I am planning in extending my map of Benin to include all the other countries in West Africa (a UN macro-geographical [sub]region), but I have found conflicting sources and maps of the actual border. The main problem lies with Mauritania, which is in West Africa on 2 images from wikipedia, but not in West Africa on Google Maps. Does anyone have a clue whether it is in North Africa or West Africa?

Mauritania is in Northwest-Africa, which would make it part of both.

Mauritania is part of the geographical North-Africa but NOT the Northern Africa (as a UN subregion)
(see) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Africa

Mauritania itself is often refereed to as West-Africa. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritania

Bottom line is Mauritania is in West-Africa, but often included in North-Africa. (Which makes the reason for my first sentence. )

So, yes Include Mauritania in your map.

Edited 5/5/2014 22:32:16

Wow you know Africa well! Thanks!

dont forget that Crimea is now part of the Soviet-Union!