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Compare Belgium (2002) - Mauritania (2001)

Compare Belgium (2002) z Mauritania (2001)

 Belgium (2002)Mauritania (2001)
 BelgiumMauritania
Administrative divisions 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincien, singular - provincie) and 1 region* (French: region; Dutch: gewest); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, West-Vlaanderen 12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
Age structure 0-14 years: 17.3% (male 911,729; female 871,470)


15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,395,885; female 3,341,536)


65 years and over: 17.1% (male 716,673; female 1,037,302) (2002 est.)
0-14 years:
46.14% (male 634,940; female 632,654)

15-64 years:
51.59% (male 698,433; female 718,883)

65 years and over:
2.27% (male 25,840; female 36,562) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep
Airports 42 (2001) 26 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 25


over 3,047 m: 6


2,438 to 3,047 m: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 7 (2002)
total:
8

2,438 to 3,047 m:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
5 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 17


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 15 (2002)
total:
18

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
4

914 to 1,523 m:
9

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)
Area total: 30,510 sq km


land: 30,230 sq km


water: 280 sq km
total:
1,030,700 sq km

land:
1,030,400 sq km

water:
300 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Maryland slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
Background Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as being flawed; Mauritania remains, in reality, a one-party state. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions between its black minority population and the dominant Maur (Arab-Berber) populace.
Birth rate 10.58 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 42.95 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $113.4 billion


expenditures: $106 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.17 billion (2000)
revenues:
$329 million

expenditures:
$265 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (1996 est.)
Capital Brussels Nouakchott
Climate temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Coastline 66 km 754 km
Constitution 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state 12 July 1991
Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium


conventional short form: Belgium


local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie


local short form: Belgique/Belgie
conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Mauritania

conventional short form:
Mauritania

local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah

local short form:
Muritaniyah
Currency euro (EUR); Belgian franc (BEF)


note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
ouguiya (MRO)
Death rate 10.08 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 13.65 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $28.3 billion (1999 est.) $2.1 billion (1999)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen Franklin BRAUER


embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels


mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710


telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111


FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725
chief of mission:
Ambassador John W. LIMBERT

embassy:
Rue Abdallaye, Nouakchott

mailing address:
B. P. 222, Nouakchott

telephone:
[222] 25-26-60, 25-26-63

FAX:
[222] 25-15-92
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE


chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900


FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ahmed Ben Khalifa BEN JIDOU

chancery:
2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 232-5700

FAX:
[1] (202) 319-2623
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor ODA, $764 million (1997) (1997) -
Economic aid - recipient - $300 million (1998)
Economy - overview This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. About three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is about 100% of GDP, and the government has succeeded in balancing its budget. Belgium, together with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-02 dropped sharply due to the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2003 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US. A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for half of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and economic mismanagement have resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In March 1999, the government signed an agreement with a joint World Bank-IMF mission on a $54 million enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF). Mauritania withdrew its membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2000. Privatization and debt relief are in full swing, and the rate of economic growth appears to be accelerating, especially in the construction, telecommunication, and information sectors. Diamonds and petroleum are beginning to be explored and exploited.
Electricity - consumption 78.13 billion kWh (2000) 140.4 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 7.309 billion kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 11.645 billion kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 79.348 billion kWh (2000) 151 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 40%


hydro: 1%


nuclear: 58%


other: 1% (2000)
fossil fuel:
82.78%

hydro:
17.22%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: North Sea 0 m


highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
lowest point:
Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m

highest point:
Kediet Ijill 910 m
Environment - current issues the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, intense animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which is the only perennial river
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%
Exchange rates euros per US dollar - 1.1324 (January 2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Belgian francs per US dollar - 34.77 (January 1999), 36.229 (1998), 35.774 (1997) ouguiyas per US dollar - 250.870 (December 2000), 238.923 (2000), 209.514 (1999), 188.476 (1998), 151.853 (1997), 137.222 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch


head of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament


elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by Parliament


note: government coalition - VLD, PRL-FDF, PS, MCC, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO
chief of state:
President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)

head of government:
Prime Minister Cheik El Avia Ould Mohamed KHOUNA (since 17 November 1998)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2003); prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected with 90.9% of the vote
Exports $162 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) $333 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs iron ore, fish and fish products, gold
Exports - partners EU 75.3% (Germany 18.1%, France 17.3%, Netherlands 12.1%, UK 9.6%), US 5.6% (2001) Japan 18%, France 17%, Italy 16%, Spain 11% (1998)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
GDP purchasing power parity - $297.6 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1%


industry: 24%


services: 74% (2001)
agriculture:
25%

industry:
31%

services:
44% (1997)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $29,000 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $2,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 0.6% (2002 est.) 5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 50 50 N, 4 00 E 20 00 N, 12 00 W
Geography - note crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country
Heliports 1 (2002) -
Highways total: 145,774 km


paved: 116,182 km (including 1,674 km of expressways)


unpaved: 29,592 km (1999)
total:
7,660 km

paved:
866 km

unpaved:
6,794 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 23% (1992) (1996)
lowest 10%:
2.3%

highest 10%:
29.9% (1995)
Illicit drugs growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; money laundering related to trafficking of drugs, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco -
Imports $152 billion f.o.b. (2001) $305 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products, foodstuffs machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners EU 68.7% (Netherlands 17.5%, Germany 16.8%, France 13.8%, UK 8.0%), US 7.2% (2001) France 27%, Benelux 9%, Germany 7%, Spain 7% (1998)
Independence 4 October 1830 a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands; 21 July 1831 the ascension of King Leopold I to the throne 28 November 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 4.5% (2000 est.) 2.2% (1999)
Industries engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Infant mortality rate 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 76.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.7% (2002 est.) 4.5% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 61 (2000) 5 (2000)
Irrigated land 40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.) 490 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the monarch, although selected by the Government) Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts
Labor force 4.44 million (2001) 750,000 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.) agriculture 47%, services 39%, industry 14%
Land boundaries total: 1,385 km


border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
total:
5,074 km

border countries:
Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km
Land use arable land: 25%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 75%


note: includes Luxembourg (1998 est.)
arable land:
0%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
38%

forests and woodland:
4%

other:
58% (1993 est.)
Languages Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official), French
Legal system civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 13 June 1999 (next to be held in NA 2003)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, CVP 14.7%, PRL 10.6%, PS 9.7%, VB 9.4%, SP 8.9%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.1%, PSC 6.0%, VU 5.1%; seats by party - VLD 11, CVP 10, PS 10, PRL 9, VB 6, SP 6, ECOLO 6, AGALEV 5, PSC 5, VU 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 14.3%, CVP 14.1%, PS 10.2%, PRL 10.1%, VB 9.9%, SP 9.5%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.0%, PSC 5.9%, VU 5.6%; seats by party - VLD 23, CVP 22, PS 19, PRL 18, VB 15, SP 14, ECOLO 11, PSC 10, AGALEV 9, VU 8, FN 1


note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly; for other acronyms of the listed parties see the Political parties and leaders entry
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats; 17 up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (79 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held 17 April 1998 (next to be held NA 2001); National Assembly - last held 11 and 18 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRDS 71, AC 1, independents and other 7
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.13 years


male: 74.8 years


female: 81.62 years (2002 est.)
total population:
51.14 years

male:
49.06 years

female:
53.29 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 98%


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
46.7%

male:
53.4%

female:
40% (1998 est.)
Location Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Map references Europe Africa
Maritime claims continental shelf: median line with neighbors


exclusive fishing zone: median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)


territorial sea: 12 NM
contiguous zone:
24 NM

continental shelf:
200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 31,362 GRT/54,058 DWT


ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 9, petroleum tanker 5, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Finland 1, Netherlands 3 (2002 est.)
none (2000 est.)
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Components, Federal Police Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $3,076.5 million (FY01/02) $41 million (FY97/98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.4% (FY01/02) 2.7% (FY97/98)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 2,508,557 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
624,375 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 2,070,016 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
302,699 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 19 years of age (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 63,247 (2002 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 21 July (1831) Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Nationality noun: Belgian(s)


adjective: Belgian
noun:
Mauritanian(s)

adjective:
Mauritanian
Natural hazards flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Natural resources coal, natural gas iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold
Net migration rate 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 km -
Political parties and leaders AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Jos GEYSELS]; Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Stefaan DE CLERCK, president]; note - used to be the Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP; ECOLO (Francophone Greens) [no president; led by three person federal secretariat]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT, president]; Francophone Christian Democrats or PSC (Social Christian Party) [Joelle MILQUET, president]; Francophone Liberal Reformation Party or PRL [Daniel DUCARME, president]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO, president]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Geert BOURGEOIS]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Social Progressive Alternative Party or SP.A [Patrick JANSSENS, president]; note - was Flemish Socialist Party or SP; Spirit [Annemie VAN DE CASTEELE]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; other minor parties Action for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Assembly for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party) [President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA]; Mauritanian Party for Renewal and Concorde or PMRC [Molaye El Hassen Ould JIYID]; National Union for Democracy and Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party for Liberty, Equality and Justice or PLEJ [Daouda M'BAGNIGA]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progress Alliance or APP [Mohamed El Hafed Ould ISMAEL]; Popular Social and Democratic Union or UPSD [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH]; Progress Force Union or UFP [Mohamed Ould MOLOUD]; Union for Progress and Democracy or UNDD [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]

note:
parties legalized by constitution ratified 12 July 1991; however, politics continue to be tribally based
Political pressure groups and leaders Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants Arab nationalists; Ba'athists; General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general]
Population 10,274,595 (July 2002 est.) 2,747,312 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 4% 50% (1996 est.)
Population growth rate 0.15% (2002 est.) 2.93% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso
Radio broadcast stations FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 8.075 million (1997) 360,000 (1997)
Railways total: 3,422 km


standard gauge: 3,422 km 1.435-m gauge (2,517 km electrified; 2,563 km double-tracked) (2001)
total:
750 km (single track); note - owned and operated by government mining company

standard gauge:
750 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Religions Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25% Muslim 100%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.71 male(s)/female

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities


domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network


international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
general assessment:
limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made)

domestic:
mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals

international:
satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat
Telephones - main lines in use 4.769 million (1997) 26,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 974,494 (1997) NA
Television broadcast stations 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) 1 (1997)
Terrain flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Total fertility rate 1.61 children born/woman (2002 est.) 6.22 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 7.2% (2002 est.) 23% (1995 est.)
Waterways 1,570 km (route length in regular commercial use) (2001) note:
ferry traffic on the Senegal River
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