Why visit
Nouakchott is the capital of Mauritania. A practical starting point for museums, food, and onward routes into the country.
Mauritania at a glance
Country center
20.0°, -12.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
1,030,700 km²
397,955 mi²
Subregion
Western Africa
Currency
Mauritanian ouguiya (UM)
MRU
Dial
+222
Language
Arabic
Demonym
Mauritanian
Internet
.mr
UN
Member state
ISO code
MR / MRT
Where in the world
20.0° · -12.0°
Mauritania
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Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world · CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Mauritania was the last country in the world to officially abolish slavery, in 1981, with criminal penalties added only in 2007.
- Chinguetti's 13th-century libraries still hold tens of thousands of medieval Islamic manuscripts in their original hand-copied form.
- The Iron Ore Train in the Sahara is one of the longest and heaviest in the world, stretching 2-3 km.
Bordering Mauritania
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Nouakchott
What currency is used in Nouakchott?
Nouakchott uses the Mauritanian ouguiya (UM), ISO code MRU.
What languages are spoken in Mauritania?
The primary language is Arabic.
What is the international calling code for Mauritania?
The calling code is +222.
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