The Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the Last Country in the World to Ban Slavery

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is a sparsely populated country located in northwestern Africa and borders the Atlantic Ocean, Western Sahara, Algeria, Mali, and Senegal. Mauritania, as it's most commonly known as, has a population of approximately 3,125,000 people, making Mauritania the 134^th most populous country in the world. However, despite having such a small population, Mauritania's territory is vast and is over 1,025,000 square kilometers, placing it as the 29^th largest country in the world by geographic area. Using the above statistics, the calculated population density in Mauritania is only 3 people per square kilometer, which is the 221^st highest (lowest) population density globally. The capital of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania is Nouakchott, which also happens to be the largest city in the country with approximately 560,000 residents. Mauritania was a protectorate under the French Empire from the early 1900's until they declared their independence in 1960, though the French had influence over the region from as early on as the 1800's. While under the French Empire, Nouakchott was a small village with little influence on the economy, however, upon achieving national independence, it was reborn as the capital of Mauritania and quickly ascended into a position of great influence with its large population and industry. There are two other cities in Mauritania and they include Atar, with a population of approximately 50,000 and Kaedi, with approximately 60,000 people.

The population of Mauritania is largely comprised of a combination of Berber, Arab, Tuareg, and Fulani descendants, and of those, many of them still practice traditional beliefs and customs. This group is also often referred to as the Moors, and previously had influenced in Spain. Other ethnic tribes that are present in Mauritania are Soninke, Tukolor, Wolof, and Bambara. Most of these ethnic groups were traditional nomadic farmers, however lack of job opportunities have forced many to migrate toward the urban Nouakchott in search of work. The Moor people are traditionally Muslims and Arabic is the most widely-spoken language in the country. However, tribal languages are also spoken, as well as the Wolof, Pular, and Soninke languages.

Though the Islamic Republic of Mauritania has a vast geographic area, much of the terrain is desert, particularly the Sahara Desert. However, there are also other regions throughout the country that have more fertile soil, as well as a plateau area in which most of the country's agricultural products are produced. The Mauritanian economy consists of two divisions, the agricultural sector and the mining sector in which both contribute equally to the economy. The chief agricultural products are dates, cattle, goats, sheep, camels, millet, sorghum, rice, and corn. Additionally, along the Atlantic coastline, there is a thriving fishing industry that generates immense amounts of revenue for the Mauritanian government, as foreign fishermen are compelled to pay duties for fishing in Mauritanian waters. The mining sector produces iron ore, copper ore, gold, salt, gypsum, as well as oil deposits. Much of the agricultural products produced in Mauritania are used for subsistence farming.

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania has struggled to balance their traditional religious beliefs with a desire for freedom and democracy. In 2006, a new national constitution was drafted that includes a president who's elected by the popular vote of the people to serve five-year terms, and is eligible for a second reelection; the prime minister who is appointed by the president; a Senate that is comprised of 56 representatives who are elected to serve six-year terms; and a National Assembly that is composed of 95 members that are elected for five-year terms. Since its independence, Mauritania has tried to establish a stable government with free ideals, though the process has been difficult because of those who have traditional beliefs. In 1980, slavery was finally abolished in the country, making it the last country in the world to abolish the institution of slavery. Though slavery has been abolished, an informal caste system is still evident in the country that makes darker skinned Mauritanians subject to discrimination and unjust practices. The government wishes to rid its culture of such practices, but has not been successful as of yet. The current President of Mauritania, since 1984, is President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya, though he was deposed during a military coup that took place in 2005. The government is currently, unofficially run by Col. Ely Mohammed Vall. The Prime Minister of Mauritania, who was appointed by Col. Vall, is Sidi Mohammed Ould Boubakar, who has held his position since August of 2005.