on (1994 est.)
Death rate:
16.09 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
85.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
48.06 years
male:
45.23 years
female:
51.01 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.99 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Mauritanian(s)
adjective:
Mauritanian
Ethnic divisions:
mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%
Religions:
Muslim 100%
Languages:
Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official)
Literacy:
age 10 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
34%
male:
47%
female:
21%
Labor force:
465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980)
by occupation:
agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government
10%
note:
53% of population of working age (1985)

@Mauritania, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
conventional short form:
Mauritania
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
local short form:
Muritaniyah
Digraph:
MR
Type:
republic
Capital:
Nouakchott
Administrative divisions:
12 regions (regions, singular - region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna,
Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el
Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
note:
there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott
Independence:
28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Constitution:
12 July 1991
Legal system:
three-tier system: Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special courts, state
security courts (in the process of being eliminated)
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984);
election last held January 1992 (next to be held January 1998);
results - President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid 'Ahmed TAYA elected
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature
Senate (Majlis al-Shuyukh):
elections last held 15 April 1994 (one-third of the seats up for
re-election in 1996)
National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani):
elections last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held March 1997)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
legal