Nouadhibou

Nouadhibou sits on a long peninsula in Mauritania's northwest and lives on two things: the fishing fleet working one of the most productive stretches of ocean anywhere, and the iron ore railway that ends at its port after running some seven hundred kilometres from the mines at Zouerate. The bay holds a large number of abandoned ships. The old town keeps some colonial fabric among the newer concrete.

Background

The city, once called Port-Étienne, dates from 1906 and covers 67.50 square kilometres. The 2023 census counted 173,525 people, up from 72,337 in 2000. It stands on Ras Nouadhibou, a 65-kilometre peninsula also known as Cap Blanc. The city falls into four main areas: the centre with the international airport, Numerowatt to the north, the residential district of Cansado to the south, and a workers' town by the harbour at Port Minéralier. The railway brings iron ore from mines near Fdérik and Zouérat, up to 704 kilometres inland. In the early 20th century the Latécoère network used the town as a stop for mail and passengers. Rainfall averages only 18 mm a year.

Source: Wikipedia, "Nouadhibou"

What to look for

• The fishing fleet - boats working one of the world's richest fishing grounds.
• The ore terminal - the end of the seven hundred kilometre railway from Zouerate.
• The abandoned ships - the vessels left in the bay over decades.
• The peninsula - the long spit the city occupies.

When to go

November to March is the cool season. The coast is cooler than the interior year round because of the Canary current. Fog is common in the mornings.

Things to know

The ship graveyard has been reduced by scrapping and is less than it was. Facilities for visitors are limited. Photography around the port and railway needs care and permission.

Nearby

Cap Blanc is south, and Baie de l'Etoile is north.

Key facts