Mauritania

Mauritania gained independence from France in 1960.

Maauya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya seized power as a result coup d'etat in 1984 and ruled the country for more than two decades. A series of presidential elections he led are seen as fraudulent. A bloodless coup in August 2005 overthrew President Tay, and a presidential council was established to set the date for new elections. Independent candidate Sidi Ould Cheikha Abdallahi was elected in April 2007 as Mauritania's first freely and fairly elected president. His term ended prematurely in August 2008, when a military junta led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz overthrew him and brought him under military rule. Aziz was subsequently elected president in July 2009. The country is still currently experiencing ethnic conflicts.

Geography of Mauritania

Location:

North Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara

Geographical coordinates:

Total area: 1030700 sq km

Demographics of Mauritania

33.67 births per 1000 inhabitants (2010)

Geographical location of Mauritania.

MAURITANIA (Arabic: Muritaniya, French: Mauritanie), Islamic Republic of Mauritania (Arabic: al-Jumhuriyah al-Islamiyah al-Muritaniyah), a state in northwest Africa. In the west, Mauritania is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Mauritania borders Senegal, Mali, Algeria, and Western Sahara. The area of ​​Mauritania is 1030.7 thousand km2. The capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott. Other major cities: Nouadhibou, Zouerate, Kaedi.

Government structure of Mauritania.

Mauritania is a parliamentary republic. Higher Legislature- a bicameral parliament consisting of the National Assembly (lower house) and the Senate (upper house). The president is elected by popular vote. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President.

Administrative divisions of Mauritania.

According to the administrative-territorial division, Mauritania consists of 12 districts and the capital district.

Population of Mauritania.

The population of Mauritania is 2.91 million people (2003). Over 80% are Moors - a people of mixed Arab-Berber origin. The Moors live in the northern and central regions of the country, many of them are nomads. The rest are settled Negroid peoples: Toucouleur, Fulbe, Pel, Wolof, etc. The official language of Mauritania is Arabic, French is widely spoken. The state religion of Mauritania is Sunni Islam. Population density 2.8 people/km2. Over 80% of the population is located in the Sahel zone and in the river valley. Senegal in the south of the country. Urban population is 54%.

Climate, relief and natural resources of Mauritania.

Most of the country is rocky and sandy deserts of the Western Sahara and semi-deserts of the Sahel zone, located on vast low-lying plains and low plateaus.

The climate of Mauritania is tropical desert; precipitation in the deserts is less than 100 mm per year.

There are no rivers with a permanent watercourse, except for the river flowing along the southwestern border. Senegal. Ephemeral herbaceous vegetation predominates; in semi-deserts there are xerophytic shrubs and acacias. Large animals include oryx and addax antelopes, mountain goats, and small predators include the jackal and fennec fox. Lots of snakes and lizards. Ban d'Arguin National Park, several reserves.

Economy and industry of Mauritania.

Mauritania is an agricultural country with a developing mining industry. GNP per capita $460 (1995). The agriculture of Mauritania is dominated by nomadic and semi-nomadic cattle breeding. They raise sheep and goats, zebu cattle, and camels. Agriculture is concentrated in the river valley. Senegal. Due to the constant expansion of the Sahara to the south, the area under cultivation is decreasing, and droughts occur periodically. The main crops are African sorghum, date palm, rice, beans, peanuts, and sweet potatoes. Traditional crafts include collecting gum arabic and mining rock salt. One of the leading sectors of the economy is marine fishing, which accounts for about 1/2 of the value of exports.

The basis of industry in Mauritania is the mining of iron ore, mainly for export. There are large deposits of phosphorites and copper. Gold and gypsum are mined. Mauritania does not have its own energy resources and uses imported fuel, supplied mainly from Algeria.

History of Mauritania.

At 4 - mid. 11th centuries the southern part of the territory of Mauritania was part of the medieval states of West Africa (Ghana, Tekrur, etc.); in the northern part there were state entities Sanhaja Berbers. In the 7th century. Arabs invaded here. In the 13th-15th centuries. after the secondary Arab invasion, the Arab tribes established hegemony over the Berbers and Negroids. All R. 11th-12th centuries Mauritania as part of the Almoravid state, in the 13th-14th centuries. the southern part of the territory of Mauritania as part of the medieval state of Mali. From the 15th century European penetration began.

Since 1814, France has secured the coast of the country; in 1920, Mauritania was declared a colony of France; since 1946 - an “overseas territory”, since 1958 - a self-determining republic within the French Community. In 1960, the independence of Mauritania was proclaimed. In 1978, power in the country passed into the hands of the Military Committee for National Revival (MCNV). The constitution was suspended, the government, parliament, and public organizations were dissolved. Since 1991, measures have been taken to liberalize socio-political life. In 1991, a new constitution was adopted, providing for the introduction of a multi-party system. Mauritania is a member of the Arab League, the Organization of African Unity and the UN.

The content of the article

MAURITANIA, Islamic Republic of Mauritania. State in northwest Africa. The capital is Nouakchott (588 thousand people - 2005). Territory– 1031 thousand sq. km. Administrative division– 12 regions and the autonomous region of Nouakchott. Population– 3.18 million people. (2006, evaluation). Official language– Arabic. Religion– Islam and traditional African beliefs. Currency unit– ouguiya. National holiday– Independence Day (1960), November 28. Mauritania has been a member of the UN since 1961, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1963, and since 2002 its successor - the African Union (AU), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) since 1969, the League of Arab States since 1973, the Union Arab Maghreb (AM) since 1989, Organization for the Development of States on the Senegal River since 1972, etc.

Geographical location and boundaries.

Continental State. It borders on the north with Western Sahara, on the northeast with Algeria, on the east and south with Mali, and on the south with Senegal. In the west it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The length of the coastline is 754 km.

Nature.

Most of the territory of Mauritania is occupied by low-lying desert, turning into semi-desert in the south. The Chemmama region in the far south of the country, adjacent to the Senegal, the only river with a constant flow, is characterized by a short rainy season. At the end of summer, 300–500 mm of precipitation falls. This amount of precipitation, combined with the river flood, creates favorable conditions for agriculture.

To the north of Shemmama, the low-lying plains of Brakna and Trarza, where an average of 250 mm of rainfall per year occur, are characterized by shrub vegetation, representing low-productive pastures. The area is home to sheep, goats and cattle, which provide food for the local population. In the drier northern parts of the plains important place is engaged in camel breeding. The vegetation cover in the south of the country is dominated by xerophilous shrubs and acacias, many species of which serve as a source of gum arabic. In addition to the southern regions, agriculture is developed in oases. On the low plains of Mauritania in the Inshiri region in the vicinity of Akzhuzht, rich deposits of iron and copper ores have been explored.

Along the low-lying sandy coast stretches a strip of salt marshes and temporary salt lakes - sebkha. For most of the year, dry winds blow from the northeast from the Sahara Desert. Therefore, the average annual rainfall in the Nouadhibou region (in the north of the coastal strip) is only 37 mm. Coastal areas tend to have cooler temperatures than inland areas. For example, in Nouakchott temperatures range from 13° C to 33° C, and in Athar (more than 300 km from the Atlantic coast) - from 12° C to 43° C. The coastal waters in the Nouakchott area are abundant in fish resources. The main commercial fish are sardines, tuna, whiting, etc.

Sandstone plateaus more than 300 m high in the interior of the country stretch from the northern border to the Senegal River valley. Here, on average, approx. 100 mm of precipitation. The population, concentrated exclusively in fertile oases where groundwater comes to the surface, is engaged in the cultivation of date palms.

The eastern regions are sandy and rocky deserts. The southeastern part of Mauritania is occupied by the Hod Desert, bounded on the north and east by steep plateau ledges up to 120 m high. In the 12th–13th centuries. it was a fertile inhabited area that was subsequently abandoned as water sources dried up.

Rainfall in the Sahelian part of Mauritania has been declining since the 1960s, with an annual average of just 100 mm falling in the early 1990s. IN last decades The Sahara Desert generally moved south. All this led to significant changes environment. Due to the decrease in runoff volume, floods on the Senegal River stopped, and even the Chemmama region turned into a zone of risky agriculture.

Minerals– diamonds, gypsum, granite, iron, gold, rock salt, cobalt, copper, oil, natural gas and phosphates.

Population.

The population of Mauritania professes Islam and is divided into two groups. In the south of the country along the Senegal River live settled agricultural peoples (Wolof, Toukouler and Soninke), constituting approximately 1/5 of the total population. The highest population density is near southern border in the region of Chemmam, on the right bank of Senegal. The rest of the population - nomadic pastoralists - are dispersed over vast areas of deserts and semi-deserts. Ethnically, they are classified as Moors, a people of mixed Arab, Berber and West African descent, and Tuareg.

Berbers inhabited North and North-West Africa before the new era. After the Arab invasion of North Africa (7th–8th centuries), they were pushed into desert areas. Some Berber tribes mixed with the Arabs. Formally, they all converted to Islam, although pre-Islamic cults play a large role in the Berber ethnocultural complex. Many Berber tribes switched to using Arabic. However, enclaves of the Berber-speaking population still exist. Traditionally, Berbers lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle. Many of them initially settled in oases. They build small dams to store water for cultivating crops and dates. Nomadic pastoralists often have collective ownership of pasture lands. However, cultivated lands are usually privately owned. Berbers are known for their warlike nature. They were accustomed to attack and threaten, but rarely resorted to large-scale military action. Despite the constant confrontation between the two most influential political factions of the Berbers, an agreement was reached in each area on joint defense and alternate use of pastures during seasonal migrations. In Berber society, all members enjoy equal rights; authority is vested in local assemblies, in which all adult men participate.

The nomadic Bedouin Arabs came to these regions as conquerors and, if they did not hope for sufficient productivity of their herds, they collected tribute from the population or forced them to work for themselves. Experiencing a clear hostility to the sedentary way of life, they neglected the experience of sedentary farming of the Berbers. The traditional housing for the Bedouins was tents made of felted camel or goat hair, painted black. The Bedouin Imragen residents of the coast abandoned their nomadic lifestyle and took up fishing. Like the Arab population of the Maghreb (i.e., North-West Africa), they created a society with a developed class-caste structure. The lowest caste were the black Moors (Harratines), descendants of freed slaves.

Tuaregs, i.e. Berbers, who professed Christianity before Islamization, traditionally roam with herds of camels and live in red tents during their stays. They distinguish between two types of property: earned by labor and seized by force. The latter is in joint use. Tuareg women (unlike Arab women) can own movable property and do not wear veils (Tuareg men cover their faces). In addition, they are the guardians of musical and poetic traditions.

The oases were originally inhabited by black West Africans, descendants of slaves from nomadic pastoralists. Now the local population cultivates grain crops and dates there and is engaged in livestock farming.

In the Senegal River valley, farming is carried out mainly by the Toukoulers, Soninke and Wolof (peoples also living in neighboring Senegal). They prefer to speak their own languages ​​rather than Arabic and are wary of the country's Arabic-speaking majority. The highest population density is in the Shemmam region.

Prolonged droughts changed the traditional way of life of the Mauritanians. About 90% of the country's population, which in 1963 was 83% nomadic, was forced to settle down, often in squalid camps around large cities. If in 1977 the nomadic population of Mauritania was 444 thousand people, then according to the 1988 census, out of a total number of 1,864 thousand Mauritanians, only 224 thousand remained nomads. In the 1980s, as a result of the forced Arabization of areas with a predominantly black African population, in particular located along the border with Senegal, interethnic tensions have worsened in the country.

The average population density is 2.7 people. per 1 sq. km (2002). Its average annual growth is 2.88%. Birth rate – 40.99 per 1000 people, mortality – 12.16 per 1000 people. Infant mortality is 69.48 per 1000 births. 45.6% of the population are children under 14 years of age. Residents over 65 years of age – 2.2%. Average age population - 17 years old. The fertility rate (average number of children born per woman) is 5.86. Life expectancy is 53.12 years (men – 50.88, women – 55.42). The purchasing power of the population is approx. 2 thousand US dollars. (All indicators are given in estimates for 2006).

Mauritania is a multi-ethnic state. 70% of the country's population are Moors of Arab-Berber origin (belonging to the Caucasian race). OK. 30% are African peoples (Bambara, Wolof, Sarakole, Tukuler, Fulani, etc.). Less than 1% of the population of Mauritania are Europeans (French and Spanish), as well as people from Senegal and Mali. In addition to Arabic, French is widely spoken. Some local dialects (Wolof, Pulaar, Soninke) are recognized as languages ​​of interethnic communication.

The urban population is approx. 59% (2004). Large cities - Nouadhibou (76.1 thousand people), Kaedi (51.6 thousand people) - 2001.

Migrant workers from Mauritania are found in Gambia and Ivory Coast. Since the 1960s, Mauritanian migrants and refugees have found refuge in France. Mauritania has also been a host country for refugees from Sierra Leone (most of them were repatriated in 2002 with the help of the Office of the Supreme UN Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). A serious problem is the increase in last years the flow of illegal migrants from other African countries who are trying to get to Europe through the territory of Mauritania (currently there are about 10 thousand people in the country). Since March 2006, at the request of the government, representatives of the European Union began working in the country, whose activities are aimed at combating illegal immigration.

Religions.

99.6% of the country's population are Muslims. Islam in Mauritania is the official religion. The most widespread Sunni school of the Maliki persuasion. The penetration of Islam began in the 8th century. 0.1% of the population adhere to traditional African beliefs (animalism, fetishism, cult of ancestors, forces of nature, etc.). Christianity began to spread in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the small community of Christians, the majority are Catholics.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

State structure.

Mauritania is a republic. There is a constitution in force, adopted in July 1991. The head of state is the president, who is elected by direct universal suffrage for a 6-year term, he can be re-elected an unlimited number of times. Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral parliament, which consists of the Senate (56 deputies are elected by indirect and secret elections by the heads of local authorities for 6 years; every 2 years, the composition of the Senate is renewed by 1/3) and the National Assembly (81 deputies are elected by direct universal suffrage for 5 -year term).

After the military coup on August 3, 2005, the country is governed by the Military Council for Justice and Democracy, headed by its chairman, Colonel Ely Ould Mohamed Vall.

State flag. A rectangular green panel with images of a yellow crescent and a five-pointed star (the ends of the crescent are directed upward, and the star is located above it).

Administrative device. Mauritania is divided into 12 regions and the autonomous capital region of Nouakchott, which in turn are divided into 53 districts and 208 communes.

Judicial system. Based on Shariah norms and French civil law. The Supreme is acting, Courts of Appeal, as well as local courts.

Armed forces and defense. The national armed forces in 2002 numbered 15.75 thousand people. (army - 15 thousand people, Navy - 500 people, Air Force - 250 people). There are also paramilitary forces of approx. 5 thousand people Military service (2 years) is compulsory. In June 2005, units of the Mauritanian armed forces (along with troops from the United States, Algeria, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Tunisia and Chad) took part in military maneuvers in the Sahara Desert, codenamed Flintlock 2005. Mauritania was included in the list of African countries that, by decision of the US Defense Ministry, are receiving assistance in training military personnel. Defense expenditures in 2005 amounted to $19.32 million (1.4% of GDP).

Foreign policy.

It is based on the policy of non-alignment. Friendly relations are maintained with Morocco, Algeria, Mali and other countries of the continent. Relations with neighboring Senegal became difficult in 1989 due to a border dispute between the countries. Close ties have been established with France. At the current stage, Mauritania advocates the integration of Arab states within the framework of the AMU and advocates a peaceful settlement of the problem of Western Sahara. Mauritania is one of three Arab states that have diplomatic relations with Israel. In May 2005, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom visited Mauritania on an official visit.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the existence of an unconstitutional regime in Mauritania, the United States continues contacts with it in the field of anti-terrorist cooperation. Close relations have been established with China. In May 2006, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing visited Nouakchott.

Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Mauritania were established on July 12, 1964. Cooperation was carried out in the field of geological exploration and marine fishing. In December 1991, the Russian Federation was recognized as the legal successor of the USSR. In 2003, a mixed Russian-Mauritanian fisheries commission was created. Until 2003, 942 Mauritanians received education at universities in the USSR/Russia. The Russian Federation annually provides 15 scholarships for the education of students from Mauritania.

Political organizations.

A multi-party system has developed in the country (about 20 political parties and associations are registered – 2003). The most influential of them:

– « United for Democracy and Unity», ODE(Rassemblement pour la démocratie et l "unité), chairman - Ahmed Ould Sidi Baba. Party created in 1991;

– « Republican Social Democratic Party», RSDP(Parti républicain social-démocrate), leader – Maaouya Ould Sidi Ahmed Taya, general. sec. – Boulaha Ould Megueya. Basic in 1991, in 1995 the Movement of Independent Democrats party joined it;

– « Union of Progressive Forces», THX(Union des forces progressives, UFP), chairman - Mohammed Ould Maouloud, general. sec. – Mohammed al-Moustapha Ould Bedreddine. The party was created in 2000 as a result of a split in the Union of Democratic Forces - New Era party.

Trade union associations. "Union of Workers of Mauritania", UTM (Union des travailleurs de Mauritanie, UTM). It is a single national trade union center. Founded in 1961, has 45 thousand members. The Secretary General is Abderahmane Ould Boubou.

ECONOMY

In the 1960s, when iron ore mining began, Mauritania was classified as a low-middle-income developing country. However, in the 1970s, the country's economy was undermined by years of drought, unstable mining operations and falling global demand for iron ore. In the 1980s, fishing developed rapidly and began to generate greater income than iron ore mining. In 1994, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Mauritania, i.e. the total value of goods produced in the country and services provided amounted to $912 million, or $411 per capita, indicating Mauritania's transition to the category of low-income developing countries.

Before the advent of mining and fishing in Mauritania, almost the entire population of the country was employed in livestock and subsistence farming.

Mauritania belongs to the group of least developed countries in the world. The basis of the economy is industrial marine fishing and mining. 40% of the country's population is below the poverty line (2004).

In 2005, GDP amounted to 6.89 billion US dollars, and its growth was 5.5%. The unemployment rate in 2004 was 20%. According to the country's government, Mauritania's total debt to the IMF and other donors is at stake. 2005 amounted to 835 million US dollars. In December 2005, the IMF temporarily postponed the issue of writing off its debt. The government pins great hopes on the development of oil production; in March 2006, he approved the project to create a national oil revenue fund.

Labor resources.

In 2001, the economically active population was 1.21 million people. (of which 786 thousand people are in agriculture).

Agriculture.

The share of the agricultural sector in GDP is 25%, it employs 50% of the economically active population (2001). The main sector is livestock farming (breeding cattle, camels, sheep and goats). 0.2% of land is cultivated (2005). Maize, vegetables, millet, wheat, rice, sorghum, dates and barley are grown. The country has significant fisheries reserves. The average annual catch of fish and seafood is more than 500 thousand tons. Agriculture It is carried out using backward methods and depends almost entirely on the amount of precipitation. It is seriously damaged by locust infestations; The attack of these insects on Mauritania in July 2004 by the UN Food and Agriculture Program (FAO) was recognized as the most massive on the continent over the past 15 years. The agricultural sector covers 30% of the food needs of the country's population.

Industry.

The share in GDP is 29%, it employs 10% of the economically active population (2001). The share of the mining industry in GDP is 12% (2004). Iron ore and phosphates are mined. Since 1994, gold mining has been carried out with the technical assistance of specialists from Australia. In 2003, the development of two large gold deposits began in the Taziast region (west of the country). According to experts, the country has oil reserves of 1 billion barrels and gas reserves of 30 billion cubic meters. Operation began in 2006 oil field in Chinguitti (west of the country, total reserves are estimated at 135–150 million barrels). The first 950 thousand barrels of oil produced were sold to China. There are food processing, fish processing and chemical industry, production of building materials has been established.

International trade.

The volume of imports significantly exceeds the volume of exports: imports (in US dollars) amounted to 1.12 billion, exports – 784 million. The main imported goods are petroleum products, machinery, equipment, food and consumer goods. The main import partners are France (14.2%), USA (7.6%), China (6.5%), Spain (5.9%), Great Britain (4.6%), Germany (4.3 %), Belgium (4.2%) – 2004. Iron ore, gold, fish and seafood, and natural gas are exported. The main export partners are Japan (12.8%), France (10.9%), Germany and Spain (9.5% each), Italy (9.4%), Belgium (7.3%), Cat -d "Ivoire (6.2%), China (5.9%), Russia (4.5%) - 2004.

Energy.

Electricity is generated at thermal power plants and hydroelectric power plants (on the Senegal River). In 2003, its production amounted to 185.6 million kilowatt-hours.

Transport.

The transport system is poorly developed; the main mode of transport is road transport. The total length of roads is 9 thousand km (with hard surfaces - about 2 thousand km) - 2003. Total length railways is 717 km (2004). Navigation along the Senegal River has been established. River ports are located at Kaedi, Guray and Rosso. The merchant fleet consists of 142 ships (2002). There are 24 airports and runways (8 of them are paved) - 2005. International airports are located in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou.

Finance and credit.

The monetary unit is the ouguiya (MRO), consisting of 5 khums. Introduced in 1973, replacing the CFA franc (African Financial Community franc).

Tourism.

Foreign tourists are attracted by the beauty of natural landscapes, ancient historical and architectural monuments, and the rich cultural traditions of local peoples. The route of the international Paris-Dakar rally passes through the territory of Mauritania. In 1999, 24 thousand foreign tourists visited the country, income from tourism amounted to 28 million US dollars.

Sights – National Museum, Carpet Center (Nouakchott), the ghost town of Tichit located in the desert, National parks Ban d'Arguin, Dowling and others.

SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Education.

First high school was opened in Roso in 1946. 6-year primary education is compulsory, which children receive between the ages of 6–11 years. Classes are conducted in Arabic, in primary school training is free. Secondary education (6 years) takes place in two stages (3 years each). To the system higher education includes the university located in the capital (founded in 1981), the Higher Administrative School (1966), the Pedagogical Institute (1971), and the Institute of Islamic Studies (Butilimit, 1961). There are 312 teachers working at 3 faculties of the university and 9.84 thousand students studying (2002). In March 2002, the 2nd African Science and Technology Summit took place in Nouakchott. In May of the same year, the capital hosted the International Book Fair, at which 97 publishing houses from Arab countries were represented. In 2003, 41.7% of the population was literate (51.8% of men and 31.9% of women).

Healthcare.

Architecture, fine arts and crafts.

Folk dwellings are rectangular in shape, the walls are built of sandstone, and the flat roof is laid on a base of acacia trunks. Among nomadic peoples, their dwellings are tents covered with blankets made of felted camel wool or fabric. Modern construction uses aluminum, reinforced concrete structures and glass. A special type of modern architecture is the construction of mosques.

Origin visual arts on the territory of modern Mauritania began in the Neolithic era. Among the rock paintings of Adrar and Tagant, images of horses, camels and carts predominate.

Crafts and artistic crafts are well developed, craft centers have emerged - Aleg (woodworking), Atar (silver work), Mederdra (metal processing), Tagant (leather dressing). The most developed leather production (production of waterskins, pouches, carpets, grain sacks, pillows, shoes, bags, etc.) and the production of the famous Moorish tapestries. The art of Moorish jewelers who make jewelry from gold, silver and coral is famous. Pottery and the production of calabashes (vessels made from gourds) are developed. A collection of African traditional and Moorish art is on display National Museum(Nouakchott).

Music.

The national musical culture was formed as a result of the interaction of the traditions of the Mauritanian Arabs, Berbers and African peoples. The musical traditions of the Moors are closely connected with the art of griots (the general name for professional storytellers and musicians-singers in West Africa), who in Mauritania are called iggiu, tiggivit, gaulo, geser, etc. Modern performers Yakuta mint Wakaran, Dimi mint Abba, Sidati Ould Abba continue traditions of an outstanding musician of the 18th century. Saduma Ould Njartu. In Mauritania, the joint participation of men and women is allowed in religious rituals related to music. Among African peoples, solo choral singing and dancing are common - njilal, vango (performed at a fast pace), nanyal (at a slow pace). Musical instruments - harps (ardyn), drums (tbal, daguma), kalam, kora, kusal (noise), lutes (gambra, tidinit), membranophones, rbab (or rebab - bowed), tom-toms, flutes (zamzaya, neffara).

In the second half. 20th century Popular music had a significant influence on musical culture, new styles appeared and spread widely. In February 2004, the 1st International Festival of Music of Nomadic Peoples was held in Nouakchott, with the support of the French Cultural Center. Folklore groups and musical groups from Algeria, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, France, India and Spain took part in it. During the festival, 10 concerts were held and 30 performances were shown. The exhibition, organized as part of the festival, presented musical instruments of the traditional art of griots.

Cinema.

The origin of national cinema is associated with the name of director Med Hondo ( full name– Mohammed Meadoun Hondo Abib, who directed his first short film Oh sunshine in 1967. Documentary films have been developing since the beginning. 1970s During the same period, director Sydney Sokona began making feature films.

Press, radio broadcasting, television and Internet.

Published:

– in Arabic and French: daily government newspaper Al-Chaab (The People), weekly independent newspaper Nouakchott-Info, published 6 times a year newspaper "Le Peuple" ("The People");

– the government newsletter “Journal Officiel” (Official Newspaper) is published in French every two weeks.

"Mauritanian Information Agency", AMI (Agence mauritanienne de l"information, AMI) has been operating in Nouakchott since 1975, is under the control of the government. Until January 1990, it was called the "Mauritanian Press Agency". Broadcasting service "Radio Mauritania" (Radio de Mauritanie, RM") was created in 1958, located in the capital, also controlled by the government. The television service (Television de Mauritanie, TVM) has been operating since 1984. Radio broadcasts are broadcast in Arabic, French and the local languages ​​Wolof, Sarakol and Toucouleur. Mauritania is included in number of 12 states (along with Angola, Burkina Faso, Gambia, DRC, Cape Verde, Nigeria, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Swaziland, Togo and Chad) participating in the project to connect the African continent to the Internet, partially funded by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) In 2005, there were 14 thousand Internet users.

STORY

Berbers from North Africa settled in what is now Mauritania in 200 BC. Moving south in search of pastures, they often imposed tribute on local Negroid farmers, and those who resisted were pushed back to the Senegal River. The appearance of camels from North Africa in this area in the late period of the Roman Empire marked the beginning of caravan trade between the Mediterranean coast and the Niger River basin, which brought profits to the Berber group of Sanhaja tribes. Having captured the important caravan trade point of Audagost in eastern Mauritania on the way to the salt mines of Sijilmasa located to the north, the Berbers came into conflict with the Ghana Empire, which at that time was expanding its borders in a northern direction. The state of Ghana was founded in the 3rd century. AD, and part of its territory fell on the modern regions of Aukar, Hod el-Gharbi and Hod el-Sharqi of southeastern Mauritania. In 990, Ghana captured Audagost, forcing the Lemtuna and Goddala tribes, which were part of the defeated Sanhaja, to unite into a confederation for self-defense. In the 10th–11th centuries. some Sanhaj leaders converted to Islam and soon became supporters of the Sunni trend. The descendants of the Islamized Berber nobility of the Almoravids spread their religious beliefs among ordinary Berbers, created a religious and political movement and in 1076 captured the capital of Ghana. Although infighting among the victors again led to a split among the Berber tribes, Ghana was dealt a blow from which it never recovered. It existed within significantly narrowed boundaries until 1240.

In the 11th–12th centuries. Berbers felt the consequences of the Arab conquests in North Africa. In the 15th–17th centuries. After several centuries of relatively peaceful penetration into the territory of Mauritania, the Bedouins of the Hassan tribe conquered the local Berbers and, mixing with them, laid the foundation for the Moors (Arab-Berber) ethnic group. Although some Berbers, for example the ancestors of the Tuaregs, not wanting to fall under the rule of the Arabs, retreated into the desert, for the majority, Arabic became their native language, and Islam became a new religion. Many black Africans engaged in settled agriculture in the southern regions of the country during the 11th–16th centuries. were conquered by the Berbers and became subjects of the new Arab emirates of Trarza, Brakna and Tagant.

The Portuguese, who appeared on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in the 15th century, founded a trading fort on Argen Island in 1461. At various times throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. they were replaced by Dutch, English and, finally, French traders. European merchants sought to control the trade of gum arabic from the Sahel zone.

At the beginning of the 19th century. French traders who settled in Senegal repeatedly came into conflict with Arab emirs, who tried to control and tax the gum arabic trade. In 1855–1858, the governor of Senegal, Louis Federbe, led a French campaign against the Emirate of Trarza. In the 19th century French officers, moving north from Senegal, explored the interior of the desert. In the early 1900s, a French force under the command of Xavier Coppolani invaded these areas to protect the interests of French traders and began to govern them as part of the French colony of Senegal. In 1904, these territories were removed from Senegal and in 1920 included in French West Africa. However, until 1957 their capital was still Saint-Louis in Senegal. The French had great difficulty managing the nomadic population, among which inter-tribal feuds continued, as well as rivalry between Arabs and Berbers. Administrative difficulties were also increased by tensions between the nomadic and sedentary populations. Even after the end of World War II, some areas continued to remain under military administration.

In 1946, Mauritania was granted the right to form a territorial assembly and to be represented in the French parliament. The first political organizations that were not yet mass began to emerge. In 1958, Mauritania became part of the French Community under the name of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and on November 28, 1960 it became an independent state. Moktar Ould Dadda became the first prime minister and then president of Mauritania. Initially relying on the traditional elites and France, he, following the example of the radical regime of Guinea, created a mass political party and ultimately concentrated all power in his hands. Moktar Ould Dadda withdrew Mauritania from the franc zone and proclaimed Arabic the state language, which immediately caused resistance from the southerners, who feared the dominance of the Moors, who made up the majority of the population.

In 1976, an agreement was reached to transfer the colonial possession of Spain - Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) - under the temporary administrative control of Morocco and Mauritania. However, this was followed by an unpopular war among the Mauritanians with the Polisario Front, the national liberation movement of Western Sahara, which was assisted by Algeria.

In July 1978, as a result of a bloodless military coup, the army overthrew Moktar Ould Daddou. Immediately after this, the constitution was suspended, the government, parliament, and public organizations were dissolved, and power passed to the Military Committee for National Revival (MCNV). Its leader, Lieutenant Colonel Mustapha Ould Mohammed Salek, took over as president of the country. The Polisario announced an end to the war with Mauritania, but the Moroccan leadership insisted that the Mauritanians continue to fight for their part of Western Sahara territory.

The next few years were marked by frequent changes in the leadership of the military regime. The relationship between the Negroid population and the Moors remained tense. Attempts by individual members of the Military Committee to carry out a new military coup, as well as differences with Morocco on the issue of Western Sahara, were a constant source of internal political instability.

For a short time in 1979, Mustafa Ould Mohamed Salek established a regime of personal power and recreated under a new name the Military Committee for National Revival, which he continued to head after his resignation. He was soon removed by Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Luli, who, in turn, was forced to relinquish power in 1980 in favor of Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Huna Ould Heidallah. The latter, as prime minister, in July 1979 announced the final renunciation of Mauritania's claims to the territory of Western Sahara. In 1981, Mohammed Huna Ould Heidallah abandoned his intention to form a civilian government and adopt a new constitution.

In 1984, as a result of a bloodless coup, power in the country was seized by Lieutenant Colonel Maaouya Ould Sidi Ahmed Taya, who served as Prime Minister several times under Mohammed Hun Ould Heidallah. Overall, Maaouya Ould Sidi Ahmed Taya managed to restore internal stability, begin economic reforms and take steps towards democratizing the political system.

Ethnic unrest continued in Mauritania until the late 1980s, and a border dispute with Senegal provoked a wave of attacks on black Mauritanians and Senegalese citizens in 1989 and the expulsion of the latter from the country. Disagreements over the demarcation of the Mauritanian-Senegalese border and the repatriation of refugees led to a temporary cessation of diplomatic relations and a curtailment of economic relations, which were restored in 1992.

At a national referendum held in 1991, a new constitution was adopted, providing for the introduction of a multi-party system. The victory of Maaouia Ould Sidi Ahmed Tay in the 1992 presidential elections was marred by riots and accusations of voter fraud. The pro-government Republican Social Democratic Party (RSDP) won the vast majority of parliamentary seats in the National Assembly elections in 1992 and 1996, as well as in the Senate elections in 1992, 1994 and 1996.

The main events after the adoption of the new constitution were boycotts of elections by opposition parties, who argued that the ruling party had one-sided advantages in election campaigns, arrests of members of opposition groups, and clashes based on inter-ethnic conflicts. Despite the ethnically diverse composition of the Mauritanian government and its formal implementation of some of the democratic reforms required by the new constitution, international human rights observers continued to note violations of the rights of the black minority population and members of opposition organizations in the 1990s.

In the elections of December 12, 1997, M. Taya was again re-elected president (90.9% of the votes). Several opposition parties were dissolved. In 2003–2004, the authorities foiled three coup attempts. In the presidential elections held on November 7, 2003, out of 6 candidates, Maauyo Sidi Ahmed Ould Taya again won, with 67.02% of the votes. His main rival, former head of state from 1980–1984 Mohammed Hounah Ould Heidallah, received 18.67% of the vote. After the opposition protested the election results, Heidallah was accused by the authorities of preparing a coup and arrested. Main directions domestic policy The Thai government remained to improve the financial sector and solve the food problem.

Mauritania in the 21st century

On August 3, 2005, under the leadership of Colonel Eli Ould Mohammed Wal (Chief of Service national security) a bloodless military coup was carried out. Power passed to the Military Council for Justice and Democracy, consisting of 17 high-ranking military officers led by Wahl. The military junta did not take repressive measures against the president, his relatives and his immediate circle. This fact helped the country avoid international isolation. In November 2005, the military junta announced that presidential and parliamentary elections would be held.

A referendum on amendments to the constitution was held on June 25, 2006 (thus transition period reduced from the previously established 2 years to 19 months). According to the draft new constitution, the president will be elected for a 5-year term and will be able to hold office no more than twice. Citizens of the country approved the amendments in a referendum.

On March 11, 2007, presidential elections were held. There were 20 candidates vying for the presidency. In the first round, none of them received an absolute majority, so a second round was appointed, in which Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi (scored 24.8%) and Ahmed Ould Daddah (scored 20.69%) qualified. It took place on March 25, 2007. The winner of the second round was Sidi Abdallahi. According to the Central Election Commission, he received 52.85% of the votes.

The political crisis in the country began to brew in May 2008, when the president appointed 12 ministers who were members of the previous government. Members of opposition parties also joined the government. However, the new government did not present a new program, and parliament passed a vote of no confidence in it, so the government had to resign on July 2. Prime Minister Yahya Waghf formed a new government on July 15. However, 25 deputies from the pro-presidential party (PNDD-ADIL) announced that they were leaving the National Assembly, thus the party lost its majority. The President failed to reach an agreement with the deputies. The president removed a number of senior military leaders from their posts. The troops broke down, and on August 6, a group of military personnel captured the presidential palace in Nouakchott. The president, prime minister and interior minister were arrested. The military that seized power announced its readiness to hold free and direct presidential elections. The coup was condemned by the United Nations and the African Union.

Lyubov Prokopenko

Literature:

Recent history Africa. M., “Science”, 1968
Kowalska-Lewicka A. Mauritania(translated from Polish), M., “Science”, 1981
Lavrentiev S.A., Yakovlev V.M. Mauritania: history and modernity. M., “Knowledge”, 1986
Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Directory. M., “Science”, 1987
Vavilov V.V. Mauritania. M., “Thought”, 1989
Podgornova N.P. Mauritania: 30 years of independence. M., Publishing House of the Institute of African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 1990
Lukonin Yu.V. History of Mauritania in the new and modern times . M., “Science”, 1991
Calderini, S., Cortese, D., and Webb, J. L. A. Mauritania. Oxford, ABC Clio, 1992
The World of Learning 2003, 53rd Edition. L.-N.Y.: Europa Publications, 2002
Africa South of the Sahara. 2004. L.-N.Y.: Europa Publications, 2003
African countries and Russia. Directory. M.: Publishing House of the Institute of African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2004



Islamic Republic, state in the West Africa. The history of the name goes back to what existed on 3. North. Africa already in the 3rd millennium BC. e. history region (Mauretania) . The name was given by the Phoenicians, for whom this region lay on the extreme 3., and they called her Mauharim - "Western Edge". During the colonial period, the name referred to one of the territories of French West Africa, in 1960 G. he was inherited state .

Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001.

Mauritania

(Mauritanie, Spanish moros - the name of the Muslim conquerors of the Iberian Peninsula - Arabs and Berbers in the Middle Ages. Europe), state in the NW. Africa. Pl. 1030.7 thousand km², capital Nouakchott . In the IV–XI centuries. part of the territory within the state of Ghana; in the 11th–12th centuries. – Almoravids; in the XIII–XIV centuries. - Mali. In the XIV–XV centuries. Arabs invaded M. The first Europeans (Portuguese) appeared in the 15th century. From the middle of the 19th century. active colonization by the French; since 1920 the colony has been composed of French West Africa ; since 1946 – “overseas territory”; since 1958 ed. republic within the French Community. Since November 28 (national holiday) 1960 – independent Republic of Al-Jumhuriyah al-Islamiyah al-Muritaniya (Islamic Republic of Mauritania ), which is headed by the president; legislative branch has a bicameral parliament consisting of the National. Assembly and Senate.
B. h. territories - sandy and rocky deserts in the west. Sugars, low plains and low plateaus (up to 915 m); on the W. there are sand dunes, on the N. and NE. ergs (dry riverbeds with sands). The climate is tropical desert. Wed.-Mon. temperatures from 16 to 32 °C; daily range up to 40 °C, especially in winter. Precipitation per b.h. countries less than 100 mm per year (in the north up to 50 mm, in the south up to 400 mm). Withering east. harmattan winds. There are no permanent rivers, except for the transit river. Senegal to the southwest. border. The vegetation is sparse, dominated by ephemeral grasses (appearing after occasional rains); in the south there are semi-deserts with shrubs and acacias. National a park Ban d'Arguin; reserves.
Population 2747 thousand people. (2001); over 80% Arab-Berbers (Moors); the rest are Negroid peoples (chiefly sampled in the south). Official languages ​​– Arabic and French. Muslims (Sunnis) predominate. City dwellers 35%; nomads ("great nomads") approx. 25%. Over 4/5 of the population is located in the south. parts of the country (Sahel), including 1/5 - in a narrow strip of the Senegal valley (350 people per 1 km²). An agricultural country with a developing mining industry. Ferrous is extracted. ore (80% of foreign exchange earnings), gold, gypsum, rock salt, native sulfur. There are deposits of phosphates and industrial copper. meanings. Production of food, leather, cement, metallurgy. prom-sti. Sat down. x-in backward. Agriculture is limited to the Senegal valley and oases. The main crops are African sorghum, rice, millet, corn and date palm (especially in the Atar oasis, called the “pearl” for its huge palm grove). M. provides itself with grain only 30%; the deficit is covered by international. help. One of the first places in Africa in terms of the number of livestock per capita; under pastures approx. 1/4 of the territory; nomadic and semi-nomadic meat and wool cattle, camel breeding. Nomads (self-name - “sons of rain clouds”) cover distances of more than 1000 km, crossing the borders of the West. Sahara, Morocco and Algeria. Collection of gum arabic (gum) from acacias (approx. 10% of the world supply). Significant marine fish (sardines, tuna, whiting), river fish in Senegal, and marine fisheries (lobsters, shrimp). Crafts: making carpets, clothing, fabrics, art. and jewelry made of coral, metal, ebony, clay toys; embossing and painting on leather. 1.8 thousand km of paved roads; and. 670 km, used for the removal of iron. ore to the sea, served by specialists. trains of 150 cars (length up to 2 km); court according to the river Senegal; intl. airports and seaports (Nouadhibou, Nouakchott). Capital University (since 1983) and the Higher Institute of Islamic Studies in Butilimit. Cave drawings different eras(including on the way through the Sahara - on the “chariot road”). In the south there are ancient fortified settlements on the hills; round stone burial grounds (shushi) near wells; numerous mosques made of stone; Berber villages - ksars (developed Kumbi-Sale; Chinguetti). Cash unit – ouguiya.

Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Ekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of academician. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006 .

Encyclopedia Around the World. 2008 .

MAURITANIA

AFRICAN ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA
State in northwest Africa. In the north it borders with Western Sahara and Algeria, in the east with Mali and Senegal, and in the west it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The area of ​​the country is 1030700 km2.
The population of Mauritania (estimated for 1998) is about 2,511,500 people, with an average population density of about 2 people per km2. Ethnic groups: Moors (descendants of Arabs and Berbers) - 80%, blacks - 20%. Language: Arabic, French (both state), Hassanya, Woolof, Pular, Soninke. Religion - almost 100% Muslims (Islam is the state religion). The capital is Nouakchott. Largest cities: Nouakchott (560,000 people), Kaedi (74,000 people), Nouadhibou (70,000 people), Rosseau (50,000 people). State structure- Islamic republic. The head of state is President Maauya Ould Seed Ahmed Taya (in office since April 18, 1992). The head of government is Prime Minister Sheikh Al Asia Ould Mohamed Hounah (since January 1996). The monetary unit is ougiya. Average life expectancy (as of 1998): 50 years for men, 53 years for women. The birth rate (per 1000 people) is 44.5. The mortality rate (per 1000 people) is 14.6.
Since 1903, Mauritania has been a French protectorate. The Islamic Republic of Mauritania was proclaimed on November 28, 1958, within the framework of the constitution of the fifth French republic. On November 28, 1960, the country gained full independence. Mauritania is a member of the UN, GATT, IMF, WHO, and the Organization of African Unity. Arab League.
Most of Mauritania is desert, but in the south there is a small belt of greenery where rare monkeys live. The average annual temperature reaches 38° C.

Encyclopedia: cities and countries. 2008 .

Mauritania is a state in West Africa, washed on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Area - 1030.7 thousand sq. km. Until 1960, Mauritania was a French possession (cm. France). The official language is Arabic. Administrative division: 12 regions and 1 autonomous capital district.
Most of the country is occupied by the sandy and rocky deserts of Western Sahara. The relief is dominated by vast low-lying plains and low plateaus (732 m above sea level). The only river with a permanent flow is the border Senegal.
The climate is tropical desert, with average monthly temperatures ranging from 16–20 °C in January to 30–32 °C in July. Precipitation in most of the country is less than 100 mm per year, only in the south - in the Sahel zone - 200–400 mm. The vegetation also has a corresponding character: sparse shrubs and isolated trees in the south, and in the rest of the territory, sparse greenery appears only in a short time after the rains. Large animals include oryx and addax antelopes, mountain goats, and small predators include the jackal and fennec fox. Lots of snakes and lizards, as well as insects and spiders.
The modern population of Mauritania (about 3.27 million people) is ethnically heterogeneous: three quarters are the so-called Moors - Arabs and Berbers, engaged primarily in cattle breeding; in the south, Negro-African peoples predominate - Toucouleur, Fulani, Wolof and others, who are mainly sedentary Lifestyle. Islam has been declared the state religion. Mauritania, unlike some other countries of North and West Africa, did not experience the heyday of medieval civilization, but the urban settlements of Chinguetti, Tishit, and Walata that have survived from that era testify to their former prosperity and the subtle art of decorating the facades of buildings. The Chinguetti Library contains 2 thousand manuscripts of Arab scholars. The musical, singing, and dance arts of the peoples of Mauritania are diverse. Capital and The largest city country - Nouakchott, built only 30–40 years ago. The second largest and most important city is the port of Nouadhibou. In the 4th - mid-11th centuries. The southern part of the territory of Mauritania was part of the medieval states of West Africa (

- (Islamic Republic of Mauritania), a state in northwest Africa, washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Area 1030.7 thousand km2. Population 2.2 million; Moors (Arabs of Western Sahara) over 80%, Berbers, etc. The official language is Arabic.… … Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Islamic Republic of Mauritania, a state in northwestern Africa. Art monuments dating back to the Neolithic belong to the culture of the Negroid peoples and Berbers (rock paintings, stone tombs of Shushi). In the Middle Ages on... ... Art encyclopedia

Mauritania- a state in northwestern Africa. In the north it borders with Western Sahara and Algeria, in the east with Mali and Senegal, and in the west it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

The name of the country comes from the Phoenician Mauharim - “Western region”.

Capital

Square

Population

2747 thousand people

Administrative division

The state is divided into 12 regions and 1 autonomous capital district.

Form of government

Republic.

Head of State

President, elected for a term of 6 years.

Supreme legislative body

Bicameral parliament (upper house - Senate, elected for 6 years, lower house - National Assembly, term of office - 5 years).

Supreme executive body

Government.

Big cities

Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Rosso.

Official language

Arab.

Religion

100% are Sunni Muslims.

Ethnic composition

80% are Moors, 20% are blacks.

Currency

Oogiya = 5 Khumsam.

Climate

The climate in Mauritania is tropical and desert. The average annual temperature ranges from + 16°C to + 38°C. Precipitation falls less than 100 mm per year (in the northeast less than 50 mm, in the south - 200-400 mm).

Flora

Most of Mauritania is desert, and only in the south a small area of ​​the territory is covered with vegetation (shrubs, acacias).

Fauna

The fauna of Mauritania is also not rich. Among the representatives of the animal world, the jackal, fox, gazelle, antelope, mountain goat, rodents and snakes, and many insects and spiders live here.

Rivers and lakes

There are no permanent rivers, and only Mauritania's border with Senegal runs along the Senegal River. Attractions. There are no special attractions on the territory of the state.

Useful information for tourists

During Muslim holidays, government offices and shops are open from 8.30 to 14.00 (opening hours may vary), Saturday and Sunday are days off. You can exchange currency on the black market, but in this case the risk of fraud is inevitable. In markets and in the private sector, it is quite possible to pay in French francs or US dollars, but most often the exchange rate will be arbitrary. Usage credit cards Only possible in large international hotels in Nouakchott (preferably American Express), the use of traveler's checks is also limited. Tips are 10% of the bill in restaurants, hotels and taxis.