Facts about Mauritania tell a large country in Africa. Officially, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania located in the Northwestern Africa. It is the eleventh largest country in Africa, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Western Sahara in the north, Algeria in the northeast, Mali in the east and sourtheast, and Senegal in the Southwest. Here are another interesting facts about Mauritania.
Facts about Mauritania 1: The Name
The name of country got from the ancient Berber kingdom of Mauretania, which was popular from 3rd century BC to the 7th century.
Facts about Mauritania 2: Colonial Era
In 1901, Imperial France mission led by Xavier Coppolani to extend French rule over the Mauritanian emirates. In 1903-1904, Trarza, Brakna and Tagant succeed to be defeated then Adrar in 1912. Approximately 90% of population remained nomadic during colonial period and French rule brought legal prohibitions against slavery.
Mauritania Flag
Facts about Mauritania 3: After Colonial
In 1960, Mauritania got independence from French occupation and Nouakchott city was chosen as the capital of Mauritania. Soon after freedom, larger number of indigenous Sub-Saharan African people moved into Mauritania. They educated in French language and customs, many of them became clerks, soldiers and administrators in the new state.
Facts about Mauritania 4: Modern Slavery
Sadly, Slavery still exists in Mauritania. The reporting from The U.S. Dept. of State, report on slavery in Mauritania, 2009, stated that “Still today, masters lend their slaves’ labor to other individuals, female slaves are sexually exploited and children are made to work and rarely receive an education”.
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Facts about Mauritania 5: Demographics
The Mauritanian population in 2016 reached approximately 4.3 million. The indigenous divided into three main ethnic tiers, Bidhan, Haratin, and West Africans.
Facts about Mauritania 6: Religion
Almost 100% of inhabitants of Mauritania is Muslim. In 1968, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nouakchott established, and it served the 4,500 Catholics in Mauritania, mostly foreign residents from West Africa and Europe. Surprisingly, atheism in Mauritani punishes by death.
the glance of the largest and capital city of Mauritania
Facts about Mauritania 7: Language
The dominant languages used in Mauritania are Hassaniya Arabic, Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof and French. Modern Standard Arabic is the official language.
Facts about Mauritania 8: Education
Modern Arabic Standard is introduced in the all first year of primary school and French is learned in the second year and it is used to teach all scientific courses, then the use of english is increasing. Majority of highly educated Mauritnians studied outside of country eventhough Mauritania has the University of Nouakchott.
Facts about Mauritania 9: Health
In 2011, life expectancy at birth was around 61 years. Public expenditure on health was 2% of the GDP in 2004 and private 0.9% of the GDP at the same time. The obesity rate is high among women due to the culture’s view. They assume that obese women are considered beautiful.
Fun Fact about Mauritania
Facts about Mauritania 10: Economy
Mauritania has a low GDP rate eventhough it has rich natural resources. Mauritania has great number in iron ore, it is almost a half of total export.
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