Mauritania
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
People: Mauritanian
Mauritania is located in Western Africa and has a population of around 4.9 million. Its capital city is Nouakchott, and the most widely spoken official language is Arabic.
By the numbers, Mauritania is the 126th most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.06% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 28th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 5 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
Mauritania — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Islamic Republic of Mauritania |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Nouakchott |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Western Africa |
| Population | 4,927,532 |
| Area | 1,030,700 km² |
| Currency | Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU) UM |
| Official Language | Arabic |
| Dialling Code | +222 |
| Internet TLD | .mr |
| Timezone | UTC |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide) |
| ISO Code | MR / MRT |
| Borders | Algeria, Mali, Senegal |
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Getting to and around Mauritania
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Frequently Asked Questions about Mauritania
What is the capital and currency of Mauritania?
The capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott and the currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU), symbol UM.
What is the capital of Mauritania?
The capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott.
What currency does Mauritania use?
Mauritania uses the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU, symbol: UM).
What language do they speak in Mauritania?
The official language of Mauritania is Arabic.
What is the dialling code for Mauritania?
The international dialling code for Mauritania is +222.
What side of the road does Mauritania drive on?
Mauritania drives on the right-hand side of the road.
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