Capital of Mauritania: Nouakchott
The capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott. Mauritania sits in Africa, has a population of 4,736,139, and uses the MRU. Official languages include Arabic.
Quick facts
- Capital: Nouakchott
- Continent: Africa
- Population: ~4,736,139
- Area: 1,030,700 km²
- Population density: 4.6 people per km²
- Official language: Arabic
- Currency: MRU
- ISO code: MR
How big is Mauritania?
By population, Mauritania ranks 125th in the world, holding roughly 0.06% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 28th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Mauritania has 4.6 people per square kilometre, which is far below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within Africa, Mauritania is the 39th most populous country of 54.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Mauritania in population are Oman (4,576,298) and Ireland (5,023,109).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Egypt (1,001,450 km²) and Bolivia (1,098,581 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Arabic is spoken officially in 25 countries in this dataset, including Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Comoros and Djibouti, and 19 others.
Mauritania uses the MRU, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
Mauritania in Africa
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Africa is the block Mauritania belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Mauritania and a page on the flag of Mauritania.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Mauritania?
The capital of Mauritania is Nouakchott.
What is the population of Mauritania?
About 4,736,139, making it the 125th most populous country in the world.
How big is Mauritania?
1,030,700 square kilometres, ranking 28th by land area, at a density of 4.6 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Mauritania use?
The MRU, which no other country uses.