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Mauritania

Also Known As Islamic Republic of Mauritania

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Mauritania is a country in the Maghreb region of West Africa, 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. About ninety percent of its territory lies within the Sahara desert, with most inhabitants concentrated in the temperate south. It gained independence from France on 28 November 1960. It is an Islamic republic. Its capital is Nouakchott.

Facts
Capital
Nouakchott 1
Population
5,461,319 1
2026 estimate, from Mauritania's own Wikipedia infobox; no census line is carried in that infobox.
Population Estimate Year
2026 1
Area (sq km)
1,030,000 1
Independence or Founding Year
1960 1
Mauritania gained independence from France on 28 November 1960, preceded by autonomous republic status within the French Community from 28 November 1958.
Cross-Tradition Connections

Associated With

Nouakchott, Cities
The Maghreb, Regions
Source Maghreb (Wikipedia)
The Sahel, Regions
Western Sahara, Countries

Mauritania borders Western Sahara to the east and south.

Has Capital

Nouakchott, Cities

Nouakchott is the capital of Mauritania.

On Continent

Africa, Continents
Sources
1. Mauritania (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationInfobox
Quote, Infobox
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
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1. Mauritania (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationInfobox, capital
Quote, Infobox, capital
Nouakchott
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1. Mauritania (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationInfobox, area
Quote, Infobox, area
1,030,000 km2 (400,000 sq mi)
View the Source
1. Mauritania (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationDemographics section, 2026 estimate
Quote, Demographics section, 2026 estimate
2026 estimate 5,461,319
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1. Mauritania (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIntroduction
Quote, Introduction
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
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Maghreb (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: The Maghreb, Lead section, second sentence
Quote, Associated With: The Maghreb, Lead section, second sentence
The Maghreb region comprises western and central North Africa, including Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, and the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
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Nouakchott (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Nouakchott, Infobox, Country
Quote, Associated With: Nouakchott, Infobox, Country
Mauritania
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Nouakchott (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationHas Capital: Nouakchott, Lead section, capital fact
Quote, Has Capital: Nouakchott, Lead section, capital fact
Nouakchott is the capital and largest city of Mauritania.
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