Mauritania: Facts & Stats
News •
BP and Mauritania say leak detected at gas project off West Africa
• Mar. 6, 2025, 1:55 AM ET (Reuters)
School helps migrants in Mauritania; can it keep them from leaving for Europe?
• Feb. 27, 2025, 6:04 AM ET (VOA - Voice of America English News)
FIFA launches talent academy in Mauritania
• Feb. 26, 2025, 12:46 AM ET (The Standard)
An encroaching desert threatens to swallow Mauritania’s homes and history
• Feb. 21, 2025, 1:14 PM ET (AP)
Facts
Also Known As | Mauritanie • Mūrītānīyā • République Islamique de Mauritanie • Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Islāmiyyah al-Mūrītāniyyah • Islamic Republic of Mauritania |
---|---|
Head Of State And Government | President: Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, assisted by Prime Minister: Mokhtar Ould Diay |
Capital | Nouakchott |
Population | (2025 est.) 4,690,000 |
Form Of Government | republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [157]) |
Official Language | Arabic1 |
Official Religion | Islam |
Official Name | Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Islāmiyyah al-Mūrītāniyyah (Arabic) (Islamic Republic of Mauritania) |
Total Area (Sq Km) | 1,030,700 |
Total Area (Sq Mi) | 397,953 |
Monetary Unit | ouguiya (UM) |
Population Rank | (2023) 127 |
Population Projection 2030 | 5,284,000 |
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi | (2025) 11.8 |
Density: Persons Per Sq Km | (2025) 4.6 |
Urban-Rural Population | Urban: (2024) 58.5% • Rural: (2024) 41.5% |
Life Expectancy At Birth | Male: (2022) 62.8 years • Female: (2022) 67.8 years |
Literacy: Percentage Of Population Age 15 And Over Literate | Male: (2021) 72% • Female: (2021) 62% |
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) | (2023) 10,454 |
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) | (2023) 2,150 |
1The 1991 constitution named Arabic as the official language and Arabic, Fula, Soninke, and Wolof as national languages. |
Photos
National anthem of Mauritania
Related Topics and References
Topics
Moktar Ould DaddahAfricawestern AfricaArab LeagueArab Bank for Economic Development in AfricaNouakchottCouncil of Arab Economic UnityOrganization of the Islamic CooperationAdrarNouâdhibouUnited StatesIndiaUnited KingdomChinaCanadaRussiaGermanyAustraliaJapanFrance
Related People

Moktar Ould Daddah
president of Mauritania
Related Places

Arguin Island
island, Mauritania

Africa
continent

western Africa
region, Africa

Nouakchott
national capital, Mauritania

Adrar
plateau, Mauritania

Nouâdhibou
Mauritania

Kaédi
Mauritania

Fdérik
Mauritania

Atar
Mauritania

Rosso
Mauritania

Zouérat
Mauritania

Richat Structure
geographic feature, Mauritania

Audaghost
historical town, Africa

Aouelloul Crater
crater, Mauritania
Related Quizzes and Features
Quiz