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Mauritania
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Until 1920, when it became a separate colony in French West Africa, Mauritania was administered as part of Senegal. Saint-Louis, in Senegal, continued to be Mauritania's administrative center until 1957, when it was replaced by Nouakchott. The French ruled through existing political authorities and did little to develop the country's economy or to increase educational opportunities for the population. National political activity began only after World War II. In 1958, Mauritania became an autonomous republic within the French Community.
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Mauritania's first democratically elected President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi was sworn in on 19/04/07, in a landmark transfer of power from military to civilian rule. The 69-year-old former political prisoner and ex-government minister, took the oath in a ceremony conducted by the head of the country's constitutional court. His swearing in marks the final step in a successful transfer of power from the military junta that took power in a bloodless coup 19 months ago, to a democratically-elected president. Abdallahi ... named former central bank governor Zein Ould Zeidane as prime minister. [BBC19/04/07]
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A quarter of the 1.5 million women in Mauritania — a barren, dune-enveloped country in northwest Africa more than twice the size of Texas — are obese, according to the World Health Organization. That’s lower than the 40 percent of American women who the WHO says are obese, but surprisingly high in a country that has not a single fast-food franchise.
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While the coup itself was a fundamental breach of the democratic process, the situation provided Mauritania with the opportunity to move from a closed and highly controlled political system to one that provides for multiparty politics and an engaged citizenry. Mauritania now stands to become a regional leader in democratic reform and an example of the transition to democratic rule.
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MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Mauritania are limited. There are few modern clinics or hospitals beyond the capital and a few major towns. At local pharmacies, some medicines are difficult to obtain; travelers are advised to bring their own supplies.
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An important note: Mauritania is not connected to the international banking system. Your Visa card will not work in the ATM, and credit cards are accepted almost nowhere. It is easy to change euros, dollars and CFA in Nouakchott....
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