2,351,000 (1996).

2.3 per sq km.

Nouakchott.

608,228 (1996).

Mauritania is bordered by Algeria, Mali, Western Sahara (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) and Senegal. To the west lies the Atlantic Ocean. Mauritania consists mainly of the vast Saharan plain of sand and scrub. Most of this area is a sea of sand dunes, but in places the land rises to rocky plateaux with deep ravines leaving isolated peaks. The Adrar plateau in the central region rises to 500m (1640ft) and the Tagant further south to 600m (1970ft). The area is scattered with towns, small villages and oases. The northern bank of the Senegal River, which forms the country's southern border, is the only area in the country with any degree of permanent vegetation and it supports a wide variety of wildlife.

Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. Head of State: President Maaouiya Ould Sid'Achmed Taya since 1984. Head of Government: Prime Minister Al-Afia Ould Mohammed Khouna since 1998

The official languages are Arabic and French. The Moors of Arab/Berber stock, speaking Hassaniya dialects of Arabic, comprise the majority of the people. Other dialects include Solinke, Poular and Wolof. English is rarely spoken.

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.

GMT.

127/220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round 2-pin plugs are normal. COMMUNICATIONS: Telephone: IDD is available in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Country code: 222 (no area codes). Outgoing international calls must go through the operator. Post: International postal facilities are limited to main cities. Airmail to Europe takes approximately two weeks. Press: Newspapers are in French and Arabic. The only daily is Ach-Chaab. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change.