CULTURE
Moorish society is proud of
its Arab and Muslim heritage. Theology, poetry, and music flourish.
Goldsmithing is a fine art. Kewri societies have a rich and varied
folklore.
Mail,
telephone, and telegraph services are combined in the main post
offices. Fewer than 6,000 telephones are in use, and administrative
contact is primarily through radiotelephone. International telephonic
communications are run through Paris. The media are owned or controlled
by the government. A national radio network broadcasts in the
prevailing languages and in French. There are also two Earth satellite
stations with telecasts in French and Arabic. A daily, Ach-chaab;
a fortnightly, Journal Officiel; and a bimonthly, Le Peuple, are
published in the two official languages. Movie theatres are found
in the main urban centres, and cercles (social, sporting clubs)
provide recreational opportunities in Nouakchott, Nouadhibou,
and Rosso.
