The Islamic Republic of Iran and Mauritania signed on Wednesday some memoranda of understanding (MoU) on expansion of mutual cooperation. The MoUs were signed during the current visit of Vice President for International Affairs Ali Saeedloo to Mauritania. According to the presidential website, the MoUs are aimed at upgrading the current level of ties and cooperation between the two sides in the fields of health, treatment, oil, oil exploitation, agriculture, fisheries, industries, electricity, commerce and trade. During his stay, the Iranian official conferred with Mauritania’s premier and other high ranking officials on issues of mutual interests before leaving the country for Tehran Wednesday morning. Mauritania is bounded west by the Atlantic Ocean, north by Morocco, north-east by Algeria, east and south-east by Mali, and south by Senegal. Around 40% is Sahara Desert, 30% semi-desert. There is a narrow band of fertile land along the Senegal river. The total area of Mauritania is 1,031,000 sq km (398,000 sq mi) and its capital city is Nouakchott. The majority of the population consists of Moors, many of whom lead nomadic life. More than 90 percent of the population lives in the southern quarter of the country. About 30 percent of the people are black African farmers.