ntroduction
Arab and tropical African influences are felt in Nouakchott, the capital of the Republic of Mauritania in northwestern Africa. Nouakchott is situated near the Atlantic coast. It is a new city that experienced rapid growth in the second half of the 20th century.
Places of interest
Nouakchott was laid out in the 1960s, which makes it quite new for a city. The central city has wider streets and more spacious grounds than most other cities in Africa. However, in the late 20th century the outskirts were settled by new residents whose neighborhoods are more humble.
Almost all of Nouakchott's people are Muslims. They worship in the city's many mosques. The imposing Grande Mosquée was given to the city by Saudi Arabia. The city also has government offices and scholarly institutions, including the University of Nouakchott and a national museum. Other notable sights include a bustling fish market.
Economy
Mauritania is mostly a country of farmers and livestock herders. However, Nouakchott does have a small industrial area. Much of Mauritania's copper is exported from a port just outside Nouakchott, but the country's largest port is at Nouadhibou. Nouakchott is home to an international airport.
History
While it was part of the colony of French West Africa, Mauritania was ruled from a headquarters in the town of Saint-Louis in what is now Senegal. As the country moved toward independence from France and complete separation from Senegal, Mauritania had to create its own capital city. In 1957 the coastal village of Nouakchott, which then had only 400 people, was chosen for the honor. Mauritanian officials chose the town in large part because of its location. It was situated along the main highway that connected the more populated agricultural south with the sparsely populated but mineral-rich north.
After becoming the capital, Nouakchott experienced a population explosion. By 1960, the year of independence, the city had 5,510 people. After independence, many desert nomads gave up their wandering ways and settled in the capital, swelling its population even more. Population (2000 estimate), 611,883.
