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Nouakchott was constructed for 15,000, back in 1958.
Now there are 600,000 people living here. This extreme
growth has nothing to do with economical growth. It's
the recurring droughts in Sahara the last 10-20 years,
that have forced young people, families and small communities
into leaving their traditional ways of living.
Nouakchott, the largest city of Sahara, exhibits all
the problems of Mauritania. Some people are rich, but
inadequate living conditions and slums are dominating. |
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Nouakchott - 1957 - Brainstorming
about the fure capital city |
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The city has a lot of charm, and is not a dangerous
place. Stretching for kilometres in northern direction,
Nouakchott has a laid back atmosphere. People are very
friendly, and there are almost just as many women in
the streets as there are men, and there are few signs
of limitations to their freedom.
When in Nouakchott, you will end up walking in the
streets, and go down to the endless beach.
The city centre is active and with entertaining market
activities going on, mainly in the early hours of the
day. The Cinquième district is an even better
market, where handicrafts can be seen or bought. Prices
are high here, and the handicrafts, being of very good
quality, are unfortunately not worth the price. |
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Nouakchott - Market |
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Of buildings to be seen, Nouakchott is too young to
offer anything of high age. The mosque donated by Saudi
Arabia in the town centre, is impressive. So is the Moroccan
one, further south.
Nouakchott deserves to have its sunny side exposed as
well, and the Tavragh Zeina and Las Palmas areas, less
than half a kilometre northwest of the town centre, indicate
what the good life in Mauritania can be like. Huge and
impressive villas, can be seen from a distance, behind
walls and gates. |
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Nouakchott - Saudi Arabia Mosque |
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The national museum of Nouakchott offers historical
and ceramic exhibitions, and should be visited for anyone
who stays in Nouakchott for more than a couple of days.
Nouakchott is extremely expensive, the price level
is as high as in Paris or Geneva. Expect to pay at least
$30 a night for a basic hotel
room. High quality goes at far above $100 a night. Food
is expensive, even if this is one of the better places
to eat in Mauritania. Most of the best restaurants here
are international restaurants. |
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Nouakchott - Court |
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If you are heading north, and to some extent also east,
the best way of travelling is by air
plane. This system is surprisingly well developed
in Mauritania.
Places served in Mauritania : Nouadhibou (daily), Ayunu
l-Atrus (weekly), Atar (3 flights per week), Kaedi (weekly),
Kiffa (weekly), Nema (weekly), Tidjikja (weekly), Selibaby
(weekly), Zouerate (2 flights per week).
Getting to the airport can be expensive, as you have to
rely on taxis without fixed prices.
Flights vary in price, between US$45 and US$90 one way.
Overland transport is problematic, packed cars going south,
trucks and Land Rovers going north. Getting to Nouadhibou
will normally take 30-50 hours. Getting to Rosso, will
take 3-5 hours. Getting to Chinguetti will take 12-20
hours.
Cars can be rented, but it is at least as expensive as
in Europe. Gas is difficult to get in the more remote
regions, and costs around US$0,80 per litre. |
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