Mauritania is located in Western Africa, and its capital is Nouakchott. It has a population of approximately 5,169,395 and covers an area of about 1,030,700 km². Its official currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU).
What stands out
People & place
5 /km² across 1,030,700 km²
Mauritania has a recorded population of 5,169,395 and a reported surface area of 1,030,700 km².
Economic snapshot
$10.91 billion nominal GDP
Nominal GDP is recorded at $10.91 billion and GDP per capita at $2,110 for 2024. These measures do not describe income distribution or household wealth.
Mauritania is a country in Northwest Africa, known for its vast deserts, rich history, and cultural diversity.
It spans the Sahara Desert and offers an arid climate, with the Atlantic coast providing a few sandy beaches, and the main cities including Nouakchott and Nouadhibou.
Mauritanian culture blends Arab, Berber, and African traditions, featuring music such as the traditional violin and m'rab, camel racing, and a strong literary and Islamic heritage.
The area has seen ancient Carthaginian influence, Arab conquests, French colonization until 1960, and post-independence struggles to balance tribal and modern governance.
Key facts
Official languages: Arabic and French.
Population around 5.8 million.
Currency: Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU).
Capital city: Nouakchott.
Largest city: Nouakchott with a population of about 2.5 million.
This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.
Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.
Western Africa