Mauritania
The Country of the Week
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Nouakchott
- Population
- 5,202,109 (2025 est.)
- Area
- 1,030,700 sq km
- Government
- presidential republic
- Religions
- Muslim (official) 100%
- Ethnic Groups
- Black Moors (Haratines - Arabic-speaking descendants of African origin who are or were enslaved by White Moors) 40%, White Moors (of Arab-Amazigh descent, known as Beydane) 30%, Sub-Saharan Mauritanians (non-Arabic speaking, largely resident in or originating from the Senegal River Valley, including Halpulaar, Fulani, Soninke, Wolof, and Bambara ethnic groups) 30%
- Currency
- ouguiyas (MRO)
- Life Expectancy
- 65.9 years (2024 est.)
- Internet Domain
- .mr
- Climate
- desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
- Terrain
- mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
- Natural Resources
- iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish
- Major Exports
- gold, iron ore, fish, processed crustaceans, copper ore (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook (public domain)
Overview
The Amazigh and Bafour people were among the earliest settlers in what is now Mauritania and among the first in recorded history to convert from a nomadic to agricultural lifestyle. These groups account for roughly one third of Mauritania’s ethnic makeup.