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Modern states /
Mauritania
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Arabic:
mawrītāniyā
Play national anthem
Search 'Mauritania'
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Status
| Independent republic, divided into 12 regions and the capital district.
Day of independence: November 28, 1960.
| Government
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President: General Ould Abdel Aziz (since August 5, 2009).
Prime ministers: Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghda
National Assembly: 81 seats.
| Geography
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Capital: Nouakchott
Inhabitants: 3.4 million (2009 estimate).
Total area: 1,030,700 kmē
Density: 3 per kmē
Border: 5,074 km
(Senegal 813 km, Mali 2,237 km, Algeria 463 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km).
Coastline: 754 km
Highest point: Kediat Ijill 915 m
Lowest point: Sabkha de Ndrhamcha -5 m
Arable land: 0.48%
| Human Development Index
| World rank (of 182): 154
Index (1.0 max): 0.520
Explanation
| Demography
| Languages: Hassaniya Arabic (official), Wolof (official), Pulaar, Soninke, French.
Religions: Sunni Islam.
| Economy
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Currency: Ouguiya (MRO)
100 Ouguiyas=US$0.43. US$1=230 ougiyas (Sep. 2008)
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Climate and Geography
Mauritania is almost only desert, with the exception of the fertile belt along the border river of Senegal in the south. The desert is scattered with oases, which to a large extent represent the original form of life in most of the country. In these oases, there are many inhabitants and much important agriculture.
There is little industry in Mauritania — only some fishing along the coast and iron extraction in the interior.
Mauritania is poor by North African standards, and the country today is in phase of great social challenges.
© Copyright 1996-2009 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
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