Mauritania

D

Education

The government of Mauritania attempts to provide free primary education. The effort, however, has been hindered by the nomadic character of the people. In 2002–2003 some 88 percent of eligible children, or 360,700 pupils, attended primary school. Just 23 percent of secondary school-aged children were enrolled. Higher education is provided by the University of Nouakchott (1981) and by a college of public administration, also in the capital.

IV

Economy

The Mauritanian economy is predominantly pastoral, with mining and fishing increasing in importance. Mauritania has depended heavily on foreign aid. However, the country has offshore reserves of oil and natural gas that may bring a more prosperous future. In 2005 the gross domestic product (GDP), which measures the total value of goods and services produced in the country, was $1,850,342,500, or $603 per inhabitant.

A

Agriculture

Animal raising is the most important agricultural activity. Livestock in Mauritania in 2005 was estimated to include 8.8 million sheep, 5.6 million goats, 1.7 million cattle, and 4.2 million poultry. Crop farming is mostly restricted to the south. The leading crops are millet, pulses, rice, dates, watermelons, yams, and maize.

B

Fishing

Mauritania has a large saltwater fishing potential, and the government has taken measures to protect its offshore fishing areas. In 2004 the country’s catch was 199,380 metric tons.

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C

Mining

Production of iron ore, mainly from Mauritania’s rich deposits in the Fdérik area, totaled 6.9 million metric tons in 2004. Copper mining, once an important industry, was discontinued in 1978. Reserves of oil and natural gas were discovered in 2001 and 2005. The offshore fields are expected to yield hundreds of millions of barrels of oil once they are fully exploited.

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