Mauritania Elevation Facts
| Average elevation |
276 m (906 ft) |
| Highest point |
Kediet Ijill: 915 m (3,002 ft) |
| Lowest point |
Sebkha de Ndrhamcha: 3 m (10 ft) below sea level |
| Elevation range |
918 m (3,012 ft) from the lowest point to the highest |
| Highest-elevation city |
Zouérat: 395 m (1,296 ft) |
| Lowest-elevation city |
Nouakchott: 2 m (7 ft) |
Mauritania boasts an undulating landscape, with vast stretches of sand in the north, and the Sahel vegetation in the south.
The country is home to the Adrar and Tagant plateaus in the north and the Assaba mountains in the south, while the Kediet ej Jill massif rises in the centre of the country. These sandstone uplands are sparsely populated and are rich in mineral resources.
The central region of Mauritania is home to a series of plateaus, which are interspersed by sandstone cliffs that are home to a variety of flora and fauna.
The terrain is characterized by large flat areas, which are covered in sand and are broken up by rocky outcrops. These outcrops are home to a number of important archaeological sites.
Highest Point in Mauritania
The highest point in Mauritania is Kediet Ijill, which stands at a height of 915 meters (3,002 feet). It is located in the Adrar Region, near the border with Western Sahara.
Lowest Point in Mauritania
The lowest point in Mauritania is the Sebkha de Ndrhamcha, an area of shallow saltwater marshes in the south of the country that lies about 3 meters below sea level.
Countries with Similar Topography to Mauritania
Mauritania is similar to the other Saharan nations of Northwest Africa, such as Western Sahara, Mali, Niger and Algeria, all of which are dominated by vast desert terrain broken up by plateaus, wadis and isolated massifs.
Highest-Elevation Cities in Mauritania
Of the 10 cities listed below, Zouérat is the highest at 395 m (1,296 ft) above sea level, and Nouakchott is the lowest at 2 m (7 ft).
| City |
Elevation |
Elevation in feet |
| Zouérat |
395 m |
1,296 ft |
| Ayoun el Atrous |
282 m |
925 ft |
| Tidjikdja |
274 m |
899 ft |
| Atar |
271 m |
889 ft |
| Kiffa |
238 m |
781 ft |
| Selibaby |
75 m |
246 ft |
| Nouadhibou |
8 m |
26 ft |
| Rosso |
7 m |
23 ft |
| Kaédi |
7 m |
23 ft |
| Nouakchott |
2 m |
7 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest point in Mauritania?
The highest point in Mauritania is Kediet Ijill, at 915 m (3,002 ft) above sea level.
What is the lowest point in Mauritania?
The lowest point in Mauritania is Sebkha de Ndrhamcha, at 3 m (10 ft) below sea level.
What is the average elevation of Mauritania?
The average elevation of Mauritania is 276 m (906 ft) above sea level, based on the CIA World Factbook.
What is the highest-elevation city in Mauritania?
Of the cities listed for Mauritania, Zouérat is the highest, at 395 m (1,296 ft) above sea level.
What is the lowest-elevation city in Mauritania?
Of the cities listed for Mauritania, Nouakchott is the lowest, at 2 m (7 ft) above sea level.
What is the elevation range in Mauritania?
Elevation in Mauritania ranges from 3 m (10 ft) below sea level at Sebkha de Ndrhamcha to 915 m (3,002 ft) at Kediet Ijill, a difference of 918 m (3,012 ft).