
Mauritania
Mauritania is a country in West Africa, Africa. Its capital is Nouakchott, with a population of approximately 4.7M and a total area of 1,030,700 kmยฒ. The official language is Arabic and the currency is the Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU).
๐ Quick Facts about Mauritania
Mauritania covers an area of 1,030,700 kmยฒ with a population density of 5/kmยฒ people per kmยฒ. The country has a GDP of $9.8B ($2,085 per capita) and gained independence in 1960. It has a coastline of 754 km.
Mauritania was the last country in the world to officially abolish slavery in 1981, though it wasn't criminalized until 2007. The country is also home to the world's longest train, the iron ore train that stretches up to 3km in length.
โ๏ธ Travel Information for Mauritania
โ ๏ธ Visa requirements change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate before travel.
Full Mauritania travel guide: visa, costs, plug, safety โ๐ Mauritania on the Map
Google Street View not available here. Showing community photos via Mapillary (CC BY-SA).
๐ Mauritania World Rankings
๐ Must-See Places in Mauritania
A mysterious 50km wide geological bull's-eye in the Sahara, visible from space and still not fully explained
UNESCO ancient caravan city, Islam's 7th holiest city and a medieval centre of Quranic scholarship
UNESCO coastal wetland, one of the world's most important bird sanctuaries with 2 million migratory birds
The world's longest train, up to 3km of wagons carrying iron ore across the Sahara to the coast
๐บ๏ธ Countries Bordering Mauritania
โ๏ธ Compare Mauritania with another country
See how Mauritania stacks up against its neighbours and peers. Each comparison shows population, area, GDP, language, currency and more, side by side.
Or compare any two countries โโ Frequently Asked Questions about Mauritania
What is the capital of Mauritania?
The capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott.
What continent is Mauritania in?
Mauritania is located in Africa, in the West Africa region.
What currency does Mauritania use?
Mauritania uses the Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU). The international calling code is +222.
What is the GDP of Mauritania?
Mauritania has a GDP of $9.8B, with a GDP per capita of $2,085.
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