_#_Capital: Nouakchott
_#_Administrative divisions: 12 regions (regions, singular—region); Adrar, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, El Acaba, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza; note—there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott
_#_Independence: 28 November 1960 (from France)
_#_Constitution: 20 May 1961, abrogated after coup of 10 July 1978; provisional constitution published 17 December 1980 but abandoned in 1981; new constitutional charter published 27 February 1985
_#_Legal system: based on Islamic law
_#_National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
_#_Executive branch: president, Military Committee for National Salvation (CMSN), Council of Ministers (cabinet)
_#_Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale), dissolved after 10 July 1978 coup; legislative power resides with the CMSN
_#_Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
_#_Leaders: