Mauritania - Tourism and Travel

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is a country in northwest Africa, on the Atlantic Coast.

Mauritania has an area of 397,955 square miles (1,030,700 square kilometers).

Almost all of Mauritania is located within the Sahara Desert.

The Sahel, a region of dry grassland at the southern end of the Sahara, runs through Mauritania.

Inselbergs, isolated hills, can be found across the Sahel. Inselbergs are made up of erosion-resistant rocks that have remained after the land around them has eroded.

The Sahel is turning to desert as a result of drought, overgrazing and the use of trees for firewood.

Mauritania's climate is mostly dry and hot.

The only cultivable areas in Mauritania are are fertile strip of land along the Senegal River and some oases.

3,291,000 people live in Mauritania. About one fourth of the population lives in the capital, Nouakchott.

81% of the people are Maure, 7% are Wolof, 5% are Tukolor and 3% are Soninke.

The official language of Mauritania is Hassaniyah Arabic. French and Wolof are also spoken.

Islam is the official religion, and all of the people are reported to be Sunni Muslim.

The majority of the workforce is involved in subsistence farming or livestock rearing.

Iron ore makes up more than half of all exports.

The coastal waters off Mauritania are some of the richest fishing grounds on Earth.

Mauritania has a presidential system of government.

The official currency is the ouguiya, which equals 5 khoums.