| Islamic Republic of Mauritania ((ar)الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية) | |
 | |
| Flag | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Capital city | Nouakchott |
|---|---|
| Area | 1 080 000 km² |
| Population | 3 500 000 hab. (2010) |
| Density | 3,24 inhab./km² |
| Official language | Literal arabic |
| Other languages | Arabic Hassaniya, French, Poular, Soninké, Wolof |
| Cash | ouguiya (MRO) |
| Electricity | 220 V/50 Hz, European plug |
| Telephone prefix | 222 |
| Internet suffix | .mr |
| Flow direction | Right-hand drive |
| Spindle | UTC 0 |
| Location | |
 21 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ N 11 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ W | |
The Mauritania (in Arab موريتانيا, Mūrītāniyyah), in long form the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a country of Sahel in Africa, frontier of Senegal to the southwest, from Mali in the south-eastAlgeria in the northeast and of the non-autonomous territory of Western Sahara (majority controlled by the Morocco) North.
Understand
Mauritania is a link between the Maghreb and black Africa.
Mauritania is located in the southwest of the Maghreb, this country marks the border between the countries of the Maghreb Arab world and black Africa. Mauritania is located on the outskirts of Western Sahara,Algeria, from Mali and Senegal. It also has an Atlantic coastline stretching over nearly 700 km. Mauritania has an area twice the size of France. The Sahara Desert occupies 60% of the country's surface.
Population
Moors; Wolofs; Toucouleurs; Sarakolés et Peuls Population growth 3% Urban population 60% Adult literacy rate 41% Under-5 mortality rate 18% Life expectancy 53 years GDP $ 3,800 million GDP structure: Agriculture 21% Industry 29% Services 50% GDP / capita $ 1,500/ inhab. Gross national income (GNI) 350 $/ inhab. R.N.B. purchasing power parity 2 000 $/ inhab.
Regions
 |
|
Cities
- 1 Atar
- 2 Boghe
- 3 Boutilimit
- 4 Kaedi
- 5 Kiffa
- 6 Nouadhibou – the economic capital
- 7 Nouakchott – the capital
- 8 Rosso
- 9 Selibabi
- 10 Zouerate
Other destinations
To go
Formalities
Visa exemption
All visitors must bring their own passportAlgerian nationals or nationals of a West African country do not need a visa to enter the country.
- Mauritania
- Exemption from Visa
- Visa on arrival
Visas at the Consulate (access by plane)
All other visitors must apply for a visa. Visitors must also present a return or onward ticket and justify sufficient funds. The request can be made in all Mauritanian consulates.
Visas at the land border
However it can be easily obtained at the border with the Morocco for 20 €. It is the simplest and cheapest solution. It will be for a single entry and valid for 15 days. You will have to go to Nouakchott to extend it to 3 months and have a multiple entry visa for 15 € what's more. (Indispensable to return after a stay at Senegal or to Mali). At the Senegalese or Malian border, it does not issue a visa. Ask consulates to Bamako Where Dakar.
By plane
There are charter flights from France to Atar for 395 € a / r and regular flights from Europe to Nouakchott for much more.
Average flight time from Paris: / - 6 h
- Regular airlines serve the country with direct flights to Paris then the rest of Europe:
- Air Mauritanie (MR) no longer exists since 2007
- Air France (AF)
- With stopovers:
- Royal Air Maroc (to Europe via Casablanca for 650 €)
By car
You can get to Mauritania by road from:
- the Morocco through Guergarat. That of Gueltat Zemmour remains closed on the Moroccan side.
- the Mali
- the Senegal through Rosso where the Diama dam.
- THE'Algeria, by Tindouf. Access to Mauritania from Algeria is free, subject to having a Mauritanian visa Algeria lets you exit to Mauritania and this has always been the case but security in the north of Mauritania is uncertain, however more than half of the Atar - Tindouf road is paved .... Do not try to cross the Algerian-Moroccan border which has been closed since 1994. To go through Algeria, there are one or two boats per day from Europe.
It is compulsory to present the customs clearance book (abbreviated as C.P.D.) to bring a vehicle into Mauritanian territory. In the absence of this book, you will have to deposit a guarantee at the border post and it will not be recoverable until you leave the country. If you leave the country without your vehicle, you will have to make a declaration of abandonment to the police or the gendarmerie and you will have to pay customs duties.
Temporary automobile insurance is also to be taken out, the European green card not being valid in Mauritania.
On a boat
By train
There are no international train connections.
By bus
Since Morocco
At present the buses are not running, although CTM (the Moroccan national bus company) has planned to open a link from Dakhla up to Nouakchott at the end of the year.
For now you have to hitchhike with those who are about to cross the border from Dakhla (most go through Camping Moussafir just north of Dakhla) or by paying the passage to Mauritanian agents that the one will find in front of the first checkpoint. They can be found in front of the first checkpoint north of Dakhla, the current rate is 250-300 Dhs (negotiable). It is best to leave early, as the trip takes most of the day.
See also, in the other direction, the page Arrive in Morocco from Mauritania.
Since Senegal
We can take a bush taxi from Dakar Where Saint Louis (among others) up to Rosso, where the ferry ensures the passage of the Senegal river, and from there a bush taxi to Nouakchott. There are other crossing points from Senegal including the Diama dam just north of Saint Louis. Public transport also follows this route.
It is also possible to access further east by crossing the river to reach Kaedi-RIM north of Matam / Ouro Sogui or to join Selibaby crossing to Bakel via Tambacounda. These border points see relatively few tourist crossings.
Since Mali
There are many lines Bamako-Nouakchott, who leave in the morning towards 7 h. The days of departure depend on the companies. In July 2008, two "recommendable" companies, Bani Transport and Gana Transport, left Bamako, on Wednesdays and Saturdays respectively for Bani, and Thursdays for Gana. STV is also a reliable company.
It is possible to link Kayes To Selibaby by bush taxi (count minimum 4 h - 5 h in the dry season, much more uncertain or even impossible in the rainy season). The most used track passes through the border post of Melgue (RIM). The southern border can be crossed in several places.
Circulate
Public transport connects the different cities. However, if you really want to enjoy Mauritania, renting a 4x4 is almost compulsory and not that expensive if you share the costs.
The bush taxis connect most cities. To get around, the cheapest is to take pick-ups or minibuses, followed by Peugeot 504s and finally private cars which are the most expensive.
By boat / By plane
By train
You can take the ore train that runs in the desert between Nouadhibou, Choum (for Atar), F'Derick and Zouerate, and many less important stops (Boû Lanouâr, Tmeimichatt, Touajil) can be made all along. Traveling in the wagons that carry the iron ore is free but painful, and the passenger wagons (only one train per day) are insignificantly expensive (about 7 $). The journey between Nouadhibou and Zouerate lasts between 15 h and 18 h (700 km).
By bus
By car
Most of the axes are passable by any vehicle and are in good condition although they are rarely paved, the signs are however not very present outside the cities ... a good road map and a G.P.S. programmed for Mauritania are essential.
The service stations are mainly located in cities, they are further away elsewhere. The liter of diesel is cheaper than that of gasoline and the prices are generally lower than those charged in many European countries, they can seriously increase in the event of shortage.
Be extremely careful at the wheel: the driving of the locals is not always safe and the highway code is only indicative, the general condition of vehicles often leaves something to be desired. There are a lot of trucks on the roads. It is not recommended to drive at night due to the presence of pedestrians and animals on the side of the roads, not to mention most vehicles with insufficient or even simply non-existent lighting and the silting up of certain normally paved portions. .
General speed limits in Mauritania:
- city: between 50 and 80 km / h
- route: 100 km / h
The controls are relatively frequent and often attract the curiosity of the constabulary: be smiling and do not agree to give any gift if asked.
To speak
Hassaniya Arabic is the language of the Moorish majority, many languages are spoken by the black population in the south of the country whose Pulaar, the most widely used. French is spoken by many.
To buy
The currency of Mauritania is the Mauritanian ouguiya (أوقية, MRO)
Have a drink / Go out
Despite the status of an Islamic republic there are a number of attractive bars in the capital. However there are only two nightclubs, one is located inside the French Embassy compound. Importing alcohol is illegal!
Housing
All categories of accommodation are available, however, luxury hotels are only present in Nouakchott and Atar. "Inns" and campsites rent out beds and mattresses from 1000 ouguiyas.
To learn
To work
Communicate
Numerous cybercafés in the main towns, notably in Nouakchott.
Security
 | Emergency telephone number: Police :117 Ambulance:101 Firefighter :118 |
Government travel advice
.svg/20px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png)
Belgium (Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) 
Canada (Government of Canada) 
France (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 
Swiss (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs)
.svg/20px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small}
Health
In the south of the country (Senegal River region), certain vaccines are compulsory: yellow fever and tetanus. Those which are strongly recommended: hepatitis or polio. The country can experience cholera epidemics, so it is up to travelers to be very vigilant.An anti-malaria treatment is essential in the Senegal River region. Nouakchott and the north of the country are not in a risk zone.
Respect
Ramadan date
Majority of Muslims insist on local sighting of the crescent moon to mark the start of Ramadan, but others insist on calculating the new moon or declaring it saudi to determine the start of the month. Since the first crescent after the new moon is not visible everywhere at the same time, the start and end dates of the month depend on what is visible in each location. Therefore, the dates vary from country to country, but usually only one day. |
