Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor Prime minister: Perry Christie
Population
3,359,185
316,182
Life Expectancy
61.530 years
71.440 years
Capital City
Nouakchott
Nassau
Largest city
Nouakchott (population: 661,400)
Nassau (population: 227,940)
Human Development Index
0.557
NA
GDP per capita
$2,200 US
$31,400 US
Literacy Rate
51.2%
95.6%
Corruption Perception Index
2.8
NA
Percentage of Women in Parliament
19.9%
NA
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
30.000%
14.200%
Death Penalty
Abolished in practice
NA
Political System
military junta
constitutional parliamentary democracy
Independence date
28 November 1960 (from France)
10 July 1973 (from UK)
Religions
Muslim 100%
Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%, none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census)
Languages
Arabic (official and national), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French, Hassaniya
English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Exports
iron ore, fish and fish products, gold, copper, petroleum
mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit and vegetables
External Debt
$2,816,000,000 $
$342,600,000 US
Exchange Rate
ouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar - NA (2007), 271.3 (2006), 267.04 (2005), 265.8 (2004), 263.03 (2003)
Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar - 1 (2008 est.), 1 (2007), 1 (2006), 1 (2005), 1 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
5.500%
0.700%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba
Area
1,030,700 km sq
13,880 km sq
Coastline
754 km
3,542 km
Climate
desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
