Mauritania
Capital
Nouakchott
Population
~4.6 million
Currency
Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU)
Quick Facts
- Languages
- Arabic
- Religion
- Islam
- Climate
- Arid; hot and dry
Culture & History
Known for: its Saharan landscapes, slavery issues, and being an Islamic republic
Also famous for: iron ore mining, Chinguetti, and nomadic culture
Food: Thieboudienne (fish and rice dish)
Brief History
French colony; gained independence in 1960; faces challenges with desertification and slavery