Mauritania

In brief

Mauritania is a country in West Africa. Its capital is Nouakchott. With 5.3 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 124th in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 1,030,700 km². It shares land borders with Algeria, Mali and Senegal.

GDP per capita stands at $2,198 (2025), 153rd in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 68.7 years (2024). 61% of the population lives in cities.

History of Mauritania

This is where the Almoravid movement arose in the 11th century, before conquering Morocco and Muslim Spain. Home to Arab-Berber Moors and Black African peoples, Mauritania became a French colony and then an independent Islamic republic on 28 November 1960. Slavery was only officially abolished there in 1981. The country has seen several coups; Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has been president since 2019.

Geography of Mauritania

The Sahara covers most of Mauritania; the Senegal River in the south allows farming. On the Atlantic coast, Banc d’Arguin National Park hosts millions of migratory birds. In the desert, the Richat Structure, a huge rock circle visible from space, is nicknamed the “Eye of the Sahara”.

Map of Mauritania

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Flag of Mauritania

The flag of Mauritania is red and green. Its official proportions are 2:3 (height to width).

• Green55%
• Red40%
• Yellow5%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Green, with a gold crescent and star, symbols of Islam. Two red bands, at the top and bottom, were added in 2017 in tribute to those who fought for independence.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Mauritania” and “Flag of Mauritania”.

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Fact file

Economy and society