Located in northwest Africa, Mauritania is a member of both the AU and the Arab League. Formerly a French colony, the country has taken a strongly Arab direction since 1964; today, it is the Maures who control political life and dominate the minority black population. The Sahara extends across two-thirds of Mauritania's territory; the only productive land is that drained by the Senegal river in the south and southwest.

The politically dominant Maures make up the majority of the population. The black population is composed of the Havalin, the Senegalese, and the Peulh, Tukolor, and Wolof groups. Ethnic tension centers on the oppression of blacks by Maures. The old black bourgeoisie has now been superseded by a Maurish class; tens of thousands of blacks are estimated to be in slavery. The arrival of 200,000 Maures from Senegal in 1989 caused ethnic tension to come to a head. There were attacks on Senegalese in Mauritania and many fled or were deported to refugee camps along the Senegal River.

Family solidarity among nomads is particularly strong.

Strengths

Iron from the Cominor mine at Zouérat. Largest gypsum deposits in the world. Copper, yet to be properly exploited. Offshore fishing among the best in West Africa. Significant debt cancellations in 2002.

Weaknesses

Poor land. Drought, locust attacks, fluctuating commodity prices. Very hot, dry desert climate.

Mauritania officially adopted multiparty democracy in 1991. However, the 1992 and 1997 presidential elections simply returned to power the incumbent military ruler, President Maaouya ould Sid Ahmed Taya, with around 90% of the vote. Opposition parties have accused the government of electoral fraud; initially boycotting legislative elections, they increased their representation in the 2001 poll, but the AC was subsequently banned.

The opposition parties are mainly Maure-led. The blacks of the south support exiled parties, such as the Dakar-based African Liberation Forces of Mauritania (FLAM).

Mauritania seeks to maintain a balance between sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab world, but has had tensions with all its neighbors. It has now effectively withdrawn from the Western Sahara dispute. Relations with Senegal have improved since the conflicts of 1989.

The 15,000-strong army is a strain on Mauritania's budget. Troops are used increasingly in public works projects. France is the main arms supplier.

Iron continues to be exploited, despite low world prices. There are some gold and diamond deposits. Mining and fisheries represent 99.7% of exports. Electricity generation expanded by 40% between 1989 and 1996, and further expansion is expected to come from the Manantali dam. Phosphates have been found near the Senegal river. Offshore oil exploration started in April 2001.

The chief environmental problem in Mauritania is that of the encroaching Sahara desert, a situation worsened by the droughts of 1973 and 1983, which caused widespread loss of grazing land. The consequent exodus of people away from the land has raised Nouakchott's population from 20,000 in 1960 to almost a million today.

The transportation system is limited and unevenly developed. There are two major roads, but shifting sands mean that they require constant maintenance.

Historic regional inequalities persist and the best facilities are in the capital. The overall level of care is on a par with neighboring states.

Despite improvements in education, over half the population continues to be illiterate. Arabic has been compulsory in all schools since 1988.

Key problems are smuggling, robbery, and a growing number of abandoned children in Nouakchott and other towns.

The small ruling Maures elite form the richest sector. Wealthy Maures travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform the haj (Muslim pilgrimage).

There are few tourists apart from desert safari enthusiasts. The more mountainous areas are especially dramatic, but access is difficult. Nouakchott has some hotels.

Once part of the Islamic Almoravid state, Mauritania became a French colony in 1814.

• 1960 Independence; one-party state.
• 1972 Peace with Polisario in war waged over Western Sahara.
• 1984 Col. Maaouya Taya takes power in bloodless coup.
• 1992 First multiparty elections.
• 1997 Taya reelected as president.