Economic Overview
Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though many of the nomads and 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 nearly 40% of total exports. 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 the past, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt, which now stands at more than three times the level of annual exports. in february 2000, mauritania qualified for debt relief under the heavily indebted poor countries (hipc) initiative and in december 2001 received strong support from donor and lending countries at a triennial consultative group review. a new investment code approved in december 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment. ongoing negotiations with the imf involve problems of economic reforms and fiscal discipline. in 2001, exploratory oil wells in tracts 80 km offshore indicated potential extraction at current world oil prices. oil prospects, while initially promising, have failed to materialize. meantime the government emphasizes reduction of poverty, improvement of health and education, and promoting privatization of the economy.
Environmental Issues
Overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; limited natural fresh water resources away from the senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation
Government Type
Democratic republic
Population
3,364,940 (july 2008 est.)
Location
Northern africa, bordering the north atlantic ocean, between senegal and western sahara
Area
Total: 1,030,700 sq km
land: 1,030,400 sq km
water: 300 sq km
Slightly larger than three times the size of new mexico
Country Aliases
Conventional long form: islamic republic of mauritania
conventional short form: mauritania
local long form: al jumhuriyah al islamiyah al muritaniyah
local short form: muritaniyah
Capital
Name: nouakchott
geographic coordinates: 18 07 n, 16 02 w
time difference: utc 0 (5 hours ahead of washington, dc during standard time)
Military Service
18 years of age (est.); conscript service obligation - 2 years; majority of servicemen believed to be volunteers; service in air force and navy is voluntary (2006)
International Disputes
Mauritanian claims to western sahara remain dormant
Sources: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
