Mauritania: The Arab Country the World Seems to Have Forgotten (And 6 Stunning Attractions)

Nowadays, with the level of openness, connection, and the ability to learn about anything in the world in mere seconds that we have at our fingertips, we must know a thing or two about almost every corner of the globe.

Many countries are famous for their great history, rich cultures, and vibrant attractions. Some have jumped to global awareness because of their stunning developments in the last few decades. You undoubtedly know which country I am talking about here, but you do not? Other countries are known for the system they are run with or how isolated they are from or open to the rest of the world.

Theoretically speaking, that should be correct. Yet, if you take a minute to head to Google Earth, rotate the globe, stop at the Pacific Ocean, and zoom in, can you see how many tiny islands are drifting on the vast blueness of the ocean without almost anyone ever hearing of them? Have you ever heard of Coco Islands, for instance? It is a real country!

So many countries stay anonymous due to their remote location and separation from landmasses, tiny size and population, or the little contribution they make to global development. But what about those countries with large areas, significant populations, incredible history, relatively reachable locations and well-known neighbours? How could they slip into oblivion without anyone noticing or doing anything to reverse it?

Is it not a significant loss that we do not know about these countries? Could you imagine what fantastic influence we might be missing out on only because the media decided to turn a blind eye to them?

Well, we at ConnollyCove decided otherwise. In this article, we will explore such unique yet sadly long-forgotten countries. We are taking you to Mauritania.

So bring a large cup of coffee, and let’s hop into it.

What Exactly is Mauritania?

One thing that many, especially young Arabs, might be surprised to know is that Mauritania is an Arab and Muslim country! But thanks to no one ever bringing this up, let alone history books dedicating enough lessons to demonstrate some facts about it, no one seems to have ever heard of this country.

Mauritania is a large coastal country situated in the northwest of Africa. It is bordered by the Western Sahara Desert to the north, which separates it from Morocco. The country is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, as well as Algeria, Mali, and Senegal, which are also Muslim countries but not Arab ones.

Compared to Egypt, with an area of 1.002 million square kilometres, Mauritania is slightly more prominent, with an area of 1.031 million square kilometres. While Algeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo are Africa’s most significant countries, Mauritania ranks #11.

Nouakchott is the capital of and, by far, the largest city in Mauritania. It is 1,000 square kilometres in area and is in the west of the country, precisely on the Atlantic Coast. As a tremendous economic and cultural hub, Nouakchott is where the country’s most notable universities, biggest businesses and beautiful attractions are found. That is why around 1.2 million of the 4.6 million people in Mauritania are concentrated there, as they can find better lives and work conditions.

As of 2021, Mauritania has a population of only 4.615 million people, making it among the least populated countries in the world today. Compared to its large area, the density is as low as five people per square kilometre! One reason for that is undoubtedly the country’s large desert composition.

Well, that is correct. Thanks to its almost entirely desert location, most of Mauritania is desert. However, this has given it a unique geology with a super high granite, limestone, iron, gold, and copper content. In addition, Mauritania has proven oil reserves that hold around 20 million barrels per year; however, that does not make it a major oil exporter.

Economy

In addition, Mauritania has more potential to export natural gas thanks to the 2014 remarkable discovery of natural gas deposits off its coastal border with Senegal. Even more terrific is that this reserve is estimated to hold around 1.4 trillion cubic metres of gas.

Soon after this discovery, the Mauritanian government started building the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim gas field. It is located 120 kilometres off the coast of Mauritania and is just as deep as 2850 metres underwater, making it Africa’s deepest gas field so far. 

The project saw significant progress during the following years, yet it was slowed down because of the quarantine. Things went back to normal, and as of September 2022, around 80% of the work had been completed.

Upon completion, due in 2023, the field is expected to produce 2.5 million cubic metric tonnes of gas a year. During this time of conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the world’s biggest exporter of natural gas the entire continent of Europe has been depending on for years, this newly discovered gas reserve in Mauritania promises a more accessible and consistent supply of natural gas as well as an incredible transformation of Mauritania’s economy very shortly.

This is exactly like when a desperate Hollywood producer finally finds his very talented young actor who will make him many top box office films and take him to the highest-grossing producers’ category!

In the meantime, the Mauritanian economy primarily depends on fishing since it is a coastal country. It produces a wide variety of fish, including tuna, shrimp, and sardines, yearly. Mining is also a significant source of national income, which, as we mentioned, will take the economy to a brand-new level quite soon. In addition, agriculture is also a thing in Mauritania, primarily enabled by the rivers flowing through it, the most significant of which is the Senegal River.

History

Mauritania, as a republic, only came into existence in 1960. Before that, precisely from 1895 to 1960, the country was occupied by France, which was also occupying Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia at the time. Together, all these countries were named French West Africa.

However, after World War II ended, most colonised countries in Africa started fighting for and gaining independence, one after the other. Mauritania began a new era of freedom and self-ruling in 1960. In late October 1961, it became a member of the United Nations and joined the Arab League in November 1973.

That ridiculously briefs Mauritania’s last century and a half. What about the periods before that, then? What was this country like a millennium or even a few millennia ago?

The Muslim conquest of North Africa took place in the mid-seventh century, and as a result, the entire region was introduced and eventually converted to Islam. Before that, North Africa, excluding Egypt, was inhabited by the Berbers, whose origins go as far back as 10,000 years. As they settled in the region, they established a great culture and rich heritage.

During the 7th century, Mauritania, along with Morocco and Algeria, was ruled by a Berber dynasty called Almoravid. When this dynasty converted to Islam, it introduced a new religion to these countries. By the 8th century, Mauritania had officially become a Muslim country.

Several other Berber dynasties ruled the country in the following centuries until the country eventually fell into the hands of the French. After over 60 years of occupation, the Muslim Republic of Mauritania was announced.

Thanks to their long rule of the country, the Berbers have left a great legacy not only in Mauritania but also in the entire region of North Africa, except for Egypt. Now, minor Berber communities live in parts of Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. In Mauritania alone, they make up around 30% of the population.

Mauritania is also home to many other ethnic groups besides the Berbers. These primarily include the white Moors, who are of Arab-Berber origins, sub-Saharan Africans, and black Moors, who are mixed between white Moors and sub-Saharans.

Languages

The official language of Mauritania is Arabic, with Hassaniya Arabic being the country’s dialect. If you have a background in Arab countries, you must know that Arabic, well, Fusha Arabic, is the official language in all of them. However, each country has developed its own dialect. The most common and easily understood Arabic dialect is the Egyptian one.

However, this Hassaniya Arabic, like the Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian dialects, might not be understood by the rest of the Arab countries, for the Berbers’ old languages may have influenced it.

That aside, several other languages are spoken in Mauritania by its many ethnic groups, such as Soninke, Wolof, and Fulani. French is also spoken in the country thanks to the long-lasting occupation.

Attractions 

Thanks to the country’s rich Berber heritage and history, many great attractions reflect the development of the Berber dynasties that ruled the country over thousands of years. In 1989 and 1996, UNESCO listed two of these attractions as World Heritage Sites.

So let’s explore some other beautiful attractions in the country.

1. The Grand Mosque of Nouakchott

The Grand Mosque of Nouakchott is by far the largest mosque in Mauritania, having been built on an area of 100,000 square metres. With its two tall minarets near the entrance, this mosque is a remarkable symbol of Islamic architecture. 

Located in the historic part of the city known as Medina, the construction of the Grand Mosque took about six years during the 1970s. It was made so big to take in up to 20,000 people, and there is also a museum, a school for teaching Islamic studies, and a library attached to it. The mosque is surrounded by many other historic buildings, most of which are beautiful tourist attractions as well.

2. Banc d’Arguin National Park

This is Mauritania’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was announced in 1989.

Stretching over the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and covering an area of 12,000 square kilometres, the Banc d’Arguin National Park is a great tourist attraction one should not miss when visiting the country. What makes it so unique is its great ecosystem that combines both marine life and desert life.

More precisely, the park comprises dunes, islands, lagoons, mudflats, and extensive marshes overgrown by grass. The latter is the habitat of the nesting birds of Western Africa, with a population of up to 40,000 pairs of 15 various species.

The marshes are also home to over two million migratory birds, who leave the freezing-cold winter of their original habitats in northern Europe, Greenland, and Siberia to enjoy three months of warmth and food abundance in the marshes.

In addition to those birds, the Banc d’Arguin National Park is also home to pelicans and flamingos. At the same time, its shallow waters host around 50 different fish species, turtles and dolphins.

The park was constructed in 1976 to protect the rich and precious natural wildlife. It is a perfect destination for tourists who want to go hiking, camping, and bird-watching, all great winter activities. Guided tours are available at the park.

3. National Museum of Mauritania

Another famous tourist attraction that one should not miss when in the country is the National Museum of Mauritania.

Located in Nouakchott, the museum is quite large and has two storeys. It displays excellent collections of the country’s heritage and history, including pottery, jewellery, clothing, sculptures, statues, and musical instruments. The exhibits tell the country’s story, almost from the Stone Age to the present, and show how the people of the past lived and interacted with one another.

There are three exhibition rooms in this museum. Two of them are permanent, where the collections are always the same and available for display. The third room, however, is a temporary exhibition, which means the displayed collections change on a regular basis.

The National Museum of Mauritania also comprises the Mauritanian Manuscripts Conservation Centre, the Mauritanian Institute of Scientific Research, and the National Library of Mauritania. The latter contains over 10,000 volumes and has seven branches in different cities.

These, along with the museum, make a fantastic tourist attraction, a perfect place to learn about the country’s great culture, history, and heritage.

4. Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata

The second UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mauritania consists of four ancient towns established in the 11th century. These four towns were transit zones for the trans-Saharan trade caravans, which gradually turned them into great commercial, economic, and cultural hubs. That is why they are themed by Saharan culture.

All four towns are located in the desert yet are far from one another. Despite their common Saharan themes, each one is quite distinct from the others.

The best preserved one is Ouadane, further north of the country. Chinguetti has a library containing precious manuscripts dating back to the 11th century and showing the writing systems the Berbers used in the trade. Its salt mines characterise Tichitt, and Oualata has beautiful colourful houses.

5. Plage de Nouakchott

As a coastal country, Mauritania is home to many beautiful beaches; one of the most famous ones is in the capital city, known as Plage de Nouakchott. It might be far from the city centre but worth visiting.

The Plage de Nouakchott is a perfect relaxing vacation and leisure spot. During the day, one can enjoy swimming, walking, or cycling on the beach, and at night, one can stargaze.

6. Marche Capitale

In other words, this is Nouakchott’s grand market.

The Marche Capitale is located in the heart of the city. It contains different sections, each selling different kinds of products, ranging from electronics, home tools and appliances, and food, including vegetables, fruit, bread, spices, fish, meat, and poultry, to accessories, shoes, traditional clothing, souvenirs, and many other things.

This market is open and busy 24/7. Although it might get a bit chaotic there, the Marche Capitale is a fantastic place to learn more about Mauritanians and their culture and see the country from different perspectives. It is vivid and vibrant and definitely worth visiting.

Although it has lived in the shadows for so long, Mauritania is still a wonderful country rich in culture, heritage, and history. With the opening of the new gas reserve, it is expected to change skin entirely in just a matter of decades. It is an ideal spot to enjoy an excellent and affordable vacation and wander between the different attractions, from historic mosques and museums to beaches and national parks.