Mauritania Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Capital Nouakchott Area 397,953 sq mi 1,030,700 sq km Population 2,912,584 est Languages Arabic and Wolof (official) French, Pulaar, Soninke, Hassaniya Peoples Mixed Maur/Black 40%, Maur 30%, Black 30% Religion Islam Life Expectancy Total population: 52.32 years male: 50.15 years female: 54.56 years Literacy total population: 41.7% male: 51.8% female: 31.9% Suffrage 18 years of age; universal Government Republic back to Africa Map