Mauritania

Mauritania Going to the North African country Mauritania, you can experience this amazing mix of medieval lifestyle and yet one of the most modern societies in Africa. One of the countries secrets must be Ben Amera, the worlds 2nd largest monolith.

Area: 1.031.088 Km²
Population: 2.747.000 (2001 est.)
Density: 2,5 pop/Km²

System of government: Presidential Republic
Capital: Nouakchott (735.000 pop.)
Major cities: Nouadhibou 70.000 pop.
Ethnic majority: Maur 80%, Black african 20%
Border countries: Morocco NORTH, Algeria NORTH-EAST, Mali EAST and SOUTH, Senegal SOUTH

Principal mountains: Kédia d'Idjil 915 m
Principal rivers: Senegal 750 Km (mauritanian tract, total 1440 Km)
Principal lakes: Sebkha de Norhamcha
Principal islands: Tidra
Climate: Desertic arid

Language: Hasaniya Arabic, Wolof (both officials), ethnic dialects, French
Religion: Muslim 99%
Currency: Ouguiya (MRO)

Fixed public holidays: 1/1, 8/3, 1/5, 25/5, 10/7, 28/11
Dialling code: 00222
GMT: 0

World Heritage List:

• Banc d'Arguin National Park (1989)
• Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata (1996)