Mauritania is a mysterious, little-known Saharan country, where temperatures in the dry desert heat can reach 57˚C (135˚F). Much of the land is dry and inhospitable and many locations are difficult to reach without long journeys in 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Ouadâne, an oasis settlement in the north concealed by waves of coloured sand dunes, contains 3,000 manuscripts and an ancient mosque, justifying its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Northern Mauritania also contains the seventh holiest city of Islam, Chinguetti. In the Middle Ages, Mauritania hosted the Almoravid movement that spread Islam throughout north Africa. The country has a colourful, indigenous nomad Moorish population.

The coast is an 800km (500 mile) sandy beach, devoid of most vegetation but supporting an astonishingly large and varied population of birds. The Parc National du Banc d’Arguin is a stopover for birds migrating between Europe and Africa.

Though it remains one of the world’s poorest countries, exploitation of Mauritania’s offshore reserves of oil and natural gas could bring prosperity in the future.

Mauritania is bordered by Algeria, Mali, Western Sahara (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) and Senegal. To the west lies the Atlantic Ocean. Mauritania consists mainly of the vast Saharan plain of sand and scrub. Most of this area is a sea of sand dunes, but in places the land rises to rocky plateaux with deep ravines leaving isolated peaks. The Adrar plateau in the central region rises to 500m (1,640ft), and the Tagant further south to 600m (1,970ft). The area is scattered with towns, small villages and oases. The northern bank of the Senegal River, which forms the country’s southern border, is the only area in the country with any degree of permanent vegetation and it supports a wide variety of wildlife.

Explore Mauritania’s coast – essentially an 800km (500-mile) sandy beach, almost devoid of vegetation but supporting an astonishingly large and varied population of birds. Inland, the landscape is empty desert.

Discover the port and centre of the fishing industry, Nouâdhibou, situated on a peninsula at the northern end of the Bay of Levrier. As the waters are rich in fish, some coastal stretches are inhabited by people, despite the shortage of fresh water.

Meet the tribe that survives through a symbiotic relationship with wild dolphins, halfway between Nouakchott and Nouâdhibou. The marine mammals drive fish towards the shore, the tribesmen swim out with nets, and both get their share.

Visit Atâr, capital of the Adrar Region. An oasis lying on the route of salt caravans, it is the market centre for the nomads of northern Mauritania and has an old quarter, the Ksar, with flat-roofed houses and a fine palm grove.

Take an excursion over the breathtaking mountain pass of Homogjar to Chinguetti, a holy city of Islam founded in the 13th century, now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city has a medieval mosque and a library housing ancient manuscripts.

Tour the Affolé and Assaba regions, south and southeast of the Tagant, via Kiffa, Tamchakett and Ayoun el Atrous, to the wild plateaux of El Agher. Interesting archaeological sites include Koumbi Saleh, once capital of the Ghana Empire, 70km (45 miles) from Timbedra.

Find the ancient capital of a Berber empire -Tagdawst, near Tamchakett, has been identified as ‘Aoudaghost’.

Make the most of the water. There are good spots for fishing, swimming and surfing along the coast in the west. Remote and deserted beaches can be found near Nouâdhibou, but there is a risk of landmines in the area.

[View with PicLens]