As such it also covers a cultural transition area with the population divided between Arab-Berbers to the north and black Africans to the south. Many of its people are nomads.

OVERVIEW

In the Middle Ages Mauritania was the cradle of the Almoravid movement, which spread Islam throughout the region and for a while controlled the Islamic part of Spain. European traders began to show interest in Mauritania in the 15th century and in 1814 it came under direct French rule.

Morocco opposed the country's independence in 1960 and for a time tried to absorb it. But King Hassan II later improved ties as part of his plan to divide Western Sahara. The eventual deal in 1976 brought more problems, though, with Mauritania under attack by Polisario Front guerrillas and the subsequent downfall of the leader since independence - Moktar Ould Daddah - in a military coup.

Peace was agreed with the Polisario in 1979, but this in turn worsened relations with Morocco, until a detente in 1985. More recently, ties with Senegal have been strained over the use of the Senegal River, which forms the border between the two countries.

Mauritania officially banned slavery in 1981. The government has denied accusations that it is still being practised.

One of the world's poorest countries, Mauritania is poised to benefit from the exploitation of its offshore reserves of oil and natural gas. The Chinguetti and Tiof fields are expected to yield millions of barrels of oil.

FACTS

• Population: 3.1 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Nouakchott
• Area: 1.04 million sq km (398,000 sq miles)
• Major languages: Arabic (official), French, others
• Major religion: Islam
• Life expectancy: 51 years (men), 54 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 ouguiya = 5 khoums
• Main exports: Fish and fish products, iron ore, gold
• GNI per capita: US $400 (World Bank, 2005)
• Internet domain: .mr
• International dialling code: +222

LEADERS

Military leader: Ely Ould Mohammed Vall

With President Taya out of the country for the funeral of the Saudi king, a group of army officers staged a bloodless coup on 3 August 2005 and announced the formation of a military council.

Colonel Vall: Military leader and former security head

The council, headed by Colonel Ely Ould Mohammed Vall, said it had acted to end a "totalitarian" regime and promised to hold presidential elections within two years. Many Mauritanians welcomed the coup.

Col Vall, a one-time ally of the deposed president, had been the head of national security since 1987.

One of the new leader's first acts was to free 21 Islamists, jailed by the previous government. The military council appointed veteran politician Sidy Mohamed Ould Boubacar as prime minister.

The ousted president, Maaouiya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya, survived previous challenges to his rule; a coup attempt in 2003 was was put down after heavy fighting between loyal troops and rebel soldiers. Two more alleged coup attempts were thwarted in 2004.

Mr Taya seized power in 1984 as head of a military junta. After multi-party polls in 1992 he headed civilian governments.

He was re-elected for a third time in 2003, gaining 67% of the first-round vote. Opposition groups said polling had been marred by fraud and intimidation.

Maaouiya Ould Taya: Deposed president ruled for 21 years

Citing the threat of terrorism, his government cracked down on Islamist activists. Critics maintained that the action was aimed at stifling political opposition.

Mauritania is a highly-centralised republic dominated by a strong presidency. The 1991 constitution provides for a civilian government composed of a dominant executive branch, a senate and a national assembly.

The country forged diplomatic ties with Israel in 1999, one of three Arab nations to have done so. Under Mr Taya, Mauritania was an ally of the US in its "war on terror". American special forces were despatched to train Mauritanian troops.