This country is bounded to the north by the Western Sahara, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by Senegal, to the south and east by Mali and to the northeast by Algeria. The Sahara Desert covers nearly 80% of its surface. Its highest point is the Kediet Ijill, at 910 meters above sea level. The only permanently flowing river is the Senegal. The climate is arid.
62% of its inhabitants live in cities, which are concentrated in the south and along the coast of the country. The main ethnic groups are Arabs, the Soninke and the Wolof.
48% of Mauritanians work in agriculture. Nevertheless, the country’s main product is iron, accounting for nearly 60% of its total exports.
