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. The remainder of Mauritania’s ethnic groups derive from Sub-Saharan ethnic groups originating mainly from the Senegal River Valley, including descendants of former enslaved peoples. These three groups are organized according to a strict caste system with deep ethnic divides that impact access to resources and power dynamics.
- Capital
- Nouakchott
- Government
- presidential republic
- Population
- 5,202,109
- Area
- 1,030,700 sq km
- Location
- Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
- Climate
- desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
- Natural resources
- iron ore; gypsum; copper; phosphate; diamonds; gold…
- Languages
- Arabic (official and national); Pular; Soninke; Wolof (all national languages)…
- Religions
- Muslim (official) 100%
- Independence
- 28 November 1960 (from France)
- Administrative divisions
- 15 regions (wilayas, singular - wilaya); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui,…
- Currency
- ouguiyas (MRO)
- Export partners
- China 25%; Switzerland 14%; Canada 12%; UAE 9%…
- Import partners
- China 19%; UAE 14%; Morocco 6%; Spain 6%…