| |
Official Name: Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Location: Mauritania is bounded west by the Atlantic Ocean, north by Morocco,
north-east by Algeria, east and south-east by Mali, and south by Senegal. Around
40% is Sahara Desert, 30% semi-desert. There is a narrow band of fertile land along the Senegal river. |
| Area: The total area of Mauritania is 1,031,000 sq km (398,000 sq mi).
Capital: Nouakchott
Language: The official languages are Arabic and French. The Moors of Arab / Berber stock, speaking
Hassaniya dialects of Arabic, comprise the majority of the people. Other dialects include Soninke, Pulaar and
Wolof. English is rarely spoken.
Religion: Islam is the official religion. Despite ethnic and cultural differences among Mauritanians they are
all bound by a common Muslim attachment to the Malekite sect.
Population: According to the 1988 census, Mauritania had 1,864,236 inhabitants. The 1997 estimated population was 2,449,130,
giving the country an overall population density of 2 persons per sq km (6 persons per sq mi). The majority of the population consists of Moors (of mixed Arab and Berber
ancestry), many of whom lead nomadic existences. More than 90 percent of the population lives in the southern quarter of the country. About 30 percent of the people are black African farmers, who are settled in the Sénégal Valley.
Membership: Mauritania is a member of the UN, OAU, the
Arab League, Union of the Arab Maghreb, Organization of the
Islamic Conference and is an ACP state of the EU.
Currency: The monetary unit in Mauritania is the ouguiya, which is divided into five khoums (137 ouguiyas equal U.S.$1; 1996).
Mauritania Time Difference: GMT
|
| |
