 Located
in the northwest of Africa, Mauritania is also referred
to as the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. On the west of
this country is the Atlantic Ocean and on its east is
Mali. Nouakchott is not just the largest city in the
county but it is also the capital city of Mauritania.
The nation is considered to be the twenty-ninth largest
nation in the world with a land area of 397,929 square
miles. The size of the country is more or less like the
size of Egypt. About 3/4th of the country is either
semi-desert or desert.
Many the people living in the country depend on
livestock and agriculture for income, even though a
large number of farmers moved in to the cities during
seventies and eighties because of recurring droughts.
Almost all the people of the country are Muslims and
only a small number of people are Christians. Many
languages are spoken in Mauritania but its official
language is Hassaniya dialect of Arabic. This is also
its national language. Some of the other languages that
are spoken are French, Pulaar, Wolof and Soninke. In
this culture, people who are overweight are considered
to be highly attractive. Girls are sometimes forced fed
to gain weight. However, force-feeding has now been
abolished by law.
The people from Mauritania are called Mauritanians.
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