Introduction: Mauritania Download PDF

The regime of Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA came to power through a coup that took place in 1984, and, in 1991, the constitution was accepted. The legislative and municipal elections held in 2001 were free and open, compared to the two previous multiparty presidential elections that had been perceived as flawed. In 2005, President TAYA was overthrown and a military council came to power, announcing to stay in power for two years until democratic institutions were established. The first fair and free presidential elections in 2007 placed Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDALLAHI in power. In 2008, a coup overthrew him and he ABDALLAHI was replaced by a military council government. Mauritania continues to experience racial tension between Afro-Mauritanians, whites, and black Moor (Arab-Berber) communities
 

Capital City: Nouakchott (GMT)  
Chief of State: President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi  
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Yahya Ould Ahmed El Waghef  
Currency: Ouguiya  
Main Cities: Nouadhibou, Rosso, Kaedi  
Major Languages: Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya  
Calling Code: 222  
Voltage: 220  
Primary Religions: Muslim 100%  

Main Airports

Nouâdhibou (NDB), Nouakchott (NKC)

U.S. Embassy

Rue Abdallaye, BP 222, Nouakchott, Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Tel. (222) 525-2660/525-2663
http://mauritania.usembassy.gov/

Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
$2,100 (2008 est.)
Inflation Rate
7.3% (2007 est.)
Population
3,129,486 (July 2009 est.)
Country Risk Ratings
C
Ease of Doing Business
160/181
Global Competitiveness
3.14/134

Statistics

Labor force:
1.318 million (2007)
Exports:
$1.395 billion (2006)
Exports - partners:
China 39.9%, France 10.4%, Spain 7.1%, Italy 7%, Netherlands 5.5%, Belgium 4.8%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$1.475 billion (2006)
Imports - partners:
France 16.3%, China 8.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Spain 5.9%, Belgium 5.2%, US 4.9%, Brazil 4.4% (2008)
Major Industries:
fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum

Rankings

Corruption Perceptions Index
2.8 out of 180
 
The Corruptions Perception Index (CPI) is reported annually by Transparency International, an international civil society organization. The CPI ranks countries in terms of the degree to which corruption exists in the misuse of public power for private benefit among public officials and politicians. CPI is a composite index determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys. The highest ranked country is the country with the least amount of perceived corruption. Index units, 10=least corrupt, 0=most corrupt.

Data collected in 2008

Source: Transparency International

Freedom of the Press
56 out of 194
 
The Freedom of the Press Survey is an annual report by The Freedom House, an organization that promotes and researches advocacy of freedom across countries. The Press Survey assesses the degree of print, broadcast, and internet freedom in every country in the world. Ratings are determined by examining three broad categories: the legal environment in which media operate (0-30 points), political influences on reporting and access to information (0-40 points), and economic pressures on content and the dissemination of news (0-30 points). The highest ranked country has the greatest degree of press freedom. Index units, 1-30: Free, 31-60: Partly Free, 61-100: Not Free.

Data collected in 2008

Source: Freedom House

Global Enabling Trade Report
3.34 out of 118
 
The Global Enabling Trade Report is published yearly by the World Economic Forum, an independent international organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Enabling Trade Report analyzes which countries around the world enable trade from country to destination by measuring market access, border administration, transport and communications infrastructure, and the business environment. The highest ranked countries have the best factors, policies, and services facilitating the free flow of goods across borders.

Data collected in 2008

Source: World Economic Forum

Index of Economic Freedom
55 out of 155
 
The Index of Economic Freedom is reported annually by the Heritage Foundation, a research and educational institute. The Index of Economic Freedom analyzes a wide range of issues including trade barriers, corruption, government expenditures, property rights, and tax rates to generate an overall ranking of economic freedom. The highest ranked country is the country with the least number of restrictions and constraints on businesses.

Data collected in 2008

Source: Heritage Foundation