Is there anything fascinating about Mauritania?

Senior Moments

Very little according to http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/world/newsid_2687000/2687049.stm which has only one which is as follows: - Fascinating Fact: The traditional drink in Mauritania is a glass of Arab tea with mint. It is the custom to have three glasses of this sweet and very strong tea over about an hour. Jan 02 04, 4:59 AM

lothruin

According to this site, and it doesn't list supporting examples, "Mauritania is beyond doubt the most dramatic country in North Africa" It also lists that in Mauritania you can enjoy the world's longest train, a freight train that carries iron, and who's length normally averages around 3 kilometers. It is also home to the second largest monolith, the 7th holiest city of Islam and "The Eye of Africa," a giant circular impression who's cause is still under speculation. http://lexicorient.com/mauritania/index.htm Jan 02 04, 9:51 AM

Stew54

Not fascinating perhaps, but unexpected - in Mauritania slavery was only made illegal in 1981 (though Amnesty International say that it remains common and that the law is not enforced). http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/2002/mauritania11072002.html Jan 02 04, 4:05 PM

gmackematix

Since I asked this, I have read that the famous Géricault painting "The Raft of the Medusa" depicts survivors of a ship wrecked off the coast of Mauritania. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raft_of_the_Medusa Mauritania still has problems with human trafficking, child labour, female genital mutilation and is one of the seven countries where a man can be executed for being homosexual. There is also a problem in Mauritainia with girls being fattened up for marriage. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/01/mauritania-force-feeding-marriage Sep 09 12, 7:47 PM