG | Silver Ounces | 4.65692 | 0.214734 |
| SGD | Singapore Dollars | 0.542540 | 1.84318 |
| SKK | Slovakia Koruny | 0.0208441 | 47.9751 |
| ZAR | South Africa Rand | 0.0883340 | 11.3207 |
| KRW | South Korea Won | 0.000759354 | 1,316.91 |
| ESP | Spain Pesetas ** | 0.00523174 | 191.141 |
| XDR | IMF Special Drawing Rights | 1.24862 | 0.800882 |
| SDD | Sudan Dinars | 0.00384615 | 260.000 |
| SEK | Sweden Kronor | 0.0964189 | 10.3714 |
| CHF | Switzerland Francs | 0.593789 | 1.68410 |
| TWD | Taiwan New Dollars | 0.0286531 | 34.9002 |
| THB | Thailand Baht | 0.0230087 | 43.4619 |
| TTD | Trinidad and Tobago Dollars | 0.163399 | 6.12000 |
| TRL | Turkey Liras | 0.000000763622 | 1,309,549.07 |
| VEB | Venezuela Bolivares | 0.00108696 | 920.000 |
| ZMK | Zambia Kwacha | 0.000239866 | 4,169.00 |
| Mauritania : Geographic coordinates | 20 00 N, 12 00 W |
| Mauritania : Population growth rate | 2.93% |
| Mauritania : Birth rate | 42.95 births/1,000 population |
| Mauritania : Death rate | 13.65 deaths/1,000 population |
| Mauritania : People living with HIV/AIDS | 6,600 |
| Mauritania : Independence | 28 November 1960 |
| Mauritania : National holiday | Independence Day, 28 November |
| Mauritania : Constitution | 12 July 1991 |
| Mauritania : GDP | purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion |
| Mauritania : GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $2,000 |
| Mauritania : Electricity - consumption | 140.4 million kWh |
| Mauritania : Exports | $333 million iron ore, fish and fish products, gold |
| Mauritania : Imports | $305 million machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods |
| Mauritania : Telephones | 26,000 |
| Mauritania : Mobile cellular | N/A |
| Mauritania : Radio broadcast stations | AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 |
| Mauritania : Radios | 360,000 |
| Mauritania : Television broadcast stations | 1 |
| Mauritania : Televisions | 87,000 |
| Mauritania : Internet country code | .mr |
| Mauritania : Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 5 |
| Mauritania : Internet users | 3,500 |
| Mauritania : Railways | 704 km |
| Mauritania : Highways | 7,660 km |
| Mauritania : Waterways | N/A |
| Mauritania : Pipelines | N/A |
| Mauritania : Ports and harbors | Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso |
| Mauritania : Merchant marine | N/A |
| Mauritania : Airports | 26 |
| Mauritania : Heliports | N/A |
| Mauritania : Military branches | Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard |
| Mauritania : Military expenditures | $41 million |