Mauritania
Where Atlantic winds meet Saharan sands, Mauritania blends Moorish tradition with West African and desert crossroads culture.
Overview
Arabic is the official language, with French and local tongues also in use, especially in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. The country’s landscape is defined by the vast Sahara, dramatic dunes, and a rugged Atlantic coastline. Desert towns and ancient caravan routes offer a glimpse into Mauritania’s role as a meeting point of cultures and geographies.
At a glance
Languages
- Arabic(Official)
- Fula(Recognized)
- Soninke(Recognized)
- Wolof(Recognized)
- French(Widespread)
Population4,736,139
CurrencyMauritanian Ouguiya (MRU)
1 MRU = 0.0250 USD
1 USD = 40.0558 MRU
Popular places
Mauritania
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerMuch weaker local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Healthcare IndexMixedSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
Crime IndexLowSource category: Crime | 2026 | Crime index (100 = highest crime)
Safety IndexGenerally favorableSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
Pollution IndexHighSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Tourist / Visa Waiver.
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- Online Visa Request
Mauritania online visa request through ANRPTS, with the captured form exposing 30-day, 90-day, and 360-day options and travel reasons such as tourism, business, family, medical, culture, and sports.
Sources
Languages
- Arabic(Official)
- Fula(Recognized)
- Soninke(Recognized)
- Wolof(Recognized)
- French(Widespread)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Mauritania.
Canada
Avoid non-essential travel
Advisory effective · Verified
Avoid non-essential travel to Mauritania due to the threat of terrorism, particularly against Western interests.
United Kingdom
FCDO advises against all travel; FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Advisory effective · Verified
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice. Eastern Mauritania. FCDO advises against all travel to areas east of a line drawn between but excluding the towns of Kankossa, Akhreijit, Ghallaouia, Zouerat, Fderîck and onwards west to the border with Western Sahara. Mauritania-Mali border. FCDO advises against all travel to areas within 25km of the Malian border in the south, including Khabou. Mauritania-Western Sahara border. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within 25km of the Western Sahara border, excluding the section of the Nouakchott-Nouadhibou road and the city of Nouadhibou. Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant, Hodh el Gharbi, Assaba, Gorgol and Guidimaka provinces. FCDO advises against all
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