The country's name derives fromMauretania, theLatin name for a region in the ancient Maghreb. It extended from central present-day Algeria to the Atlantic.Berbers occupied what is now Mauritania by the beginning of the 3rd century AD. Groups ofArab tribes migrated to this area in the late 7th century, bringing with themIslam,Arab culture, and theArabic language. In the early 20th century, Mauritania wascolonized by France as part ofFrench West Africa. It achieved independence in 1960. However, the country has since experienced recurrent coups and periods of military dictatorship. The2008 Mauritanian coup d'état was led by GeneralMohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who won subsequent presidential elections in2009 and2014. He was succeeded by GeneralMohamed Ould Ghazouani following the2019 elections, in what was considered the country's first peaceful transition of power since independence. Mauritania has a poorhuman rights record, particularly because of its perpetuation ofslavery; the 2018Global Slavery Index estimates there are about 90,000 slaves in the country (or 2.1% of the population).
Despite an abundance of natural resources, Mauritaniaremains poor;its economy is based primarily onagriculture and fishing. Mauritania is culturally and politically part of theArab world. It is a member of theArab League and Arabic is the official language. The official religion isIslam, and almost all inhabitants areSunni Muslims. Despite its prevailingArab identity, Mauritanian society is multiethnic. TheBidhan, or so-called "white moors", make up 30% of the population, while theHaratin, or so-called "black moors", comprise 40%. Both groups reflect a fusion ofArab-Berber ethnicity, language, and culture. The remaining 30% of the population comprises varioussub-Saharan ethnic groups. (Full article...)
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Mauritania competed at the2012 Summer Olympics inLondon, which was held from 27 July to 12 August 2012. The country's participation at London marked its eighth appearance in the Summer Olympics since its debut in the1984 Summer Olympics. The delegation included two track and field athletes,Jidou El Moctar andAicha Fall, who were selected to the team by wildcard places, as the nation had no athletes that met either the "A" or "B" qualifying standards. Moctar was selected as flag bearer for theopening ceremony while a LOCOG Games Maker carried it for theclosing ceremony. Neither of the two athletes progressed beyond the heats. (Full article...)
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