Africa/Western Africa
Mauritania
Nouakchott
4.9 Mio
1 030 700 km²
Mauritanian ouguiya
Coastal
Arabic
Historical Events
3 - Berber settlement
Berbers occupied what is now Mauritania by the beginning of the 3rd century AD.
7 - Arab migration
Groups of Arab tribes migrated to Mauritania in the late 7th century, bringing Islam and Arabic culture.
1900 - Colonization by France
Mauritania was colonized by France as part of French West Africa in the early 20th century.
1960 - Independence
Mauritania achieved independence from France in 1960.
2008 - Mauritanian coup d'état
A coup led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz marked a significant political shift in Mauritania.
2009 - Presidential elections
General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz won the presidential elections following the 2008 coup.
2014 - Re-election of Aziz
General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was re-elected in the presidential election of 2014.
2019 - Peaceful transition of power
General Mohamed Ould Ghazouani succeeded Aziz in a peaceful transition after the 2019 elections.