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After gaining its independence from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976. After three years of continuous raids by the Polisario guerrilla, the territory was relinquished.
Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya seized power in a coup in 1984. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as flawed, but October 2001 legislative and municipal elections were generally free and open.
A bloodless coup in August 2005 deposed President Taya and ushered in a military council headed by Col. Ely Ould Mohamed Vall. The council declared it would remain in power for up to two years while it created conditions for genuine democratic institutions and organized elections.
In August, 2008 a military coup led by General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz overthrew the civilian government. In April 2009, General Aziz resigned his military post to run for president in the July elections, which he won.
Mauritania is one of Africa’s poorest countries. Most of the population depends on livestock and agriculture for their income. There are extensive deposits of iron ore, accounting for about 50% of the country’s exports.
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- Official Name Islamic Republic of Mauritania
- Population 3,200,288
- Capital City Nouakchott (pop. 881,000)
- Currency Ouguiya
- Currency Converter
- Languages Arabic (official), and local dialects
- Religions Muslim
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- Land Area 1,025,520 sq km (395,593 sq miles)
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- Latitude/Longitude 20º00 N, 12º00 W
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South Africa is Africa's most popular tourist destination, and for good reason. It welcomes nearly 900,000 visitors each month.
South Africa has a large number of national parks to visit, with Kruger National Park topping the list. Kruger is one of the largest game reserves in Africa and contains dozens of visitor camps and safari lodges.
Across the country South Africa boasts a range of archaeological, cultural, geological and historical sites that are all protected under the UNESCO World Heritage Site project.
A tour of Robben Island, just off the coast of Cape Town, is a must do. It was there that former South African President Nelson Mandela (and others) spent decades imprisoned during the apartheid era.
South Africa has numerous worldclass vineyards to tour, with the most famous found in the Constantia, Paarl and Stellenbosch regions in the southwest, close to Cape Town.
For sun-worshippers and surfers, South Africa has some of the finest beaches in the world. And for fishing enthusiasts, the country has numerous dams, lakes, rivers and streams, as well as plenty of offshore challenges.
And let's not forget South Africa's eclectic mix of cities, from Cape Town to Durbin and the major cities of the northeast, and the fascinating and colorful cultural villages and festivals across the country.
Travel Recommendations Before finalizing and/or making your travel plans to any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate and research all of the important details regarding applicable health, passport and visa requirements.
If you require additional assistance, the experienced professionals at Travel Visa Pro can answer all of your questions!
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Mauritania is mostly desert
so it is very hot year round. November through February has hot temperatures
during the day, but gets cooler at night. The hottest time of year is June
through October when temperatures will average 104 F or 40C.
March through May, the high winds blow the desert sand. There really is no rainy season in Mauritania.
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A camel train through the desert...
Sandstone buildings...
Mauritanian locals... |
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