Economy
Regardless of Mauritania's wealth in natural resources, Mauritania has one of the lowest GDP rates in Africa. Most of the population still depends highly on the agriculture, farming and livestock. Mauritania has a large fishing industry along with a big number of iron ore, which makes up about 40% of all it's exports. In 2007 oil was discovered in Chinguetti. Mauritania has been known to be a “desperat desert nation, which straddles the Arab and African worlds and is Africa's newest oil producer”.
Politics
The first fair Presidental election since 1960 was on 11th March 2007. This was one of the fewest times where the president was selected by the peoples votes. The election was won by Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi, who was driven out by a military coup in 2008 and replaced by general Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who is still in power and is the current president of Mauritania. The military has an important role in the government. Conflict between white Moors, black Moors, and non-Moors centring on language and other problems, continue to put obstacles to the way of a national unity.
Facts about Mauritania
- Two thirds of Mauritania is covered by dessert which expands south every year.
- One of the longest trains in the world (if not the longest ) is found in Mauritania.
- Mauritania was the name of the kingdom of north Africa which also comes from the word moors.
- The European traders first showed interest in Mauritania in the 15th century.
- In the middle ages Mauritania was the start of the Almoravid movement, which is what spread Islam, and protected the Islamic parts of spain.
- When Maaouiya Taya was still president, Mauritania was cooperating with US. American special forces who were training Mauritanian troops.
- Mauritania has a population growth rate of 2.323% annually.
- Only 1% of Mauritania's land is suitable for growing crops.
- Nouackchautt is One of the newest capitals in the world.
- One of the longest trains in the world (if not the longest ) is found in Mauritania.
- Mauritania was the name of the kingdom of north Africa which also comes from the word moors.
- The European traders first showed interest in Mauritania in the 15th century.
- In the middle ages Mauritania was the start of the Almoravid movement, which is what spread Islam, and protected the Islamic parts of spain.
- When Maaouiya Taya was still president, Mauritania was cooperating with US. American special forces who were training Mauritanian troops.
- Mauritania has a population growth rate of 2.323% annually.
- Only 1% of Mauritania's land is suitable for growing crops.
- Nouackchautt is One of the newest capitals in the world.