Mauritania · Africa
Nouakchott sits on the route: 10 minutes from Arafat.
Nouakchott is a major city located in Mauritania. With a population of 1,184,530, it is one of the largest urban centers in Africa.
On a road trip, Nouakchott sits in Mauritania. It's in the Africa/Nouakchott time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Nouakchott to your route.
Nouakchott ( nwa(h)k-SHOT) is the capital and largest city of Mauritania. Located in the southwestern part of the country, it is one of the largest cities in the Sahara. The city also serves as the administrative and economic center of Mauritania.
Once a mid-sized coastal village, Nouakchott was selected as theRead more
capital for the nascent nation of Mauritania, with construction beginning in 1958. It was originally designed to accommodate a population of 15,000, but experienced significant population growth in the 1970s when many Mauritanians fled their home villages due to drought and increasing desertification. Many of the newcomers settled in slum areas of the city that were poorly maintained and extremely overcrowded. By the mid-1980s, Nouakchott's population was estimated to be between 400,000 and 500,000.
As of 2023, the city had a population of nearly 1.5 million people and serves as the hub of the Mauritanian economy. It is home to a deepwater port and Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport, one of the country's two international airports. It also hosts the University of Nouakchott and several other more specialized institutions of higher learning.
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Nouakchott is located in Mauritania, Africa. The coordinates are 18.0858 latitude, -15.9785 longitude.
Nouakchott has a population of approximately 1,184,530 people, making it a major city in Mauritania.
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