Mauritania is a fascinating country with a colourful, indigenous Moorish population. Much of the land is dry and inhospitable and many locations are difficult to reach without long journeys in 4-wheel drive vehicles. Mauritania’s coast is essentially an 800km- (500-mile-) long sandy beach, all but devoid of vegetation but supporting an astonishingly large and varied population of birds.

1,030,700 sq km (397,950 sq miles).

3.1 million (UN estimate 2005).

3 per sq km.

Nouakchott. Population: 600,000 (UN estimate 2003).

Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. 

The official language is Arabic. The Moors of Arab/Berber stock, speaking Hassaniya dialects of Arabic, comprise the majority of the people. Other dialects include Soninke, Poular and Wolof. French and English are increasingly spoken.

Islam is the official religion. Despite ethnic and cultural differences among Mauritanians, they are all bound by a common Muslim attachment to the Malekite sect.

GMT.

Islam has been the major influence in this country since the seventh and eighth centuries and visitors should respect the religious laws and customs. Dress for women should be uncompromisingly modest. Nearly all the population have traditionally been nomadic herdsmen. The bulk of the population is divided into two main Moorish groups, the Bidan (55%) and the Harattin (20%), with the non-Moorish population concentrated in the Senegal River area. Different classes and tribes tend to be contiguous.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are normal.

President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi since March 2007.