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 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.