MR - Mauritania

The name Mauritania derives from the ancient Berber tribes of the Mauri. The Romans called all the native peoples of North Africa by the name Mauri.

On November 28, 1960 the country became independent and Moktar Ould Daddah was the first president, however the French retained control over the economy. Today’s capital Nouakchott was founded where a small colonial village stood, Ksar.