Mauritania: flag, capital, currency and history
Mauritania, officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a country in Western Africa, Africa. Its capital is Nouakchott. The currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya. Languages spoken include Arabic.
Quick facts about Mauritania
- Official name
- Islamic Republic of Mauritania
- Capital
- Nouakchott
- Region
- Africa, Western Africa
- Currency
- Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU, UM)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Calling code
- +222
- Internet domain
- .mr
- Area
- 1,030,700 km² (397,955 sq mi)
- Demonym
- Mauritanian
- National day
- Independence Day, November 28
Flag of Mauritania
Download the flag of Mauritania as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇲🇷.
History of Mauritania
The region of present-day Mauritania was home to Berber and Arab-Berber peoples and lay on trans-Saharan trade routes. In the 11th century the Almoravid movement arose among Sanhaja Berbers in the western Sahara. Arabic-speaking Maqil groups later became dominant, and Arabic gradually became widely spoken. France established control in the early 20th century and administered the territory as part of French West Africa. Mauritania became independent in 1960. Military coups changed its government in 1978 and on later occasions, and multiparty politics were introduced in the early 1990s. Today it is an Islamic republic with its capital at Nouakchott.
Key dates
- 11th centuryThe Almoravid movement emerges among Sanhaja Berbers in the western Sahara.
- 1904France establishes a civil territory of Mauritania within French West Africa.
- 1920Mauritania becomes a colony within French West Africa.
- 1960Mauritania gains independence from France on 28 November.
- 1978A military coup removes the country's first president, Moktar Ould Daddah.
- 1991A new constitution introduces multiparty politics after a referendum.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Mauritania
Mauritania uses the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU, UM). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Mauritania?
The capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott.
What currency does Mauritania use?
Mauritania uses the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU, symbol UM).
What languages are spoken in Mauritania?
Languages used in Mauritania include Arabic.
What is the calling code of Mauritania?
The international calling code of Mauritania is +222. Its internet domain is .mr.
Which countries border Mauritania?
Mauritania shares land borders with Algeria, Mali and Senegal.
On which continent is Mauritania?
Mauritania is in Africa, in the region of Western Africa.
What is the national day of Mauritania?
Mauritania marks Independence Day on November 28.
Neighbours of Mauritania
More countries in Western Africa
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).