By John Lindell
According to the
United States Department of State, the northwest African nation of Mauritania is about the size of the states of New
Mexico and Texas combined. The country is very arid, with 80 percent of it covered in desert. The capital city of Nouakchott has by far the most people of any city in the country, with a population of 708,000; the entire country has just under 3 million residents.
Borders
The Atlantic Ocean forms the western border of Mauritania, with Senegal to the southwest and the country of Mali on its eastern front. To the northeast is Algeria, while Western Sahara is to the northwest.
Geography
The area of Mauritania is 397,929 square miles, with most of that land covered by the great Sahara Desert. There are a series of highlands that sit on sandstone plateaus, but with the exception of coastal land, water is at a premium.
Chinguetti
Chinguetti is a desert city that has buildings as old as 800 years. At one time, it was an important stop for trading caravans going through the Sahara, but the Sahara sands are steadily covering up much of its original territory.
Nouakchatt
Not surprisingly, the capital is located on the Atlantic coast. The city 's highlights include several mosques, including a beautiful two-spired one in the center of the city. There are also beaches, markets and museums in the city.
Trivia
Almost 99 percent of Mauritania's people are Muslims. The nation is very poor, with most of the individuals depending on agriculture and livestock to make a living.
Resources
About the Author:
John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.
