(ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA)
(WIPO code: MR) (latest review October 2023)
Mauritania
General Information
Area
1,025,520 sq. km.
Population
4,244,878 (2023).
Capital
Nouakchott.
Official languages
Arabic, French.
Currency
Ougiya.
Main agricultural and natural products
Grains, rice, fishing, farming.
Main Mineral Products
Iron, copper, diamond.
Exports
Iron, copper, fish.
GNI
(per capita): U.S.$ 2,160 (estimated 2022).
General Remarks
A former French colony, part of French West Africa, Mauritania obtained its internal administrative autonomy and became a member of the French Community in 1958, and later achieved its full independence on November 28, 1960.
The people of Mauritania are mainly nomadic. There are large reserves of iron ore at Fort-Gouraud and copper deposits at Bakel Akjoujt. Iron ore is being exploited by an international company, the Société des Mines de Fer de Mauritanie, with the aid of a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).