Mauritania (al-Jumhuriyah al-Islamiyah al-Muritaniyah)
Government type:
Republic
President
Maawiya Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya,
Prime Minister
El Afia Ould Mohamed Khouna..
Capital
Nouakchott 800,000 people (1996).
Other cities
Nouadhibou 72,305; Kaédi 35,241; Kiffa 29,300; Rosso 27,783 (1992).
Population
2,747,312 (estimation of July 2001)
Population growth
2.93% (estimation of 2001)
Administrative divisions
12 regions and the district of Nouakchott: Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza.
Executive Branch
Chief of state: President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA.
Head of government: Prime Minister Cheik El Avia Ould Mohamed KHOUNA.
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
Legislative branch
Bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (The Senate) [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 (National assembly) [79 seats]; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
Eelections: 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
Judicial branch
Supreme court or Cour Sureme; Court of Appeals; lower courts.
National Holiday
November 28, 1960