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Mauritania Facts and Figures

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Location of mauritania
Location of mauritania

Mauritania flag
Flag of Mauritania

Mauritania map
Map of Mauritania


Meaning of Country's name

Latin for "land of the Moors". Misnamed after the classical Mauretania in northern Morocco, itself named after the Berber Mauri or Moor tribe

Capital

Nouakchott

Largest Cities

Nouakchott, Noudhibou, Chinguetti, Barkewol

Population

3,291,000 (2009 est)

Country Code

222

Internet Country Code

.mr

Area

397,954 sq mi (1,030,700 km sq)

Area-Comparative

Slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico

Bordering Countries

Algeria, Mali, Senegal, Western Sahara, Morocco

Date of Founding (Current State)

November 28,1960

Type of Government

Islamic Republic

Languages Spoken

French, Arabic, Fulfulde, Tamashek, Soninke, Wolof

Religions Practiced

Islam (99%)

GDP per Capita

$2,037 (2009 est) (USD)

Latest GDP Growth Rate

1.5% (2009 est)

Top Exports

Ores, Mineral Fuels, Oil, Fish, Precious Stones

National Holidays

New Year's Day – January 1, Mouloud (Prophet's Birthday) – February 26, Labor Day – May 1, African Liberation Day (Anniversary of the OAU's Foundation) – May 25, Armed Forces' Day – July 10, Korite (End of Ramadan) – Sept 11, Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice) – November 17, Independence Day – November 28, Islamic New Year – December 7

Money Currency

Ouguiya (MRO)

National Sports Teams

Mauritania National Basketball Team, Mauritania National Football Team, Mauritania National Rugby Union Team

Random Fact

Two-thirds of Mauritania is desert and the desert is expanding southwards every year



NEWS FROM Mauritania

Tuesday, 01-03-12, 11:44
HRInfo (Cairo)-ANHRI severely condemns Referral of a citizen to a rapid trial by the Attorney General for criticizing the Supreme Council for Armed Forces (SCAF). The citizen had distributed a communique on 23 December 2011, and thus was sentenced to one year in prison, a bail of 1000 pounds (approx. 166 $US), and a 200 pounds fine (approx. 33.2 $US) by Waylee Misdemeanor Court, in the quickest and harshest anti - freedom of expression trial ruling since 25 January revolution.

Tuesday, 01-03-12, 11:21
RNW Africa (Hilversum)-A top businessman and a prominent critic of Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz denounced on Friday an arrest warrant issued against him for supporting terror groups.




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