lephone: [1] (202) 232-5700

FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
John W. LIMBERT

embassy: Rue Abdallaye, Nouakchott

mailing address: B. P. 222, Nouakchott

telephone: [222] 25-26-60, 25-26-63

FAX: [222] 25-15-92

Flag description: green with a yellow five-pointed star above a
yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is
down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of
Islam

Mauritania Economy

Economy - overview: A majority of the population still depends on
agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the
nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by
recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive
deposits of iron ore, which account for half of total exports. The
decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks
in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest
fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners
threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater
port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and
economic mismanagement have resulted in a buildup of foreign debt.
In March 1999, the government signed an agreement with a joint World
Bank-IMF mission on a $54 million enhanced structural adjustment
facility (ESAF). Mauritania withdrew its membership in the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2000. Privatization and
debt relief are in full swing, and the rate of economic growth
appears to be accelerating, especially in the construction,
telecommunication, and information sectors. Diamonds and petroleum
are beginning to be explored and exploited.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate: 5% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 25%

industry: 31%

services: 44% (1997)

Population below poverty line: 50% (1996 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%:
2.3%

highest 10%: 29.9% (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.5% (2000 est.)

Labor force: 750,000 (1999)

Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 47%, services 39%, industry
14%

Unemployment rate: 23% (1995 est.)

Budget: revenues: $329 million

expenditures: $265 million, including capital expenditures of $