BBC TravelJul 12, 2026Mauritania: A rare glimpse at one of the world's least-visited nationsLocated almost entirely in the Sahara, Mauritania is home to centuries-old cities, desert oases and a coastal spectacle so vast you can see it from space.15 things in this storyNouadhibouNeighborhoodCountry's second-largest city and most important fishing portNouakchottNeighborhoodCoastal capital city; one-third of Mauritania's population lives hereBeila dromedary camel marketMarketSecond largest in Africa; popular day trip from NouakchottRoute de l'EspoirTrailNation's main east-west artery; reaches NémaNémaNeighborhoodCity in the desert; gateway to OualataSaharaNeighborhoodIn a remote corner of Sudan, a little-known site holds clues to the prehistoric climate change that created the world’s…Canary CurrentPlacePulls nutrient-rich waters up along the coastOualataNeighborhoodHistoric caravan town; famous for red-earth architectureChinguettiNeighborhoodUnesco World Heritage site; one of Africa's historic caravan citiesAdrar plateauNeighborhoodReached via Ebnou pass; cooler temperaturesancient mosque of ChinguettiSightSecond oldest in continuous use in the Muslim worldlibrariesMuseumPreserve ancient manuscripts and books on astronomy, geometry, medicineTerjitSightDesert oasis known for palm trees; 45km south of AtarAtarNeighborhoodRegional capital near Terjit oasisEbnou passSightRead the full piece at BBC Travel →
