The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is largely a desert country, which began to exploit offshore oil reserves in 2006. The 2006 move to start exploiting offshore reserves of oil made the country one of Africa's newest oil producers. Following two decades of authoritarian rule, Mauritania held elections in early 2007, marking a major step in the transition to democracy. In August 2008, General Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz declared himself president of the Higher State Council after ousting President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi in a military coup.The country's official language is Arabic, with French widely spoken.

Leader: President of the Higher State Council: Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz
Capital city: Nouakchott

Economic profile

Monetary unit: Ouguiya
GDP per capita: $2100 (2010) (CIA)
GDP composition by sector:
Agriculture: 12.5% (2008) (CIA)
Industry: 46.7% (2008) (CIA)
Services: 40.7% (2008) (CIA)
GDP growth rate: 4.7%( 2010) (CIA)
Budget:
Government revenue including grants: $770-million (2007) (CIA)
Government expenditure and net lending: $770-million (2007) (CIA)
Consumer price inflation: 7.3% (2008) (World Bank)
Industries: Fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Exports of goods and services: 57.7% of GDP (2008) (World Bank)
Imports of goods and services: 64.9% of GDP (2008) (World Bank)
Export commodities: Iron ore, fish and fish products, and gold
Import commodities: Machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, and consumer goods
Trade balance: $-184-million (2004) (IMF)
Reserves: 05 months of imports (2004) (IMF)
Total investment: Figures not available
Market capitalisation of listed companies: Figures not available

Social profile

Population: 3.29-million (2011) (World Bank)
Population growth: 2.3% (2011) (World Bank)
Life expectancy at birth: 57 years (2011) (World Bank)
Adult literacy: 57% (2008) (World Bank)
School enrolment primary: 104% (2009) (World Bank)
School enrolment secondary: 23.3% (2008) (World Bank)
School enrolment tertiary: 4% (2007) (World Bank)
Unemployment: 30% (2008) (CIA)
Number of people living with HIV/Aids: 14 000 (2009) (Unicef)