============================== MAURITANIA ============================== Mauritania is located on the west coast of Africa. About 47% of the country is desert, the Sahara covering much of the north. The main agricultural regions are in the Senegal river valley in the south. The rest of the country is made up of the drought-stricken Sahel grasslands, from which the traditionally nomadic herdsmen have moved to shanty towns in the south. Deposits of iron ore and copper provide the country's main exports, and development of these and the fishing industry on the coast are the only hope for a brighter future. Area (Sq. Km.): 1,030,700 Population: 2,021,000 Capital: Nouakchott Language: Arabic French Religion: Moslem 99% Government Type: In transition. Currency: Ouguiya Embassy: 5 rue de Montevideo, Paris XVle, France. +33-1-45048854 «»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«»«» Foreign Office Advice: Normal care and precautions should be taken. For more information ring: Foreign Office Travel Unit 0171-270-4129