Much of Mauritania is desert. Three years of devastating drought have driven nomadic tribes in from the desert, seeking shelter in whatever town or settlement they stumble upon. As is the case in Mali, drought and desertification bring with them problems such as malnutrition and high infant mortality. Mauritania is a desperately poor nation, one of the world's poorest in fact. The extremely desolate landscape of Mauritania makes travel very difficult, even for the locals. These harsh living conditions do not sway the generosity, resolve and resilience of its people. For many people within Mauritania, electricity, running water and functioning sewers would be sheer luxury.

The iron ore industry, particularly in towns such as Zouerat, has given local enterprise a much needed and very welcome glimmer of hope. Scrap metal merchants disassemble disused oil drums to make fencing and housing panels. These scraps of metal are pivotal in the country's struggle to provide adequate housing and shelter for the ever-increasing number of nomads that flee the Sahara's fierce sandstorms. Given its problems, visitors are often delighted to find that Mauritania is home to some the finest Saharan art and architecture. Those interested in the simple lives of welcoming nomadic tribes will revel in what Mauritania has to offer.

The climate of Mauritania is extremely hot and dry year round with no rainy season whatsoever. Rain occasionally arrives in sporadic bursts, but these are more often than not short-lived. Temperatures have been known to reach a staggering 46°C, with lows of 7°C.