Mauritania

3000 BCE – Berber peoples establish the first settlements in Mauritania

8th century CE – Spread of Islam in Mauritania, following the arrival of Arab traders

11th century – Almoravid dynasty establishes control over Mauritania and parts of North Africa

15th century – Portuguese explorers reach the coast of Mauritania, initiating the transatlantic slave trade

1904 (July 1, Friday) – French colonial rule begins, Mauritania becomes part of French West Africa

1958 (November 28, Friday) – Mauritania becomes an autonomous republic within the French Community

1960 (November 28, Monday) – Mauritania gains independence from France

1976 (February 28, Saturday) – Morocco annexes Western Sahara, leading to conflict with Mauritania over the region

1984 (July 12, Thursday) – Coup d’état: President Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidalla is overthrown by Colonel Maaouya Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya

1991 (July 12, Friday) – Constitution of Mauritania adopted, establishing a semi-presidential system

2005 (August 3, Wednesday) – Coup d’état: Ould Taya’s government is overthrown in a military coup

2014 (July 21, Monday) – Flooding in the capital, Nouakchott, caused by torrential rains

2019 (June 22, Saturday) – Presidential elections: Mohamed Ould Ghazouani becomes president

2020 (April 10, Friday) – COVID-19 pandemic reaches Mauritania, severely affecting the economy and tourism

2021 (August 27, Friday) – Drought and food scarcity affect rural areas, causing severe hardship

Continent: Africa
Location: Western Africa, borders the Atlantic Ocean
Capital: Nouakchott
Language: Arabic (official), French (widely used)
Currency: Ouguiya (MRU)
Population: ~4.7 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0)

Borders: Western Sahara, Algeria, Mali, Senegal
Landscape: Vast desert (Sahara), arid plateaus, dunes, and oases
Major Rivers: Senegal River, the longest river in Mauritania
Major Mountains: Adrar Mountains (a range of rocky mountains in the north)
Deserts: Sahara Desert
Lakes: Lake Rkiz (seasonal, located in southern Mauritania)
Volcanoes: None
Highest Point: Kediet ej Jill (915 m / 3,002 ft)
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean (0 m)
Climate: Desert climate – hot, dry, and semi-arid, with a brief rainy season from July to September
Geological Features: Sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and salt flats

Ethnic Groups: Moor (Arab-Berber), black Africans (Halpulaar, Soninke, Wolof), and others
Religion: Islam (almost 100% Muslim, mostly Sunni)
Urban Population: ~62% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~3% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Ancient desert trade routes, traditional music (like griot), Arabic literature, Islamic heritage
Cuisine: Couscous, lamb, chicken, fish, rice, millet, dates
Arts: Traditional music and dance, especially the Mauritanian griot (storytelling musicians)
Sports: Football (soccer), basketball, horse racing, camel racing

Economy Type: Developing, largely reliant on mining, agriculture, and fishing
GDP: Approx. $8.8 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Mining (iron ore, copper), fishing, agriculture (millet, sorghum, dates)
Key Exports: Iron ore, fish, gold, petroleum
Unemployment Rate: ~31% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Mining-based economy in the north, agricultural production in the south

Government Type: Semi-presidential republic
Head of State: President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Mohamed Ould Bilal (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (National Assembly & Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 1991, with revisions in 2017

Nouakchott: Capital city, traditional markets, museums, and beaches
Chinguetti: Ancient town, UNESCO World Heritage Site, historical manuscripts and libraries
Atar: Gateway to the Adrar Mountains and the desert
** Banc d’Arguin National Park:** UNESCO World Heritage Site, a major migratory bird reserve
The Iron Ore Train: One of the longest trains in the world, running from Zouérat to the port of Nouadhibou