Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Abdelrahim Ould Elhadrami
Embassy: 2129 Leroy Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 232-5700
Fax: 202-232-5701

US Diplomatic Representation:
Ambassador:Jo Ellen Powell
Embassy: Rue Abdallaye, Nouakchott
Mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott
Telephone: [222] 525-2660/63, 525-1141/45, 525-3038
Fax: [222] 525-1592

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Mauritania

U.S. Embassy Web Site in Mauritania
Embassy of Mauritania in Washington DC


FOREIGN RELATIONS

The United States was the first country to recognize Mauritania's independence from France in 1960. Since the late 1960s, U.S. aid and cooperation with Mauritania has varied in response to political conditions. The United States engages with Mauritania on a wide array of issues, including counterterrorism, food security, trade promotion, and efforts to strengthen human rights and the rule of law. The Departments of State and Defense, as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are represented at the U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott.

U.S. Assistance to Mauritania

The U.S. condemned Mauritania's 2005 and 2008 military coups. It supported Mauritania's transition to democracy following the 2005 coup, providing election-related assistance for voter education and provided elections support for the 2007 elections. Non-humanitarian U.S. aid to Mauritania was suspended after the 2008 coup. Following certification of the 2009 election by foreign observers, bilateral assistance restrictions were lifted. Mauritania is a member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) and receives security assistance to support its counterterrorism efforts.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States has limited trade and investment relations with Mauritania. The U.S.-North Africa Partnership for Economic Opportunity (NAPEO) is a regional public-private partnership that enhances the network of entrepreneurs and business leaders in the United States and each of the five Maghreb countries -- Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia. NAPEO is the North African regional component of Partners for a New Beginning, a collection of public-private partnerships committed to broadening and deepening engagement between the United States and local communities abroad.

Mauritania's Membership in International Organizations

Mauritania became a member of the United Nations in 1961. Mauritania and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the UN, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Mauritania is Jo Ellen Powell; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Mauritania maintains an embassy in the United States at 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-232-5700, fax 202-232-5701).

More information about Mauritania is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Mauritania Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Mauritania Page
U.S. Embassy Nouakchott
USAID West Africa Page
History of U.S. Bilateral Relations
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel and Business Information




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Mauritania check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving TBA
Currency (MRO) Ouguiya
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 222



Climate: Most of the country is hot and dry with practically no rain. In the south, however, rainfall is higher with a rainy season which runs from July to September. The coast is tempered by trade winds and is mild with the exception of the hot Nouakchott region (where the rainy season begins a month later). Deserts are cooler and windy in March and April.

Clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens, with a warm wrap for cool evenings. Waterproofs are necessary for the rainy season.

Food & Drink: Moroccan, Lebanese, Chinese and French restaurants can be found in the capital, especially in hotels. Local cuisine, based on lamb, goat and rice can be sampled throughout the country. Mauritanian food includes mechoui (whole roast lamb), dates, spiced fish and rice with vegetables, fish balls, dried fish, dried meat and couscous.
Consumption of alcohol is prohibited by the Islamic faith, but alcoholic beverages may be found in hotel bars. Zrig (camel’s milk) is a common drink, as is sweet Arab tea with mint.

Shopping: Handicrafts such as dyed leather cushions and some engraved silver items, rugs and woodcarvings can be bought on the open market. A fine selection of silver jewellery, daggers, wood and silver chests, carpets and decorated nomad tents can be bought in the crafts centre in Nouakchott. Unique to the Tagant region are neolithic arrowheads, awls and pottery, while at Boutilimit in the south is a Marabout centre (Institute of High Islamic Studies) where fine carpets of goat and camel hair are made.

Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0800-1200 and 1400-1900.

Currency: Mauritanian Ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums. Notes are in denominations of UM1000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of UM20, 10, 5 and 1, and 1 and 0.2 khoums.

Currency exchange: Currency declaration forms are issued on arrival and should be kept. Currencies can be exchanged at the airport or at the main banks in Nouakchott. It is illegal to exchange money on the black market.

Credit & debit cards: Generally not accepted. American Express is accepted in a few hotels in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Limited use. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

Language: The official language is Arabic. The Moors of Arab/Berber stock, speaking Hassaniya dialects of Arabic, comprise the majority of the people. Other dialects include Soninke, Poular and Wolof. French and English are increasingly spoken.

Religion: Islam is the official religion. Despite ethnic and cultural differences among Mauritanians, they are all bound by a common Muslim attachment to the Malekite sect.

Time: GMT.

Electricity: 127/220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are normal.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco....200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 450g of tobacco

Liquor.....Prohibited

Gifts......Reasonable amount

Cameras....1 still /1 movie camera

Currency...Must be declared on arrival

Agriculture items/currency/gifts...Refer to consulate



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