Quick Data on Mauritania
Short Name | Mauritania |
Capital | Nouakchott |
Long Name | Islamic Republic of Mauritania |
Country Code | MR |
Continent | Africa |
Total Area | 1,030,700 sq km |
Population | 4,005,475 |
Language | Arabic |
Nationality | Mauritanian(s) |
Geography of Mauritania
As a country in Africa, with coordinates at 20 00 N, 12 00 W, Mauritania neighbors Algeria 460 km, Mali 2236 km, Senegal 742 km, Western Sahara 1564 km. The terrain in Mauritania is described as mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills, with an average elevation point of 276 m. The climate of Mauritania: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty.
Surface Total | 1,030,700 sq km |
Land Surface | 1,030,700 sq km |
Water Surface | 0 sq km |
Land Boundaries | 5,002 km |
Neighbor Countries | Algeria 460 km, Mali 2236 km, Senegal 742 km, Western Sahara 1564 km |
Coastline | 754 km |
Lowest Elevation Point | Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m |
Highest Elevation Point | Kediet Ijill 915 m |
Resources of Mauritania
The country enjoys many types of natural resources, with the main ones being iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish. The agricultural land occupies 38.50% of Mauritania, while the land covered with forests is estimated at 0.20%.
Percent of Total Land | Surface Sq km | Data | |
Agricultural Land | 38.50% | 396,820 sq km | 2011 est. |
Irrigated Land | 450 sq km | 2012 | |
Forest Land | 0.20% | 2,061 sq km | 2011 est. |
Other Land | 61.30% | 631,819 sq km | 2011 est. |
Population of Mauritania
The population of the country is estimated at 4,005,475 people, with the biggest urban area having 1.315 million NOUAKCHOTT (capital) (2020). Known as Mauritanian(s), the people from Mauritania come from diversified ethnic groups such as black Moors (Haratines – Arab-speaking slaves, former slaves, and their descendants of African origin, enslaved by white Moors) 40%, white Moors (of Arab-Berber descent, known as Beydane) 30%, Sub-Saharan Mauritanians (non-Arabic speaking, largely resident in or originating from the Senegal River Valley, including Halpulaar, Fulani, Soninke, Wolof, and Bambara ethnic groups) 30%. The official language is Arabic. Religions: Muslim (official) 100%.
Population | 4,005,475 |
Nationality | Mauritanian(s) |
Official Language | Arabic |
Other Languages | Arabic (official and national), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French |
Birth Rate | 29 births / 1000 population (2020 est.) |
Death Rate | 7.5 deaths / 1000 population (2020 est.) |
Urban Population | 55.30% of total population (2020) |
Physicians Density | 0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2017) |
Hospital Beds Density | n/a beds/1,000 population (n/a) |
Governing Type of Mauritania
Mauritania is a presidential republic. The legal system makes use of mixed legal system of Islamic and French civil law.
Governing Type | presidential republic |
Citizenship by Birth | no |
Citizenship by Descent | at least one parent must be a citizen of Mauritania |
Dual Citizenship | no |
Residency Requirement for Naturalization | 5 years |
Suffrage Vote | 18 years of age; universal |
Economy of Mauritania
From a population total of 4,005,475, the labor force is 1.437 million (2017 est.). The main products in agriculture are: dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, camel and sheep. Among the main industries considerable for the economy are: fish processing, oil production, mining (iron ore, gold, copper). Its exports cover iron ore, fish and fish products, livestock, gold, copper, crude oil. The main import products are: machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods.
Exports | $1.722 billion (2017 est.) |
Imports | $2.094 billion (2017 est.) |
Export Partners | China 31.2%, Switzerland 14.4%, Spain 10.1%, Germany 8.2%, Japan 8.1% (2017) |
Import Partners | Belgium 11.5%, UAE 11.3%, US 9.2%, China 7.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.1%, Morocco 6%, Slovenia 4.8%, Vanuatu 4.7%, Spain 4.7% (2017) |
GDP / Capita | $4,500 (2017 est.) |
Electricity Production | 1.139 billion kWh (2016 est.) |
Electrification Rate | population without electricity: 3 million (2017) |
Internet Users | 661,913 |
Internet Penetration Rate | 18.00% (July 2016 est.) |
For latest imports and exports data we recommend checking the website for the National Bank of Mauritania, statistics sectio