The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is a country in north-west Africa. It has a total area of 1,030, 700 km2. The climate is desert; constantly hot, dry and dusty. The terrain is comprosed mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara with some central hills. Natural resources are iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper and phosphate. The religion is nearly 100% Muslim. The official language is Hasaniya Arabic, with Toucouleur, Fula, Sarakole and Wolof also spoken
Mauritania was originally an area of the Sahara inhabited by the Mauri people, and was named by the Romans when they took the area. During the 7th century the area came under the rule of Ghana and in 1920 became part of French West Africa. Mauritania achieved self-government in 1958 and full independence in 1960. Research Mauritania
Abbreviations
Gazetteer
Research Mauritania