Mauritania is located on the continent of Africa. It
is bordered by the countries of Western
Sahara, Algeria, Mali,
and Senegal, as well as by the Atlantic
Ocean on its western side.
Mauritania's total area is 1,030,700 square kilometers,
a little larger than New Mexico.
Its most significant physical feature is the Sahara Desert. It has only 0.2 percent arable land of its total area. Its climate is hot and dry, and a sirocco wind blows mainly in March and April carrying dust and sand. Periods of drought are common.
The population is 3,270,065 (July 2007 est.), who are of Moor and black (African) ethnic/racial groups.
Half of the population depends on agriculture and raising livestock for a living. Fishing is a major industry, as is the export of mineral deposits, chiefly iron ore.
Islam is the majority religion with almost 100 percent of the population adherents.
Mauritania was formerly a French colony, gaining its independence in 1960. Its capital is Nouakchott, and the type of government is a republic.
Web Sites
- Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
- CIA: The World Factbook
- U.S. Department of State
- National Geographic Society
Databases
Enter Mauritania in these databases: