Africa: All about Mauritania Trivia Quiz

Answer: Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Mauritania is named after Mauretania, the Roman name for the area the modern country now covers, and for the ancient Berber tribes that lived in the area, known as " Masaesyli" or "Mauri" to the Romans. The ancient region of Mauretania spanned through the centre of modern-day Algeria, the north of modern-day Morocco and then to the Atlas Mountains.

It has held the official title of "Islamic Republic of Mauritania" since 1960, after the country's independence.

Answer: Senegal

Between 1989 and 1991, Mauritania and Senegal were involved in a dispute over the two countries' borders, and over the grazing rights in and around the River Senegal, which splits the two nations.

There is a large population of Mauritanians in Senegal, after 70,000 black Mauritanians were forcibly expelled by the government of Mauritania in 1989. Following this, the border closed and remained so between the two countries until 1992.

Answer: 1981

Despite abolishing slavery in 1981, reports dating back to 2012 estimated that between 10 - 20% of the population was still enslaved. It was again outlawed in 2007, but is still a problem of the country. Very few (some reports even stating just one person) have been prosecuted for enslavement in Mauritania since it was abolished on paper in the country.

Answer: Nouadhibou

Nouadhibou's ship grave yard is the grave site for over 300 ships. Corrupt officials have allowed ships to be illegally abandoned here, as an alternative to the owners dismantling and disposing of them legally, which is more expensive. This was particularly prevalent in the 1980s. Despite warnings of oil spills and habitat destruction, some species of fish and other undersea creatures have thrived in these wrecks.

Nouadhibou is the second largest city of Mauritania, and the country's only railway line regularly delivers iron ore to this port city.

Answer: Guidimaka

Guidimaka Region has the countries of Mali lying to its south-east, and Senegal to the south-west. The capital of Guidimaka Region is the town of Sélibaby, which is one of the wettest towns in the country, receiving an annual rainfall of approximately 450 mm (18 inches).

Answer: Mali

The border between Mauritania and Senegal is around 740 miles (1,190 km) long. Both countries were colonized by France during colonial times, and both borders were defined by the French.

Answer: It is located near the border with Mali

Kediet ej Jill is situated near the border with Western Sahara.

The iron deposits in the mountain and surrounding areas are thought to have been mined since as early as the 11th century. The mountain has a blueish aesthetic due to a high concentration of magnetite in its geology. Due to the mountain's magnetic field, compasses do not function properly on Kediet ej Jill.

Answer: Rosso

Mauritania's Trarza region is located in the south-west of the country, on the Senegal River. It is situated approximately 130 miles (205 km) away from the capital, Nouakchott.

The Emirate of Trarza was once a semi-nomadic state ruled by an emir, dating before colonial times. It also had Rosso as its capital.

Answer: Algeria

Situated in the north-east of Mauritania, the country's border with Algeria is only around 285 miles (460 km) long. The border stretches through a particularly barren and sparsely populated part of the Sahara. The first border crossing between the two nations was opened in 2018.

Answer: Boutilimit

Located around 100 miles (165 km) south of Nouakchott, the capital, Boutilimit is also the birthplace of L'Malouma Saïd, a Mauritanian politician and anti-slavery campaigner.

Moktar Ould Daddah (1924 - 2003) was President of Mauritania from the country's independence in 1960, until a military coup replaced him in 1978, beginning the brief (1978-1979) rule of Mustafa Ould Salek.

Answer: Nouakchott

"Nouakchott" likely comes from the Berber, "nawakshut" which means "place of the winds." The city is where the main university of Mauritania is located, the University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya, which opened in 1981.

Answer: 28 miles (45 km)

Located near the small Mauritanian town of Ouadane, the Richat Structure is a large, circular rock feature, and is composed of igneous and sedimentary rock. Classified as a domed anticline, the originally flat layers have been exposed via erosion, making striking viewing even from space. The rock formation resembles a bullseye shape in the centre.

Answer: Khoums

"Khoums" translates to "fifth" in Arabic. Ouguiya replaced the CFA Franc as currency of Mauritania in 1973.

The ouguiya is one of the only two currencies in the world not made up by the power of ten, instead using five - the other currency being Madagacar's Malagasy ariary, which is divided into five iraimbilanja.

Answer: Senegal

The Senegal River creates the border between Mauritania and Senegal. The fertile southwestern corner of Mauritania is drained by this river. By contrast, the top two thirds of Mauritania are covered by the Sahara Desert.

Answer: False

Despite being close to Egypt in size, the population of Mauritania is much smaller. Close to 90% of Mauritania is covered by the Sahara Desert, which makes living in the country challenging, with its regular droughts and extreme climate conditions. Most of Mauritania live along the country's Atlantic coastline. Around 60% live in the capital city, Nouakchott.