Head of state: General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz 
Head of government: Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf
Type of state: Republic
Land area: 1,030,700 km2
Capital: Nouakchott
Population: 3.20 million
Ethnic groups: 30% Beydanes, 40% Haratines, 30% others
Religions: 99.4% Moslem
Language: Arabic and French
Currency: Ouguiya (MRO)
Gross domestic product (GDP) 2010: USD 3.486bn
Change over previous year: -0.4%
Per capita GDP 2010: USD 1,194
Swiss colony 2010: 30 people
Swiss exports 2010: CHF 2.15 m
Change over previous year: +53.2%
Swiss imports 2010: CHF 0.02 m  
Change over previous year: -85.9%