Mauritania: Flag and Facts
Mauritania's flag is mostly green, edged with red stripes at the top and bottom, and a yellow five-pointed star above an upward-facing yellow crescent in the center.
- Official name
- Islamic Republic of Mauritania
- Capital
- Nouakchott
- Region
- Western Africa
- Population
- 5.2 million (2025)
- Languages
- Arabic
- Currency
- Mauritanian ouguiya
- Area
- 1,030,700 km² (397,955 sq mi)
- People
- Mauritanian
- Calling code
- +222
- Highest point
- Kediet Ijill 915 m
- Independence
- 28 November 1960 (from France)
- National symbols
- five-pointed star between the horns of a horizontal crescent moon
- Borders
- Algeria, Mali, Senegal, Western Sahara
About Mauritania
The crescent, star, and green field are traditional symbols of Islam, and green also points to hope. Yellow recalls Saharan sand, and the red stripes honor those who died fighting for independence.
The Amazigh and Bafour peoples were among the first to settle here and among the earliest in recorded history to switch from roaming herds to farming. They make up about a third of today's population, and most of the rest trace their roots to the Senegal River Valley. France ruled the area as a colony until independence on 28 November 1960. Decades of coups and single-party rule followed, and the 2019 election brought the first peaceful handover between two elected presidents. The Sahara covers most of the country with flat, barren plains, and the weather stays hot, dry, and dusty year round.
Did you know?
- Kediet Ijill is the highest point in Mauritania at 915 m.
- Mauritania covers 1,030,700 square kilometers, roughly six Floridas.
- Half of Mauritanians are younger than 18.6 years.
Want to test yourself? The random flag generator has a quiz mode, and the full flags of the world page shows every flag at once.
Questions about Mauritania
What is the capital of Mauritania?
Nouakchott is the capital, with about 1.5 million people in 2023.
What currency does Mauritania use?
Mauritania uses the Mauritanian ouguiya.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.