Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/153.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 11KB | 315 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\Maurita.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Mauritania"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Mauritania, click {z,"-19.270959,14.464460,-1.833682,27.827780",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western
Sahara

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 1,030,700 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 1,030,400 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico

{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 5,074 km
{3}border countries:{4} Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 754 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
contiguous zone: 24 nm
{3}continental shelf:{4} 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
{3}exclusive economic zone:{4} 200 nm
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} boundary with Senegal in dispute

{2}Climate:{4} desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty

{2}Terrain:{4} mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
{3}lowest point:{4} Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m
{3}highest point:{4} Kediet Ijill 910 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 1%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 0%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 38%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 5%
{3}other:{4} 56%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} 120 sq km (1989 est.)

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing
to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which is the
only perennial river

{2}natural hazards:{4} hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April;
periodic droughts

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Desertification, Law of the Sea

{2}Geographic note:{4} most of the population concentrated along the Senegal River in the southern
part of the country


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 2,336,048 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 48% (male 568,828; female 562,342)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 49% (male 560,540; female 592,914)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 3% (male 21,753; female 29,671) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 3.17% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 46.92 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 15.24 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.04 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.01 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 0.94 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 0.73 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 81.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 49.01 years
{3}male:{4} 46.09 years
{3}female:{4} 52.06 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 6.84 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Mauritanian(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Mauritanian

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%

{2}Religions:{4} Muslim 100%

{2}Languages:{4} Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official)

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 37.7%
{3}male:{4} 49.6%
{3}female:{4} 26.3%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Islamic Republic of Mauritania
{3}conventional short form:{4} Mauritania
{3}local long form:{4} Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
{3}local short form:{4} Muritaniyah

{2}Type of government:{4} republic

{2}Capital:{4} Nouakchott

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 12 regions (regions, singular - region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet
Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris
Zemmour, Trarza
{3}note:{4} there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott

{2}Independence:{4} 28 November 1960 (from France)

{2}National holiday:{4} Independence Day, 28 November (1960)

{2}Constitution:{4} 12 July 1991

{2}Legal system:{4} three-tier system: Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special courts, and state security courts
(in the process of being eliminated)

{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age; universal

{2}Executive branch:{4}
{3}chief of state:{4} President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984) was
reelected for a six-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 17 January 1992 (next to be
held NA January 1998); results - President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA was reelected
{3}head of government:{4} Prime Minister Cheikh El Afia Ould Mohamed KHOUNA (since NA January
1996) was appointed by the president
{3}cabinet:{4} Council of Ministers

{2}Legislative branch:{4} bicameral legislature
Senate (Majlis al-Shuyukh): elections last held 15 April 1994 (next to be held 12 April 1996);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats (56 total, with 17 up for election every two years)
PRDS 16, UFD/NE 1
National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani): elections last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held NA
March 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (79 total) UFD/NE 67, PMR 1, RDU 1,
independents 10

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} legalized by constitution passed 12 July 1991, however, politics
continue to be tribally based; emerging parties include Democratic and Social Republican Party
(PRDS), led by President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic Forces-New
Era (UFD/NE), headed by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assembly for Democracy and Unity (RDU),
Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social and Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed Mahmoud
Ould MAH; Mauritanian Party for Renewal (PMR), Hameida BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde
Party (PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU; Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center (PCDM), Bamba
Ould SIDI BADI

{2}Other political or pressure groups:{4} Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM)

{2}International organization participation:{4} ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL,
AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Ismail Ould IYAHI
{3}chancery:{4} 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone]

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Dorothy Myers SAMPAS
{3}embassy:{4} address NA, Nouakchott
{3}mailing address:{4} B. P. 222, Nouakchott
{3}telephone:{4} [222] (2) 526-60, 526-63
{3}FAX:{4} [222] (2) 515-92

{2}Flag:{4} 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


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a
livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many 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 almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however,
has led to cutbacks in production. 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 recent years, drought and economic
mismanagement have resulted in a substantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has begun
the second stage of an economic reform program in consultation with the World Bank, the IMF,
and major donor countries. Short-term growth prospects are gloomy because of the heavy debt
service burden, rapid population growth, and vulnerability to climatic conditions.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $2.8 billion (1995 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 4% (1995 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $1,200 (1995 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 27.1%
{3}industry:{4} 29.5%
{3}services:{4} 43.4% (1993 est.)

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 3.5% (1995 est.)

{2}Labor force:{4} 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980)
{3}by occupation:{4} agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10%

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} 20% (1991 est.)

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $254 million
{3}expenditures:{4} $280 million, including capital expenditures of $94 million (1994 est.)

{2}Industries:{4} fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} NA%

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 110,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 135 million kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 61 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; cattle, sheep; fish products

{2}Exports:{4} $390 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} iron ore, fish and fish products
{3}partners:{4} Japan 27%, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg

{2}Imports:{4} $355 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
{3}commodities:{4} foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital goods
{3}partners:{4} Algeria 15%, China 6%, US 3%, France, Germany, Spain, Italy

{2}External debt:{4} $1.9 billion (1992 est.)

{2}Economic aid:{4}
{3}recipient:{4} ODA, $NA

{2}Currency:{4} 1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums

{2}Exchange rates:{4} ouguiyas (UM) per US$1 - 135.690 (January 1996), 129.768 (1995), 123.575
(1994), 120.806 (1993), 87.027 (1992), 81.946 (1991)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 704 km (single track); note - owned and operated by government mining company
standard gauge: 704 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 7,496 km
{3}paved:{4} 1,342 km
{3}unpaved:{4} 6,154 km (1987 est.)

{2}Waterways:{4} mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River

{2}Ports:{4} Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso

{2}Merchant marine:{4} none

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 24
{3}with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 3
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 4
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 1
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 2
{3}with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 1
{3}with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 4
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 9 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 17,000 (1991 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4} poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links,
and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made)
{3}domestic:{4} mostly cable and open-wire lines
{3}international:{4} satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0

{2}Radios:{4} 300,000 (1993 est.)

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 1 (1987 est.)

{2}Televisions:{4} 50,000 (1992 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police,
Presidential Guard

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 500,754
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 244,546 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $33 million, 2.5% of GDP (1995)