My World Factbook
(Learn more about the new, improved World Factbook)
Note: Most information adapted from the popular World Factbook is distributed between the websites GeoWorld (geography, people, communications & transportation), Politix (government) and Great Depression II (economy).
Geography
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
20 00 N, 12 00 W
Area: 
total: 1,030,700 sq km
country comparison to the world: 
29
land: 1,030,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km
slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
total: 5,074 km
border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km
754 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Current Weather
desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
lowest point: Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m
highest point: Kediet Ijill 915 m
iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish
arable land: 0.2%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 99.79% (2005)
490 sq km (2002)
11.4 cu km (1997)
total: 1.7 cu km/yr (9%/3%/88%)
per capita: 554 cu m/yr (2000)
hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river; locust infestation
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
most of the population is concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - 
