Mauritania

Explore how Mauritania is adopting green and innovative solutions to stimulate growth and protect the desert environment on Innovando.News: Mauritania, located in northwest Africa, is a country characterized by a landscape dominated by the Sahara and its vast plains. With a population of around 5,5 million people, the capital, Nouakchott, is the political and economic center of the country. Mauritania relies heavily on agriculture, particularly cereal cultivation and fishing, but mining, particularly iron ore, is a significant source of income. The country is also rich in natural resources, such as oil and gold. The culture is deeply influenced by Islamic and Berber traditions, with cultural events such as the Nouakchott Arts Festival celebrating its history and traditions. Mauritania is seeking to develop in sectors such as renewable energy, but faces significant challenges in terms of education, healthcare and corruption.

Summary data on Mauritania

• Total population: Approximately 4,7 million inhabitants.
• Population growth rate: About 1,5% per year, with moderate growth, supported by relatively low birth and death rates.
• Capital: Nouakchott, with approximately 1 million inhabitants.
• Main cities: Besides Nouakchott, other important cities include Nouadhibou, Rosso, Atar and Kaedi.
• Countries it bordersMauritania borders Morocco and Western Sahara to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, Senegal to the south and has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
• Nominal GDP: Approximately USD 7,5 billion.
• Pro-capite GDP: Approximately USD 1.600.
• GDP growth rate: Around 5% in 2022, mainly supported by the mining, agriculture and energy sectors.
• Inflation: About 4-5%, influenced by the cost of imports and fluctuations in the prices of consumer goods.
• Unemployment rate: Around 10%, with particularly high youth unemployment.
• Trade balance: Positive, thanks to exports of minerals, oil and fish, which exceed imports of consumer goods and industrial equipment.
• Major business partners: China, France, United States, Spain and Senegal.
• Public debt: About 40% of GDP, with increasing fiscal management and dependence on foreign loans and direct investments.
• Public spending on R&D (Research and Development): About 0,2% of GDP, with limited but growing investment in mining and agriculture.
• Main economic sectors: Mining (iron, gold, copper), oil, agriculture (cereals, fish) and fishing.
• Currency: Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU).
• Interest rate: About 7%, set by the Central Bank of Mauritania.
• Foreign exchange reserves: Approximately USD 2 billion.
• Main exports: Minerals (iron, copper, gold), oil, fish, and agricultural products (cereals, wheat).
• Main imports: Oil, machinery, consumer goods, processed foods, and vehicles.
• Human Development Index (HDI): Low, with a score of around 0,537, due to social inequalities, poverty and poor health conditions.
• Literacy rate: About 70%, with an education system that is improving but still faces major challenges, especially in rural areas.
• Life expectancy: About 63 years old, affected by malnutrition, infectious diseases and deficiencies in health services.
• Position in the Global Innovation Index: Low position, with limited investment in innovation, but some progress in mining and energy.
• Corruption Perception Index: High perception of corruption, with a score of around 30 out of 100, linked to difficulties in governance and resource management.

Insights on Mauritania

1. Country Name

• Official Country Name: Islamic Republic of Mauritania (Al Jumhūrīyah al-Islāmīyah al-Māritānīyah (in Arabic).
• Short form and long form: Mauritania (short form); Islamic Republic of Mauritania (long form).

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2. Geography

• Geographical position: Mauritania is located in northwest Africa, bordered by Morocco and Algeria to the north, Mali to the east and south, Senegal to the southwest, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It has a strategic location that makes it a bridge between the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Area Approximately 1.030.700 km², making Mauritania the 29th largest country in the world.
• Description of the landscape: The geography of Mauritania is characterized mainly by deserts and steppes. Most of the country is covered by the Sahara, with sand dunes and rocky plateaus. The southern regions are more fertile, crossed by rivers and swamps. The climate is desert, with extremely hot summer temperatures and relatively mild winters.

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3. Population

• Number of inhabitants: Approximately 5,5 million people (2023).
• Population growth rate: About 2,5% per year, with a young and rapidly growing population.
• Major cities and population distribution:
  • Nouakchott: The capital and largest city, located on the Atlantic coast.
  • Nouadhibou: The second largest city, located on the northern coast.
  • Atar and Kiffa: Other important cities, located in the interior of the country.

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4. Capital and main cities

• Name of the capital: Nouakchott.
• Information on the main cities:
  • Nouakchott: Located on the Atlantic Ocean coast, Nouakchott is the political, administrative and economic center of the country. The city is rapidly growing, with a mix of modern and traditional buildings.
  • Nouadhibou: Located in the north-western area, it is an important commercial port and the main industrial centre for fishing.
  • Atar and Kiffa: These cities are centers of historical and cultural importance located in the interior regions of the country.

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5. economy

Nominal GDP and GDP per capita

Mauritania's nominal GDP is approximately USD 8,2 billion, with a GDP per capita of approximately USD 1.500.

Main economic sectors (agriculture, industry, services)

• Agriculture: Although Mauritania is largely desert, agriculture is important in the southern regions. Cereals, fruits, vegetables and fodder plants are mainly grown. Agriculture depends on water resources, such as the Senegal Rivers and underground aquifers.
• Industry: The industrial sector is mainly concentrated in mining, with iron being the main mineral extracted. Other industrial sectors include fishing, oil refining and agro-industry.
• Services: Services, including tourism, trade and transport, are growing. Mauritania is also an important transit hub for trade between the Sahel and the Atlantic.

GDP growth rate and inflation

GDP growth is moderate, around 4-5% annually, thanks to expansion in the mining sector and growth in non-traditional sectors. Inflation is relatively low, around 4-5% in recent years.

Unemployment rate and trade balance

The unemployment rate is high, especially among young people, with about 30% of the active population unemployed. The trade balance is negative, as Mauritania imports most of its consumer goods, but compensates with exports of minerals, fish and agricultural products.

Public debt

Mauritania has a growing public debt, but the government is trying to manage it through foreign loans and investments in infrastructure and development projects.

Main exports and imports

• Main exports: Iron, fish, gold, copper, cotton and oil.
• Main imports: Machinery, fuel, consumer goods, food, chemicals.

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6. Political system and government

• Type of government: Presidential Islamic Republic.
• Political structure: The president is the head of state and government, elected every five years. The parliamentary system is bicameral, with a National Assembly and a Senate.
• Main political parties and electoral organization: The main parties include the Union for the Republic (UPR), the Party of Democratic Alternation (PAD), and the Islamic Party for Social Progress (PIPS). Presidential and parliamentary elections are held every five years.

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7. History and culture

Brief historical overview of the country

Mauritania has a history that dates back to early Berber settlements and nomadic tribes. During the colonial period, the country was under the control of France, which ruled it until independence in 1960. Mauritania has seen several internal tensions and political changes, including military coups. Today, the country is a presidential republic, although it has faced challenges related to human rights and democracy.

Cultural and linguistic traditions

The official language is Arabic, but French is widely spoken and used for official purposes. The culture is strongly influenced by Islamic traditions, with holidays such as Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha being widely celebrated. Berber and nomadic tribe traditions are still strongly rooted in social life.

Cultural heritage (monuments, UNESCO sites, cultural events)

• UNESCO Sites: The city of Chinguetti, famous for its ancient libraries and mosques, is a world heritage site. The city of Ouadane is also an important historical site.
• Cultural events: The Nouakchott Arts Festival and the Mauritania Film Festival are significant events celebrating local culture and art.

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8. Innovation and development

• Position in the Global Innovation Index: Mauritania is not among the leading countries in innovation, but it is making progress in mining and infrastructure, seeking to attract foreign investment.
• R&D (Research and Development) Spending: Spending on research and development is limited, but there are initiatives in agriculture, mining and renewable energy.
• Advanced technological sectors and main innovations of the country: The country has invested in energy and mining infrastructure, particularly in the iron and oil sectors.

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9. Education and health

• Literacy rate: About 60%, with significant differences between urban and rural areas.
• Structure of the education system: Education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 14. However, access to quality education is limited in rural areas. The University of Nouakchott is the main academic institution.
• Quality and accessibility of the health system: The health system is underfunded, with a high dependence on external aid. Access to quality health services is limited in rural areas.
• Life expectancy: About 63 years old.

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10. International rankings

• Position in the Human Development Index (HDI): Medium-low, with an HDI of around 0,55.
• Position in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI): Corruption is a significant concern, with the country ranking at the bottom of the CPI index.
• Position in global economic indices: Mauritania has a fragile and vulnerable economy, but is making efforts to diversify its sources of income.

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11. Environmental policies

• The country's efforts in terms of sustainability: Mauritania is seeking to improve the management of its natural resources, promoting sustainable agriculture and soil protection in the context of desertification.
• Environmental policies and international commitments: The country has joined global initiatives to combat climate change and protect the environment, although resources to implement effective policies are limited.

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12. Curiosities and peculiarities

• Interesting or unique facts about the country:
  • Mauritania is one of the few countries that still practices slavery in modern forms, although the government has declared its intention to combat this practice.
  • The city of Chinguetti is famous for its ancient library and for being one of the centers of learning in the medieval Islamic world.
• Important events, national holidays, gastronomic specialties:
  • Independence (November 28): Celebrates independence from France in 1960.
  • Local cuisine: Typical dishes include mechoui (grilled mutton), thieboudienne (rice and fish dish) and kesra (traditional bread).