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One of Africa's newest oil producers, Mauritania bridges the Arab Maghreb and western sub-Saharan Africa.
• Full name: The Islamic Republic of Mauritania
• Population: 3.3 million (UN, 2010)
• Capital: Nouakchott
• Area: 1.04 million sq km (398,000 sq miles)
• Major languages: Arabic (official), French, others
• Major religion: Islam
• Life expectancy: 56 years (men), 60 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 ouguiya = 5 khoums
• Main exports: Fish and fish products, iron ore, gold
• GNI per capita: US $960 (World Bank, 2009)
• Internet domain: .mr
• International dialling code: +222
The largely-desert country presents a cultural contrast, with an Arab-Berber population to the north and black Africans to the south. Many of its people are nomads.
In the Middle Ages Mauritania was the cradle of the Almoravid movement, which spread Islam throughout the region and for a while controlled the Islamic part of Spain.
European traders began to show interest in Mauritania in the 15th century. France gained control of the coastal region in 1817, and in 1904 a formal French protectorate was extended over the territory.
Morocco opposed the country's independence in 1960 and for a time tried to absorb it. But Morocco's King Hassan II later improved ties as part of his plan to divide Western Sahara.
The eventual deal in 1976 brought more problems, though, with Mauritania coming under attack by Polisario Front guerrillas, who opposed Moroccan control of Western Sahara, and the subsequent downfall of the leader since independence - Moktar Ould Daddah - in a military coup.
BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13881985)