Mauritania

today Islamic Republic of Mauritania----u can hardly imagine that 10,000 years ago, there were large lakes, rivers and enough vegetation to support an abundance of elephants and hippos in Mautitania.but most of the animals died out when the dessert invaded. in 3rd Century, the Berbers and Arab tribes came, replacing the local tribes.How did they reach Mauritania through western Sahara? the significant event is the introduction of camels. so traders(they trade gold,food and of course, slaves)can finally go throughout the dessert. in 9th Century,the first Empire of western Africa emerged. known as the kingdom of Ghana,they established its capital in the westsouth of Mauritania. but after almost 100 years ruling, the Berbers defeated the Empire of Ghana.they also control the southern Spain at that time. Islam widely spreaded.
from 15th century, Africa suffered much abuse at the hands of Europeans who hunger for gold, spice and slaves.but due to its remote location and less-explore natural resources, Mauritania remained almost unscathed----there is no significant sign of de-population. French took over it,but they didn't pay much attetion of it. so they missed the rich oil deposit founded by the end of 1950s, and Mauritania gained its independence in 1960.the industrial process pushed this country to Maxist Union by left wings.(a turning point is a riot which led 9 miners died). in1984, after 24 years communism period, the new regime kick-start the economy and social system.
in 1976, Mauritania and Morroco divided the west Sahara.
in 1978, the first post-independence president was deposed in a millitary coup.
in 1989, race riots finally broke out between Senegal and Mauritania after a border dispute.thousands of black Mauritanian were driven out to Senegal.others became the target of attacks and land seizures.it's definitely an ugly internal battle.women were raped...children were killed....Moors called it 'revenge'.the entire village was abandoned in the dessert without food or water.UN came and tried to rescue those 'lost black Mauritainans'. around 100,000people crossed the border to take a refuge in Senegal.but as the government had less tolerance and finally became xenophobic in public. the aid organizations packed their bags to leave.only islamic neighours assisted them to exile blacks.with Iraq as its closest alley, the government were full of extremists...they suffered great pressure internationally, and they deserved those condemnations.
remember the exiled first post-president? he died in Paris in 2003.at the same year, another coup happened.what's worse, more than 750,000 people were facing food crisis after consecutive drought.the Iraqi war was that year too, which made things more complicated----it partly provoked the uprising and coup.numberous islamic extremists were arrested by the new regime.

politics notwithstanding, Mauritanian weak economy will be boomed (hopefully) by the increasing oil trades(invested by foreigners, of course).although nowadays, attackes on blacks are largely ceased, the discrimination is remain. they're still stuggling getting jobs, identity cards,loans, and almost impossibly---their land back.