Mauritania, officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is located in northwest Africa and is the 11th-largest country in Africa. It is the 28th-largest in the world, and 90% of its territory is in the Sahara. The name Mauritania derives from the ancient Berber Mauri tribes and their kingdom, Mauretania.
The Atlantic Ocean borders the country to the west, Western Sahara to the north and northwest, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the southwest. Most of its population lives in the temperate south of the country, with roughly one-third concentrated in the capital and largest city, Nouakchott, located on the Atlantic coast.
Mauritania is a resource-rich country with significant reserves of minerals, hydrocarbons, and fisheries; the nation has a rich history dating back thousands of years and is home to several well-preserved historical sites, such as the city of Chinguetti, known for its ancient libraries and mosques; the ruins of the ancient town of Ouadane; and the prehistoric rock art sites of Adrar n'Achkouf.
Driven by recent discoveries of natural gas, the country aims to develop its gas industry and present itself as a driver of the economy in the region.