Geography
Mauritania Quiz
A Saharan nation with the Eye of Africa and one of the world's longest trains.
A Saharan nation with the Eye of Africa and one of the world's longest trains.
The Eye of the Sahara in Mauritania is 40 kilometers wide — so large that astronauts use it as a landmark from space. From the ancient libraries of Chinguetti to one of the longest and heaviest trains on Earth, Mauritania is a desert nation full of surprises that most people have never heard of.
Each round presents 10 randomized multiple-choice questions drawn from a pool of 50, so every playthrough is different. You get instant feedback with explanations after each answer, plus a shareable score at the end.
You'll explore the Richat Structure (Eye of the Sahara), ride the legendary iron ore train from Zouerate to Nouadhibou, discover the medieval libraries of Chinguetti with manuscripts dating to the 9th century, learn about the Banc d'Arguin UNESCO site and its millions of migratory birds, and confront the ongoing legacy of slavery in a nation where it was only criminalized in 2007.
The Eye of the Sahara, officially known as the Richat Structure, is a massive circular geological formation approximately 40 kilometers in diameter located near the town of Ouadane in central Mauritania. Initially thought to be a meteor impact crater, scientists now believe it is a deeply eroded geological dome. It is so large and distinctive that astronauts on the International Space Station use it as a visual landmark from orbit.
Mauritania was the last country in the world to officially abolish slavery in 1981, and it was not criminalized until 2007. Despite these legal changes, human rights organizations estimate that tens of thousands of people remain in conditions of hereditary servitude, particularly among the Haratine (descendants of enslaved Black Africans). The practice is deeply rooted in traditional social hierarchies, and enforcement of anti-slavery laws remains inconsistent.
Yes, passengers can ride the Mauritania iron ore train for free by climbing into the open ore cars. The train runs 704 kilometers from the iron mines at Zouerate to the port city of Nouadhibou and is one of the longest and heaviest trains in the world, stretching over 2.5 kilometers with more than 200 cars. The journey takes 12 to 18 hours through the Sahara Desert and is considered one of the most adventurous train rides on Earth.
Last updated: April 2026