(PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU; Mauritanian Party of the Democratic
Center (PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI BADI

Other political or pressure groups: Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM)

International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT (associate),
ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77,
IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ismail Ould IYAHI
chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dorothy Myers SAMPAS
embassy: address NA, Nouakchott
mailing address: B. P. 222, Nouakchott
telephone: [222] (2) 526-60, 526-63
FAX: [222] (2) 515-92

Flag: 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

Economy
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Economic 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 almost 50% 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 recent years,
drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a substantial
buildup of foreign debt. The government has begun the second stage
of an economic reform program in consultation with the World Bank,
the IMF, and major donor countries. Short-term growth prospects are
gloomy because of the heavy debt service burden, rapid population
growth, and vulnerability to climatic conditions.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.8 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,200 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 27.1%
industry: 29.5%
services: 43.4% (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (1995 est.)