1961
3,600,000
Flockulation (1961-2021)
2021
11,010,069
Change
+7,410,069
Overview
Welcome to Mauritania, a vast West African nation where the Sahara reigns supreme and hardy sheep roam alongside nomadic herders. This land of ancient cities, golden dunes, and Atlantic shores is truly a place worth flocking to!
Geography
Mauritania spans over one million square kilometers, mostly Saharan desert with the Sahel savanna in the south. The Senegal River forms its southern border, the Atlantic coast runs west, and the Adrar Plateau rises dramatically in the north.
History
Mauritania was home to the ancient Ghana and Almoravid empires before French colonization in the early 1900s. It gained independence in 1960 and has navigated complex political transitions, including military coups, while working toward democratic governance.
Culture
Arabic and Pulaar are widely spoken alongside French. Mauritanian culture blends Arab-Berber and sub-Saharan traditions, featuring griot storytelling, tidinit lute music, colorful melhfa robes, and the cherished custom of elaborate tea ceremonies shared among friends.
Economy
Mauritania's economy relies heavily on iron ore mining, fishing, and livestock herding — including large flocks of sheep and goats. Oil production adds revenue, while agriculture along the Senegal River supports rural communities in the fertile south.
Food
Thieboudienne, a flavorful rice and fish dish, is a staple. Mechoui — whole roasted lamb or sheep — is a festive favorite, reflecting the nation's pastoral roots. Dates, camel milk, and millet round out the traditional Mauritanian table.
Tourism
Chinguetti, a UNESCO World Heritage city and ancient Islamic scholarly hub, draws visitors alongside Ouadane and Tichitt. The Banc d'Arguin National Park offers stunning coastal scenery, while the dramatic Adrar Plateau rewards adventurous travelers with breathtaking desert landscapes.
People
Mauritania's population of roughly 4.5 million includes Arab-Berber Moors and sub-Saharan ethnic groups such as Pulaar, Soninke, and Wolof. Nomadic and semi-nomadic herding traditions remain central to identity, with many families raising sheep across the Sahel.
Nature
Banc d'Arguin National Park is a globally significant wetland hosting millions of migratory birds. The Saharan interior shelters fennec foxes, sand gazelles, and Barbary sheep — the nimble aoudad — while the Atlantic coast teems with fish and marine life.
Fun Facts
Mauritania is one of the last countries where slavery was criminalized, doing so in 1981 and reinforcing laws in 2007. Chinguetti was once the seventh holiest city in Islam. The country's name derives from the ancient Berber Mauri people.
