history of Mauritania
Quick Summary
Mauritania is a country in Africa that bridges North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. Much of its territory is part of the Sahara desert, and historically, a large portion of its population was nomadic. The country's economy benefits from significant reserves of iron ore, copper, gypsum, and some oil.1
Historically, Mauritania was a French colony and gained independence on November 28, 1960. The region has a rich archaeological potential, with evidence of Paleolithic and Neolithic settlements. In historical times, it was settled by sub-Saharan peoples and the Amazigh (Berbers). The Almoravids, an 11th-century Islamic reform movement, originated here and spread Islam through North Africa.12
European powers, particularly the Portuguese and later the French, were involved in trade along the coast for commodities like gold, gum arabic, and slaves starting in the 15th century. French control over the hinterland was established gradually, with pacification efforts continuing into the early 20th century.3
Post-independence, Mauritania faced challenges in establishing stability, with internal divisions regarding orientation towards Senegal or the Arab world. Morocco also laid claim to parts of Mauritania in the 1960s. The country has experienced military coups and political transitions, with efforts to balance its African and Arab identities.4
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Río de Oro…region was under de facto Mauritanian administration in the south and Moroccan occupation in the north. The presence of both countries was contested by guerrillas of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro (Polisario Front). In 1979 the Mauritanian government abandoned any claim to…
Read More…region was under de facto Mauritanian administration in the south and Moroccan occupation in the north. The presence of both countries was contested by guerrillas of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro (Polisario Front). In 1979 the Mauritanian government abandoned any claim to…
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Western SaharaHistory…further complicated by newly independent Mauritania’s claims to the province in 1960, and in 1963 huge phosphate deposits were discovered at Bu Craa in the northern portion of the Spanish Sahara, which made the province a potentially economically valuable prize for any country that could firmly establish possession of it.…
Read More…further complicated by newly independent Mauritania’s claims to the province in 1960, and in 1963 huge phosphate deposits were discovered at Bu Craa in the northern portion of the Spanish Sahara, which made the province a potentially economically valuable prize for any country that could firmly establish possession of it.…
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Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic…government-in-exile and fought Morocco and Mauritania for control of the territory. In 1979 Mauritania made peace with the Polisario Front and abandoned its territorial claims, whereupon Morocco annexed Mauritania’s portion and claimed the whole territory. A referendum on whether the territory should remain part of Morocco or become independent was…
Read More…government-in-exile and fought Morocco and Mauritania for control of the territory. In 1979 Mauritania made peace with the Polisario Front and abandoned its territorial claims, whereupon Morocco annexed Mauritania’s portion and claimed the whole territory. A referendum on whether the territory should remain part of Morocco or become independent was…
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