Mauritania is a country in Africa, known for the Sahara Desert and Atlantic coast. It has a population of 5.5 million.Its capital is Nouakchott. Mauritania has a mining-based economy with growing fishing sector. Mauritania, officially the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a country in the Maghreb region of western North Africa bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Western Sahara, Algeria, Mali, and Senegal. Its name comes from the Berber Kingdom of Mauretania, which existed in modern-day Morocco.

Mauritania is considered slavery’s last stronghold. It became the last country in the world to abolish slavery in 1981, but up to 20% of the population still lives in slavery. Slavery was again outlawed in 2007, although it is likely still practiced in some areas. 44% of the country’s population lives on less than $2 per day.