Mauritania, officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a country in Northwest Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Western Sahara to the north and northwest, Algeria to the northeast, Mali to the east and southeast, and Senegal to the southwest. The capital and largest city is Nouakchott, which is located on the Atlantic coast. Historically, the area of present-day Mauritania has been inhabited by Berber and Arab tribes, and it was part of the larger trans-Saharan trade network. The French colonized Mauritania in the late 19th century as part of French West Africa. Mauritania gained independence in 1960. Since then, it has experienced several coups and periods of political instability. Mauritania's economy is heavily based on natural resources, particularly iron ore mining, which constitutes a significant portion of its exports. The country also has deposits of gold, copper, and oil. Fishing along the Atlantic coast is another important industry. Despite these resources, Mauritania remains largely underdeveloped, with many of its inhabitants relying on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods. The population of Mauritania is ethnically mixed, comprising Arab-Berber (Moors) and black Africans, with the Moors being the majority. Arabic is the official language, and French is also widely used. The society is traditionally nomadic, though there has been a significant shift towards urbanization in recent years. Culturally, Mauritania is known for its rich oral literature, music, and dance, with the Moorish music being particularly distinctive. The country is also famous for its unique style of traditional Moorish architecture. Geographically, Mauritania is characterized by its vast desert landscapes as part of the Sahara. The country has a predominantly arid climate, with very little annual rainfall and large temperature variations. Mauritania faces several challenges, including poverty, human rights issues, and the need for economic diversification. The country has also been involved in the Western Sahara conflict. Efforts have been made towards democratization and economic reforms, but progress has been slow. Mauritania is also grappling with environmental issues such as desertification and the preservation of its coastal waters. Population of Mauritania from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 4.42 million inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 4.53 million inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 4.65 million inhabitants. Capital (Nouakchott): Population in 2020: About 1.08 million inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate) Nouakchott: 1.08 million Nouadhibou: 118,167 Rosso: 72,337 Adel Bagrou: 63,069 Kiffa: 53,346 Zouérat: 44,649 Atar: 24,021 Tékane: 22,041 Aleg: 21,853 Kaédi: 20,560 Mauritania is divided into 15 regions.