Some facts of interest

Mauritania is about 5/6ths desert
Desertification is progressing at a rate of 6km per year
They only produce 30% of their own grain supply
In about 20 years the country has switched from being 70% rural to 70% urban
There are about 2.9 people per square km making it the 7th least densely populated country in the world (Mongolia is the 1st, Australia is 3rd, Canada is 9th)
115 degrees is a typical high in the summer
It is officially the Répulique Islamique de Mauritanie, a french speaking Islamic country
The men their favor fatter women and there has historically been a practice of force feeding girls (it is now dieing out).
25% of Mauritania women are obese
40% of American women are obese
The rising worldwide food prices are hitting the country especially hard:
Where Every Meal is a Sacrifice