| Islamic Republic of Mauritania Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
Origin of Name Mauritania
is derived from the Spanish description of the area as
"the land of the Moors," a term used to
describe Arab rulers of Southern Spain. It was also the
name of an ancient Berber Kingdom.
Location west Africa
Bordered By Western
Sahara, Algeria, Mali, Senegal
Area 397,956 sq mi
(1,030,700 sq km)
Greatest Distance E-W 780 mi (1,255 km)
Greatest Distance N-S 800 mi (1,287 km)
Coastline 414 mi (666 km)
Highest Point Kediet Ijill;
3,002 ft (915 m)
Lowest Point Sebkhet
Te-n-Dghamcha; -16 ft (-5 m)
Natural Resources iron ore,
gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish
Nationality
Mauritanian
Population (June 2014 est) 3,516,806
Largest Cities Nouakchott
Ethnic Groups mixed Moor/black, Moor,
black
Religions Muslim (official)
Languages Arabic (official and
national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof, French, Hassaniya
Capital Nouakchott
Form of Government military junta
Present Constitution Adopted July 12,
1991
Chief of State President Mohamed Ould
Abdel Aziz (since August 5, 2009)
Head of Government Prime Minister Yahya
Ould Hademine (since August 20, 2014)
Cabinet Council of Ministers
Legislature bicameral legislature
Judiciary Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Local Administration 13 regions (wilayas)
Currency Ouguiya
Per Capita Income $3,400
Industries fish processing, oil
production, mining (iron ore, gold, and copper)
Agriculture dates, millet,
sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, sheep
Export Commodities iron ore, fish
and fish products, gold, copper, petroleum
Import Commodities machinery and
equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs,
consumer goods
Independence from France
Achieved November 28, 1960
National Holiday Independence Day,
November 28
Flag 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;
the gold color stands for the sands of the Sahara
SEE ALSO
Western
Sahara
Algeria
Mali
Senegal
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