Mauritania is a country in northwest Africa, stretching across the Sahel and the Sahara Desert, with the capital at Nouakchott. It is the 11th-largest country in Africa, but 90% of its land is arid or semi-arid, making agriculture and settlement challenging.

The population stands at approximately 4.6 to 5 million people as of 2024, comprising Arab-Berber groups in the north and Black African communities in the south. Arabic is the official language, but French and several local languages are also spoken. Mauritania is rich in mineral resources, especially iron ore, but remains one of the world’s poorest countries. Its economy relies on mining, fishing, and some agriculture, while the nation faces persistent poverty and migration challenges.

The political scene is shaped by efforts at institutional reform and combating corruption, and Mauritania serves as a strategic link between Arab North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.