Mauritania is located on the Atlantic Ocean in North-west Africa. It is bordered by Algeria in the North-east, Mali in the East and Senegal in the South. Mauritania shares its long northern border with the former Spanish Sahara. The country has three distinct geographic regions. The Riverine zone with its well-watered alluvial soil stretching along the Senegal River valley in the South, the Sahelian zone which is a broader East to West band that extends from the Riverine zone to the North of Nouakchott, and the Saharan zone that comprises the Northern two-thirds of Mauritania. There is a limited area of arable land where only meadows and pastures are observed in certain regions. Mauritania’s climate is hot and arid. Sandstorms can occur throughout the year although they are less frequent during summer and fall.

The economy is entirely traditional and rural, based on livestock and agriculture. Sorghum, beans, yams, corn and cotton are the main agricultural products of the country. The majority of the work force in Mauritania is engaged in subsistence farming. Most food products are consumed domestically and Mauritania is a net importer of foodstuffs. The most important sector of the economy is based on the rich fishing waters that lie off the Atlantic coast. Other income sources include salt and gum arabic. The natural resources are iron ore, gypsum, gold, copper and phosphate. Mauritania is the world’s thirteenth largest producer of iron ore. Primary energy resources consist of fuel wood and small-scale thermal electricity.

GDP at Current Market Prices:	1238.95 million US$ (2004)
Per Capita GDP:	414.06 US$ (2004)
Share of Sectors in GDP:	19.90% Agriculture, 30.0% Industry, 51.0% Services, (2003)
Total Exports:	367.71 million US$ (2003)
Total Imports:	- million US$ (2004)
Major Exports Items:	Fish and fish products, gold and iron ore
Major Imports Items:	Foodstuffs, consumer goods and petroleum products
Major Trading Partners:	France, Spain, Italy and  Belgium

Gouvernement de la Mauritanie

Ministère des Affaires Economique et du Développement

Office National de la Statistique