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Mauritania is a nation in northwest Africa. Geologically part of the Maghreb, Mauritania borders Algeria, Senegal and Mali, together with the doubtful territory of Western Sahara. Mauritania is about desert and ocean, and sometimes both at the same time. Although twice the size of France, it has only 3 million inhabitants. Mauritania is an Islamic Republic. Don't be scared of this political status - most Mauritanians are not extremists, even if the majority of the people in the North are very traditional and quite reserved. The main sights for most tourists are the desert in Adrar and Tagant areas (around Atar), and the ocean in Banc d'Arguin (a natural reserve with dunes ending in the sea, full of millions of birds and protected by UNESCO). Cities * Nouakchott * Tichit

Sleep: All ranges of lodging are vacant, with the highest class hotels accessible only in Nouakchott and Atar. "Auberges" and Campsites can lease beds/mattresses for as little as 1000 ouguiya in the Adrar and Nouadhibou. Talk: Hassaniya Arabic is the tongue of the Moor majority, while other languages are spoken by Southern black Africans including Pulaar, Wolof, and Soninke (especially in the Guidimakha region around Selibaby). French is spoken by many.

Food: There is a decent variety of hotels in Nouakchott with dishes from 1000 to 2500 UM. Most restaurants in the capital provide pretty much the same menu - simple pizzas, hamburgers, sandwiches, and salads. Drink: In spite of being an Islamic nation there are a few fun bars in the capital. Drinking can be costly however: beers can go for about $6! There is a nightclub inside the French Embassy compound.