Info source:

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/

The factbook is incomplete. It makes no mention of ongoing slavery in Mauritania. See

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery#Slavery_in_Africa

"Slavery persists in Africa more than in all other continents. Slavery in Mauritania was legally abolished by laws passed in 1905, 1961, and 1981, but several human rights organizations are reporting that the practice continues there."

Thanks for this important information Rick.

I think that the factbook is inaccurate in many ways, as are all factbooks, and certainly it will date very quickly (almost as we speak). As it is such a large tome related to this board's areas of interest I thought it would be a good (free) starting point. Hopefully lots of other sources will be added as we proceed.