Mauritania Country & Tourist Information

Location
West Africa.

Area
1,030,700 sq km (397,950 sq miles).

Population
3.3 million (CIA estimate 2007).

Population Density
3.2 per sq km.

Capital
Nouakchott.
Population:  600,000 (UN estimate 2003).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. 

Language
The official language is Arabic but French is widely spoken. The Moors of Arab/Berber stock, speaking Hassaniya dialects of Arabic, comprise the majority of the people. Other dialects include Soninke, Poular and Wolof. English is increasingly spoken.

Religion
Islam is the official religion. Despite ethnic and cultural differences among Mauritanians, they are all bound by a common Muslim attachment to the Malekite sect.

Time
GMT.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are normal.

Head of State
President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi since 2007. 

Recent History
A military council was formed following a bloodless coup in August 2005. The council, headed by Colonel Ely Ould Mohammed Vall, said it had acted to end a ’totalitarian’ regime and promised to hold presidential elections within two years. It appointed veteran politician Sidy Mohamed Ould Boubacar as prime minister. Vall handed over to new president Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi following elections on 25 March 2007.

Telephone
Country code: 222 (no area codes). Outgoing international calls must go through the operator.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone operators. Coverage is limited to urban areas.

Internet
There are several Internet cafes in Nouakchott.

Media
Mauritania’s TV and radio stations are state-owned. As such, coverage favors the government and opposition access to is limited. Newspapers are in French and Arabic. Under press law, newspapers can be banned for publishing material that is perceived to threaten national security or undermine Islam.

Post
International postal facilities are limited to main cities. Airmail to Europe takes approximately two weeks.

Press
• Chaab is a state-run daily, in Arabic.
• Horizon is a state-run daily, in French.
• Nouakchott-Info and Akhbar Nouakchott are private dailies.
• Weeklies include Le Calame, L’Eveil-Hebdo and Rajoul Echarée.

Radio
• Radio Mauritania.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
9 Mar Mouloud (Prophet's Birthday).
1 May Labor Day.
25 May African Liberation Day (Anniversary of the OAU's Foundation).
10 Jul Armed Forces' Day. 
21 Sep Korité (End of Ramadan).
28 Nov Independence Day.
28 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Islamic New Year.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
26 Feb Mouloud (Prophet's Birthday).
1 May Labor Day.
25 May African Liberation Day (Anniversary of the OAU's Foundation).
10 Jul Armed Forces' Day. 
11 Sep Korité (End of Ramadan).
17 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
28 Nov Independence Day.
7 Dec Islamic New Year.

Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Korité (Eid al-Fitr), Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Korité itself. Korité and Tabaski (Eid al-Adha) may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information:

Ministère du Commerce de L'Artisanat et du Tourisme
Website: www.mauritania.mr

Consulate of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in France
89 Rue du Cherche Midi, 75006 Paris, France 
Tel: (1) 4548 2388.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300.

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in the USA
2129 Leroy Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 232 5700.
Website: www.mauritania-usa.org


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