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Mauritania's economy is sharply divided between a traditional agricultural sector and a modern mining industry that was developed in the 1960s. The great majority of the country's workers are engaged either in raising crops or pasturing livestock and are largely unaffected by the mining industry. The principal agricultural products, produced chiefly near the Senegal River and in scattered oases, are millet, dates, sorghum, and yams. In times of drought food production levels can drop dangerously low. Sheep, goats, cattle, and camels are raised. There is a growing fishing industry based in the Atlantic and on the Senegal River. Since 1980, all foreign commercial fishing in Mauitanian territorial waters must be carried out jointly with Mauritania; this policy has increased export earnings.
A large deposit of high-grade iron ore was discovered in N Mauritania in the late 1950s, and production for export began in 1963; the iron industry was nationalized in 1974. Foreign sales of iron ore account for about half of the country's export earnings. Gypsum and salt are also mined. There are large copper ore reserves, but difficult mining conditions and low world commodity prices have resulted in mine closures; there are also undeveloped offshore oil deposits. The country's few manufactured goods are made up principally of processed food (especially fish) and clothing. The Trans-Mauritania highway connects the capital with the southeast regions. There is a deepwater port at Nouakchott.
The chief exports, in addition to iron ore, are processed fish, gold, and cattle (the latter sent mainly to Senegal); the leading imports are foodstuffs, machinery, transportation equipment, consumer goods, and refined petroleum. The principal trade partners are France, Japan, Italy, and Algeria. Mauritania has a large foreign debt.
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