{"name": "Mauritania", "code": "MR", "publish_date": "January 02, 2019", "html": "<div class='wfb-text-box'><div class=\"region1 geos_title afr_dark\"><strong>Africa ::Mauritania</strong></div><ul class='expandcollapse'><li id='introduction-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Introduction'ccode='mr'>Introduction ::<span class='region'>Mauritania</span></div></li><li id='introduction-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-introduction-background\">Background:</div><div id=\"field-background\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><p>Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976 but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA seized power in a coup in 1984 and ruled Mauritania with a heavy hand for more than two decades. A series of presidential elections that he held were widely seen as flawed. A bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President TAYA and ushered in a military council that oversaw a transition to democratic rule. Independent candidate Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDALLAHI was inaugurated in April 2007 as Mauritania's first freely and fairly elected president. His term ended prematurely in August 2008 when a military junta led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ deposed him and installed a military council government. AZIZ was subsequently elected president in July 2009 and sworn in the following month. AZIZ sustained injuries from an accidental shooting by his own troops in October 2012 but has continued to maintain his authority. He was reelected in 2014 to a second and final term as president (according to the present constitution). The country continues to experience ethnic tensions among three major groups: Arabic-speaking descendants of slaves (Haratines), Arabic-speaking \"White Moors\" (Beydane), and members of Sub-Saharan ethnic groups mostly originating in the Senegal River valley (Halpulaar, Soninke, and Wolof).</p><p>The activities of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and similar groups, pose a severe security threat to Mauritanians and foreign visitors. AQIM launched a series of attacks in Mauritania between 2005 and 2011, murdering American and foreign tourists and aid workers, attacking diplomatic and government facilities, and ambushing Mauritanian soldiers and gendarmes. A successful strategy against terrorism that combines dialogue with the terrorists and military actions has prevented the country from further terrorist attacks since 2011.</p></div></div></li><li id='geography-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Geography'ccode='mr'>Geography ::<span class='region'>Mauritania</span></div></li><li id='geography-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-location\">Location:</div><div id=\"field-location\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geographic-coordinates\">Geographic coordinates:</div><div id=\"field-geographic-coordinates\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>20 00 N, 12 00 W</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-map-references\">Map references:</div><div id=\"field-map-references\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Africa</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area\">Area:</div><div id=\"field-area\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,030,700 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,030,700 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">water:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>30</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area-comparative\">Area - comparative:</div><div id=\"field-area-comparative\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-boundaries\">Land boundaries:</div><div id=\"field-land-boundaries\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">5,002 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">border countries (4):</span>Algeria 460 km, Mali 2236 km, Senegal 742 km, Western Sahara 1564 km</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-coastline\">Coastline:</div><div id=\"field-coastline\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">754 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-maritime-claims\">Maritime claims:</div><div id=\"field-maritime-claims\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">territorial sea:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">12</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">exclusive economic zone:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">200</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">contiguous zone:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">24</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">continental shelf:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">200</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm or to the edge of the continental margin</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-climate\">Climate:</div><div id=\"field-climate\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-terrain\">Terrain:</div><div id=\"field-terrain\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-elevation\">Elevation:</div><div id=\"field-elevation\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">mean elevation:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">276 m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elevation extremes:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">-5 m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">lowest point: Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\">915 highest point: Kediet Ijill</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-resources\">Natural resources:</div><div id=\"field-natural-resources\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-use\">Land use:</div><div id=\"field-land-use\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agricultural land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">38.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">arable land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span>/<span class=\"subfield-name\">permanent crops:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span>/<span class=\"subfield-name\">permanent pasture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">38.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">forest:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">other:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">61.3%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-irrigated-land\">Irrigated land:</div><div id=\"field-irrigated-land\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">450 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-population-distribution\">Population distribution:</div><div id=\"field-population-distribution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>with most of the country being a desert, vast areas of the country, particularly in the central, northern, and eastern areas, are without sizeable population clusters; half the population lives in or around the coastal capital of Nouakchott; smaller clusters are found near the southern border with Mali and Senegal</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-hazards\">Natural hazards:</div><div id=\"field-natural-hazards\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind primarily in March and April; periodic droughts</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-environment-current-issues\">Environment - current issues:</div><div id=\"field-environment-current-issues\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; limited natural freshwater resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-environment-international-agreements\">Environment - international agreements:</div><div id=\"field-environment-international-agreements\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">party to:</span>Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">signed, but not ratified:</span>none of the selected agreements</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geography-note\">Geography - note:</div><div id=\"field-geography-note\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Mauritania is considered both a part of North Africa's Maghreb region and West Africa's Sahel region; most of the population is concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country</div></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='People and Society'ccode='mr'>People and Society ::<span class='region'>Mauritania</span></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population\">Population:</div><div id=\"field-population\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3,840,429</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2018\">(July 2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>129</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-nationality\">Nationality:</div><div id=\"field-nationality\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">noun:</span>Mauritanian(s)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">adjective:</span>Mauritanian</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-ethnic-groups\">Ethnic groups:</div><div id=\"field-ethnic-groups\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>black Moors (Haratines - Arab-speaking slaves, former slaves, and their descendants of African origin, enslaved by white Moors) 40%, white Moors (of Arab-Berber descent, known as Beydane) 30%, sub-Saharan Mauritanians (non-Arabic speaking, largely resident in or originating from the Senegal River Valley, including Halpulaar, Fulani, Soninke, Wolof, and Bambara ethnic groups) 30%</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-languages\">Languages:</div><div id=\"field-languages\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Arabic(official and national), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> the spoken Arabic in Mauritania differs considerably from the modern standard Arabic used for official written purposes or in the media; the Mauritanian dialect, which incorporates many Berber words, is referred to as Hassaniya</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-religions\">Religions:</div><div id=\"field-religions\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Muslim (official) 100%</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-demographic-profile\">Demographic profile:</div><div id=\"field-demographic-profile\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><p>With a sustained total fertility rate of about 4 children per woman and almost 60% of the population under the age of 25, Mauritania's population is likely to continue growing for the foreseeable future. Mauritania's large youth cohort is vital to its development prospects, but available schooling does not adequately prepare students for the workplace. Girls continue to be underrepresented in the classroom, educational quality remains poor, and the dropout rate is high. The literacy rate is only about 50%, even though access to primary education has improved since the mid-2000s. Women's restricted access to education and discriminatory laws maintain gender inequality - worsened by early and forced marriages and female genital cutting.</p><p>The denial of education to black Moors also helps to perpetuate slavery. Although Mauritania abolished slavery in 1981 (the last country in the world to do so) and made it a criminal offense in 2007, the millenniums-old practice persists largely because anti-slavery laws are rarely enforced and the custom is so ingrained.  According to a 2018 nongovernmental organization's report, a little more than 2% of Mauritania's population is enslaved, which includes individuals sujbected to forced labor and forced marriage, although many thousands of individuals who are legally free contend with discrimination, poor education, and a lack of identity papers and, therefore, live in de facto slavery.  The UN and international press outlets have claimed that up to 20% of Mauritania's population is enslaved, which would be the highest rate worldwide.</p><p>Drought, poverty, and unemployment have driven outmigration from Mauritania since the 1970s. Early flows were directed toward other West African countries, including Senegal, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, and Gambia. The 1989 Mauritania-Senegal conflict forced thousands of black Mauritanians to take refuge in Senegal and pushed labor migrants toward the Gulf, Libya, and Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Mauritania has accepted migrants from neighboring countries to fill labor shortages since its independence in 1960 and more recently has received refugees escaping civil wars, including tens of thousands of Tuaregs who fled Mali in 2012.</p><p>Mauritania was an important transit point for sub-Saharan migrants moving illegally to North Africa and Europe. In the mid-2000s, as border patrols increased in the Strait of Gibraltar, security increased around Spain's North African enclaves (Ceuta and Melilla), and Moroccan border controls intensified, illegal migration flows shifted from the Western Mediterranean to Spain's Canary Islands. In 2006, departure points moved southward along the West African coast from Morocco and Western Sahara to Mauritania's two key ports (Nouadhibou and the capital Nouakchott), and illegal migration to the Canaries peaked at almost 32,000. The numbers fell dramatically in the following years because of joint patrolling off the West African coast by Frontex (the EU's border protection agency), Spain, Mauritania, and Senegal; the expansion of Spain's border surveillance system; and the 2008 European economic downturn.</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-age-structure\">Age structure:</div><div id=\"field-age-structure\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">0-14 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">38.24%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 737,570 /female 730,969)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">15-24 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.78%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 372,070 /female 387,375)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">25-54 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">33.44%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 595,472 /female 688,620)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">55-64 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4.74%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 82,197 /female 99,734)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">65 years and over:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.81%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 62,072 /female 84,350)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data attachment\"><span class=\"subfield-name\">population pyramid:</span><a data-toggle=\"modal\" href=\"#imageModal3711\" class='category_image_link'><img alt=\"population pyramid\" src=\"/attachments/images/thumb/MR_popgraph.bmp?1538604964\" /></a><div class=\"modal fade cntryModal\" id=\"imageModal3711\" role=\"dialog\" aria-label='modal dialog used to display image(s) associated with a field' aria-labelledby='imageModalLabel'><div class=\"wfb-modal-dialog\"><div class=\"modal-content\"><div class=\"wfb-modal-header\">	<span class=\"modal-title wfb-title\">The World Factbook</span><span class='sr-only' id='imageModalLabel'>Field Image Modal</span>	<span style=\"float: right; margin-top: -4px;\">	<button type=\"button\" class=\"close\" title=\"close\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">×</button>	</span></div><div class=\"wfb-modal-body\">	<div class=\"region1 geos_title afr_dark\"> 	Africa <strong>::</strong>	<span class=\"region_name1 countryName\">Mauritania</span><span class=\"btn-print\"><a href=\"/attachments/images/large/MR_popgraph.bmp?1538604964\"><i class=\"fa fa-print\" aria-hidden='true'></i><span class='sr-only'>Print</span></a></span>	</div>	<div class=\"afr_bkgrnd\">	<div class=\"modalImageBox\">	<img class=\"afr_lgflagborder\"		 src=\"/attachments/images/large/MR_popgraph.bmp?1538604964\" alt=\"population pyramid\">	</div>	<div class=\"modalImageDesc\">	<div class=\"header\"		 style=\"background-image: url(/images/afr_medium.jpg)\">	Image Description	</div>	<div class=\"photogallery_captiontext\">	This is the population pyramid for Mauritania. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. <br/><br/>For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.	</div>	</div>	</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-dependency-ratios\">Dependency ratios:</div><div id=\"field-dependency-ratios\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">76.5</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">youth dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">71</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elderly dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">5.5</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">potential support ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">18.3</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-median-age\">Median age:</div><div id=\"field-median-age\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">20.7 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.7 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">21.6 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>186</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population-growth-rate\">Population growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-population-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.14%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>41</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-birth-rate\">Birth rate:</div><div id=\"field-birth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">29.9 births/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>38</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-death-rate\">Death rate:</div><div id=\"field-death-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">7.8 deaths/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>97</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-net-migration-rate\">Net migration rate:</div><div id=\"field-net-migration-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>132</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population-distribution\">Population distribution:</div><div id=\"field-population-distribution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>with most of the country being a desert, vast areas of the country, particularly in the central, northern, and eastern areas, are without sizeable population clusters; half the population lives in or around the coastal capital of Nouakchott; smaller clusters are found near the southern border with Mali and Senegal</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-urbanization\">Urbanization:</div><div id=\"field-urbanization\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">53.7% of total population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rate of urbanization:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4.28% annual rate of change</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2015-20 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-major-urban-areas-population\">Major urban areas - population:</div><div id=\"field-major-urban-areas-population\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>1.205 million NOUAKCHOTT (capital)<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-sex-ratio\">Sex ratio:</div><div id=\"field-sex-ratio\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">at birth:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.02 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">0-14 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.01 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">15-24 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.96 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">25-54 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.86 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">55-64 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.82 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">65 years and over:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.74 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.93 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-maternal-mortality-rate\">Maternal mortality rate:</div><div id=\"field-maternal-mortality-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">602 deaths/100,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>14</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-infant-mortality-rate\">Infant mortality rate:</div><div id=\"field-infant-mortality-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">50.5 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">55.3 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">45.6 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>26</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-life-expectancy-at-birth\">Life expectancy at birth:</div><div id=\"field-life-expectancy-at-birth\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">63.8 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">61.4 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">66.2 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>194</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-total-fertility-rate\">Total fertility rate:</div><div id=\"field-total-fertility-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.79 children born/woman</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>39</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-contraceptive-prevalence-rate\">Contraceptive prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-contraceptive-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">17.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-health-expenditures\">Health expenditures:</div><div id=\"field-health-expenditures\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.8% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>166</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-physicians-density\">Physicians density:</div><div id=\"field-physicians-density\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.13 physicians/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2009\">(2009)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-drinking-water-source\">Drinking water source:</div><div id=\"field-drinking-water-source\"><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>improved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">58.4% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">57.1% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">57.9% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>unimproved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">41.6% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">42.9% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">42.1% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-sanitation-facility-access\">Sanitation facility access:</div><div id=\"field-sanitation-facility-access\"><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>improved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">57.5% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">13.8% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">40% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>unimproved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">42.5% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">86.2% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">60% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-adult-prevalence-rate\">HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-adult-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.3%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>84</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-people-living-with-hiv-aids\">HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-people-living-with-hiv-aids\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">9,000</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>102</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-deaths\">HIV/AIDS - deaths:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-deaths\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">&lt;1000</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-major-infectious-diseases\">Major infectious diseases:</div><div id=\"field-major-infectious-diseases\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">degree of risk:</span>very high<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">food or waterborne diseases:</span>bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">vectorborne diseases:</span>malaria and dengue fever<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">animal contact diseases:</span>rabies<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">respiratory diseases:</span>meningococcal meningitis<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-obesity-adult-prevalence-rate\">Obesity - adult prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-obesity-adult-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">12.7%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>132</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-children-under-the-age-of-5-years-underweight\">Children under the age of 5 years underweight:</div><div id=\"field-children-under-the-age-of-5-years-underweight\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">24.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>18</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-education-expenditures\">Education expenditures:</div><div id=\"field-education-expenditures\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.6% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>162</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-literacy\">Literacy:</div><div id=\"field-literacy\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">definition:</span>age 15 and over can read and write<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015 est.\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">52.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">62.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">41.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-school-life-expectancy-primary-to-tertiary-education\">School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):</div><div id=\"field-school-life-expectancy-primary-to-tertiary-education\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">9 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">9 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">9 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-unemployment-youth-ages-15-24\">Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:</div><div id=\"field-unemployment-youth-ages-15-24\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">15.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">14.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">17%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>87</span></div></div></li><li id='government-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Government'ccode='mr'>Government ::<span class='region'>Mauritania</span></div></li><li id='government-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-country-name\">Country name:</div><div id=\"field-country-name\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional long form:</span>Islamic Republic of Mauritania</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional short form:</span>Mauritania</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">local long form:</span>Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">local short form:</span>Muritaniyah</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">etymology:</span>named for the ancient kingdom of Mauretania (3rd century B.C. to 1st century A.D.), which existed further north in present-day Morocco; the name derives from the Mauri (Moors), the Berber-speaking peoples of northwest Africa</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-government-type\">Government type:</div><div id=\"field-government-type\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>presidential republic</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-capital\">Capital:</div><div id=\"field-capital\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">name:</span>Nouakchott</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">geographic coordinates:</span>18 04 N, 15 58 W</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">time difference:</span>UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-administrative-divisions\">Administrative divisions:</div><div id=\"field-administrative-divisions\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>15 regions (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott Nord, Nouakchott Ouest, Nouakchott Sud, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-independence\">Independence:</div><div id=\"field-independence\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>28 November 1960 (from France)</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-national-holiday\">National holiday:</div><div id=\"field-national-holiday\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Independence Day, 28 November (1960)</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-constitution\">Constitution:</div><div id=\"field-constitution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">history:</span>previous 1964; latest adopted 12 July 1991<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">amendments:</span>proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; consideration of amendments by Parliament requires approval of at least one-third of the membership; a referendum is held only if the amendment is approved by two-thirds majority vote; passage by referendum requires simple majority vote by eligible voters; passage of amendments proposed by the president can bypass a referendum if approved by at least three-fifths majority vote by Parliament; amended several times, last in 2017 (by referendum)<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-legal-system\">Legal system:</div><div id=\"field-legal-system\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>mixed legal system of Islamic and French civil law</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-international-law-organization-participation\">International law organization participation:</div><div id=\"field-international-law-organization-participation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-citizenship\">Citizenship:</div><div id=\"field-citizenship\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">citizenship by birth:</span>no</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">citizenship by descent only:</span>at least one parent must be a citizen of Mauritania</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">dual citizenship recognized:</span>no</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">residency requirement for naturalization:</span>5 years</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-suffrage\">Suffrage:</div><div id=\"field-suffrage\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>18 years of age; universal</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-judicial-branch\">Judicial branch:</div><div id=\"field-judicial-branch\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">highest courts:</span>Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (subdivided into 1 criminal and 2 civil chambers, each with a president and 5 counselors); Constitutional Council (consists of 6 members)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">judge selection and term of office:</span>Supreme Court president appointed by the president of the republic to serve a 5-year renewable term; Constitutional Council members appointed - 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the president of the National Assembly, and 1 by the president of the Senate; members serve single, 9-year terms with one-third of membership renewed every 3 years</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subordinate courts:</span>High Court of Justice (cases involving treason and criminal acts of high government officials, including the president); courts of appeal; wilaya (regional) courts; commercial and labor courts; criminal courts; moughataa (district) courts; informal/customary courts</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-executive-branch\">Executive branch:</div><div id=\"field-executive-branch\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chief of state:</span>President Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ (since 5 August 2009); note - AZIZ deposed President Sidi Ould Cheikh ABDELLAHI in a coup and installed himself as president in August 2008; he subsequently retired from the military, stepped down from the appropriated presidency in April 2009 to run for the legitimate presidency; he was elected president in July 2009 and reelected in June 2014</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">head of government:</span>Prime Minister Mohamed Salem Ould BECHIR (since 29 October 2018)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">cabinet:</span>Council of Ministers - nominees suggested by the prime minister, appointed by the president</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elections/appointments:</span>president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 June 2014 (next to be held by 2019); prime minister appointed by the president</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">election results:</span>Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ elected president in first round; percent of vote - Mohamed Ould Abdel AZIZ (UPR) 81.9%, Biram Dah ABEID (IRA) 8.7%, Boidiel Ould HOUMEIT (El Wiam) 4.5%, Ibrahima Moctar SARR (SJD/MR) 4.4%, other 0.5%</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-legislative-branch\">Legislative branch:</div><div id=\"field-legislative-branch\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">description:</span>unicameral Parliament or Barlamane consists of the National Assembly or Al Jamiya Al Wataniya (157 seats; 113 members in single- and multi-seat constituencies directly elected by a combination of plurality and proportional representation voting sytems, 40 members in a single, nationwide constituency directly elected by proportional representation vote, and 4 members directly elected by the diaspora; all members serve 5-year terms)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elections:</span>first held as the unicameral National Assembly in September 2018 (next to be held in 2023)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">election results:</span>National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> a referendum held in August 2017 approved a constitutional amendment to change the Parliament structure from bicameral to unicameral by abolishing the Senate and creating Regional Councils for local development</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-political-parties-and-leaders\">Political parties and leaders:</div><div id=\"field-political-parties-and-leaders\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Alliance for Justice and Democracy/Movement for Renewal or AJD/MR [Ibrahima Moctar SARR]<br>Burst of Youth for the Nation [Lalla CHERIVA]<br>Coalition for Unity, Pacific and Democratic Alternation or CUPAD (coalition of opposition parties, includes APP, El Wiam)<br>Coalition of Majority Parties or CPM (includes UPR, UDP)<br>El Karama Party [Cheikhna Ould Mohamed Ould HAJBOU]<br>El Vadila Party [Ethmane Ould Ahmed ABOULMAALY]<br>El Wiam [Boidiel Ould HOUMEID]<br>National Forum for Democracy and Unity or FNDU [Mohamed Ould MAOLOUD] (coalition includes RNRD-TAWASSOUL)<br>National Rally for Reform and Development or RNRD-TAWASSOUL [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould SEYIDI]<br>Party for Liberty, Equality and Justice [Ba ALASSANE]<br>Party of Unity and Development or PUD [Mohamed BARO]<br>Popular Progressive Alliance or APP [Messaoud Ould BOULKHEIR]<br>Ravah Party [ Mohamed Ould VALL]<br>Republican Party for Democracy and Renewal or PRDR [Mintat Mint HEDEID]<br>Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]<br>Union for Progress [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]<br>Union for the Republic or UPR [Sidi Mohamed Ould MAHAM]</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-international-organization-participation\">International organization participation:</div><div id=\"field-international-organization-participation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU (candidate), EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MIUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-diplomatic-representation-in-the-us\">Diplomatic representation in the US:</div><div id=\"field-diplomatic-representation-in-the-us\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chief of mission:</span>Ambassador Mohamedoun DADDAH (since 27 June 2016)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chancery:</span>2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">telephone:</span>[1] (202) 232-5700 through 5701</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">FAX:</span>[1] (202) 319-2623</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-diplomatic-representation-from-the-us\">Diplomatic representation from the US:</div><div id=\"field-diplomatic-representation-from-the-us\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chief of mission:</span>Ambassador Michael DODMAN (since 5 January 2018)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">embassy:</span> Avenue Al Quds, Nouadhibou, Nouadhibou Road,  Nouakchott, Mauritania<br><br> </div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">mailing address:</span>same as embassy address</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">telephone:</span>[222] 4525-2660 or [222] 2660-2663</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">FAX:</span>[222] 4525-1592</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-flag-description\">Flag description:</div><div id=\"field-flag-description\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>green with a yellow, five-pointed star above a yellow, upward-pointing crescent; red stripes along the top and bottom edges; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; green also represents hope for a bright future; the yellow color stands for the sands of the Sahara; red symbolizes the blood shed in the struggle for independence</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-national-symbol-s\">National symbol(s):</div><div id=\"field-national-symbol-s\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>star and crescent; national colors: green, yellow</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-national-anthem\">National anthem:</div><div id=\"field-national-anthem\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">name:</span>\"Hymne National de la Republique Islamique de Mauritanie\" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">lyrics/music:</span>Baba Ould CHEIKH/traditional, arranged by Tolia NIKIPROWETZKY</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> adopted 1960; the unique rhythm of the Mauritanian anthem makes it particularly challenging to sing; Mauritania in November 2017 adopted a new national anthem, \"Bilada-l ubati-l hudati-l kiram\" (The Country of Fatherhood is the Honorable Gift) composed by Rageh Daoud (sound file of the new anthem is forthcoming)</p></div><div class=\"category_data attachment\"><audio type=\"audio/mp3\" controls=\"controls\" alt=\"National Anthem audio file for Mauritania\" src=\"/attachments/audios/original/MR.mp3?1538604756\"></audio></div></div></li><li id='economy-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Economy'ccode='mr'>Economy ::<span class='region'>Mauritania</span></div></li><li id='economy-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-economy-overview\">Economy - overview:</div><div id=\"field-economy-overview\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><p>Mauritania's economy is dominated by extractive industries (oil and mines), fisheries, livestock, agriculture, and services. Half the population still depends on farming and raising livestock, even though many nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s, 1980s, 2000s, and 2017. Recently, GDP growth has been driven largely by foreign investment in the mining and oil sectors.</p><p></p><p>Mauritania's extensive mineral resources include iron ore, gold, copper, gypsum, and phosphate rock, and exploration is ongoing for tantalum, uranium, crude oil, and natural gas. Extractive commodities make up about three-quarters of Mauritania's total exports, subjecting the economy to price swings in world commodity markets. Mining is also a growing source of government revenue, rising from 13% to 30% of total revenue from 2006 to 2014. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, and fishing accounts for about 15% of budget revenues, 45% of foreign currency earnings. Mauritania processes a total of 1,800,000 tons of fish per year, but overexploitation by foreign and national fleets threaten the sustainability of this key source of revenue.</p><p></p><p>The economy is highly sensitive to international food and extractive commodity prices. Other risks to Mauritania's economy include its recurring droughts, dependence on foreign aid and investment, and insecurity in neighboring Mali, as well as significant shortages of infrastructure, institutional capacity, and human capital. In December 2017, Mauritania and the IMF agreed to a three year agreement under the Extended Credit Facility to foster economic growth, maintain macroeconomic stability, and reduce poverty. Investment in agriculture and infrastructure are the largest components of the country’s public expenditures.</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-purchasing-power-parity\">GDP (purchasing power parity):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-purchasing-power-parity\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$17.28 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$16.7 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$16.4 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data are in 2017 dollars</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>154</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-official-exchange-rate\">GDP (official exchange rate):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-official-exchange-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$4.935 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2017 est.)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-real-growth-rate\">GDP - real growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-real-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>99</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-per-capita-ppp\">GDP - per capita (PPP):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-per-capita-ppp\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$4,500</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$4,400</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$4,400</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data are in 2017 dollars</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>173</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gross-national-saving\">Gross national saving:</div><div id=\"field-gross-national-saving\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">24.2% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">24.8% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">19% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>68</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-composition-by-end-use\">GDP - composition, by end use:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-composition-by-end-use\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">household consumption:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">64.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">government consumption:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">21.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">investment in fixed capital:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">56.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">investment in inventories:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">-3.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">exports of goods and services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">39%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">imports of goods and services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">-78.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-composition-by-sector-of-origin\">GDP - composition, by sector of origin:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-composition-by-sector-of-origin\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agriculture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">27.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">industry:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">29.3%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">42.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-agriculture-products\">Agriculture - products:</div><div id=\"field-agriculture-products\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, camel and sheep</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-industries\">Industries:</div><div id=\"field-industries\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>fish processing, oil production, mining (iron ore, gold, copper)</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> gypsum deposits have never been exploited</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-industrial-production-growth-rate\">Industrial production growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-industrial-production-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>157</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-labor-force\">Labor force:</div><div id=\"field-labor-force\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.437 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>133</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-labor-force-by-occupation\">Labor force - by occupation:</div><div id=\"field-labor-force-by-occupation\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agriculture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">50%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">industry:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">48.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-unemployment-rate\">Unemployment rate:</div><div id=\"field-unemployment-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">10.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">10.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>142</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-population-below-poverty-line\">Population below poverty line:</div><div id=\"field-population-below-poverty-line\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">31%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-household-income-or-consumption-by-percentage-share\">Household income or consumption by percentage share:</div><div id=\"field-household-income-or-consumption-by-percentage-share\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">lowest 10%:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">29.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2000\">(2000)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">highest 10%:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">29.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2000\">(2000)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-distribution-of-family-income-gini-index\">Distribution of family income - Gini index:</div><div id=\"field-distribution-of-family-income-gini-index\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">37</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">39</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2006\">(2006 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>83</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-budget\">Budget:</div><div id=\"field-budget\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">revenues:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.354 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">expenditures:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.396 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-taxes-and-other-revenues\">Taxes and other revenues:</div><div id=\"field-taxes-and-other-revenues\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">27.4% (of GDP)</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>100</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-budget-surplus-or-deficit\">Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):</div><div id=\"field-budget-surplus-or-deficit\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-0.8% (of GDP)</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>69</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-public-debt\">Public debt:</div><div id=\"field-public-debt\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">96.6% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">100% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>21</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-fiscal-year\">Fiscal year:</div><div id=\"field-fiscal-year\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>calendar year</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-inflation-rate-consumer-prices\">Inflation rate (consumer prices):</div><div id=\"field-inflation-rate-consumer-prices\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.3%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>117</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-central-bank-discount-rate\">Central bank discount rate:</div><div id=\"field-central-bank-discount-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2009\">(31 December 2009)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">12%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2007\">(31 December 2007)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>32</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-commercial-bank-prime-lending-rate\">Commercial bank prime lending rate:</div><div id=\"field-commercial-bank-prime-lending-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">17%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">17%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>27</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-narrow-money\">Stock of narrow money:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-narrow-money\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.296 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.287 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>149</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-broad-money\">Stock of broad money:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-broad-money\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.296 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.287 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>155</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-domestic-credit\">Stock of domestic credit:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-domestic-credit\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$2.364 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$2.355 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>144</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-market-value-of-publicly-traded-shares\">Market value of publicly traded shares:</div><div id=\"field-market-value-of-publicly-traded-shares\"><div class=\"category_data note\"><p>NA</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-current-account-balance\">Current account balance:</div><div id=\"field-current-account-balance\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-$711 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-$707 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>129</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports\">Exports:</div><div id=\"field-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.722 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.401 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>148</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports-partners\">Exports - partners:</div><div id=\"field-exports-partners\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>China 31.2%, Switzerland 14.4%, Spain 10.1%, Germany 8.2%, Japan 8.1%<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports-commodities\">Exports - commodities:</div><div id=\"field-exports-commodities\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>iron ore, fish and fish products, livestock, gold, copper, crude oil</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports\">Imports:</div><div id=\"field-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$2.094 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.9 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>165</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports-commodities\">Imports - commodities:</div><div id=\"field-imports-commodities\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports-partners\">Imports - partners:</div><div id=\"field-imports-partners\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Belgium 11.5%, UAE 11.3%, US 9.2%, China 7.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.1%, Morocco 6%, Slovenia 4.8%, Vanuatu 4.7%, Spain 4.7%<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-reserves-of-foreign-exchange-and-gold\">Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:</div><div id=\"field-reserves-of-foreign-exchange-and-gold\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$875 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$849.3 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>138</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-debt-external\">Debt - external:</div><div id=\"field-debt-external\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$4.15 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$3.899 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>138</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-direct-foreign-investment-at-home\">Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-direct-foreign-investment-at-home\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2009\">(31 December 2009 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exchange-rates\">Exchange rates:</div><div id=\"field-exchange-rates\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar -</div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">363.6</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">352.37</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">352.37</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">319.7</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">299.5</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013 est.)</span></div></div></li><li id='energy-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Energy'ccode='mr'>Energy ::<span class='region'>Mauritania</span></div></li><li id='energy-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-access\">Electricity access:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-access\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">population without electricity:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.8 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">28%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - urban areas:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">47%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - rural areas:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-production\">Electricity - production:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.139 billion kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>147</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-consumption\">Electricity - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.059 billion kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>154</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-exports\">Electricity - exports:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>169</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-imports\">Electricity - imports:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>173</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-installed-generating-capacity\">Electricity - installed generating capacity:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-installed-generating-capacity\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">558,000 kW</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>144</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-fossil-fuels\">Electricity - from fossil fuels:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-fossil-fuels\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">65% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>118</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-nuclear-fuels\">Electricity - from nuclear fuels:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-nuclear-fuels\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>141</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-hydroelectric-plants\">Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-hydroelectric-plants\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">16% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>100</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-other-renewable-sources\">Electricity - from other renewable sources:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-other-renewable-sources\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">20% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>39</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-production\">Crude oil - production:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">4,000 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>80</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-exports\">Crude oil - exports:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">5,333 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>65</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-imports\">Crude oil - imports:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>164</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-proved-reserves\">Crude oil - proved reserves:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-proved-reserves\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">20 million bbl</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 1 January 2018\">(1 January 2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>83</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-production\">Refined petroleum products - production:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>176</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-consumption\">Refined petroleum products - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">17,000 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>150</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-exports\">Refined petroleum products - exports:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>180</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-imports\">Refined petroleum products - imports:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">17,290 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>133</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-production\">Natural gas - production:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>169</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-consumption\">Natural gas - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>174</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-exports\">Natural gas - exports:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>150</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-imports\">Natural gas - imports:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>156</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-proved-reserves\">Natural gas - proved reserves:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-proved-reserves\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">28.32 billion cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 1 January 2018\">(1 January 2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>70</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-consumption-of-energy\">Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:</div><div id=\"field-carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-consumption-of-energy\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.615 million Mt</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>152</span></div></div></li><li id='communications-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Communications'ccode='mr'>Communications ::<span class='region'>Mauritania</span></div></li><li id='communications-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephones-fixed-lines\">Telephones - fixed lines:</div><div id=\"field-telephones-fixed-lines\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total subscriptions:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">57,057</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>155</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephones-mobile-cellular\">Telephones - mobile cellular:</div><div id=\"field-telephones-mobile-cellular\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total subscriptions:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4,074,157</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">108</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>127</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephone-system\">Telephone system:</div><div id=\"field-telephone-system\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">general assessment:</span>limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations; mobile-cellular services expanding rapidly; 3 mobile network operators: Mattel, Mauritel, and Chinguitel<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">domestic:</span>fixed-line teledensity 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular network coverage extends mainly to urban areas with a teledensity of roughly 100 per 100 persons; mostly cable and open-wire lines; a domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">international:</span>country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean, 2 Arabsat); fiber-optic and asymmetric digital subscriber line cables for Internet access<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-broadcast-media\">Broadcast media:</div><div id=\"field-broadcast-media\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>10 TV stations: 5 government-owned and 5 private; in October 2017, the government suspended all private TV stations due to non-payment of broadcasting fees; as of April 2018, only one private TV station was broadcasting, Al Mourabitoune, the official TV of the Mauritanian Islamist party, Tewassoul; the other stations are negotiating payment options with the government and hope to be back on the air soon; 18 radio broadcasters: 15 government-owned, 3 (Radio Nouakchott Libre, Radio Tenwir, Radio Kobeni) private; all 3 private radio stations broadcast from Nouakchott; of the 15 government stations, 3 broadcast from Nouakchott (Radio Mauritanie, Radio Jeunesse, Radio Koran) and the other 12 broadcast from each of the 12 regions outside Nouakchott; Radio Jeunesse and Radio Koran are now also being re-broadcast in the regions<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-internet-country-code\">Internet country code:</div><div id=\"field-internet-country-code\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>.mr</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-internet-users\">Internet users:</div><div id=\"field-internet-users\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">661,913</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">percent of population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">18%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>144</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-broadband-fixed-subscriptions\">Broadband - fixed subscriptions:</div><div id=\"field-broadband-fixed-subscriptions\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">12,637</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">less than 1</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>165</span></div></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Transportation'ccode='mr'>Transportation ::<span class='region'>Mauritania</span></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-national-air-transport-system\">National air transport system:</div><div id=\"field-national-air-transport-system\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">number of registered air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">248,158</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">annual freight traffic on registered air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">mt-km</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-civil-aircraft-registration-country-code-prefix\">Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:</div><div id=\"field-civil-aircraft-registration-country-code-prefix\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>5T<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports\">Airports:</div><div id=\"field-airports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">30</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>115</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports-with-paved-runways\">Airports - with paved runways:</div><div id=\"field-airports-with-paved-runways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">9</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">2,438 to 3,047 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">5</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">1,524 to 2,437 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports-with-unpaved-runways\">Airports - with unpaved runways:</div><div id=\"field-airports-with-unpaved-runways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">21</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">2,438 to 3,047 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">1,524 to 2,437 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">10</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">914 to 1,523 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">8</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">under 914 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-railways\">Railways:</div><div id=\"field-railways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">728 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">standard gauge:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">728 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">1.435-m gauge</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>100</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-roadways\">Roadways:</div><div id=\"field-roadways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">12,253 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">paved:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3,988 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">unpaved:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">8,265 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>130</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-waterways\">Waterways:</div><div id=\"field-waterways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">(some navigation possible on the Senegal River)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-merchant-marine\">Merchant marine:</div><div id=\"field-merchant-marine\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">6</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">by type:</span>bulk carrier 1, general cargo 2, other 3<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>161</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-ports-and-terminals\">Ports and terminals:</div><div id=\"field-ports-and-terminals\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">major seaport(s):</span>Nouadhibou, Nouakchott</div></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Military and Security'ccode='mr'>Military and Security ::<span class='region'>Mauritania</span></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-expenditures\">Military expenditures:</div><div id=\"field-military-expenditures\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.97% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.75% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.7% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.56% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.72% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>28</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-branches\">Military branches:</div><div id=\"field-military-branches\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Mauritanian Navy (Marine Mauritanienne; includes naval infantry), Islamic Republic of Mauritania Air Group (Groupement Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, GAIM)<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-service-age-and-obligation\">Military service age and obligation:</div><div id=\"field-military-service-age-and-obligation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Transnational Issues'ccode='mr'>Transnational Issues ::<span class='region'>Mauritania</span></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-disputes-international\">Disputes - international:</div><div id=\"field-disputes-international\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara remain dormant</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-refugees-and-internally-displaced-persons\">Refugees and internally displaced persons:</div><div id=\"field-refugees-and-internally-displaced-persons\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">refugees (country of origin):</span>26,001 (Western Saharan Sahrawis) (2017), 55,866 (Mali) (2018)</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-trafficking-in-persons\">Trafficking in persons:</div><div id=\"field-trafficking-in-persons\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">current situation:</span>Mauritania is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; adults and children from traditional slave castes are subjected to slavery-related practices rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships; Mauritanian boy students called talibes are trafficked within the country by religious teachers for forced begging; Mauritanian girls, as well as girls from Mali, Senegal, The Gambia, and other West African countries, are forced into domestic servitude; Mauritanian women and girls are forced into prostitution domestically or transported to countries in the Middle East for the same purpose, sometimes through forced marriages</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">tier rating:</span>Tier 3 - Mauritania does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts were negligible; one slavery case identified by an NGO was investigated, but no prosecutions or convictions were made, including among the 4,000 child labor cases NGOs referred to the police; the 2007 anti-slavery law remains ineffective because it requires slaves, most of whom are illiterate, to file their own legal complaint, and the government agency that can submit claims on them did not file any in 2014; authorities arrested, prosecuted, and convicted several anti-slavery activists; NGOs continued to provide the majority of protective services to trafficking victims without support from the government; some steps were taken to raise public awareness about human trafficking (2015)</div></div></li></ul></div>"}