Language
Overview
Official languages are Arabic and Wolof; French is the language of commerce and education. The Mauritanians of Arabic or Berber descent speak the Arabic Hassaniya dialect. In addition, other languages, including Solinke and Pulaar.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
05/01/2022 Labor Day
05/25/2022 African Independence Day (Organization of African Unity Founding Day)
07/09/2022 Tabaski (Islamic Festival of Sacrifice)
07/10/2022 Armed Forces Day (memorial day honoring the military)
07/30/2022 islamic new year festival
10/09/2022 Milad un Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad)
11/28/2022 Independence Day
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes the feast day of Korité, Muslims are not allowed to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which leads to interruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore to restrictions for travelers can come.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Korité. This festival, like the Tabaski Festival of Sacrifice, has no specific length of time and can last 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into Mauritania (persons aged 18 and over): 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 g of tobacco; 2 liters of wine and 0.5 liters of alcohol over 22% (foreigners only; must be declared); 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de cologne. 1 camera and 1 film camera and 1 radio; 1 projector (tourists only).
Prohibited Imports
Drugs. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Avenue de France 23
Geneva
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 906 18 40.
Mon-Fri 09.00-13.00 and 14.30-18.00.
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
(Also responsible for Austria.)
No visa issuance. Issuance of visas only at Nouakchott International Airport or at the border point 55 km from Nouadhibou.
Queen-Luise-Strasse 9
Berlin
Germany
+49 (0)30 206 58 83.
http://www.mauretanien-embassy.de
http://www.mauretanien-embassy.de
Mon-Thu 09.00-16.00, Fri 09.00-13.00.
Business
Business etiquette
Good knowledge of French is required. Business hours: Sat-Wed 8am-3pm; Thursday 08.00-13.00.
Business contacts
Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce Lobkowitzplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria Tel. +43 (0)1 513 39 65. Website: aacc.at Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Agriculture de Mauritanie (CCIAM) (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) 303 Avenue de l’Indépendance, BP 215, Nouakchott, Mauritania Tel. +222 (0)45 25 22 14.
Communication
Phone
Direct dialing service in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. No area codes. According to Abbreviationfinder.org, all international calls are routed through the international operator.
Mobile phone
GSM 900. Reception/transmission range only in larger cities. Network operators are Mauritel (Internet: www.mauritel.mr or www.mauritelmobiles.mr) and Mattel. Mainly pre-paid cards are offered, which can be purchased from small dealers and shops everywhere.
Internet
Main provider: Mauritel (Internet: www.mauritel.mr). There is an internet café in Nouakchott.
Post office
International mail service in major cities only. Airmail shipments to Europe take up to two weeks.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.