The City of Nouakchott

Nouakchott the capital city of Mauritania lies on a plateau near the West African Atlantic coast, about 270 miles north-northeast of Dakar, Senegal. Originally a coastal village on the desert trail north from Dakar, it was developed after independence (1960) as the capital of the new nation. Nouakchott was a major refugee centre during the Saharan droughts of the 1970s, and its rapid growth during that period was attributed to migration and urbanization in response to the droughts. The city focuses on a square, the Place de l’Indépendence, and includes an airport and industrial area. It is centrally located on the main north-south highway, connecting the more populated agricultural south with the sparsely populated but mineral-rich north. A port facility has been built about 5 miles west for the export of petroleum and copper. The copper is mined near Akjoujt (120 miles northeast). While there has been a steady increase in the port’s activity, the level of traffic remains below that of the more northern port of Nouadhibou. The University of Nouakchott was founded in 1981.

Attractions in Nouakchott

Nouakchott Mosques

The Mosque is located in the southwest of the prudential Palace, there is also Friday Mosque which is the most visited of all the city’s mosque located southeast of the Lebanese International University.

Marché Capitale

Marché Capitale is the primary spot for buying and selling in Nouakchott. It is the biggest market in the capital and its packed with vendors selling different items.

Port de Peche

The Port de Peche is both exciting and intriguing. The port moves from a relatively quiet setting in the early hours of the day to a frantically paced late afternoon. Port de Peche is primary used for fishing activities and it is where the most of the capital’s seafood come from.

Nouakchott Beach

The Mauritanian weather can be a tough one, with its constant sunshine all year long, a visit to one of the beaches is required for a bit of cooling off. Nouakchott Beach off the Atlantic coast is regarded as the best beach in the nation.