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Mauritania

Muritaniyah

Capital:Nouakchott
Population:4.9M
Currency:Ouguiya (MRO)
Language:Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (official), French
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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Mauritania.

Mauritania Factsheet

Customs and Culture

Cultural Attributes

Mauritania is a land of two cultures, French as of result of once being a French colony, and the Islamic of North Africa as evidenced in the flag. This culture clash along with the droughts of the Sahara has led to conflict and troubles in Mauritania. About 2/3 of the Mauritanian people are Moors with the other third being black Africans. Most black Mauritanians are farmers living along the Senegal River in the south of the country. They usually live in round mud-brick huts.

The nation's education system is poor with less than half of the children entering elementary school and only about 15-20 percent entering high school.

Incomes are low and most workers make enough to support their families. The majority of people are farmers and livestock herders. The farmers grow corn, dates, millet, and red beans. Some people make their living by fishing.

The Mauritian people are family oriented and religious with almost all people being Muslim. In the desert valleys people live in light colored cottons tents. The ground inside the tents are covered with large woven mats known as hasiras

Woman working

Land of the Winds and the Desert's Soul

Social Customs & Etiquette

Greetings

Essahwa requires that young men treat elders with respect which means young Mauritanians are careful to use appropriate language and avoid loud conversation and displays of affection.

Personal Appearance

Women wear a malaffa, a long cloak wrapped loosely around the body from head to toe. Men wear a dara, a long loose robe over baggy pants. Office attire in urban areas is Western style pants and shirt.

Diet

Lunch is the biggest meal of the day. Many times this meal is a spicy fish and vegetable stew with rice. Tishtar is also a common lunch. Coucous is a common dinner meal. In some areas of Mauritania coucous is known as lachiri. Zrig is a favorite drink, it is made from goat's milk, water and sugar. Another favorite drink is sweet Arab tea with mint.

Mauritanian food includes mechoui (whole roast

lamb), dates, spiced fish and rice with vegetables, fish balls, dried

fish, dried meat and couscous. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited by

the Islamic faith.

Mauritania checkers

Family

The family is part of a larger group known as the descent or linage group. A group of related linages is known as a clan. Marriage within a clan is preferred. Mauritanian men are permitted to marry more than one wife by many do not.

Dating Customs

Marriage in Mauritania is a deeply significant social and religious institution, governed primarily by Islamic law and longstanding tribal customs. The vast majority of Mauritanians are Muslim, and marriage practices reflect this faith, with ceremonies and legal arrangements following guidelines set by the Maliki school of Islamic jurisprudence, which is dominant across the Maghreb and West Africa.

Arranged marriages remain common, particularly in rural areas and among traditional families. Parents and extended family members typically play a central role in selecting a suitable partner, with compatibility often assessed through family lineage, tribal affiliation, and social standing. That said, younger generations in urban centers such as Nouakchott and Nouadhibou increasingly exercise more personal choice in selecting a spouse, though family approval remains important even in these settings.

Polygyny is legally permitted under Mauritanian law, allowing men to take up to four wives provided they can treat each wife equitably — a condition stipulated by Islamic law. In practice, polygynous households are more common in rural areas and among wealthier men who can meet the financial obligations involved.

Bride price, known locally as mahr, is a required element of Islamic marriage contracts in Mauritania. This is a gift of money or goods paid by the groom or his family to the bride, and it remains her personal property. The amount can vary considerably based on family expectations and regional norms.

Child marriage has historically been a concern in Mauritania, particularly in rural and nomadic communities. Despite a legal minimum marriage age of 18 under the 2001 Family Code, enforcement has been inconsistent, and girls in some areas are still married at younger ages.

Divorce is permitted under Mauritanian law and can be initiated by the husband through talaq, a formal repudiation recognized under Islamic law. Women may also seek divorce under certain conditions, though the process can be more complex and is often subject to mediation through local religious authorities.

Marriage ceremonies typically include communal celebrations lasting several days, featuring music, traditional dress, and meals shared among family and community members, reflecting the strong social bonds that marriage is expected to reinforce in Mauritanian society.

Recreation

Soccer is the most popular sport. Liguam is a kids game that is like tug-of-war.

Holidays

  • Independence Day

    11/28

    Independence Day

Dates of Interest

  • November 28th

How do people greet and interact in Mauritania?

Under the value of essahwa, young men treat elders with respect, using appropriate language and avoiding loud conversation.

Do

  • Show respect to elders
  • Use appropriate, polite language

Don’t

  • Speak loudly in conversation
  • Show public displays of affection

What are dining customs like in Mauritania?

Lunch is the biggest meal, often a spicy fish and vegetable stew with rice, while couscous (also called lachiri in some areas) is a common dinner.

Do

  • Try local dishes like mechoui (whole roast lamb), spiced fish, dates, and couscous
  • Enjoy popular drinks such as zrig (goat's milk, water and sugar) and sweet Arab mint tea

Don’t

  • Consume alcohol, which is prohibited by the Islamic faith

Good to know

  • Tishtar is a common lunch dish
  • Other foods include fish balls, dried fish, and dried meat

What should I wear in Mauritania?

Traditional dress includes the malaffa for women (a long cloak wrapped from head to toe) and the dara for men (a long loose robe over baggy pants), while urban office attire is Western-style pants and shirt.

Good to know

  • In cities, Western pants and shirts are common office attire

How important is family in Mauritania?

Mauritanians are family oriented; families belong to a larger lineage group, and related lineages form a clan.

Good to know

  • Marriage within a clan is preferred
  • Men are permitted to marry more than one wife, but many do not

What do people do for recreation in Mauritania?

Soccer is the most popular sport.

Good to know

  • Liguam is a children's game similar to tug-of-war

What should I know before visiting Mauritania?

Mauritania blends French colonial and North African Islamic cultures; about two-thirds of people are Moors and one-third are black Africans, and almost everyone is Muslim.

Good to know

  • Most people are farmers and livestock herders; some make a living by fishing
  • In desert valleys people live in light-colored cotton tents floored with woven mats called hasiras
  • Many black Mauritanians live in round mud-brick huts along the Senegal River

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Mauritania

Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Currency
ouguiya (MRO)
Time Difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Mauritania's climate is hot and arid, except in the far south, which has higher humidity. In Nouakchott, daytime temperatures reach 85°F in the winter, although at night sweaters and blankets are needed. Summer temperatures regularly reach over 100°F during the day. It is usually a dry heat that most find more bearable than the same temperatures with high humidity. Summer evenings can be considerably cooler. The area's fine sand makes beach going one of the highlights of a tour in Nouakchott. However, winds can stir this sand into sandstorms that last several hours. These infrequent sandstorms occur throughout the year, although they are less frequent during the summer and fall months.
Airports
24
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Beef Biryani

Main Dish

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Ancient & Berber Era

    300 – 1040

    Berber peoples migrated southward into the region from the third century onward, gradually displacing and assimilating earlier inhabitants. The Sanhadja Confederation rose to prominence between the eighth and tenth centuries, controlling trans-Saharan trade routes and facilitating early Islamization through contact with Arab merchants. Internal rivalries among Sanhadja clans ultimately undermined the confederation's cohesion.

  2. Almoravid Empire

    1040 – 1250

    The Almoravid movement emerged from the Sanhadja Berbers of the western Sahara, launching a militant Islamic reform that conquered Morocco, Spain, and the Ghana Empire to the south. Founded by Abdallah ibn Yasin and expanded militarily by Yusuf ibn Tashfin, the empire spread rigorous Sunni Islam across a vast territory. The Almohad Empire's rise and internal fragmentation brought Almoravid dominance to an end by the mid-thirteenth century.

  3. Arab Consolidation

    1250 – 1900

    Yemeni Arab tribes, particularly the Banu Hassan, steadily penetrated Mauritania from the twelfth century onward, completing their military and cultural dominance after the Mauritanian Thirty-Year War (1644–1674), in which Berber groups failed to repel Arab warriors. This era cemented arabization and the hierarchical Maure social order of warriors, clerics, and vassals. European powers, principally France, competed for coastal trade in gum arabic but exercised limited inland control until the nineteenth century.

  4. French Colonial Period

    1900 – 1960

    France formally established Mauritania as a colonial territory in 1904 and incorporated it into French West Africa in 1920, administering it largely through Senegal. Colonial governance relied on Islamic religious leaders and traditional elites rather than direct rule, leaving the country's social structure and economy largely undeveloped. Following World War II, a series of constitutional reforms and regular elections gradually built political capacity, culminating in independence on November 28, 1960.

  5. Independence & Nation-Building

    1960 – 1991

    The Islamic Republic of Mauritania emerged under President Mokhtar Ould Daddah, navigating tensions between its Arab-Berber north and sub-Saharan African south. The country annexed the southern portion of Spanish Sahara in 1976 but was forced to renounce its claim by 1979 following devastating Polisario Front guerrilla raids. A succession of military coups, economic hardship driven by drought and desertification, and violent inter-ethnic clashes in 1989–1990 defined this turbulent foundational period.

  6. Multiparty Modern Era

    1991 – present

    A new constitution in 1991 legalized opposition parties and nominally introduced multiparty democracy, though presidential elections remained widely criticized as flawed and effective power stayed concentrated within a narrow elite. Parliament formally outlawed slavery in 2007, decades after a 1981 ban proved largely unenforced, reflecting persistent social inequalities between the dominant Maure population and black minority communities. Offshore oil production beginning in 2006 offered new economic prospects alongside enduring governance and human rights challenges.

Overview

Architectural detail of an old mosque at Tîchît THE SAHARA HAS LINKED rather than divided the peoples who inhabit it and has served as an avenue for migration and conquest. Mauritania, lying next to the Atlantic coast at the western edge of the desert, received and assimilated into its complex society many waves of these migrants and conquerors. Berbers moved south to Mauritania beginning in the third century A.D., followed by Arabs in the eighth century, subjugating and assimilating Mauritania’s original inhabitants. From the eighth through the fifteenth century, black kingdoms of the western Sudan, such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, brought their political culture from the south. The divisive tendencies of the various groups within Mauritanian society have always worked against the development of Mauritanian unity. Both the Sanhadja Confederation, at its height from the eighth to the tenth century, and the Almoravid Empire, from the eleventh to the twelfth century, were weakened by internecine warfare, and both succumbed to further invasions from the Ghana Empire and the Almohad Empire, respectively. The one external influence that tended to unify the country was Islam. The Islamization of Mauritania was a gradual process that spanned more than 500 years. Beginning slowly through contacts with Berber and Arab merchants engaged in the important caravan trades and rapidly advancing through the Almoravid conquests, Islamization did not take firm hold until the arrival of Yemeni Arabs in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries and was not complete until several centuries later. Gradual Islamization was accompanied by a process of arabization as well, during which the Berber masters of Mauritania lost power and became vassals of their Arab conquerors. From the fifteenth to the nineteenth century, European contact with Mauritania was dominated by the trade for mauritania/mr_glos.asp#gum">gum arabic (see Glossary). Rivalries among European powers enabled the Arab-Berber population, the Maures (Moors), to maintain their independence and later to exact annual payments from France, whose sovereignty over the Senegal River and the Mauritanian coast was recognized by the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Although penetration beyond the coast and the Senegal River began in earnest under Louis Faidherbe, governor of Senegal in the mid1800s , European conquest or "pacification" of the entire country did not begin until 1900. Because extensive European contact began so late in the country’s history, the traditional social structure carried over into modern times with little change. The history of French colonial policy in Mauritania is closely tied to that of the other French possessions in West Africa, particularly to that of Senegal, on which Mauritania was economically, politically, and administratively dependent until independence. The French policy of assimilation and direct rule, however, was never applied with any vigor in Mauritania, where a system that corresponded more to Britain’s colonial policies of association and indirect rule developed. Colonial administrators relied extensively on Islamic religious leaders and the traditional warrior groups to maintain their rule and carry out their policies. Moreover, little attempt was made to develop the country’s economy. After World War II, Mauritania, along with the rest of French West Africa, was involved in a series of reforms of the French colonial system, culminating in independence in 1960. These reforms were part of a trend away from the official policies of assimilation and direct rule in favor of administrative decentralization and internal autonomy. Although the nationalistic fervor sweeping French West Africa at this time was largely absent in Mauritania, continuous politicking (averaging one election every eighteen months between 1946 and 1958) provided training for political leaders and awakened a political consciousness among the populace. Nevertheless, when Mauritania declared its independence in 1960, its level of political as well as economic development was, at best, embryonic. Mauritania’s postindependence history has been dominated by regional politics (see unavail.asp"> fig. 1). Morocco and Algeria, vying for regional dominance, have continually influenced Mauritanian politics and fortunes. During the first nine years of independence, the regime of Moktar Ould Daddah was preoccupied with expansionist designs by Morocco, whose military strength constituted a perpetual threat to Mauritania’s territorial integrity. This threat was intensified by the support of some of Mauritania’s Maure population for unification with Morocco. In 1969, when Morocco finally recognized Mauritania’s ind

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 1500

    European mariners and traders establish settlements.

    European mariners and traders establish settlements.

  2. 1644 – 1674

    Mauritanian Thirty-Year War: Berbers unsuccessful in repelling Arab warriors.

    Mauritanian Thirty-Year War: Berbers unsuccessful in repelling Arab warriors.

  3. 1850 – 1860

    French forces gain control of southern Mauritania.

    French forces gain control of southern Mauritania. In 1898 France wins the allegiance of Moors in the region.

  4. 1904

    France establishes Mauritania as a colonial territory.

    France establishes Mauritania as a colonial territory.

  5. 1920

    Mauritania becomes part of French West Africa, and is administered from Senegal.

    Mauritania becomes part of French West Africa, and is administered from Senegal.

  6. 1946

    Becomes a French overseas territory.

    Becomes a French overseas territory.

  7. 1957

    Nouakchott established as the capital.

    Nouakchott established as the capital.

View full timeline (13 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • When a child loses a tooth their parents tell them to wrap up their tooth in a small piece of cloth and throw it as hard as they can on to the roof of their house. If they get up very early the next morning, they will find a rooster on the roof and they can keep him. If they don't wake up early enought, they won't find the rooster.

  • Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, is one of the newest capitals in the world: construction began in 1960.

  • The name of the capital, Nouakchott, means "place of the winds"

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Geography and Environment

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is situated on the Atlantic Ocean in northwest Africa. Mauritania shares its long northern border with the former Spanish Sahara, now the Western Sahara. Spain relinquished control of this area to Morocco in 1976, but its political status is still unresolved. Mauritania has three distinct geographic regions: The Saharan Zone, which constitutes the northern two-thirds of Mauritania. Beautiful shifting dunes, rock outcroppings, and rugged mountain plateaus with elevations higher than 1,500 feet characterize this vast, sparsely populated region. Irregular, scant rainfall permits little vegetation, although date palms are cultivated around larger oases and on some of the higher plateaus in the east. Herds of camels, goats, and sheep, which formerly ranged in this area, were depleted during successive droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. The Riverine Zone, a narrow belt of rich, well-watered alluvial soil stretching along the Senegal River Valley in the south. It is the center of settled agriculture. Rainfall averages 10-25 inches annually. Between the two is the Sahelian Zone, a broad, east-west band that extends from the riverine zone to just north of Nouakchott. Until recently, annual rainfall averaged 4-18 inches, which was enough to support savannah grasslands suitable for nomadic cattle and sheep herding. However, a decrease in rainfall has diminished the grasslands forcing many inhabitants to move south to the riverine zone or migrate to larger towns. When it rains, it is usually as heavy, localized thunderstorms. Nouakchott, at the northern extreme of this zone, experiences such storms when they occur.
Terrain
mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Climate
Mauritania's climate is hot and arid, except in the far south, which has higher humidity. In Nouakchott, daytime temperatures reach 85 °F in the winter, although at night sweaters and blankets are needed. Summer temperatures regularly reach over 100 °F during the day. It is usually a dry heat that most find more bearable than the same temperatures with high humidity. Summer evenings can be considerably cooler. The area's fine sand makes beach going one of the highlights of a tour in Nouakchott. However, winds can stir this sand into sandstorms that last several hours. These infrequent sandstorms occur throughout the year, although they are less frequent during the summer and fall months.
Natural Hazards
hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Current Environmental Issues
overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal, which is the only perennial river
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (official), French

  • French

Population

Population
4,934,983
Population in Major Urban Areas
NOUAKCHOTT (capital) 786,000
Nationality Noun
Mauritanian(s)
Ethnic Groups
mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in Mauritania has shown meaningful improvement over recent decades, reflecting gradual advances in healthcare access, public health infrastructure, and nutrition programs. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth stands at approximately 67 years, with women typically outliving men by several years — a pattern consistent with global trends. In the early 1960s, life expectancy in Mauritania hovered around 40 years, making the gains achieved over the past six decades a significant public health accomplishment. However, the country still lags behind the global average of roughly 73 years, and the gap with higher-income nations remains considerable. Several factors continue to challenge longevity in Mauritania. The country faces persistent issues with infant and child mortality, maternal health complications, and the prevalence of communicable diseases including malaria and respiratory infections. Access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation, particularly in rural and nomadic communities spread across the vast Sahara and Sahel regions, remains uneven and directly affects health outcomes. Malnutrition is another contributing factor, especially among children under five. While government initiatives and international development programs have helped reduce stunting and wasting rates, food insecurity tied to drought cycles and desertification continues to pose ongoing challenges for the broader population's health. Urban residents, particularly in the capital Nouakchott, tend to have better access to hospitals, clinics, and trained medical personnel, which contributes to somewhat longer life expectancies in those areas compared to rural populations. The public health system, while expanding, is still under-resourced relative to demand. International organizations including UNICEF and the World Health Organization have partnered with the Mauritanian government to improve vaccination coverage, prenatal care, and disease prevention programs — efforts that are gradually reflected in improving life expectancy figures. Continued investment in these areas is considered essential for further progress in the coming decades.
Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
very high
Infant Mortality Rate
Mauritania faces significant challenges in reducing infant mortality, though the country has made measurable progress over recent decades. The infant mortality rate — defined as the number of deaths among children under one year of age per 1,000 live births — stood at approximately 51 deaths per 1,000 live births in recent years, placing Mauritania among the higher-burden countries in West Africa, though well below its peak rates from earlier generations. Several interconnected factors drive this elevated rate. Access to skilled healthcare workers during and after childbirth remains limited, particularly in rural and desert regions where the population is dispersed across a vast and challenging landscape. Neonatal infections, preterm birth complications, and pneumonia are among the leading direct causes of infant deaths. Malnutrition compounds these risks considerably, as undernourished infants have weaker immune systems and are more vulnerable to common illnesses that would otherwise be survivable. Geographic and infrastructural barriers play a substantial role. Many communities in Mauritania's interior lie far from functioning health facilities, and transportation infrastructure can be inadequate, particularly during seasonal weather extremes. This means families may be unable to reach emergency obstetric care or pediatric services in time to prevent deaths that might be averted in better-resourced settings. Progress has nonetheless been documented. Between 1990 and the early 2020s, Mauritania's infant mortality rate dropped by more than half, reflecting improvements in vaccination coverage, oral rehydration therapy for diarrheal diseases, and expanded access to prenatal care in urban centers such as Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Immunization campaigns supported by international health organizations have helped reduce deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and pertussis. Ongoing efforts by the Mauritanian government, in partnership with international organizations and NGOs, aim to further expand community health worker programs, improve nutrition interventions, and strengthen the cold chain for vaccines in remote areas. Achieving continued reductions will require sustained investment in both health infrastructure and maternal education, particularly in reaching pastoralist and other nomadic communities that have historically had limited contact with formal healthcare systems.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in Mauritania has shown meaningful improvement over recent decades, reflecting gradual advances in healthcare access, public health infrastructure, and nutrition programs. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth stands at approximately 67 years, with women typically outliving men by several years — a pattern consistent with global trends. In the early 1960s, life expectancy in Mauritania hovered around 40 years, making the gains achieved over the past six decades a significant public health accomplishment. However, the country still lags behind the global average of roughly 73 years, and the gap with higher-income nations remains considerable. Several factors continue to challenge longevity in Mauritania. The country faces persistent issues with infant and child mortality, maternal health complications, and the prevalence of communicable diseases including malaria and respiratory infections. Access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation, particularly in rural and nomadic communities spread across the vast Sahara and Sahel regions, remains uneven and directly affects health outcomes. Malnutrition is another contributing factor, especially among children under five. While government initiatives and international development programs have helped reduce stunting and wasting rates, food insecurity tied to drought cycles and desertification continues to pose ongoing challenges for the broader population's health. Urban residents, particularly in the capital Nouakchott, tend to have better access to hospitals, clinics, and trained medical personnel, which contributes to somewhat longer life expectancies in those areas compared to rural populations. The public health system, while expanding, is still under-resourced relative to demand. International organizations including UNICEF and the World Health Organization have partnered with the Mauritanian government to improve vaccination coverage, prenatal care, and disease prevention programs — efforts that are gradually reflected in improving life expectancy figures. Continued investment in these areas is considered essential for further progress in the coming decades.
Infant Mortality Rate
Mauritania faces significant challenges in reducing infant mortality, though the country has made measurable progress over recent decades. The infant mortality rate — defined as the number of deaths among children under one year of age per 1,000 live births — stood at approximately 51 deaths per 1,000 live births in recent years, placing Mauritania among the higher-burden countries in West Africa, though well below its peak rates from earlier generations. Several interconnected factors drive this elevated rate. Access to skilled healthcare workers during and after childbirth remains limited, particularly in rural and desert regions where the population is dispersed across a vast and challenging landscape. Neonatal infections, preterm birth complications, and pneumonia are among the leading direct causes of infant deaths. Malnutrition compounds these risks considerably, as undernourished infants have weaker immune systems and are more vulnerable to common illnesses that would otherwise be survivable. Geographic and infrastructural barriers play a substantial role. Many communities in Mauritania's interior lie far from functioning health facilities, and transportation infrastructure can be inadequate, particularly during seasonal weather extremes. This means families may be unable to reach emergency obstetric care or pediatric services in time to prevent deaths that might be averted in better-resourced settings. Progress has nonetheless been documented. Between 1990 and the early 2020s, Mauritania's infant mortality rate dropped by more than half, reflecting improvements in vaccination coverage, oral rehydration therapy for diarrheal diseases, and expanded access to prenatal care in urban centers such as Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Immunization campaigns supported by international health organizations have helped reduce deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and pertussis. Ongoing efforts by the Mauritanian government, in partnership with international organizations and NGOs, aim to further expand community health worker programs, improve nutrition interventions, and strengthen the cold chain for vaccines in remote areas. Achieving continued reductions will require sustained investment in both health infrastructure and maternal education, particularly in reaching pastoralist and other nomadic communities that have historically had limited contact with formal healthcare systems.
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Mauritania
Full Country Name
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Local - Long
Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
Local - Short
Muritaniyah

Government Structure

Government Type
republic
Legal System
a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El GHAZOUANI (since 1 August 2019); elected in the June 2019 presidential election with approximately 52% of the vote in the first round, marking the first peaceful democratic transfer of power in Mauritania's history head of government: Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould DJAY (since 6 August 2024) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by absolute majority popular vote in two rounds if needed for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 29 June 2024; prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El GHAZOUANI reelected in the first round with approximately 56.1% of the vote, defeating several challengers including opposition candidate Biram Dah ABEID who received around 22.1% of the vote
Legislative Branch
Unicameral Parliament or Al-Barlamane, which consists of the National Assembly or Al-Jamiya Al-Wataniya (176 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by a mixed majority and proportional representation vote; members serve five-year terms). Mauritania abolished its Senate in 2017 following a constitutional referendum, consolidating the legislature into a single chamber. The reform also eliminated regional councils, with their functions absorbed by the National Assembly. Elections: National Assembly — last held on 13 and 27 May 2023 (next to be held in 2028). Election results: National Assembly — percent of vote by party — El-Insaf (Union for the Republic) approximately 52%, Tewassoul (National Rally for Reform and Development) approximately 10%, other parties and independents approximately 38%; seats by party — El-Insaf 107, Tewassoul 11, El-Karama 10, Republican Front for Unity and Democracy 7, Rally of Democratic Forces 6, other parties and independents 35. The ruling El-Insaf party, aligned with President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, retained a strong majority in the assembly following the 2023 elections.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
12-Jul-91
Independence
28 November 1960 (from France)
National Holiday
Independence Day, 28 November (1960)

Capital City

Capital Name
Nouakchott
Capital - geographic coordinate
18 04 N, 15 58 W
Capital Time Difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

may derive from the Berber "nawakshut" meaning "place of the winds"

Military

Branches: Mauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Mauritanian Navy (Marine Mauritanienne; includes naval infantry), Islamic Republic of Mauritania Air Group (Groupement Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, GAIM)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Embassy Nouakchott

Address: The U.S. Embassy is located between the Presidency building and the Spanish Embassy on Rue Abdallaye. The postal address is B.P. 222, Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Telephone: (222) 4525-2660, 4525-2663, 4525-1145 or 4525-3288

Emergency after-hours telephone: (222) 3662-8163

Emergency Consular Recording (to relay messages during emergency situations): (222) 4525-3701

Facsimile: (222) 4525-1592

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Economy

Mauritania's economy is dominated by extractive industries, fisheries, and agriculture, with roughly half of the population still depending on farming and livestock for their livelihood. Recurrent droughts since the 1970s pushed many nomads and subsistence farmers into urban centers, particularly Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, accelerating the country's rapid urbanization.

Mauritania holds extensive deposits of iron ore, which remain the country's leading export alongside gold and copper. The state-owned mining company SNIM is one of the largest employers and a key source of government revenue, though global commodity price fluctuations continue to affect production levels. Gold mining, particularly at the Tasiast mine, has grown significantly and now contributes substantially to export earnings.

The country's coastal waters are among the richest fishing grounds in the world, but overexploitation—particularly by foreign fleets operating under licensing agreements with the European Union and China—threatens long-term sustainability. Fisheries remain a critical source of foreign exchange and employment.

Offshore oil production began at the Chinguetti field in 2006, though output has been lower than initially projected. More significantly, the massive Greater Tortue Ahmeyim natural gas project, developed jointly with Senegal by BP and Kosmos Energy, began production in 2024 and is expected to transform Mauritania into a notable liquefied natural gas exporter. Additional phases and nearby discoveries, including the BirAllah field, hold potential to expand this sector further.

Mauritania has benefited from debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and continues to work with the International Monetary Fund on structural reforms, fiscal discipline, and governance improvements. The government has prioritized poverty reduction, infrastructure development, improvements in health and education, and economic diversification. Persistent challenges include high youth unemployment, vulnerability to climate shocks affecting agriculture, food insecurity, and the need to translate resource wealth into broader social development. Renewable energy, particularly solar and green hydrogen projects, has also emerged as a strategic growth area attracting significant foreign investment.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Ouguiya (MRO)
GDP — official exchange rate
$1,346,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
4.3%
Gini Index
39

Banknotes

Mauritania Money - Front
Mauritania Money - Front
Mauritania Money - Back
Mauritania Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$378,000,000 (USD)
External Debt
$2,500,000,000 (USD)
Economic Aid
$220,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
agriculture 50%; services 40%; industry 10%
Household Income — highest 10%
30.2%
Industries
fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Agriculture Products
dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep
Export Commodities
iron ore, fish and fish products, gold
Export Partners
Italy 14.2%, France 13.9%, Spain 11.6%, Germany 10.7%, Belgium 9.8%, Japan 7%
Import Commodities
machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Import Partners
France 17.6%, Belgium 7.4%, China 6.6%, Spain 5.7%, Germany 5%

Energy

Oil Production
0 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
24,000 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
1,000,000,000 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
0 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
0 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
0 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
general assessment: limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations; mobile-cellular services expanding rapidly domestic: Mauritel, the national telecommunications company, was privatized in 2001 but remains the monopoly provider of fixed-line services; fixed-line teledensity 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular network coverage extends mainly to urban areas with a teledensity of roughly 106 per 100 persons; mostly cable and open-wire lines; a domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals international: country code - 222; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean, 2 Arabsat); fiber-optic and Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) cables for Internet access
Internet Country Code
.mr

News & Weather

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Climate Overview

Mauritania's climate is hot and arid, except in the far south, which has higher humidity. In Nouakchott, daytime temperatures reach 85°F in the winter, although at night sweaters and blankets are needed. Summer temperatures regularly reach over 100°F during the day. It is usually a dry heat that most find more bearable than the same temperatures with high humidity. Summer evenings can be considerably cooler.

The area's fine sand makes beach going one of the highlights of a tour in Nouakchott. However, winds can stir this sand into sandstorms that last several hours. These infrequent sandstorms occur throughout the year, although they are less frequent during the summer and fall months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Mauritania?
The population of Mauritania is approximately 4.9M.
How do people greet and interact in Mauritania?
Under the value of essahwa, young men treat elders with respect, using appropriate language and avoiding loud conversation. Do: Show respect to elders Use appropriate, polite language Don't: Speak loudly in conversation Show public displays of affection
What are dining customs like in Mauritania?
Lunch is the biggest meal, often a spicy fish and vegetable stew with rice, while couscous (also called lachiri in some areas) is a common dinner. Do: Try local dishes like mechoui (whole roast lamb), spiced fish, dates, and couscous Enjoy popular drinks such as zrig (goat's milk, water and sugar) and sweet Arab mint tea Don't: Consume alcohol, which is prohibited by the Islamic faith Tishtar is a common lunch dish Other foods include fish balls, dried fish, and dried meat
What should I wear in Mauritania?
Traditional dress includes the malaffa for women (a long cloak wrapped from head to toe) and the dara for men (a long loose robe over baggy pants), while urban office attire is Western-style pants and shirt. In cities, Western pants and shirts are common office attire
How important is family in Mauritania?
Mauritanians are family oriented; families belong to a larger lineage group, and related lineages form a clan. Marriage within a clan is preferred Men are permitted to marry more than one wife, but many do not
What do people do for recreation in Mauritania?
Soccer is the most popular sport. Liguam is a children's game similar to tug-of-war
What should I know before visiting Mauritania?
Mauritania blends French colonial and North African Islamic cultures; about two-thirds of people are Moors and one-third are black Africans, and almost everyone is Muslim. Most people are farmers and livestock herders; some make a living by fishing In desert valleys people live in light-colored cotton tents floored with woven mats called hasiras Many black Mauritanians live in round mud-brick huts along the Senegal River
What is the capital of Mauritania?
Nouakchott is the capital of Mauritania and one of the newest capital cities in the world — construction began only in 1960, the same year the country gained independence from France. The city's name derives from a Berber phrase meaning "place of the winds," a fitting description for a metropolis built on the edge of the Sahara. From a modest administrative outpost, Nouakchott has grown into the country's political, cultural, and economic hub, home to the largest share of Mauritania's urban population.
Where is Mauritania located?
Mauritania is located in northwestern Africa, straddling the geographic and cultural boundary between the Arab-Berber Maghreb to the north and sub-Saharan Africa to the south. The country sits along the Atlantic coast, with vast stretches of the Sahara Desert dominating its interior. This position has historically made it a crossroads of Saharan trade routes and a meeting point of distinct African and North African civilizations.
What countries border Mauritania?
Mauritania shares land borders with five countries. To the north it borders Morocco and the disputed territory of Western Sahara — a region Mauritania briefly annexed in 1976 before withdrawing under military pressure from the Polisario Front. Algeria lies to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the south. Its western edge is defined by a lengthy Atlantic Ocean coastline, which supports an important fishing industry.
What is the religion of Mauritania?
Islam is the religion of virtually the entire population of Mauritania, with Muslims accounting for essentially 100 percent of the country's inhabitants. The faith is deeply embedded in law, governance, and daily life; Mauritania defines itself constitutionally as an Islamic republic. The dominant tradition is Sunni Islam, and Islamic scholarship has a long history in the country, particularly associated with ancient desert trading towns such as Chinguetti, historically one of Islam's holy cities.
What is the currency of Mauritania?
The currency of Mauritania is the Ouguiya, with the ISO currency code MRO. The ouguiya is one of only two currencies in the world not based on a decimal system, as it is subdivided into five khoums rather than one hundred smaller units. Introduced at independence to replace the CFA franc, the currency reflects Mauritania's effort to establish distinct national institutions after the end of French colonial rule in 1960.
What languages are spoken in Mauritania?
Hassaniya Arabic is the primary official language of Mauritania and the native tongue of the dominant Moor (Arab-Berber) population, which comprises roughly two-thirds of the country. Wolof is also recognized as an official language, alongside Pulaar and Soninke, which are widely spoken among black African communities concentrated in the southern Senegal River valley. French, a legacy of colonial rule, remains in use in government, education, and commerce, giving Mauritanian public life a distinctly multilingual character.
What is the geography of Mauritania like?
Mauritania is a large, predominantly arid nation covering roughly 1,030,700 square kilometers, making it one of the largest countries in Africa. The vast majority of the territory is covered by the Sahara Desert, featuring sweeping sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and dry wadis. A narrow fertile strip runs along the southern border near the Senegal River, where most of the country's agriculture — including millet, corn, and date cultivation — is concentrated. Chronic drought cycles have dramatically reduced traditional pastoralism and contributed to ongoing desertification.
What is Mauritania known for?
Mauritania is known for the ancient desert city of Chinguetti, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that once served as a major caravan hub and gathering point for West African pilgrims traveling to Mecca. The country is also recognized for its substantial iron ore exports, which form a cornerstone of the national economy, and for some of the richest fishing waters off its Atlantic coast. Culturally, Mauritania is notable for its dual Arab-Berber and sub-Saharan African identity, reflected in its music, architecture, and the striking contrast between the nomadic Moor traditions of the desert interior and the agrarian communities of the Senegal River valley.

Last reviewed 2026

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