Nouakchott

Nouakchott is the capital and largest city of Mauritania.

It sits on the Atlantic coast within the Sahara Desert. This location makes it one of the largest urban centers in the desert. The city serves as the nation's primary administrative and economic hub. It manages the country's government and most of its business activities.

As a coastal capital, it connects the desert interior to global maritime routes.

The city's geography presents several unique physical challenges. The terrain is largely flat and very low. In fact, some parts of the city sit below sea level. This makes Nouakchott highly vulnerable to rising sea levels and flooding. To the east, massive sand dunes advance toward the city daily. These shifting sands pose a constant problem for urban stability. The coastline features sandy beaches and shifting sandbanks. There are also areas of quicksand located near the harbor.

Nouakchott's development followed a specific historical plan. Originally, it was a small, fortified fishing village called a ksar. The village was inhabited by the Amazigh-origin Bouhoubainy tribe. As Mauritania prepared for independence, it lacked a central capital. President Moktar Ould Daddah chose this site in 1958. He wanted the capital to symbolize modernity and national unity. The location was chosen to sit between Saint-Louis in Senegal and Nouadhibou. This helped avoid disputes over ethnic dominance between different groups. Construction began in March 1958 to expand the village. By the time France granted independence in 1960, the basics were ready.

The city experienced massive, unconstrained population growth starting in the 1970s. This growth was driven by a severe North African drought. Many people fled their rural villages due to desertification. They moved to Nouakchott to find better lives. This influx led to the creation of the kebbe. The kebbe is a shanty town formed by displaced people. In these areas, many residents live in tents or shacks. Some people build cement structures overnight to avoid destruction. The city is now divided into nine arrondissements, or districts. These include Teyarett, Ksar, Tevragh-Zeïna, Toujounine, Sebkha, El Mina, Dar-Naïm, Arafat, and Riad.

Demographic shifts have changed the scale of the city entirely. The original plan only intended to house 15,000 people. However, the population grew rapidly due to migration. In 1977, the census showed 134,000 residents. By 1988, the number reached 393,325. The 2013 census recorded 958,399 people. Today, the population is estimated at approximately 1.5 million people.

This means at least one third of Mauritania's 3.3 million people live here. Estimating the exact number is difficult because some residents are nomadic. They may move frequently with tents and belongings.

Economic activity is concentrated heavily within the city limits. Three-quarters of Mauritania's service sector enterprises are located here. About 90% of economic activity involves informal transactions. The city features a deepwater port built by China. This port opened in 1986 and handles significant cargo. In 2009, China agreed to invest $282 million to extend the quay. Transportation is supported by the Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport.

The city also hosts the University of Nouakchott Al Aasriya. This is the main university in the country. Other institutions include the National School of Administration and the College of Science and Technology.

Sustainability and climate change are major concerns for the future. The city uses the Sheikh Zayed solar power plant for electricity. Completed in 2012, it is the largest solar plant in Africa. However, desert dust can reduce the efficiency of these solar panels. Climate change also threatens the local environment. A 2019 study suggested that by 2050, the climate might resemble Khartoum. This would mean a significant increase in annual temperatures. The city must balance rapid growth with these environmental pressures.