% (2001 est.)

Birth rate: 42.95 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate: 13.65 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 76.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.14 years

male: 49.06 years

female: 53.29 years (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.22 children born/woman (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.8% (2000 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,600 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: 610 (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Mauritanian(s)

adjective: Mauritanian

Ethnic groups: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%

Religions: Muslim 100%

Languages: Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof
(official), French

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 46.7%

male: 53.4%

female: 40% (1998 est.)

Mauritania Government

Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania

conventional short form: Mauritania

local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah

local short form: Muritaniyah

Government type: republic

Capital: Nouakchott

Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular - region)
and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou,
Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri,
Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza

Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960)

Constitution: 12 July 1991

Legal system: a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French
civil law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid
Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)

head of government: Prime Minister Cheik El Avia Ould Mohamed
KHOUNA (since 17 November 1998)

cabinet: Council of Ministers

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term;
election last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held NA December
2003); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA
reelected with 90.9% of the vote

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