Statistical information Mauritania 1996
Mauritania in the World
top of pageBackground: 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. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as being flawed; Mauritania remains in reality a one-party state. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions between its black minority population and the dominant Maur (Arab-Berber) populace.
top of pageLocation: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Geographic coordinatesMap referenceAreaTotal: 1,030,700 km²
Land: 1,030,400 km²
Comparative: slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
Land boundaries: Total 5,074 km, Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km
Coastline: 754 km
Maritime claimsContiguous zone: 24 nm
Continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Terrain: Mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m
Extremes highest point: Kediet Ijill 910 m
Natural resources:
Iron ore
Gypsum
Fish
Copper
Phosphate
Land useArable land: 1%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 38%
Forests and woodland: 5%
Other: 56%
Irrigated land: 120 km² (1989 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazardsGeographytop of pagePopulation:
2,336,048 (July 1996 est.)
2,263,202 (July 1995 est.)
Growth rate:3.17% (1996 est.)
3.17% (1995 est.)
NationalityNoun: Mauritanian(s)
Adjective: Mauritanian
Ethnic groups:
Mixed Maur/black 40%
Maur 30%
Black 30%
Languages: Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official)
Religions: Muslim 100%
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years:48% (male 568,828; female 562,342) (July 1996 est.)
48% (male 551,099; female 544,674) (July 1995 est.)
15-64 years:49% (male 560,540; female 592,914) (July 1996 est.)
49% (male 542,762; female 574,282) (July 1995 est.)
65 years and over:3% (male 21,753; female 29,671) (July 1996 est.)
3% (male 21,430; female 28,955) (July 1995 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate:
3.17% (1996 est.)
3.17% (1995 est.)
Birth rate:
46.92 births/1000 population (1996 est.)
47.32 births/1000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate:
15.24 deaths/1000 population (1996 est.)
15.66 deaths/1000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1000 population (1996 est.)
0 migrant(s)/1000 population (1995 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which is the only perennial river
Current issues Natural hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
International agreements: party to_Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified_Biodiversity, Desertification, Law of the Sea
International agreements note: Most of the population concentrated along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
All ages:0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.) Infant Mortality Rate:81.7 deaths/1000 live births (1996 est.)
83.5 deaths/1000 live births (1995 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rateLife expectancy at birthTotal population: 49.01 years (1996 est.), 48.54 years (1995 est.)
Male: 46.09 (1996 est.), 45.66 years (1995 est.)
Female: 52.06 years (1996 est.), 51.54 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.84 children born/woman (1996 est.)
6.92 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over that can read and write (1995 est.)
Total population: 37.7%
Male: 49.6%
Female: 26.3%
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional 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: Republic
Capital: Nouakchott
Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular_region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
Note: There may be a new capital district of Nouakchott
Dependent areasIndependence: 28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Constitution: 12 July 1991
Legal system: Three-tier system:Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special courts, state security courts (in the process of being eliminated)
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984); election last held NA January 1992 (next to be held NA January 1998); results_President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid 'Ahmed TAYA was reelected
Head of government: Prime Minister Cheikh El Afia Ould Mohamed KHOUNA (since NA January 1996) was appointed by the president
Cabinet: Council of Ministers
Legislative branch: Bicameral legislature Senate (Majlis Al-Shuyukh):Elections last held 15 April 1994 (next to be held 12 April 1996; results_percent of vote by party NA; seats (56 total, with 17 up for election every two years) PRDS 16, UFD/NE 1 National Assembly (Majlis Al-Watani):Elections last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held NA March 1997; results_percent of vote by party NA; seats_(79 total) UFD/NE 67, PMR 1, RDU 1, independents 10
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representationFlag 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
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock 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 extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. 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. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a substantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has begun the second stage of an economic reform program in consultation with the World Bank, the IMF, and major donor countries. Short-term growth prospects are gloomy because of the heavy debt service burden, rapid population growth, and vulnerability to climatic conditions.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate:
4% (1995 est.)
5% (1993 est.)
Real gdp per capita pppGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture productsIndustries:
Fish processing
Mining of iron ore and gypsum Accounts for 25% of GDP (including fishing; largely subsistence farming and nomadic cattle and sheep herding except in Senegal river valley; crops_dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; fish products number-one export; large food deficit in years of drought
Industrial production growth rate: Growth rate NA; accounts for almost 30% of GDP
Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.), 45,000 wage earners (1980)
By occupation Agriculture: 47%
By occupation Services: 29%
By occupation Industry and commerce: 14%
By occupation Government: 10%
Unemployment rate: 20% (1991 est.)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty lineGini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $254 million (1994 est.), $280 million (1989 est.)
Expenditures: $280 million, including capital expenditures of $94 million (1994 est.), $346 million, including capital expenditures of $61 million (1989 est.)
Public debtTaxes and other revenuesRevenueFiscal year: Calendar year
Current account balanceInflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports:
total value. $390 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
$401 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
Commodities:Iron ore
Fish and fish products
Partners:Japan 27%
Italy
Belgium
Luxembourg
ImportsTotal value:$355 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
$378 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
Commodities:Foodstuffs
Consumer goods
Petroleum products
Capital goods
Partners:Algeria 15%
China 6%
U.S. 3%
France
Germany
Spain
Italy
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $1.9 billion (1992 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: Ouguiyas (UM) per US$1_135.690 (January 1996), 129.768 (1995), 123.575 (1994), 120.806 (1993), 87.027 (1992), 81.946 (1991), 80.609 (1990)
top of pageElectricity accessElectricity production: 135 million kWh
Electricity consumptionPer capita: 61 kWh (1993)
Electricity exportsElectricity importsElectricity installed generating capacityElectricity transmission distribution lossesElectricity generation sourcesPetroleumRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones fixed linesTelephones mobile cellularTelephone system: 17,000 telephones (1991 est.); poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radio communications stations (improvements being made)
Domestic: mostly cable and open wire lines
International: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 ARABSAT earth stations, with six planned
Broadcast mediaInternet country codeInternet usersBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $33 million, 2.5% of GDP (1995), $36 million, 2.7% of GDP (1994)
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 24
2438 to 3047 m: 3
15-24 to 2437 m: 4
914 to 1523 m: 1
Under 914 m: 2
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 1
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 4
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 9 (1995 est.)
Airports with paved runwaysAirports with unpaved runways2438 to 3047 m: 1
15-24 to 2437 m: 4
914 to 1523 m: 9 (1995 est.)
HeliportsPipelinesRailwaysRoadwaysWaterways: Mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River
Merchant marine: None
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes internationalRefugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs