Mauritania
موريتانيا
Mauritania is a country in Western Africa with about 5.32 million people, and its capital is Nouakchott. Its system of government is a semi-presidential republic. The main language is Arabic, and the currency is the Mauritanian Ouguiya.
It covers 1,030,700 km², making it the 28th largest of the 197 countries here, and ranks 125th by population. That works out at 5.2 per km², 188th in the world for density. Mauritania shares land borders with 3 countries: Algeria, Mali and Senegal.
- Capital
- Nouakchott
- Government
- Semi-presidential republic
- Population
- 5,315,065125th of 197, 2025
- Area
- 1,030,700 km²28th of 197, 2024
- Density
- 5.2 per km²
- Continent
- AfricaWestern Africa
- Language
- Arabic
- Currency
- Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU)
- GDP
- $11.7 billion151st of 193, 2025
- GDP per person
- $2,198153rd of 193, 2025
- Life expectancy
- 68.7 years2025 figure
- Urban population
- 61.5%2025 figure
- Highest point
- Kediet ej Jill, 915 m
- Coastline
- Yes
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +222
How Mauritania ranks
| Measure | World | Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125th of 197 | 39th of 54 |
| Area | 28th of 197 | 11th of 54 |
| Population density | 188th of 197 | 51st of 54 |
| GDP | 151st of 193 | 40th of 54 |
| GDP per person | 153rd of 193 | 23rd of 54 |
| Life expectancy | 141st of 194 | 13th of 54 |
| Urban population | 105th of 194 | 16th of 54 |
| Land borders | 84th of 197 | 30th of 54 |
Neighbouring countries
Similar in population
- New Zealand5.32 million
- Palestine5.41 million
- Slovakia5.41 million