Country Profile

Islamic Republic of Mauritania - Capital: Nouakchott

Border countries

(4) Algeria 460 km, Mali 2236 km, Senegal 742 km, Western Sahara 1564 km

Natural Resources

iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish, natural gas

Land Use

Agricultural land : 38.5% (o.w. permanent pasture: 38.1%) (2011 est.), Forest:0.2% (2011 est.), Other: 61.3% (2011 est.)

Official Language

Arabic

Other Languages Spoken

Dialectal Arabic Hassanya, French, Pularr, Soninke and Wolof

Business Language(s)

Arabic and French

  • Population Growth = 2.78%
  • Density = 4 Inhabitants/km²
  • Religion = Islam
  • Local Time = GMT
Urban Population = 1.259 million NOUAKCHOTT (capital) (2019)
53.7%
Access to Electricity (% of the Population)
21.76%
Literacy Rate
52.1%
Life expectancy = total population (2018 est.)
63.8 years
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Government

State

Islamic Republic state based on parliamentary democracy (Presidential system).

Government Type

Presidential Republic

Administrative Divisions

Mauritania is divided into constituencies of two different levels: the 15 wilaya (regions - Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott Nord, Nouakchott Ouest, Nouakchott Sud, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza) divided in turn into smaller administrative and territorial units; and the 55 mouqatâa (departments).