Mauritania country tag. School encyclopedia

Although slavery has been abolished in the country twice: in 1980 and 2007, in fact, about 20% of the population of Mauritania are slaves.

And this amounts to almost 600 thousand people. The slaves are mostly blacks who belong to the ruling Berber class. Slaves are slaves at all times.

They have no personal, political or economic rights, and their children become slave owners.

The official name of the state is Islamic Republic of Mauritania. It borders Western Sahara, Senegal, Algeria and Mali. In the west it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean.

State symbols

Flag– is a rectangular panel with an aspect ratio of 2:3, green, with a horizontal crescent and a five-pointed star above it, yellow, in the center of the flag. The green color of the flag and the crescent with a star symbolize Islam, the main religion of the country, the yellow color of the crescent and star symbolizes the Sahara Desert. Yellow and green are Pan-African colors. The flag was adopted on April 1, 1959, after gaining independence from France.

Coat of arms- emblem of Mauritania. It has the shape of a circle. Green and gold are considered Pan-African colors. Green symbolizes Islam, gold symbolizes the sands of the Sahara desert. The crescent and star are symbols of Islam, the main religion of the state. Along the edges of the circle there are inscriptions in Arabic and French: “Islamic Republic of Mauritania.” The coat of arms was adopted on April 1, 1959.

State structure

Form of government- presidential republic.
Head of State– President, elected by the population for 5 years.

Current president Mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz(Moorish military and political figure)
Head of the government- Prime Minister.
Capital and largest city- Nouakchott.
official languages– Arabic and French.
Territory– 1,030,700 km².
Administrative division– 12 regions and the capital autonomous region of Nouakchott. The regions are divided into 44 departments.

Population– 3,359,185 people. 30% are white Berbers (historically slave owners, although many modern Berbers are poor; men usually wear distinctive blue clothing). 40% are “black Berbers” (historically slaves; currently about half of them are in slavery, the rest are descendants of freedmen, occupying an intermediate level between them and blacks who were not slaves). 30% are black, speak African languages ​​and were not slaves; live in the valley of the Senegal River and constitute the nationalities living in the neighboring state of Senegal (Toucouleur, Sarakol, Fulani, Peul, Wolof, Bambara).
Average duration life - 60 years.
State religion- Sunni Islam. The penetration of Islam began in the 8th century. Traditional African beliefs (animalism, fetishism, cult of ancestors, forces of nature, etc.) are adhered to by 0.1% of the population. Christianity began to spread in the 16th-17th centuries; the majority were Catholics.
Currency– ouguiya.

Economy– The country is one of the most economically underdeveloped countries in the world. Agriculture(50% of employees): cattle breeding (sheep, goats, cows, camels); dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; fishing. Industry(10% of employees): mining of iron ore, copper ore, gold, fish processing. Service sector (40% of employees). Export: iron ore, fish and fish products, gold, copper concentrate. Import: mechanical engineering products, petroleum products, food, consumer goods. Transport: railway, sea.
Education– literacy more than 50%. 6 years of primary education is compulsory (ages 6-11). Training in Arabic, in primary school training is free. Secondary education (6 years) takes place in two stages (3 years each).
Higher education: Metropolitan University (founded in 1981), Higher Administrative School (1966), Pedagogical Institute (1971), Institute of Islamic Studies (1961).
Sport- Football is popular. The country took part in 7 summer Olympic Games(debuted in Los Angeles in 1984). Since then, Mauritania's athletes have participated in every Summer Games. Mauritania has never participated in the Winter Olympics. They did not win any Olympic medals.
Armed forces – ground troops, naval forces (including marines), Islamic air forces. Recruited on a conscription basis by males over the age of 18; minimum service life – 24 months; most military personnel serve voluntarily as professionals; Service in the Air Force and Navy is also voluntary.

Nature

More than 60% of the country's territory is occupied by the rocky and sandy deserts of Western Sahara.
Climate tropical, desert.
Apart from the Senegal River along the southern border of the country, there are no other permanent rivers.

The soils are desert. The vegetation cover is extremely sparse; herbaceous vegetation predominates, appearing after occasional rains. In the south of the country there are semi-deserts with shrubs and acacias.
Fauna: numerous reptiles and rodents, including predatory jackals, fennecs, in some areas large ungulates and ostriches have been preserved.

Fenech- a miniature fox of a peculiar appearance. This is the smallest representative of the canine family, smaller in size than a domestic cat. Fenech inhabits sandy deserts, where it stays near thickets of grass and sparse bushes, which provide it with shelter and food.

He lives in holes with a large number of secret passages, which he digs himself; leads a nocturnal lifestyle. They are hunted, killed for their fur, and captured and sold as pets.

It is known that the drawings for his allegorical story “The Little Prince” Exupery created it myself.

In the drawing of Exupery The Fox has unusually large ears, which suggests that it was a fennec fox. The writer tamed it while serving in Morocco.

There are locust attacks - like in this photo.
Considered a natural wonder in Mauritania Richat structure. It is also called the “Eye of the Sahara”.

Richat is about 30 miles in diameter and can even be seen from space. The formation was originally thought to have been caused by a meteorite, but modern geologists argue that it is the result of erosion. But the reason for its round shape still remains a mystery.

Culture

The dwellings of the indigenous population are rectangular in shape, the walls are made of sandstone, and the flat roof is covered with acacia trunks.

Among nomadic peoples, their dwellings are tents covered with blankets made of felted camel wool or fabric.

Modern construction – aluminum, reinforced concrete structures and glass.
Origin visual arts on the territory of modern Mauritania began in the Neolithic era. Among the rock paintings of Adrar and Taganta are images of horses, camels and carts.
Crafts and artistic crafts are developed: wood carving, silver carving, metal working, leather dressing. The leather industry is the most developed: the production of waterskins, pouches, carpets, grain sacks, pillows, shoes, bags, etc., as well as the production of the famous Moorish tapestries with unique designs. The art of Moorish jewelers who make jewelry from gold, silver and coral is famous.

Pottery and manufacturing developed calabash(vessels made from pumpkin). The collection of Moorish art is presented in the exhibition of the National Museum (Nouakchott).
Solo choral singing and dancing are common. Musical instruments: harps, drums, lutes, tom-toms, flutes.
The first national film is “O. sun" (1967) directed by Med Hondo.

Tourism in Mauritania

Tourism is poorly developed, because it is a rather poor, deserted, and most importantly politically unstable country. But Mauritania attracts real travelers with prehistoric rock paintings, exotic cities with sandy streets, dunes...

National Park Ban d'Arguin on the Atlantic coast (the largest in Africa) was created to study and protect unique natural areas, transitional from desert to ocean. The main attraction of the park is the millions of birds whose migration routes intersect on this coast. 249 bird species have been recorded.
White mangrove swamps alternate here with sand dunes; antelopes, jackals, honey badgers, desert cats live on the coast, and turtles, dolphins and monk seals live in the coastal waters.

Monk Seal
There is a lot of marine phytoplankton on the coast - food for birds and fish. Therefore, there is an abundance of crabs and gastropods. Many birds from Plover family They winter in Banc d'Arguin park, where the largest population in the world is located.

Mammals: about 20 Dorcas gazelles, jackals, sand fox, sand cat, African wild cat, genet (predator), African striped marten, honey badger, striped hyena.

Sand fox (fennec fox)
Nouakchott is the young capital of Mauritania and its largest city. Its construction began in 1957. At the time of the declaration of independence of Mauritania, the French colonial administration was located on the territory of modern Senegal. There were no cities in the country. Therefore, the small village of Nouakchott, which was nothing special, was chosen as the capital.

The old city is a typical Arab settlement with narrow streets and alleys, small adobe houses, courtyards, and a mosque. In a separate area there are government offices, where buildings of original architecture stand out: the Presidential Palace, the Parliament building, the buildings of various ministries and embassies.
Nouakchott is also called the “windy city”. It is located 3 km from the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by sand dunes and dense greenery that shelters its streets from the scorching sun. The winds do not subside here most of the year, which is why the city received the name Nouakchott, which in the Berber language means “the place where the winds blow.”
Here is the National Museum, where you can get acquainted with the history and culture of peoples; Carpet center with a permanent exhibition and sale; African markets, Aquarium.
Nouadhibou in the north of the country it is considered best place for sport fishing and water sports. The cemetery of sunken ships is also attractive to tourists.

The 1.5 km train departs from Nouadhibou, the longest in the world! It is designed to transport ore, but it has one passenger carriage in which anyone can ride, sitting on the floor or on a wooden bench.

Kumbi-Saleh, the ancient capital of the medieval Empire of Ghana, attracts with its restored complexes of religious buildings, walls, city parks and a unique water supply system, the principle of operation of which is incomprehensible to modern scientists. Archaeological excavations are still ongoing here.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Mauritania

This is already mentioned by us Banc d'Arguin National Park and the Ancient Ksar (fortification) at Ouadani, Chinguetti, Tishiti and Hualati.

Ancient Ksar (fortification) at Ouadani, Chinguetti, Tishiti and Hualati

Ouadan

The city was founded by the Berber tribe in 1147 at the foot of the Adrar plateau, and over time became important shopping center. In 1487, a Portuguese trading post was established in the city. Since the 17th century the city fell into decay. The ruins of the old city remain untouched, but the modern settlement is located outside its boundaries.

Chinguetti

The settlement in this place was founded in 777. By the 11th century. it became a trading center for the Sanhaji confederation of Berber tribes.
In the middle of the 13th century. the city was reborn as a fortified settlement on the trans-Saharan trade routes. The city was the first stopover for pilgrims on their way to Mecca, which is why it became a holy city. Schools were founded here where they taught rhetoric, astronomy, mathematics, medicine and jurisprudence. For centuries, Mauritania was known in the Arab world as the "land of Chinguetti," and the West African city was sometimes called the "seventh holy city of Islam."

Quiet

Ancient fortified settlement (ksar) - small, partially abandoned, modern city in the Mauritanian region of Takant. Founded around 1150. Known for its traditional architecture. The main occupation of local residents is Agriculture(cultivation of date palms). There is a small museum in the city.

Walati

An ancient fortified settlement (ksar), as well as a small modern city in the southeast of Mauritania. It is believed that farmers and cattle breeders were the first to settle here.

The modern city was founded in the 11th century. in the territory of the Ghana Empire. The city was destroyed in 1076, but rebuilt in 1224 and became an important trading city on the trans-Saharan trade routes and an Islamic center.
At the beginning of the 21st century. A museum of manuscripts has been created in the city. The city is known for its traditional architecture.

Story

BC e. the southern part of modern Mauritania was inhabited by peoples of the Negroid race. They were engaged in hunting and farming.
In the 1st millennium BC. e. From the north, the gradual settlement of the country by Berber herders began, who pushed the blacks to the south. The Berbers formed a confederation of Sanhaji tribes.
From the 11th century Arabization and Islamization of the population began. The Arabs took a dominant position in the country, establishing power over the Berbers and blacks, who adopted the language and family way of life from the Arabs. The oasis of Chinguetti became the main center of the country, and the country began to be called Tarb el-Bidan (“land of the whites”).
In the 11th century On the territory of Mauritania, a political entity was formed, headed by the leader of the Berber tribe of Lemtuna Abu Bekr Ibn Omar.

After 20 years of jihad, Abu Bekr's empire stretched from Senegal to the Mediterranean coast. The ruling dynasty in the state was named Almoravids. Under his successor Yusuf ibn Tashfin, the invasion of the Iberian Peninsula began, and by the end of the 11th century. The Almoravid Empire extended from the Senegal River in the south to the Ebro River (in Spain) in the north. They also owned the Canary Islands. In Mauritania, a complex hierarchy of clans developed: the Hassan Arabs, then the Berber warriors, then the peaceful Berber marabouts, then the Berber tributaries, and then the Negroes conquered by the Berbers (slaves and Haratin freedmen). In the social structure, separate castes were formed on a professional basis: singers and musicians (griots), artisans, hunters (nemadi), fishermen (imragen).

Colonization

From the middle of the 19th century. The French began to develop the area, and already in 1904 the area north of the Senegal River was declared a French possession with the name “Civil Territory of Mauritania.” The conquest of Mauritania by the French was difficult. Only in 1920 did France officially declare Mauritania its colony within French West Africa, but only during the operations of 1934-1936. the French were able to establish virtual control over the entire territory of the country.
In 1946, Mauritania received the status of an overseas territory of France, and in 1958 - the status of an autonomous republic of the French Community.

Independence

The country gained independence from France on November 28, 1960. The Islamic Republic of Mauritania was proclaimed. Since August 1961, Moktar Ould Dadda began to rule the country.

Moktar Ould Dadda– first president and prime minister of Mauritania
The Mauritanian People's Party (PMN) became the ruling and only one in the country (1961).
Mauritania had a difficult relationship with Morocco, with whom the country competed for the territory of Western Sahara. They officially presented their territorial claims to Western Sahara to the UN, while simultaneously challenging each other's rights to this territory. The protracted period of hostilities depleted the country's economy, and the end of the war was not in sight.

In 1964, diplomatic relations were established with the USSR.

Coup

The Polisario Front is a military-political organization operating in Western Sahara. In the 1970-1980s. waged an active armed struggle against armed forces Morocco and Mauritania, which occupied this territory. The Polisario Front concentrated its attacks primarily against Mauritania. The capital of Nouakchott was attacked twice. Combat operations in the iron ore mining zone have sharply worsened financial situation countries.
July 10, 1978 a group of officers led by Colonel Mustafa Ould Saleh carried out a coup, overthrowing and arresting Ould Dadda. The Constitution was suspended, the government, parliament, youth and others were dissolved public organizations. A new government has been formed. The Military Committee became the highest legislative body of the country for 13 years. national revival(VKNV).

The military leadership set itself three goals: to end the war in Western Sahara, straighten out the economy and establish “genuine democracy.” The Polisario Front announced a unilateral cessation of hostilities against Mauritanian troops.
But a severe drought began. Almost the entire livestock was in danger of dying. A massive outflow of the rural population to the cities began. Under these conditions, decisive measures were necessary. But the VCNV was divided into “moderates” and supporters of radical reforms. On April 3, 1979, Colonel Ould Saleh was overthrown by Lieutenant Colonels Ould Buseif, Ould Luli and Ould Heidallah. Military cooperation with France was resumed.
In 1979, Colonel Ould Bousseif died in a plane crash.
Mauritania renounced its “claims to Western Sahara” and took a neutral position on this issue. By December 1979, a contingent of Moroccan troops was withdrawn from the territory of Mauritania.

Reforms

In January 1980 Ould Luli was removed from his post, and a colonel became the head of the VKNS Ould Heidallah.
In 1980, the HCNV banned slavery. Mauritania was the last country in the world where slavery was officially permitted. Most urban residents freed their slaves, but in rural areas this process continued for a very long time. Anti-Slavery Society spokesman A. Whittaker: “From an economic point of view, a master and his slave are not much different from each other, since both are poor.”
Corruption remained a major problem.

1984 coup

In December 1984, Colonel Ould Taya overthrew Colonel Ould Heidallah and in 1991 announced a transition to civilian rule and a multi-party system. A new constitution of the country was adopted. The first multi-party presidential elections in Mauritania were held in January 1992, won by Ould Taya. He also won the presidential elections in December 1997.

Modernity

In the 2003 presidential elections, Ould Taya received 67.0% of the vote. In August 2005, Ould Taya was overthrown by Colonel Ould Wallem. In March 2007, he became president Ould Sheikh Abdalahi.

In August 2008, General Ould Aziz, former chief of staff of the armed forces and commander of the presidential guard, overthrew Ould Sheikh Abdalahi. In July 2009, he held elections, after which he became president of Mauritania.

Islamic Republic, state in the West Africa. The history of the name goes back to what existed on 3. North. Africa already in the 3rd millennium BC. e. history region (Mauretania) . The name was given by the Phoenicians, for whom this region lay on the extreme 3., and they called her Mauharim - "Western Edge". During the colonial period, the name referred to one of the territories of French West Africa, in 1960 G. he was inherited state .

Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001.

Mauritania

(Mauritanie, Spanish moros - the name of the Muslim conquerors of the Iberian Peninsula - Arabs and Berbers in the Middle Ages. Europe), state in the NW. Africa. Pl. 1030.7 thousand km², capital Nouakchott . In the IV–XI centuries. part of the territory within the state of Ghana; in the 11th–12th centuries. – Almoravids; in the XIII–XIV centuries. - Mali. In the XIV–XV centuries. Arabs invaded M. The first Europeans (Portuguese) appeared in the 15th century. From the middle of the 19th century. active colonization by the French; since 1920 the colony has been composed of French West Africa ; since 1946 – “overseas territory”; since 1958 ed. republic within the French Community. Since November 28 (national holiday) 1960 – independent Republic of Al-Jumhuriyah al-Islamiyah al-Muritaniya (Islamic Republic of Mauritania ), which is headed by the president; Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral parliament consisting of the National Assembly. Assembly and Senate.
B. h. territories - sandy and rocky deserts in the west. Sugars, low plains and low plateaus (up to 915 m); on the W. there are sand dunes, on the N. and NE. ergs (dry riverbeds with sands). The climate is tropical desert. Wed.-Mon. temperatures from 16 to 32 °C; daily range up to 40 °C, especially in winter. Precipitation per b.h. countries less than 100 mm per year (in the north up to 50 mm, in the south up to 400 mm). Withering east. harmattan winds. There are no permanent rivers, except for the transit river. Senegal to the southwest. border. The vegetation is sparse, dominated by ephemeral grasses (appearing after occasional rains); in the south there are semi-deserts with shrubs and acacias. National a park Ban d'Arguin; reserves.
Population 2747 thousand people. (2001); over 80% Arab-Berbers (Moors); the rest are Negroid peoples (chiefly sampled in the south). Official languages ​​– Arabic and French. Muslims (Sunnis) predominate. City dwellers 35%; nomads ("great nomads") approx. 25%. Over 4/5 of the population is located in the south. parts of the country (Sahel), including 1/5 - in a narrow strip of the Senegal valley (350 people per 1 km²). An agricultural country with a developing mining industry. Ferrous is extracted. ore (80% of foreign exchange earnings), gold, gypsum, rock salt, native sulfur. There are deposits of phosphates and industrial copper. meanings. Production of food, leather, cement, metallurgy. prom-sti. Sat down. x-in backward. Agriculture is limited to the Senegal valley and oases. The main crops are African sorghum, rice, millet, corn and date palm (especially in the Atar oasis, called the “pearl” for its huge palm grove). M. provides itself with grain only 30%; the deficit is covered by international. help. One of the first places in Africa in terms of the number of livestock per capita; under pastures approx. 1/4 of the territory; nomadic and semi-nomadic meat and wool cattle, camel breeding. Nomads (self-name - “sons of rain clouds”) cover distances of more than 1000 km, crossing the borders of the West. Sahara, Morocco and Algeria. Collection of gum arabic (gum) from acacias (approx. 10% of the world supply). Significant marine fish (sardines, tuna, whiting), river fish in Senegal, and marine fisheries (lobsters, shrimp). Crafts: making carpets, clothing, fabrics, art. and jewelry made of coral, metal, ebony, clay toys; embossing and painting on leather. 1.8 thousand km of paved roads; and. 670 km, used for the removal of iron. ore to the sea, served by specialists. trains of 150 cars (length up to 2 km); court according to the river Senegal; intl. airports and seaports (Nouadhibou, Nouakchott). Capital University (since 1983) and the Higher Institute of Islamic Studies in Butilimit. Rock paintings from various eras (including on the way through the Sahara - on the “chariot road”). In the south there are ancient fortified settlements on the hills; round stone burial grounds (shushi) near wells; numerous mosques made of stone; Berber villages - ksars (developed Kumbi-Sale; Chinguetti). Cash unit – ouguiya.

Dictionary of modern geographical names. - Ekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of academician. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006 .

Encyclopedia Around the World. 2008 .

MAURITANIA

AFRICAN ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA
State in northwest Africa. In the north it borders with Western Sahara and Algeria, in the east with Mali and Senegal, and in the west it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The area of ​​the country is 1030700 km2.
The population of Mauritania (estimated for 1998) is about 2,511,500 people, with an average population density of about 2 people per km2. Ethnic groups: Moors (descendants of Arabs and Berbers) - 80%, blacks - 20%. Language: Arabic, French (both state), Hassanya, Woolof, Pular, Soninke. Religion - almost 100% Muslims (Islam is the state religion). The capital is Nouakchott. Largest cities: Nouakchott (560,000 people), Kaedi (74,000 people), Nouadhibou (70,000 people), Rosseau (50,000 people). The government system is an Islamic republic. The head of state is President Maauya Ould Seed Ahmed Taya (in office since April 18, 1992). The head of government is Prime Minister Sheikh Al Asia Ould Mohamed Hounah (since January 1996). The monetary unit is ougiya. Average life expectancy (as of 1998): 50 years for men, 53 years for women. The birth rate (per 1000 people) is 44.5. The mortality rate (per 1000 people) is 14.6.
Since 1903, Mauritania has been a French protectorate. The Islamic Republic of Mauritania was proclaimed on November 28, 1958, within the framework of the constitution of the fifth French republic. On November 28, 1960, the country gained full independence. Mauritania is a member of the UN, GATT, IMF, WHO, and the Organization of African Unity. Arab League.
Most of Mauritania is desert, but in the south there is a small belt of greenery where rare monkeys live. The average annual temperature reaches 38° C.

Encyclopedia: cities and countries. 2008 .

Mauritania is a state in West Africa, washed on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Area - 1030.7 thousand sq. km. Until 1960, Mauritania was a French possession (cm. France). The official language is Arabic. Administrative division: 12 regions and 1 autonomous capital district.
Most of the country is occupied by the sandy and rocky deserts of Western Sahara. The relief is dominated by vast low-lying plains and low plateaus (732 m above sea level). The only river with a permanent flow is the border Senegal.
The climate is tropical desert, with average monthly temperatures ranging from 16–20 °C in January to 30–32 °C in July. Precipitation in most of the country is less than 100 mm per year, only in the south - in the Sahel zone - 200–400 mm. The vegetation also has a corresponding character: sparse shrubs and isolated trees in the south, and in the rest of the territory, sparse greenery appears only for a short time after the rains. Large animals include oryx and addax antelopes, mountain goats, and small predators include the jackal and fennec fox. Lots of snakes and lizards, as well as insects and spiders.
The modern population of Mauritania (about 3.27 million people) is ethnically heterogeneous: three quarters are the so-called Moors - Arabs and Berbers, engaged primarily in cattle breeding; in the south, Negro-African peoples predominate - Toucouleur, Fulani, Wolof and others, who are mainly sedentary Lifestyle. Islam has been declared the state religion. Mauritania, unlike some other countries of North and West Africa, did not experience the heyday of medieval civilization, but the urban settlements of Chinguetti, Tishit, and Walata that have survived from that era testify to their former prosperity and the subtle art of decorating the facades of buildings. The Chinguetti Library contains 2 thousand manuscripts of Arab scholars. Diverse musical, singing, dance art peoples of Mauritania. The capital and largest city of the country is Nouakchott, built only 30–40 years ago. The second largest and most important city is the port of Nouadhibou. In the 4th - mid-11th centuries. the southern part of the territory of Mauritania was part of the medieval states of West Africa ( - (Islamic Republic of Mauritania), a state in northwest Africa, washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Area 1030.7 thousand km2. Population 2.2 million people; Moors (Arabs of Western Sahara ) over 80%, Berbers, etc. The official language is Arabic.… … Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Islamic Republic of Mauritania, a state in northwestern Africa. Art monuments dating back to the Neolithic belong to the culture of the Negroid peoples and Berbers (rock paintings, stone tombs of Shushi). In the Middle Ages on... ... Art encyclopedia

It is believed that Mauritania is home to about 1.2 million people. Why do they “count”? Yes, because over 4% of the entire Mauritanian population are nomads. But it is very difficult to calculate how many of them roam across a vast territory, including the Sahara.

The part of the country located north of the 17th parallel is often referred to by residents as “the country of white people,” and the southern part as “the country of black people.” This definition reflects the historically established picture of the settlement of races in Mauritania - white and black (Negroid). Representatives of the first make up 76% of the country's population, the second - 24%.

Who are they, white Mauritanians? First of all, these are the so-called Moors - descendants of Berbers and Arabs. They represent the largest ethnic group in the country. Scientists attribute them to the Mediterranean type of the Caucasian race. The Moors (or, as they are often called, Berber-Arabs or simply Arabs) are tall, slender people, with a narrow face and a straight, hooked nose, with dark skin, and curly hair. The sun, wind and sand scorched the faces and hands of the Moors, making their skin look like parchment dried out by centuries. Men dress in a boubou - a long blue dress, sometimes white, often wear a turban, grow a mustache and beard. Most women wear dark, often black, clothes and hide their faces from the gaze of strangers.

The Moors speak the Khassaniya dialect of Arabic, which uses words of Berber origin along with purely Arabic words. They profess Islam. Most Moors are engaged in cattle breeding and constantly roam with their herds. The main dwelling of nomads is a tent, and camels often serve as moving houses. All members of the nomad’s family, household belongings and household utensils are placed on the backs of camels. True, this belongings, as a rule, are small. Often it consists only of bedding and blankets felted from sheep or camel wool and the most necessary utensils.

The tribal community still plays a large role in the life of the Moorish nomads. And although commodity-money relations have certainly penetrated into it, the foundations of a subsistence economy are very strong here. A nomad lives off his livestock, which gives him wool, skins, meat, milk, etc. - in other words, clothes him, feeds him and gives him water.

Belonging to one or another community leaves a corresponding imprint on the life of nomads and introduces a characteristic originality into the way of life of its members. Affects their way of life and tribal affiliation. It is said that more than a dozen tribes remain among the Moors. Among them are regibats, imragens, etc.

A small tribe of Imragens is located on the ocean coast near Nouadhibou. Unlike nomadic peoples who live in tents, the Imragens build peaked huts covered with grass from tree branches for housing. Good swimmers and divers, they are the only people in the country who engage only in fishing. Fish caught and dried in the sun is stored for a long time and serves as the main food for imragens. Other nomads readily buy it.

Mauritania on a map of Africa
(all pictures are clickable)

Geographical position

Mauritania is a country in West Africa. It neighbors Western Sahara, Algeria, Mali and Senegal; The western coast of the country is washed by the waters of the Atlantic, the length of the coastline is 754 km. The relief is represented mainly by the sandy and rocky plains of Western Sahara; in the extreme southwest the desert gives way to savanna. The area of ​​the country is more than 1 million km².

The climate is tropical desert, with sharp changes in daily temperatures. In winter, there are frosts at night, and during the day the temperature can rise to +30-40 °C and above. Precipitation is negligible - no more than 100 mm per year. During periods of drought, they come from the Sahara dust storms. Residents of the country are constantly faced with the problem of fresh water shortage.

Flora and fauna

The vegetation is predominantly desert and semi-desert.

The fauna is represented by antelopes, mountain goats, sand foxes and jackals. Reptiles and arthropods are found in large numbers.

State structure

Mauritania Map

According to government structure Mauritania- a republic divided into twelve regions and one autonomous capital district. The head of the state and government is the president. The local currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya. The capital is the city of Nouakchott.

Population

The population is 3.5 million people, of which 80% are Moors (descendants of Arabs and Berbers), 20% are black representatives of the Fulani peoples. The official language is Arabic, and French is also widely used. Almost 99% of the population is Sunni Muslim.

Economy

Mauritania is an agricultural state. Pasture farming predominates in the agricultural sector. In a few oases, grains are grown for domestic consumption. A significant share of GDP is made up of iron ore production for export. Fishing and seafood production are developed on the coast (the lion's share of products is exported).

Colonization of the territories of modern Mauritania by Europeans began in the 15th century, when the Spaniards and French erected the first fortress trading cities and began to export gold and black slaves from these lands. By the beginning of the 20s. XX century Mauritania became part of French West Africa. The country gained independence in 1960.

Attractions

You can learn about the history and culture of nomadic peoples at the National Museum in the center of Nouakchott.

Mauritania is famous for its carpets. There is a Carpet Center in the capital, where the most worthy handmade products from all over the country are brought for exhibition and sale.

Exporting handmade carpets woven in local workshops abroad is only possible with a receipt or seller's invoice.

Mauritania photo