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Mauritania tourist information with details about travel to and around the country. Where to stay and what to see is made easier with insider tips and hand-selected Mauritania links, by dedicated editors and visitors to TravelNotes.org - The Online Guide to Travel. Mauritania Background Information The Islamic Republic of Mauritania, a former French colony, achieved full independence on November 28th, 1960. Countries neighbouring Mauritania are: Western Sahara, Algeria, Mali and Senegal.
Mauritania lies almost wholly within the Sahara; except for the southern section, along the River Senegal. Nearly half of the country is covered in sand. The majority of the people are Moors; of mixed Arab and Berber descent. Berber nomads, from the Sanhaja Confederation, moved into the area in the 1st millennium AD. Initially dominating the trade between the kingdom of Ghana and North Africa, the Sanhaja destroyed Kumbi Saleh, the then capital of the kingdom of Ghana - situated in modern south-eastern Mauritania - in 1076. The Berbers were in turn conquered by Arabs in the 16th century, and the descendants of the Arabs dominated the upper level of Mauritanian society. Arabic also displaced Berber dialects as the language of the country. In the early 1900s French forces moved up the River Senegal and made the area a French protectorate, in 1903; and subsequently a colony of France, in 1920. Weather in MauritaniaView a graphical weather forecast for the week ahead in places around Mauritania. Beila Weather, Cansado Weather, Nouadhibou Weather, Nouakchott Weather. A lack of infrastructure means that many people choose to fly in Mauritania. As with most of the West African countries shared taxis do go to the major towns, and there are two trains a day between Nouadhibou and Zouérat, near the iron ore mines of Fdérik; but throw comfort out the window. Airlines and Airports: Overland to MauritaniaBorder crossings from Western Sahara are dependent on an army convoy, so most people choose to travel to or from Senegal. It is theoretically possible to travel to or from Mali but the current situation needs to be checked in the capital of either country. Adventures of MauritaniaLexicOrient: Adrar Region Akjoujt Amogjar Aoudaghost Atar Ayunu l-Atrus Azougui Banc d'Arguin Ben Amera Bir Moghrein Boutilimit Chegga Chinguetti Guelb er Richat Kaédi Kiffa Kumbi Salah Ksar el Barka Matmata Nema Nouadhibou Nouakchott Ouadane Oualata Plage de Pêcheurs Rachid Rosso Terjit Tichit Tidjikja Tin Labbé Zouerate. World's Longest
Train: Adrar is the Berber word for plateau, and that's what this region is. The brown landscape has patches of green after the rains. The official languages of Mauritania are Arabic and French, although Poular, Wolof, and Soninke are also considered national languages. If you're travelling to Mauritania, then you will probably spend some time in the capital; situated in the west of the country. Originally a village in the desert on the route south to Dakar, the community grew after being selected as the site of the national capital in 1957, three years before Mauritania accomplished full independence.
Other Main Towns in MauritaniaKaédi is a farming centre on the River Senegal. Nouadhibou is a fishing centre and seaport for iron ore exports; brought by rail from Fdérik. Mauritania Travel Guides Books
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