a country in northwestern Africa with a provisional military government; achieved independence from France in 1960; largely western Sahara Desert
"Mauritania, a nation in northwestern Africa that gained independence from France in 1960 and is now under a provisional military government, covers an area dominated by the vast Western Sahara Desert."
A country in West Africa. Official name: Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
"Mauritania, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, is a country located in West Africa."
The word Mauritania comes from the Latin term Maurītānia, which is derived from Maurus, meaning "Moor." It is a doublet of the related name Mauretania.