Mau·ri·ta·ni·a [ màwrə táynee ə ]country in northwestern Africa, on the Atlantic Ocean. It became independent from France in 1960. Languages: Arabic, French. Currency: ouguiya. Capital: Nouakchott. Population: 2,912,584 (2003).
Area: 1,031,000 sq km (398,000 sq mi.) Official name Islamic Republic of Mauritania