Mauritania

Mauritania is a vast, sparsely populated Saharan nation bridging North and West Africa, with roughly 90 percent of its territory covered by desert. Arabic is the official language and Islam the state religion, shaping daily life and legal norms. The economy is driven by iron ore exports, fishing, and livestock, with offshore oil and gas production growing. Nouakchott, one of the world's newest capital cities, houses a third of the national population. Living costs are among the lowest in the region for foreign-currency earners. The country does not permit dual citizenship, and naturalisation requires ten years of continuous lawful residence. Security conditions vary: the capital and coastal areas are generally calm, but travel to northern and eastern regions near the Mali border carries significant risk due to Sahel-region militant activity. Healthcare infrastructure is limited and private medical cover is essential for expatriates.