Mauritania

Full name of country: Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Region: Africa

Official language: Arabic

Population: 4,328,040 (2024 est.)

Nationality: Mauritanian(s) (noun), Mauritanian (adjective)

Land area: 1,030,700 sq km (397,955 sq miles)

Capital: Nouakchott

National anthem: "Hymne National de la Republique Islamique de Mauritanie" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania), by Baba Ould Cheikh/Traditional, arranged by Tolia Nikiprowetzky

National holiday: Independence Day, November 28 (1960)

Population growth: 1.92% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC +0

Flag: The flag of Mauritania features a dark green field, or background, with a centered horizontal (upward-pointed) golden crescent below a five-pointed golden star (both symbols of Islam). The colors, gold and green, are pan-African colors; green represents Islam, while gold stands for the sands of the Sahara.

Motto: “Honneur, Fraternité, Justice” (Honor, Fraternity, Justice)

Independence: November 28, 1960 (from France)

Government type: presidential republic

Suffrage: universal for those eighteen years of age and older

Legal system: based on a mixture of Islamic and French civil law

Mauritania is officially known as the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (al-Jumhuriyah al-Islamiyah al-Muritaniyah in Arabic). The country is located in northwestern Africa, where much of the land is desert. Countries that share borders with Mauritania include Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the southwest. Western Sahara lies on the northwest, and the Atlantic Ocean on the west.

Mauritania is a former colony of France. It gained its independence in 1960. The country has a nomadic culture that is based on a system of clans; nomads survive by following the water supply and herding animals like camels, goats, and sheep. While a number of Mauritanians continue to live traditional nomadic lifestyles, many people are choosing to live in permanent settlements because they want a higher quality of life. Mauritania's prevailing culture is Arab and Muslim; the language, religion, and law all stem from the country's Islamic traditions.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography.

People and Culture

Population: The principal ethnic groups in Mauritania include White Moors (Bidhans), or people of Arab-Berber descent, and Black Moors (Haratines), or Arab-speaking descendants of Black Africans who were captured and enslaved by White Moors. White Moors make up about 30 percent of the nation’s population, while Black Moors make up about 40 percent. Other ethnic groups in the country include the Halpulaar, Soninke, Bambara, and Wolof. These people are related to those living in sub-Saharan Africa, and many migrated to Mauritania after that country gained independence in 1960.

Most Mauritanians live in the Senegal River Valley. Nearly the entire population is Sunni Muslim, and the official language is Arabic. Other languages spoken in the country include Hassaniya, which is a mixture of Arabic and Berber, French, Pular, Wolof, and Soninke.

Slavery was not officially abolished in Mauritania until 1981, making Mauritania the last country to do so, and slavery is still practiced in areas of the country. It was not until 2007 that Mauritania passed a law that enabled the criminal prosecution of enslavers. Although a 2018 nongovernmental organization report stated that enslaved Mauritanians comprise a little more than 2 percent of the population, the United Nations and international press claim that up to 20 percent of Mauritanians are enslaved, the highest rate of enslavement in the world.

Indigenous People: Before Arabic and Berber tribes migrated to Mauritania in the third century, the region was part of the Ghanaian Empire. A Black North African people known as the Bafour were the first inhabitants of modern Mauritania. The Bafour were the ancestors of the modern Soninke people, who continue to live in the country.

With the arrival of the Arab and Berber invaders, the Bafour were forced to flee to the south, where Mauritania borders Senegal today. The invading tribes also enslaved the Bafour, beginning a tradition of ethnic social division in which Arabs enjoyed aristocratic status and Black Africans were relegated to the status of enslavement.

Between the eleventh and seventeenth centuries, the Arab tribes fought the Berbers for domination of the region. The most powerful Arab tribe was the Beni Hassan tribe. Islam played a large role in the Arab conquest of the region; an order of Islamic monks called al-Murabitun was central in the defeat of the defeat of the Ghanaian Empire in 1076.

The Berbers were defeated in the Mauritanian Thirty-Year War, which lasted from 1644 to 1674. Even though they did not control the region politically, many Berbers became important religious teachers called marabouts.

Education: The Mauritania education system has faced problems such as poorly trained teachers, a shortage of funding, and a lack of school facilities. In 2021 the adult literacy rate (ages fifteen and above) was at 67 percent.

Pre-primary school is available for students starting at age three. Primary school starts at age six and continues for six years. Lower secondary school consists of grades seven through nine, and upper secondary comprises grades ten through twelve. In principle, primary school is free and compulsory, but in practice is out of reach for many students. Many students cannot afford educational materials or were not able to acquire the national biometric civil registration documents that students are required to have both to enroll in school and take national tests that allow them to advance to the next level of their education. In general, the urban population is better educated and has more opportunities for learning than the rural population.

Along with traditional Islamic religious training, there are primary schools and secondary schools in Mauritania. The national library is located in the capital of Nouakchott. Mauritania also founded such institutions for higher education as the École Nationale d’Administration, de Journalisme et de Magistrature (National School of Administration, Journalism and Magistracy), the Université Libanaise Internationale en Mauritanie (Lebanese International University of Mauritania), and the Université de Nouakchott (University of Nouakchott).

Health Care: The Mauritanian government operates several public health clinics, and in 2020 roughly 3.4 percent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) was expended on health care. The country's largest hospital is in the capital of Nouakchott; however, there are few up-to-date medical facilities. In 2018, there were only 0.19 doctors per 1,000 people in the country.

Mauritanians have a very high risk of contracting infectious diseases, including bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria, dengue fever, rabies, and meningococcal meningitis (2020). Malnutrition brought on by crop failures has also seriously affected public health. Thousands of landmines in Mauritania's desert from the 1975–78 Western Saharan conflict were cleared in 2015, but Mauritania as a whole still had 67.1 contaminated square kilometers remaining by the end of that year. In July 2018, the government reported that all areas contaminated with mines had been cleared. The country ranked 164 out of 193 countries and territories on the 2021/22 United Nations Human Development Index.

Food:Food supply has been a problem in Mauritania due to an agricultural crisis brought on by drought and insect pests. European countries and nongovernmental organizations such as Oxfam have made donations in order to ease the problem. Locusts have also been a problem, and large swarms can consume entire crops of rice and other cereal produce.

As in other West African countries, Mauritania's food tends to be starchy and spicy. While beef and goat meat are eaten, meats such as fish and chicken are more common. Stews are popular dishes that combine a number of vegetable, fish, and meat ingredients. Both dried and fresh fish are often served in stews or fried in oil, and fish balls are a common meal. Peanuts, yams, and cassava are staple foods, as are mutton and rice. Citrus fruit and pineapples are also used in Mauritanian cooking.

Roasted lamb is called mechoui, a popular meal throughout the country. Couscous, a mixture of semolina and vegetables, frequently accompanies stews and spicy fish. The people of Mauritania often drink zrig, or camel's milk, and strong tea with mint. Drinking alcohol is forbidden by Islam.

Arts & Entertainment: Music is an important form of cultural expression in Mauritania. Mauritanian folk singing is a combination of music and poetry. One famous griot, or folk singer, was Dimi Mint Abba, who died in 2011. Traditional music involves vocal performances accompanied by a lute-like instrument called the tidnit. Mauritanian singers perform in high-pitched tones and are also occasionally accompanied by a harp known as an ardin, usually played by women. Drums and other percussion instruments are also featured in Mauritanian music, such as the large tbal drum and the daghumma rattle.

Because of the importance of Islam in the country, Mauritania has produced a number of religious scholars. Muhammad Yahya, formerly Muhammad al-Mukhtar, was a well-known religious writer who died in 1912. The nineteenth-century poet Baba Ould Cheikh continues to be respected today; his poetry was used to compose the country's national anthem.

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Mauritania. The country belongs to the Confederation of African Football, and its team is known as the Mourabitounes. However, the team has struggled to become a regular qualifier for the African Nations Cup or the World Cup tournaments.

Holidays: Islamic religious holidays such as Ramadan are widely observed in Mauritania. During the month of Ramadan, eating and drinking are not permitted until after dark. In addition to Islamic holy days, Mauritanians celebrate their independence from France on November 28. They also commemorate the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, which is known as African Liberation Day.

Environment and Geography

Topography: Mauritania is primarily a flat country, with coastal plains that reach heights of up to 45 meters (150 feet). Most of the northern part of the country is desert, while a very small portion of the south is fertile enough to support some agriculture. Only 0.4 percent of the country’s land is considered arable.

In the country's interior, the plains reach altitudes of 182 to 228 meters (600 to 750 feet). These heights are part of a large plateau and system of ridges. The highest mountain in Mauritania is Kediet Ijill, at 915 meters (3,002 feet) above sea level.

In the north, the Rigaibat region has many rocky hills and ridges. The Taoudeni basin is located in the center of the country and is surrounded by plateaus. Half of Mauritania is covered by sand dunes; wadis, or dry riverbeds, are common throughout the country, especially among the plateaus. Occasionally the wadis flood, but because the country receives very little rain, they are dry most of the time. The Senegal River runs through the southern part of the country.

Natural Resources: Mauritania's natural resources include fish, gypsum, copper, phosphates, diamonds, gold, oil, and salt. Its most important mineral resource is iron ore, which is a major export. Much of the country's iron ore is located around Kediet Ijill.

While oil has been found in Mauritania, the oil industry has not yet been largely developed. There are hopes that the industry will grow and help to bolster the country's economy. Foreign companies are beginning to look for offshore petroleum and to invest in the industry.

Plants & Animals: Much of the southern part of Mauritania, which is not as arid as the north, is covered with savannah. There are also stands of baobab and palm trees. Southern vegetation includes shrubs such as acacia, euphorbia plants, and grasses such as Indian sandbur (Cenchrus biflorus) and morkba (Panicum turgidum). The northern deserts are barren, and plants can only grow near wadis or in oases.

Large mammals native to Mauritania include antelope, lions, and elephants. Other common animals include warthogs, gazelles, crocodiles, panthers, lynx, and hyenas. The country is also home to the ostrich, the largest bird in the world.

Climate: The climate of Mauritania is arid, thanks to wind patterns such as the desert harmattan. It receives most of its precipitation during the rainy season, which takes place during the winter months. The most rain falls in the south, while the north is the driest part of the country. In the south, the rainy season lasts from June to October, and averages around 635 millimeters (25 inches) of precipitation. The far north only sees around an inch or two of rain between September and November.

Mauritania is a hot country; the average temperature is 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit), with summer temperatures reaching between 38 and 46 degrees Celsius (100 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit). The temperature rarely falls below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).

Economy

Mauritania is a relatively poor nation. Although it is a dry country, agriculture and fishing are its two most important industries. Iron ore is its richest resource. The capital of Nouakchott, an important deep-water harbor, is the major commercial center of the country.

In 2023, Mauritania's GDP (purchasing power parity) was estimated at $31.434 billion, or $6,300 per capita. The country's major export partners in 2019 were China, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, and Italy. Its main import partners in 2019 were China, France, Spain, Morocco, and United Arab Emirates.

Industry: Industry accounted for an estimated 30.6% percent of the GDP in 2023, while services accounted for 43.8 percent. Because of the country's plentiful iron ore deposits, iron mining is one of the most important industries in Mauritania. Fishing is also an important source of income for many people. Growing industries include fish processing, oil production, and mining.

Agriculture: Agriculture accounted for an estimated 18.7% percent of Mauritania's GDP in 2023. However, growing crops and raising animals is only possible where there is adequate rainfall or irrigation. Droughts occur cyclically and can drastically affect crop production. The southern region affords the richest agricultural land, and also has adequate water and forage for raising livestock. Dams and desalinization plants help to provide water for the population and for agricultural use.

Livestock herding and subsistence farming are the chief occupations of nomadic tribes, who raise sheep and goats for milk and meat. Livestock are an important source of income and food in the Hodh Basin, in the southeastern portion of the country. Camels, donkeys, and oxen provide transportation for nomads, who raise millet for food in the south.

The major crops of Mauritania are dates, millet, sorghum, rice, and corn. Livestock (cattle, camel, and sheep) and fisheries also contribute to the agricultural sector.

Tourism: Tourism is a developing economic sector in Mauritania, and the country receives few tourists. The country's underdeveloped infrastructure and large stretches of sandy desert make travel difficult. Often, the desert dunes will shift and cover existing roads with deep sand. In addition to travel by automobile or camel, a local airline called Compagnie Mauritanienne des Transport Aeriens serves the country with a small fleet of airplanes.

While the Sahara creates harsh living conditions for the Mauritanians, there are hopes that more tourists will be attracted to the famous desert. The country also boasts ancient cave paintings and other artifacts. Most tourists who visit Mauritania come from France.

Government

Mauritania was ruled by Arab tribes until the early twentieth century, when it became a colony of France. The French authorities attempted to reform the country and end practices such as slavery. Mauritania remained under French rule until 1960. Following independence, a number of sub-Saharan Africans began to immigrate to the country, where they found opportunities in education and employment.

The influx of Black Moorish Africans created social and political tensions among White Moors in the country. The Arab population, much of which was nomadic, supported the idea of an Arab state with an Arab national identity. Non-Arabs wanted equal opportunities and a stronger political role. Eventually, the tensions between the two groups boiled over into conflict in 1989; the violence between the Arab and non-Arab communities is referred to as the 1989 Events.

After independence, Mauritania was ruled by a president who was later overthrown in a bloodless coup in 1978. Between 1978 and 1992, a military council ruled the country. The military government was repressive and had a poor record on human rights issues, including the problem of slavery. Mauritania instituted a democratic election system in 1992 and elected a new president. Under the democratic system, multiparty elections were allowed.

In August 2008, General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz led a military coup against President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheick Abdallahi after the president fired several high-ranking military officers, including Aziz, earlier in the day. Aziz installed himself as head of state, promising to hold free and fair elections the following year. He officially stepped down as head of state in April 2009 in order to stand as a presidential candidate. He was popularly elected in 2009 and reelected to a second term in 2014, in an election boycotted by the opposition. Ruling party candidate Mohamed Ould Ghazouani won the 2019 election with 52 percent of the vote. Although opposition candidates rejected the election results, Ghazouani's victory was Mauritania's first peaceful transition of power under a presidential system.

Mauritania is a presidential republic that is divided into fifteen administrative regions, known as wilayas. The executive branch of government consists of the president, who serves as the head of state and is elected by popular vote to five-year terms, and the prime minister, who is head of government and is appointed by the president. The bicameral national assembly, called the Barlamane, forms the legislative branch; the lower house, Al Jamiya Al Wataniya (the national assembly), has 176 members. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. Suffrage is universal for citizens aged eighteen years and older.

Interesting Facts

• Prehistoric cave paintings found in Mauritania feature giraffes, which have long been extinct in the area.
• The Sahara is the largest desert in the world, measuring around 1,600 kilometers (994 miles) wide and about 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) long.
• "The Eye of Africa," a circular geological feature that can be seen from outer space, is located in the Sahara Desert near Ouadane, Mauritania. Known as a Richat structure, the feature has concentric rings. The outermost ring has a diameter of about 50 kilometers (about 30 miles).

Bibliography

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"Mauritania." Education Policy and Data Center, FHI 360, 25 June 2018, www.epdc.org/country/mauritania. Accessed 29 July 2019.

"Mauritania." The World Bank, 2024, data.worldbank.org/country/mauritania. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

"Mauritania." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 16 Jan. 2025, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mauritania/. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

"Table 1: Human Development Index and its Components." Human Development Report 2019, 2019, hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr2019.pdf. Accessed 6 Oct. 2020.