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Mauritania today, map and information |
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| Official Name : |
AL-JUMHURIYAH AL-ISLAMIYAH AL-MURITANIYAH (Islamic Republic of Mauritania) |
| Land Area: |
1,030,700 square kilometres / 397,850 square miles. |
| Population: |
3,087,000 (est 2005). Density 3 persons per square kilometre. |
| Languages: |
French (official), Hassaniya Arabic (national), Soninké, Fulfulde, Wolof. |
| Religions: |
Muslim 99%. |
| Capital: |
Nouakchott. Population 740,000 |
| Currency: |
Ouguiya, divided into 5 khoums. |
| Political: |
Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara, but controlled by Morocco) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the
Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory.
Opposition parties were legalised and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multi-party presidential elections since then were widely seen as flawed. Mauritania today remains in reality a one-party state.
The country continues to experience ethnic tensions between the black minority and the dominant Maur (Arab-Berber). Mauritania officially banned slavery in 1981. The government has denied accusations that it is still being practised. |
| Geography: |
Much of Mauritania's north and central regions, which takes in the capital, Nouakchott, form part of the extreme western section of the Sahara, while the south contains a region of savanna and small areas of arable land near the
Senegal River. The south to south-west draining Senegal River provides Mauritania with its most fertile agricultural land. Only 0.5% of Mauritania is arable land. |
| National Flag - Ratio 2:3 |
Climate in Nouakchott - elevation 21m/70ft |
Position in Africa |
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