Nouakchott is the capital of Mauritania. Islam is the state religion in Mauritania, and thus all residents of the country officially belong to this religion.
Nouakchott is the capital of Mauritania. Islam is the state religion in Mauritania, and thus all residents of the country officially belong to this religion. The country is home to people of various ethnic origins. For this reason, several languages are spoken in the country. These include Wolof, Pulaar, Soninke and the official language, Arabic. In addition, French is considered Mauritania’s language of business.
Mauritania’s attractions
Among Mauritania’s most important attractions are several sites that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the towns of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata. Particularly impressive are the historic buildings in the old quarters of these towns, such as the Friday Mosque in Chinguetti. Other attractions in Mauritania include Sahara tours. These are tours on camelback or in off-road vehicles that traverse the Sahara. Tourists can join these tours even with short notice, and multi-day tours are not uncommon.
At Banc d’Arguin National Park, visitors can experience the country’s animals in a variety of landscapes. In this African national park, which extends all the way to the coast, dolphins, turtles, flamingos, sandpipers and pelicans make their home. Due to the large number of migratory bird breeding grounds, this national park was declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1989.
Mauritania’s location and climate
Mauritania is located in northwest Africa on the Atlantic Ocean, as well as bordering Senegal, Mali, Algeria and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Mauritania’s climate can be divided into three climatic zones due to the country’s varied landscapes. In the interior, there is a hot and dry desert climate. Daytime temperatures can easily exceed 40 degrees, and at night the temperature drops sharply. In the region around the Senegal River, it is also very hot, with high humidity. The rainy season in this region begins in July and ends around October.
Along Mauritania’s coast, the climate is significantly milder, with temperatures ranging between 20 and 30 degrees. From August to September, this region must contend with particularly high humidity.
Entry and arrival
Mauritania’s international airport is located in Nouakchott. Direct flights to Mauritania are available, for example, from Paris. The international airport is just five kilometres from the city centre, so the city can be reached quickly by taxi. In addition, Mauritania can also be reached by ship via the port in Nouadhibou or by car via some of the border crossings with other countries.
German tourists require a passport and a valid visa to enter the country. Travellers must always apply for the visa before departure at the country’s embassy. If entry into Mauritania is by private car, a special international insurance policy in French is also required. It is also possible to take out insurance at the border. If a stay of more than two weeks is planned, all travellers over the age of one year additionally require proof of a valid yellow-fever vaccination.
