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Unknown Facts About Mauritania

Sucheta Pradhan
Located in Northwest Africa, Mauritania, officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is culturally rich with respect to its food, music, and oral traditions. However, it also suffers from economic backwardness, fragile politics, and high crime rate. Here are some facts you should know before visiting Mauritania!
Mauritania is Africa’s 11th-largest sovereign state surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Western Sahara to the north and northwest, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the southwest.
From mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries, Mauritania was a French colony. It gained its independence from France in 1960.
After becoming independent, Mauritania declared Nouakchott as its capital.
Literally meaning the “place of the winds”, it is the country’s largest city and also its administrative and economic center.
Nearly two-thirds of Mauritania is covered by the Sahara Desert, which expands further southward every year.
In 1981, slavery was officially abolished in Mauritania, thus making it the last country in the world to do so. However, it was not criminalized until 2007. According to the United Nations’ special rapporteur, slavery continues to exist in one form or the other in the country. 
Although Arabic is Mauritania’s official language, others such as Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof, French, and Hassaniya are also widely spoken.
In 2001, offshore oil was discovered in Mauritania, which is now one of the country’s main exports. 
Others include iron ore, fish, gold, gypsum, phosphate, diamonds, and copper.
Mauritania has an extensive coastline along the Atlantic.
If you’re a beach lover and like to surf and turf, the country provides excellent opportunities for you.
Mauritania is home to one of the longest trains in the world. The Train du Desert is the country’s 2km-long train that has been transporting iron ore and brave passengers 437 miles across the Sahara Desert since 1963.
Mauritania is also home to the world’s 3rd-largest monolith, the Ben Amera, that lies in the Sahara. One of Mauritania’s best kept secrets, it is also Africa's largest monolith.