Invitation to Discover: the Cultural and Natural Mauritanian Heritage

Vast country belonging to the African continent, Mauritania was first populated by nomadic arabo-berbers of the North and the people of sub-saharan Africa from the South Mauritania preserved from this heritage a rich mosaic rich of Arabic communities (moorish and haratines), halpoulars, soninkés and wolofs. The visitor will note during his stay that Mauritania is a liberal country, tolerant and hospitable. The population is welcoming and respectful of foreigners, of their culture and of their beliefs.

We invite you to further discover the beauty of this country, its people and their traditions within each of the 13 wilayas (regions) that form Mauritania :



Trimmed to the west by the Atlantic ocean, to the south by Senegal of which she is separated by a river, to the southeast and to the east by Mali, to the northeast by Algeria and to the northwest by the Western Sahara, the desert dominates the Mauritanian territory. Among the natural and the cultural wealth’s of this territory, you will be able to appreciate some of the most beautiful places in the world, which some are ranked as a worldwide heritage for humanity by UNESCO.

Thus, the former ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata, four old cities in the heart of the Sahara desert founded in 11th and 12th centuries were ranked as a worldwide cultural heritage. The cities were built in the regions of the Adrar, Tagant and Hodh Ech Chargui. You will certainly have the opportunity to visit one or all of these regions!

A mix of cultures and of civilizations, Mauritania is full of many other historical relics such as the mahdras (traditional universities) and the desert libraries, at the heart of which impressive manuscripts have found their place over the centuries.

Threatened by climatic hazards and by the hand of Man, this cultural heritage is the object of a Project of safeguard and of development implying the local communities and the institutions. The realization of a Web site dedicated to this project indicates the importance of the preservation of the Mauritanian heritage. You will find additional information on the following Web site . The Arguin reef, on the coast of the Atlantic, belongs to the natural heritage for humanity. Formed of sand dunes and of small islands, this sea and earth landscape serves as a haven for many types of birds and of fishes.

For more information on the infinite beauty of Mauritania, please click on the following links, which will direct you to more specific information on Mauritania’s regions and touristy sights.

The links are for your information only, we do not guarantee their contents.

• Adrar Region
• Tagant Region
• Arguin Reef
• Ancient Cities
• Train of the Desert
• The South West
• Road of Hope
• The River Region
• Nouakchott

Festivals

LMauritania possesses a rich and diversified cultural heritage from poetry to the culinary art. Though wisdom, the stories and the legends, the customs, the music, the dances, a large part of the Mauritanian culture is oral. The best way to discover Mauritania is to partake in the life of its people during one of many festivals. Among the most famous, the Festival of Gospel music in Tidgikja, located in the center of the country; the Festival of instrumental music in Néma, located in the extreme south, which paves the way for traditional instruments, similarly to the tidinit, the lute played only by men; as well as, other poetry festivals and folk dances.