Mauritania Independence Day (November 28): History & Facts

Mauritania Independence Day is celebrated on November 28. On this day in 1960, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania became independent from France, with Moktar Ould Daddah as its first President. Stretching from the Atlantic coast deep into the Sahara, Mauritania links the Arab Maghreb and West Africa.

Country snapshot
Date	November 28 every year
Independence	November 28, 1960, from France
First President	Moktar Ould Daddah
Capital	Nouakchott
Official language	Arabic
Currency	Ouguiya
Holiday type	National public holiday

A Short History

Year	Milestone
11th century	The Almoravid movement rises among Saharan tribes
1903–1920	France gradually takes control; Mauritania becomes part of French West Africa
1957	Construction of the new capital, Nouakchott, begins
1958	Mauritania becomes an autonomous Islamic Republic within the French Community
November 28, 1960	Full independence
1961	Mauritania joins the United Nations
2017	A new flag adds red stripes honouring those who fought for independence

The Flag and Its Meaning

Mauritania’s flag is green with a golden crescent and star, symbols of Islam and of the hope for a bright future. Since 2017, two red stripes along the top and bottom honour the blood shed by those who fought for independence.

Land and Culture

• The Sahara covers most of the country, with dunes, oases and the giant Richat Structure — the “Eye of the Sahara”, visible from space.
• Ancient caravan towns — Chinguetti, Ouadane, Tichitt and Oualata are UNESCO World Heritage Sites with historic libraries of manuscripts.
• Banc d’Arguin National Park — a UNESCO site and one of the world’s most important places for migratory birds.
• Iron ore train — one of the longest and heaviest trains in the world carries ore from Zouérat to Nouadhibou.
• Hospitality and tea — three rounds of sweet green tea with mint are a sign of welcome.

How Independence Day Is Celebrated

• Official ceremonies and a military parade, often held in a different city each year.
• The President’s speech to the nation on the eve of the holiday.
• Flags on public buildings, homes and cars.
• Camel races, music and traditional dance.
• Family gatherings with méchoui (roast lamb) and couscous.

👉 Also November 28: Albanian Independence Day

👉 Plan ahead: All November holidays

Mauritania at a Glance

Fact	Detail
Population	About 5 million
Area	About 1 million km², mostly desert
Official language	Arabic; Hassaniya Arabic, Pulaar, Soninke and Wolof are national languages; French is widely used
Economy	Iron ore, gold, fishing and new offshore gas fields
Religion	Islam

The Ancient Libraries of Chinguetti

Founded as a caravan stop around the 13th century, Chinguetti was once one of Islam’s important centres of learning and a gathering point for pilgrims heading to Mecca. Families there still guard libraries of handwritten manuscripts on religion, astronomy, law and mathematics, some centuries old. Together with Ouadane, Tichitt and Oualata, the town is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site of ancient ksour (fortified settlements).

Life on the Atlantic Coast

• The waters off Mauritania are among the richest fishing grounds in the world.
• The Banc d’Arguin hosts millions of migratory birds each winter.
• In Nouakchott, the fishing port comes alive at sunset as colourful pirogues return with the day’s catch.

Traditions of Hospitality

Tea is central to Mauritanian life. Guests are offered three glasses of strong green tea with mint and sugar, poured from a height to create foam. A saying describes them: the first is bitter like life, the second sweet like love, and the third gentle like death — a reminder to slow down and enjoy company.

FAQ