Mauritania, named for the ancient Maghreb empire Mauretania, came under French rule as a protectorate in 1903, then as a colony in 1922, then as an overseas territory in 1946, before gaining independence as the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in 1960. Almost the entirety of the modern nation is within the treacherous bounds of the Sahara - and most of the population was, historically, Berber, though since independence a goodly number of West African groups have emigrated to the urban areas of Mauritania. Almost the entire population is Muslim, and Arabic is the official language, though Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof, Malinke, and Hassaniya Arabic are all recognized national languages also.
Stamp details: Top left: Issued in: 1906 From: Saint-Louis, Protectorate of Mauritania MC #1
Top right: Issued on: December 16, 1925 From: Saint-Louis, Colony of Mauritania MC #56
Issued on: January 20, 1960 From: Nouakchott, Islamic Republic of Mauritania MC #161
Issued in: 2010 From: Nouakchott, Islamic Republic of Mauritania MC #1187
Recognized as a sovereign state by the UN: Yes (since October 27, 1961) Official name: Islamic Republic of Mauritania; الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية Member of the Universal Postal Union: Yes (since March 22, 1967)
