The Islamic Republic of Mauritania was a former French colony. It is located in Western Africa and has 15 regions. It shares borders with Senegal, Mali, Algeria, and the Western Sahara. The most important provinces are Hodh Ech Chargui, Noukachott-South, and Noukachott-North. The country is Africa's 11th largest, with a surface area of 1,030,000 square kilometers, making it one of the continent's largest. Its climate is desert-like, with persistent heat and dryness. Its landscape is generally flat, with a few center hills. The aggregate population exceeds 4.8 million people. Nouakchott is the country's capital and largest city, with around 1.1 million people. Other notable cities in the country are Nouadhibou, Kiffa, and Kaédi. The biggest airport is Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC). It connects the country with destinations in Africa, Turkey, and France. Mauritania became independent from France in 1960. Its culture is dominated by Islamic and nomadic elements. The majority of the country's population is Muslim. The nation's official language is Arabic. However, other national languages are commonly spoken, including French, English, and Pulaar. The legal system is based on both French civil and Islamic Sharia law. The government is a presidential republic, with President Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani serving as elected chief of state. Mohamed Ould Bilal is the Prime Minister and the Head of Government. Elections take place every five years. The official currency of the country is the Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU), and the current exchange rate is MRU 43.70 to the USD. Mauritania has an open economy, with a GDP of around $18 billion. This places it as the 39th largest economy in Africa. Its per capita income is $4,563. Services and agriculture contribute the most to GDP. Gold, oil, and iron ore are the largest and most important GDP contributions. The majority of the population continues to rely on agriculture and animals for survival. Mauritania is an emerging tourist destination with minimal attractions. It is renowned for its biodiversity and historical desert sites. Some popular attractions include the capital, Nouakchott, Chinguetti, Atar, Terjit, Ouadâne, Zouérat, and the Diawling National Park. The majority of the 4,000 annual tourism visitors come from nearby African nations and France, especially on charter cruises.
