Mauritania

Mauritania is a small country on the north western coast of Africa. Much of its land is desert; in fact, each year the Sahara expands further into Mauritania. Yet people have been willing to fight over this desolate land for centeries. In recent years, the fighting has been within the country itself. Mauricania is one of the few places in the world where slavery is still practiced and tensions between the country's Maure (Anab-berber) and black African populations have at times exploded in violence. Students can learn much from this desert country as its unique people and cuiture, make Mauritania an incerosting and fascinating land. Book jacket.