• Mauritania, or the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is in West Africa.
• Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Western Sahara, Algeria, Mali, and Senegal.
• The 11th-largest country in Africa; 90% is Sahara desert.
• Population of 4.3 million, mainly in the south, especially in Nouakchott.

• Name derives from ancient Mauretania; Berbers occupied the area by the 3rd century CE.
• Arab tribes brought Islam and culture in the late 7th century.
• Colonized by France in the early 20th century; gained independence in 1960.
• Experienced coups and dictatorship; peaceful transition in 2019.

• Poor human rights record; 2018 Global Slavery Index reports 90,000 slaves.
• Economy relies on agriculture and fishing; culturally part of the Arab world.
• Official language is Arabic; state religion is Islam; diverse ethnic makeup.

List of newspapers published in Mauritania.