Land area

1,030,700 sq km

Population

3.3m (UN 2009 estimate; 2.5m in December 2000 census result)

Main towns

(Population estimates 2009, World Gazetteer)

Nouakchott (capital): 798,725

Nouadhibou: 113,400

Kiffa: 80,612

Climate

About 80% desert (less than 200 mm rainfall per year); only the southern extremity supports rain-fed vegetation; temperatures average more than 25°C, with wide daily and seasonal fluctuations

Weather in Nouakchott (altitude 21 metres)

Hottest month, September (24-34°C); coldest month, December (13-28°C); irregular rains occur from July to October

Languages

Arabic (official), French, Pular, Soninké, Wolof

Measures

Metric system

Currency

Ouguiya (UM)

Time

GMT

Public holidays

Fixed: January 1st (New Year), May 1st (Labour Day), May 25th (African Unity Day), July 10th (Armed Forces Day), November 28th (Independence Day); all Islamic holidays are observed in accordance with the lunar calendar, which means that the following dates are approximate: Mawlid al-Nabi (the birthday of the Prophet, February 15th 2011); Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan, August 30th); Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice, November 6th); Islamic New Year (November 26th)