What is the brief history of Mauritania?
In 1904, France established Mauritania as a colonial territory. Mauritania gained independence in 1960, with Nouakchott as its capital. Its first president, Moktar Ould Daddah, ushered in an era of authoritarian rule and was eventually deposed in a coup in 1978.
What was the colonial name of Mauritania?
Colonial Mauritania
| Colony of Mauritania Colonie de la Mauritanie | |
|---|---|
| Government | Protectorate (1903–1904) Civil territory (1904–1920) Colony (1920–1946) Overseas territory (1946–1958) Autonomous republic (1958–1960) |
| Commissioner | |
| • 1903–1905 | Xavier Coppolani |
| • 1916–1920 | Nicolas Jules Henri Gaden |
Why was Mauritania colonized?
The European colonial powers of the 19th century had little interest in Mauritania. The French Republic was mostly interested in the territory for strategic reason, as a connection between their possessions in North and in West Africa.
Who founded Mauritania?
In historical times Mauritania was settled by sub-Saharan peoples and by the Ṣanhājah Imazighen (Berbers). The region was the cradle of the Amazigh (singular of Imazighen) Almoravids, a puritanical 11th-century Islamic reform movement that spread an austere form of Islam from the Sahara through to North Africa.
Is Mauritania an Arab country?
Mauritania is culturally and politically part of the Arab world: it is a member of the Arab League and Arabic is the sole official language. Reflecting its colonial heritage, French is widely spoken and serves as a lingua franca. The official religion is Islam, and almost all inhabitants are Sunni Muslims.
Who colonized Morocco?
The French Protectorate consisted of a majority, about nine-tenths, of Morocco. France controlled the Moroccan land to the south of the Spanish Protectorate. The capital city of the French Protectorate was Rabat (History of Morocco to the Present Day, Moroccansands.com).
Who was the first king of Mauritania?
King Atlas was a legendary king of Mauretania credited with inventing the celestial globe. The first known historical king of the Mauri, Baga, ruled during the Second Punic War of 218–201 BC. The Mauri were in close contact with Numidia.
What race is Mauritania?
Mauritania’s population consists of about 70% Moors – people of Amazigh (Berber) and Arab descent, and 30% non-Arabic speaking Africans: Wolof, Bambara, and Fulas. Spoken languages are Arabic (official), Wolof (official), and French. Mauritania is an Islamic country; the majority are Sunni Muslims.
What was the capital of Mauritania in 1960?
As the country gained independence on November 28, 1960, the capital city, Nouakchott, was founded at the site of a small village founded during the colonial period, the Ksar, while 90% of the population was still nomadic.
When did Mauritania become part of the French Empire?
History of Mauritania. The European colonial powers of the 19th century had little interest in Mauritania. The French Republic was mostly interested in the territory for strategic reason, as a connection between their possessions in North and in West Africa. Mauritania thus became part of French West Africa in 1904,…
When did Ghana become part of the British Empire?
The British attacked the Ashanti nation in 1874 and declared it a colonial territory. They were not able at that time to control the entire area that is now known as Ghana, but the area of the Ashanti region within Ghana was attacked by the British.
Who are the original inhabitants of Mauritania?
Mauritania portal. The original inhabitants of Mauritania were the Bafour, presumably a Mande ethnic group, connected to the contemporary Arabized minor social group of Imraguen (“fishermen”) on the Atlantic coast. The territory of Mauritania was on the fringe of geographical knowledge of Libya in classical antiquity.