Nouakchott, Mauritania

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Nouakchott is the capital of Mauritania. When Mauritania was still part of French West-Africa it did not have a capital city; most of its inhabitants were nomads. Nouakchott was founded at the independence in 1960. Since it has grown at an incredible rate and now a third of the population of the country lives in the city; that means 800,000 people.

The city is quite spread out -no high buildings- and does not have a lot of monuments. There is a good beach nearby, with high waves and a somewhat dangerous undertow. There is a market that is good fun and there are a few mosques you might want to have a look at, but that's about it.

Nouakchott does provide you with the opportunity to get your first impressions of life in Mauritania. Even when they are living in the city a nomad is still a nomad. You will see tents pitched in gardens or along the streets and the tea ceremony that played a pivotal role in desert life, is still the centre of every day life.

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