Clues
Use these details to boost your ability to identify specific countries in the game.
Identity & symbols
Language
Arabic (official), French (administrative); Arabic script and Latin alphabet used
Culture
Look for signs of a nomadic lifestyle, such as camel herding, traditional tents (maison de tentes), and markets selling local crafts and foods.
Miscellaneous
Unique features include the presence of Mauritanian flags, camels, and traditional dress such as the boubou. You might also see the occasional French influence in urban areas.
Capital
Nouakchott
Environment & landscape
Environment
Predominantly desert landscape, with vast sandy expanses, sparse vegetation, and occasional rocky outcrops. Coastal areas feature beaches along the Atlantic Ocean.
Infrastructure
Architecture includes a mix of traditional mud-brick structures and modern buildings. Urban areas may have wide boulevards and less densely packed development compared to other countries.
Coverage
True
Foliage
Common tree types include acacia and palm trees, with sparse grasses and shrubs typical of the desert environment.
Topography
Mauritania is predominantly flat with some hilly areas in the southeast, and it features vast desert landscapes.
Roads & transportation
Cars
Vehicle registration plates are white with a blue border and have a combination of letters and numbers. The country's name is often displayed at the top.
Driving
Vehicles drive on the right side of the road.
Signs
Road signs are often in Arabic and French, with distinctive shapes and colors. Warning signs are generally triangular, while information signs are rectangular.
Stop
Stop signs typically read 'STOP' in English.
Bollards
Bollards in Mauritania are generally simple and may not have distinctive designs; they are often used to control vehicle access in urban areas.
Poles
Utility poles in Mauritania are usually made of wood or concrete and may have simple insulators; some areas have sparse coverage.