The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is located in the northwest of the African continent, between latitudes 15° and 27° North and longitudes 5° and 17° West. It covers an area of approximately 1,030,700 km² and has a coastline of more than 700 km along the Atlantic Ocean. To the south, the Senegal River forms a natural border stretching nearly 600 km. Mauritania also shares borders with Algeria and Western Sahara to the north, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the south.

With its unique geostrategic position, Mauritania serves as a crossroads between North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, and as a key hub on maritime and air routes linking the Middle East, West Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Europe is just a one-hour flight away, while the eastern coast of the Americas is roughly five hours away.

Physical Geography

Mauritania is characterized by vast desert landscapes, extensive plains, and occasional rocky outcrops. Much of the country lies within the Sahara Desert, featuring dunes, regs (rock deserts), and low-lying plains.
Its main natural regions include:

• The Atlantic coastal zone: stretching approximately 700 km from the Senegalese border in the south to Western Sahara in the north.

• The central region: made up of large plateaus and sandstone massifs such as Adrar and Tagant, interspersed with basins and depressions including the Hodh.

• The Senegal River valley: a fertile area that plays a vital role in agriculture and livestock, serving as the country’s main irrigated farming zone.

The country also contains noteworthy elevations such as the Kédia d’Idjil, rising to about 915 meters in the northwest.

Population and Demographics

Mauritania’s population is estimated at around 4 million, nearly 51% of whom are under the age of 19. The annual population growth rate is approximately 2.5%.

Overview of Mauritania