Mauritania

Quick Facts: Who was Mauritania?

Subject:

Mauritania

Known for:

West African nation in the Maghreb region, historically significant for Berber and Arab influences.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Mauritania, officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a country in the Maghreb region of West Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Western Sahara to the north and northwest, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the southwest. By land area Mauritania is the 11th-largest country in Africa and the 28th-largest in the world; 90% of its territory is in the Sahara desert. Most of its population of 5.4 million live in the temperate south of the country; roughly a third of the population is concentrated in the capital and largest city, Nouakchott, on the Atlantic coast. The country's name derives from Mauretania, the Latin name for a region, to the north, in the ancient Mediterranean Maghreb.

Career & Major Achievements

Mauretania extended from central present-day northern Algeria to the Atlantic, in Morocco. Berbers occupied what is now Mauritania by the beginning of the 3rd century CE. Groups of Arab tribes migrated to this area in the late 7th century, bringing with them Islam, Arab culture, and the Arabic language. In the early 20th century, Mauritania was colonized by France as part of French West Africa. It achieved independence in 1960.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The country has since experienced recurrent coups and periods of military dictatorship. The 2008 Mauritanian coup d'état was led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who won subsequent presidential elections in 2009 and 2014. He was succeeded by General Mohamed Ould Ghazouani following the 2019 elections, in what was considered the country's first peaceful transition of power since independence. Mauritania has a poor human rights record, particularly because of its perpetuation of slavery; the 2023 Global Slavery Index estimates there are about 149,000 slaves in the country (or 32 per 1,000 people). Despite an abundance of natural resources, Mauritania remains poor; its economy is based primarily on agriculture and fishing.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2008: 2008 Milestone — The 2008 Mauritanian coup d'état was led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who won subsequent presidential elections in 2009 and 2014.
2. 2019: 2019 Milestone — He was succeeded by General Mohamed Ould Ghazouani following the 2019 elections, in what was considered the country's first peaceful transition of power since independence.
3. 2023: 2023 Milestone — Mauritania has a poor human rights record, particularly because of its perpetuation of slavery; the 2023 Global Slavery Index estimates there are about 149,000 slaves in the country (or 32 per 1,000 people).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Mauritania

True or False: “The modern name 'Mauritania' is derived from the ancient Latin name for a region called Mauretania.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Historical Mauretania was considerably farther north than modern Mauritania, extending along the western half of the Mediterranean coast.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Mauritania