Mauritania
Nouakchott · West Africa
Mauritania is a country in Africa. Its capital city is Nouakchott, the official currency is the Ouguiya, and the main language is Arabic.
With a population of roughly 4.9 million people spread over 1,030,700 km², Mauritania is the 124th most populous country in the world and the 28th largest by area. That works out at about 5 people per square kilometre.
Mauritania shares land borders with Algeria, Mali and Senegal — 3 neighbours in all. Its largest urban centres are Nouakchott, Nouadhibou and Kiffa. The highest point in the country is Kediet ej Jill, at 915 metres.
For scale, it covers almost exactly the same area as Egypt, while its population is closest to that of Ireland.
- Capital
- Nouakchott
- Region
- West Africa
- Population
- 4,900,000
- Area
- 1,030,700 km²
- Currency
- Ouguiya
- Main language
- Arabic
- Highest point
- Kediet ej Jill
915 m - Land borders
- 3
Mauritania: things worth knowing
- Around three quarters of Mauritania is desert, and the Sahara continues to expand southward.
- The Richat Structure, a huge circular formation in the desert, is a landmark for astronauts in orbit.
- Its coastal waters are among the richest fishing grounds in West Africa.
Mauritania in context
Africa has 54 sovereign countries in total. Mauritania ranks 39th among them by population.
See the full list of Africa countries, or browse all 195 countries.