_#_Total fertility rate: 7.2 children born/woman (1991)
_#_Nationality: noun—Mauritanian(s); adjective—Mauritanian
_#_Ethnic divisions: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%
_#_Religion: Muslim, nearly 100%
_#_Language: Hasaniya Arabic (national); French (official); Toucouleur, Fula, Sarakole, Wolof
_#_Literacy: 34% (male 47%, female 21%) age 10 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
_#_Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980); agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10%; 53% of population of working age (1985)
_#_Organized labor: 30,000 members claimed by single union, Mauritanian Workers' Union
_*Government #_Long-form name: Islamic Republic of Mauritania
_#_Type: republic; military first seized power in bloodless coup 10 July 1978; a palace coup that took place on 12 December 1984 brought President Taya to power