Currency Code: MRO
Numeric Code: 478
Currency Sign: UM
The ouguiya also spelled "ougiya", is the currency of Mauritania. Each ouguiya constitutes five khoums (singular and plural in English, Arabic: خمس, meaning "one fifth"). As such it is one of two circulating currencies, along with the Malagasy ariary, whose division units are not based on a power of ten.
The ouguiya was introduced in 1973, replacing the CFA franc at a rate of 1 ouguiya = 5 francs. The name "Ouguiya" (أوقية) is the Hassaniya Arabic pronunciation of "Awqiyyah" (أُوقِية), meaning "ounce".